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Obey mulls governor bid

One of the most venerable names in Wisconsin Democratic Party politics isn't ruling out coming out of retirement to run against Gov. Scott Walker if the governor is recalled.

David Obey

One of the most venerable names in Wisconsin Democratic Party politics isn't ruling out coming out of retirement to run against Gov. Scott Walker if the governor is recalled.

After 42 years as northern Wisconsin's U.S. representative, Dave Obey decided against running for another term and retired in January. But now, he's angry enough to get back into the ring if Walker is recalled.

"What he has done to crunch education and what he has done to strip workers of their legitimate bargaining rights is bad enough," Obey said

But Obey says new Republican-backed Voter ID laws are even worse.

"When you start putting up barriers to people casting their votes at election time, you are going right at the guts of democracy, and I think it's outrageous," the former congressman said.

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But Obey isn't his own first choice. He hopes retiring U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl or Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett run instead of him.

"Sometimes you don't get what you prefer in politics, and in that case I would have to think about it," Obey said.

Recall petitions against Walker could begin Nov. 15.

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