Barca, GOP Rep. Honadel consider 'brat summit' successful

By Dan O'Donnell & Matt Montgomery

CREATED Jun. 12, 2012 - UPDATED: Jun. 12, 2012

  • Print

MADISON- Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca calls Governor Walker's brat summit a complete success.

"The food was good, we had brats from the Brat Stop in Kenosha...ate a salad and everything you would expect with a picnic," said Barca to Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Wisconsin's Afternoon News with John Mercure.  "We had a very nice time, very informal, very casual."

Barca said he remains cautiously optimistic when the governor said he will try to be more bipartisan in his effort to move Wisconsin forward. 

"If in fact as a consequence it does lead to a special session where we can close the skills gap and put people back to work, that would be the best outcome," said Barca.  "Clearly anytime you open up the lines of communication, that's a positive thing...The most important element is what happens next."

Republican Representative Mark Honadel had nothing but positive things to say about the brat summit to Wisconsin's Afternoon News.  "I think it was good, the governor put his best foot forward, we had a good turnout.  I think it was productive."

Governor Walker hosted the brat summit to promote bipartisan unity in the wake of last week's recall elections.  "He (Governor Walker) was actually running the grill, working hard and taking care of everybody -- Republican, Democrats, staff," said Honadel

Honadel wasn't concerned about the lawmakers who protested the cookout.  "If anybody is crying about this, I'm not going to worry about them...We're gonna get back to work and do what's best for Wisconsin."