Conventional wisdom is the most important science in politics. Conventional wisdom in Wisconsin is that a state-wide ticket may never be composed of two candidates from Milwaukee. Ald. Tony Zielinski is apparently the first casualty of the rule-of-thumb:
Advisors very close to Tom Barrett have indicated to me that Tom believes that two people from Milwaukee cannot win. While I personally think two people from Milwaukee can win, that is not the only factor I must consider. While there was no other candidate that was both from outside of Milwaukee and that held elective office in the race before, I could not in good conscience withdraw. This is no longer the case. Tom Nelson has both elective office experience and is not from Milwaukee. For those reasons I am withdrawing from the race for Lieutenant Governor.
Is Henry Sanders the next victim? He's not from Milwaukee, but Madison is probably not much better in the Wisconsin political psyche. Nelson, who is from the Green Bay area, is supposedly the perfect guy for the job that requires nothing and pays well. What some Democrats are saying is that very soon Barrett will sit down with any other LG candidates and offer them favors in return for clearing the way for Nelson.