Wineke calls for unity

In a call for unity, DPW Chairman Joe Wineke said Clinton and Obama were the two best candidates the party has seen and fought an "epic battle" that one had to win.

"We will be united as a Democratic Party in this state and in this country moving on," Wineke said

Wineke said that while he won't seek a third two-year term next year, his goals before he leaves are getting Barack Obama into the White House, getting U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen re-elected, and defeating U.S. Reps. Paul Ryan and Jim Sensenbrenner.

Wineke pointed to gains in the last election, noting Dems have the majority in the Senate and are three seats away from controlling the Assembly. Wineke predicted further gains this year.

"We're going to win eight to 10 seats in the State Assembly, and we're never going to look back again," Wineke said to loud applause. "We're going to take back this state, we're going to take back this country, and the world is going to respect America again."

Before making his remarks, Wineke ordered delegates from the 8th CD to move from the back of the room to the front as a reward for helping win the seat for Kagen. The seating was arranged starting with the 1st CD in the first section and the 8th CD in the back.

-- By David Wise