REPUBLICANS BLAST FALK AS SOFT ON CRIME

Madison - Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced Monday in
Madison that she is running for the state attorney general, sparking
a flurry of responses from other AG hopefuls, including Waukesha
County District Attorney Paul Bucher.

Falk said she was entering the race because "we live in perilous
times .. times of risk ... and of great opportunity."

The state needs a strong attorney general "to defend against these
threats ... and to seize these opportunities," she said.

Working to eliminate violent crime will be the cornerstone of her
campaign. "The next attorney general must lead this state's fight
against increasing violence," she said.

"I am running for attorney general for the same reason I entered
public service 30 years ago: to put the law to work to protect our
children. They deserve safe communities, the chance to grow up
healthy and loved in neighborhoods that are free from crime and violence."

Falk was an assistant attorney general for 14 years (1983-1997) and
served as public intervenor, Wisconsin's environmental watchdog, for
12 of them (1983-1995). She began her career as co-director and legal
counsel for Wisconsin's Environmental Decade (1976-1983).

Bucher blasted Falk Monday, stating that Falk advances a radical
agenda that will compromise public safety and is out of touch with
average Wisconsinites.

"You must be kidding," Bucher said of Falk's entrance into the
attorney general's race. "This anti-law-enforce-ment individual wants
to run for the state's top cop? I work day in and day out and have
spent my entire career putting criminals in prison, as have other law
enforcement officers throughout this state, and this individual wants
to release them?

"What does it say to the average law enforcement officer and citizen?
That we care more about the rights of thugs and gangsters than we do
about the safety of our families?

"I look forward to this race. I look forward to debating this
anti-law-enforcement candid-ate who now conveniently cloaks herself
in pro-criminal-justice rhetoric. Her consistent, longtime record
opposing law enforcement both in Dane County and statewide will be
front and center in this race."

Bucher noted, "As a candidate for governor, Falk proposed releasing
half of newly convicted nonviolent criminals who had been sentenced
to prison for two years or less into the community. Under her plan,
dangerous offenders would be diverted into treatment instead of
serving time in prison.

"Kathleen Falk is not in touch with the beliefs of average
Wisconsinites," Bucher said. "I highly doubt that most people in
Wisconsin want an individual who has so constantly been a thorn in
the side of law enforcement as their 'top cop,' whose ideas would put
our families at risk, and who has virtually no prosecutorial
experience," said Bucher.

Attorney general candidate and former U.S. Attorney JB Van Hollen on
Monday released a statement that said Falk poses a threat to serious
law enforcement and protecting the safety and security of Wisconsin families.

Van Hollen said he questioned Falk's ability to lead the Wisconsin
Department of Justice, given her clear lack of prosecution experience
and soft-on-crime record.

"Now is not the time to get soft on crime. Drugs are ravishing our
neighborhoods and communities, yet Kathleen Falk wants to let drug
pushers off the hook," Van Hollen said. "Wisconsin needs a serious
'top cop' to combat the scourge of methamphetamine and the criminals
who prey on our children. People on the frontlines of fighting crime
will quickly see why Falk's candidacy can be dangerous for law
enforcement and the safety of our families."

Before Bucher or Van Hollen has a shot at running against Kathleen
Falk, she will face incumbent Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager in a primary.

"No one had to convince Peg to run for attorney general in 2002. "In
fact, it was all of the political insiders who tried to dissuade her,
even then," said Dan Bachhuber, a spokesman for Lautenschlager's campaign.

Bachhuber further called Lautenschlager a "proven friend to Wisconsin
law enforcement," noting she has fought to maintain the number of
Wisconsin Department of Justice criminal special agents on the
streets, and has increased the number of analysts at the department's
State Crime Laboratories.

"Unlike her opponent, at a time when the demands of law enforcement
are greatest, Peg has fought against cuts in law enforcement, not
proposed them," Bachhuber said.

"Kathleen Falk shows an absence of experience as a prosecutor, which
would make anyone question why she would feel qualified for the job
of attorney general," said Bachhuber.

The primary will be held Sept. 12, 2006. The general election for the
seat is Nov. 7, 2006.