WI Republican senate nominee Bob Welch has made the contract
negotiations of Bucks No. 1 draft pick Glenn Robinson a major
issue in his campaign to unseat Senator Herbert Kohl (D-WI), the
owner of the Bucks. In a campaign commercial, Welch holds a
basketball and discusses Robinson: "They say I'm the underdog in
the U.S. Senate race -- and when Herb Kohl signs Glenn 'Big Dog'
Robinson, the Bucks, and Herb's campaign, will get a big assist.
But this campaign is about your bucks, not basketball Bucks. I
hope Herb signs 'Big Dog.' Vote for me and the buck stops here."
Univ. of WI political science professor David Littig said that a
prolonged contract dispute with Robinson could hurt Kohl's
campaign: "The people would be irritated if Kohl didn't get him.
If it goes sour, and it looks like management doesn't have it
together, then I think it can hurt him." But Marquette political
science professor John McAdams said that constituents will not
allow Robinson's contract negotiations to effect their November
vote: "People aren't dumb, they can make distinctions. They
know you've got to pay big money for star athletes" (Paul
Gargano, AP/ MILWAUKEE SENTINEL, 10/14). Today's SENTINEL also
reports that the Bucks have re-opened communication with
Robinson's agent, Charles Tucker, "but there has not been
anything that indicates great strides are being made" to get
Robinson signed (Rick Braun, MILWAUKEE SENTINEL, 10/14).
