GWEN MOORE: WISCONSIN'S POLITICAL HEMORRHOID

Wisconsin boasts a broad number of political embarrassments. Perhaps one of the greatest embarrassments of our time, is Rep. Gwen Moore, congresswomen from the Forth District, an area that encompasses the south and near north side of Milwaukee, Cudahy, South Milwaukee and parts of West Allis. Gwen Moore is without a doubt an inept addition to the congressional team of Democrats that represent Wisconsin. Moore is essentially a hard core, leftist Obamiate. She is strong proponent of social welfare and her questionable voting record is anything but business friendly.

A member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), she votes almost completely in tandem with the far left-wing elements in her party. With such an ideology, it is fair to say that Ms. Moore is out of touch the hard-working, lower middle class elements in her district, and her leftist politics do little to attract business or create lasting employment in Milwaukee and the surrounding area. Despite her record, Moore was elected to Congress in 2004 and again in 2006. In both elections she commanded nearly 70% of the vote. In 2008, she ran nearly uncontested.

Given her prior successes, the prospect of beating Moore in 2010 seems a Herculean feat. In 2004, Gerald Boyle, a Milwaukee Attorney and son of Gerald Boyle, Sr.; the famed attorney who defended serial killed Jeffrey Dahmer, commanded only 30% of the vote. In an interview with Boyle after the election, he was quoted as saying, "Today, Gwen and I are both winners."

Maybe Boyle achieved what he wanted, but the people of the Forth District had just elected the biggest boob west of Dollywood. Little did they know that this candidate would be the same person to send herself and her cronies on a "goodwill" trip to Africa while simultaneously voting to end the war in Iraq without victory for the troops who risked their lives for her freedom. It is also fair to say that Moore's goodwill trip to Africa produced no jobs and lowered no one's taxes.

As we draw closer to the 2010 election, a couple of candidates have expressed interest in running against this self-serving megalomaniac. One such candidate is Dan Sebring, a Navy veteran, mechanic and small business owner on the south side of Milwaukee. Perhaps Sebring is the perfect antidote to Moore. Unlike the upper-middle class pretensions of prior contenders, Sebring is more comfortable in work boots, blue jeans and overalls. His appearance and demeanor is closely aligned with the people of the Forth District's south side; and unlike Moore, he works in the private sector, running a business and creating employment opportunities for others. In contrast, Moore has never worked in a for-profit organization. Her politics of raising taxes on business are likely to drive employers out of Milwaukee, hurting the likes of Sebring and his constituents.

The question beckons, does this or any other conservative candidate have the wherewithal to cut this political cancer from the emaciated body of Wisconsin politics? Maybe, but much depends on the force of conviction brought to the process. History shows us that an exchange of pleasantries and an unwillingness to do battle with Moore could cast Sebring to the Davey Jones locker of Wisconsin political failures.

To challenge Moore can be nothing less than a declaration of war. The plan of attack must be merciless and relentless, but fair. Sebring has much against him, but not all is lost. Of the forth district's 670,000 people; approximately 55% are White, 33% are Black, 11% are Hispanic and 3% are Asian. Conventional wisdom suggests African Americans vote overwhelmingly Democratic and if the opposing candidate is African American (as is Gwen Moore) Sebring's battle is even tougher.

Sebring's chances lie with everybody else. This won't be easy because many of the residents come from the old school mentality that Democrats are for the little guy, an attitude perpetuated by unions - a still dominant force in blue-collar Milwaukee. Despite the obstacles, there is perhaps no candidate in recent history capable of staging an upset. Sebring is not a pretentious outsider who moved to the district for political gain. He lives and works in the district and has for some time. Although Sebring looks, talks and walks like many of the residents in the district, he needs to show these people that he is one of them and shares their concerns.

Hopefully they will buy what they see. In light of her voting record and her personal past, Gwen Moore is clearly a vulnerable candidate. If Sebring can exploit that vulnerability, he might just win the war.