Neumann reintroduces himself to GOP

Mark Neumann acknowledges he has a lot in common with Scott Walker.

That includes the choice voters will have in next year's gubernatorial campaign with Dem Gov. Jim Doyle and one side and -- likely -- Walker and Neumann in the GOP primary.

"You're going to find us agreeing on a lot of things," Neumann said. "I do agree with Scott that the choice is between two people who have a lot of government experience and one person with a reasonable amount of experience, successful experience, who comes from the private sector and has created jobs."

Walker has been a heavy presence at this weekend's convention between the signs, stickers, T-shirts and featured speaking slot during this morning's lineup.

Neumann, on the other hand, came in Saturday morning to talk with delegates and will give a short address at this evening's reception.

The former U.S. Rep and homebuilder said the convention was a chance to reintroduce himself to people after more than a decade in the private sector. He left the House after losing his 1998 bid against Dem Sen. Russ Feingold.

Neumann said some of the delegates he spoke with today asked him to take on Feingold again, preferring to avoid a GOP primary for governor. Still, he said none of them told him not to run, especially after he explained that he was doing what he believed was right in his heart.

Neumann, who said he is now in the planning stages to lay a foundation for a campaign, acknowledged there aren't many policy differences between himself and Walker. Still, he promised a campaign against Walker would not devolve into a personality clash as the two try to differentiate themselves for primary voters.

"In all fairness, it shouldn't be about Scott Walker or Mark Neumann or Jim Doyle," he said. "It should be about who they believe can do the best job putting our people back to work, creating a bright future for our state."

Listen to the interview.

-- By JR Ross