DOYLE PICKS TAJ MAHAL FOR INAUG GIG

By Michael Horne

Freshly delivered for the readers of www.milwaukeeworld.com


Governor Jim Doyle's inaugural committee announced today that legendary performer Taj Mahal would perform at the inauguration festivities 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 3rd 2007 at Monona Terrace in Madison.
Mahal will be joined by Milwaukeeans Willy Porter and Eddie Butts in what now seems to be a rather reasonable way to spend $25, which is the price of admission. The inaugural ball is a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wisconsin.
For those who are unwilling or unable to travel to Capital City for the fun, the Governor and his Lieutenant Governor, the vivacious Barbara Lawton, will be crisscrossing the state on January 2nd. Those who would like to start the first business day of the new year by watching the sun bounce off the governor's shiny head will be able to do so beginning at 7 a.m. at the Pilot's House at Pier Wisconsin, on Milwaukee's lakefront. No fee is required, but you must RSVP for this particular rendezvous with history. Doyle and Lawton will also travel to other cities in the state on that auspicious day, including Green Bay, Superior, LaCrosse, Wausau and Beloit, so he will not be in a position to mingle.
I have also used my finely-honed powers of perception to ascertain that the Governor's eagerly-awaited inaugural address will center on the lofty theme of "One Wisconsin. One Future."
It is possible that this theme is so resonant that it shall also be incorporated into Doyle's State of the State address, another reason why devotees of political oratory will be practically beside themselves with an embarrassment of riches this January .
According to experts, Doyle's speechifying is considered to be on a level with that of Cicero.*
[*Cicero, Illinois, that is. -- Ed.]