Walker's Antipathy Towards Madison Now Sharply In Focus

Scott Walker is apparently one of those Wisconsinites who has an intense dislike for the City of Madison.

Unfortunately, he's in a position to do something with partisan, punitive outlook.

Killing the Amtrak extension to Madison hurt that city more than any other on the route. Milwaukee is connected to Chicago and the Empire Builder; Madison is not. So Madison's downtown and connections to other Midwestern cities and beyond took that hit.

His assault on public employees' bargaining rights, household budgets and future wages falls heaviest on Madison than any other Wisconsin city, obviously - - so the Walker plan is a direct blow to Madison's economy.

It also provides huge Democratic majorities in most elections, so there is a partisan opportunity for Walker to make life tougher and disposable incomes for campaign donations more stressed for Madison Democrats.

Coincidence? I think not.

Then there is his emerging plan to remove the UW-Madison campus from the UW System, putting it under the control of a board of his choosing. That puts the operation of the campus into the hands of Walker's partisan and private-sector backers - - and what a meddling opportunity that is to turn admissions, teaching, curriculum, research and other activities to the corporate and political Right.

And use the newly-reconfigured UW-Walker to water down the city's liberal identity and Democratic base.