MADISON (WKOW) -- The Democratic primary for Governor is turning into a war of words as Kathleen Falk turns up the heat on Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Falk told 27 News Wednesday she simply wants voters to have the correct information before heading to the polls.
But a prominent Democrat calls her strategy the equivalent of a "suicide pact" for the party's chances in June.
Still, Falk isn't backing down on that rhetoric.
"That's why all these organizations have endorsed me, because I have been with them and part of this movement for the entire last year, unlike my friend Tom, who wanted Act 10 to be broader," said Falk.
The former Dane County Executive said she was not only a more visible presence than Barrett at the capitol protests, but during the petition drive too.
"I have worked very hard with citizens to gather those million signatures and my friend Tom had not even signed it a month after the recall started," said Falk.
"That's exactly what the Governor wants, he wants us to attack each other and I'm not gonna fall for that trick," Barrett told reporters in Green Bay.
A key Democrat who endorsed Tom Barrett said Falk's comments have no place in this particular primary.
"Our chances of unseating the Governor are not so outrageously good, that we can waste time attacking each other," said former Congressman Dave Obey of Wausau. "We have to be focused on the Governor."
Obey endorsed Barrett, and is urging the Falk campaign to drop its attacks.
"It doesn't help to shoot somebody for two weeks, and then say, oh by the way, he's a pretty good guy, now we hope you change your mind and vote for him," said Obey.
But a Falk adviser told 27 News that Barrett's camp is also taking its shots, criticizing Falk's plan for restoring collective bargaining rights since he entered the race.
"Campaigns are about talking about our differences and those are big differences that this great movement of a million people have seen," said Falk.
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MADISON (WKOW) -- Former Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey said Wednesday that any Democratic candidate for Governor who attacks a fellow Democrat is essentially making a "suicide pact" for the party.
Obey, who served 21 terms in Congress, talked to Wisconsin reporters on a conference call Wednesday morning.
While never mentioning Kathleen Falk by name, Obey's comments were pointed at her campaign's apparent decision to go after Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett with attacks leading up to the May 8 primary.
Politico.com quoted a Falk campaign adviser on Tuesday who said Barrett waffled on worker's rights during the fight over collective bargaining and reluctantly signed a petition to recall Governor Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin) from office.
Obey said the most important thing Democrats can do right now is to unify and stay focused on Governor Walker.
Falk's Campaign has not confirmed with 27 News that their strategy will focus on attacking Barrett for the next two weeks.
