Assembly leaders stress "three"

Rep. Jim Kreuser, D-Kenosha, addressed the convention as Assembly Dem leader for the fifth and final time, appearing with Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, who has taken charge of campaign efforts for the minority.

Kreuser, who will depart the Assembly after winning election as Kenosha County executive on Tuesday, said he stayed on as minority leader in order to keep the party united while his potential replacements helped guide the fall campaign.

"The last time this happened, the Democrats won 58 seats in the state Assembly," Kreuser said.

Kreuser and Pocan eached stressed the number three in their speeches, which is the number of seats needed to flip the Assembly this fall. One of the more popular stickers that delegates sported Friday night had a blue state of Wisconsin with a plus sign and the number three in white.

Pocan said Dems have recruited candidates in more Assembly districts than for any election in the last 24 years.

"We are in the midst of having a perfect storm," Pocan said of Dem chances in the Assembly. "We have a 99-district strategy in Wisconsin."

Listen to Kreuser and Pocan addressing delegates: http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/080613KreuserPocan.mp3


-- By Andy Szal