Bill Leuders pens a really revealing piece in the Isthmus this week, detailing Brett Hulsey’s widely condemned attention-chasing during the upheaval at the Capitol. But what I found most surprising was the number of high-profile Democrats who were willing to call out the freshman legislator’s behavior:
“We generally have a plan in terms of our message to the media,” says state Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison). “Sometimes people feel Brett’s on his own plan and not on the team.”
Rep. Kelda Roys (D-Madison), who during last fall’s campaign bristled at Hulsey’s claim that she endorsed him, which she denied, thinks he’s tried to build working relationships with his colleagues, albeit not with overwhelming success.
“Brett has a lot of ideas, and he is very good at getting media attention,” says Roys. “But he should develop a little more sensitivity to how his behavior impacts his colleagues.”
But the first few months of Hulsey’s service have revealed him to be much worse than simply a grandstander. In truth, he has repeatedly co-opted and betrayed the very movement that he is now so intent on using to advance his political career.
I wasn’t at the Capitol as much as I would have liked during the protests, but from what I did see of Hulsey’s behavior and heard from other people there, his actions were utterly outrageous and indefensible. Which is why I found this quote of his from the article so repellent:
Another charge is that Hulsey intentionally let additional protesters into the Capitol on March 3, after a judge issued an order that the building be vacated. Hulsey says he entered along with others when a door opened. He later helped persuade the protesters to leave voluntarily.
“I had credibility with them because I had been there with them,” he says.
No, he didn’t. Who is he trying to convince? Himself? On more than one occasion while speaking – after cutting in front of people who had been waiting to use the bullhorn for close to an hour – Hulsey was heckled by protesters. He repeatedly told those remaining in the building to leave the premises, essentially chiding them for interfering with the real work of state legislators. At one point, he insisted on leading a march of the protesters outside of the Capitol.
On other occasions, he collaborated with the police in detailing information about protesters and having them removed, as Allen Ruff indicates in the comments section of the article. Speaking with the bullhorn (again), he told protesters that an agreement with the Republicans had been reached and that clearing the Capitol would help move this process along. After lying in this way, he was then recorded talking with the police, telling the cops how to deal with the “anarchists on the second floor” who hadn’t yet left.
It’s true that Hulsey’s official title probably came with an innate credibility among people who didn’t know who he otherwise was, but from the most committed protesters – the ones witness to his antics – rarely have I heard more derisive things said about a Democratic politician.
And what was with his insistence on getting between Glenn Grothman and exasperated protesters on the grounds of the Capitol in that video released to Fox News? Senator Grothman, a profoundly creepy individual, had spent countless hours walking through protesters, insulting and provoking them in the most demeaning way. Eventually, enough people were fed up and began chanting at Grothman as he appears to be walking inside the building, only to be interrupted by Hulsey, who makes it seem as if he is defending Grothman from the grave threat of chanting teachers and students (playing right into the Fox narrative). Does anyone seriously believe that the Senator was in any way being physically threatened? But to Hulsey, that wasn’t the issue – any opportunity for media attention and portraying himself as the responsible leader of the protesters is one worth taking.
Regardless of Hulsey’s obnoxious, treacherous and ultimately indefensible behavior, one thing is for sure: Andy Olsen will do his best to justify his unjustifiable actions.
Kyle, your account contradicts the videotape and is counter-intuitive. Exactly how did Senator Grothman insult and provoke the protestors “in the most demeaning way.” What exactly did he say? Was he shouting slogans? Using profanity? Did he make obscene hand gestures? What were they? Did he carry insulting signs? Wear a provocative T-shirt. Shove and push. Make loud noise in order to drown out others? Oh, wait a minute. That’s you guys!
Yo Dave, thanks for your comment, brother. Regarding your inquiry, I encourage you to talk with real life, flesh-and-blood protesters. I’ve spoken with numerous people who have stated they were called “slobs,” told to “clean up the place” and insulted as “lazy” and otherwise worthless by Senator Grothman as he insisted on stepping over protesters during the occupation.
But it’s not just a matter of taking my word for it – or that of any other “radical socialist” opposed to the Governor’s policies. Grothman’s insistence on provoking protesters is common knowledge by now – ie his insistence on showing up to M&I to make a transaction on precisely the day the firefighters were staging their protest. One extremely hateful member of the crowd tried to give the Senator a hug, the latter then shrinking away, as vampires regularly do.
I would also point out that stripping the rights and slashing the pay of working families is provocation enough for non-violent chanting, in my opinion.
The nerve of the man! To attempt to make a deposit at his bank when the Left has declared the premises off limits to capitalist commerce that day!