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The Capital Times Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1996
William Lorge
Will Lorge now
be 'Fighting Bill'?
by David Calender
The Capital Times
Is state Rep. William "Elvis" Lorge about to give up his claim to the mantle of the King of Rock for the sake of Robert M. "Fighting Bob" La Follette?
And, if so, will he change his moniker to "Fighting Bill"?
The latest news release from the always-unpredictable Bear Creek Republican would seem to suggest it.
Lorge announced Monday that he'd bought "Fighting Bob" La Follette's Empire-style mahogany sideboard at the family's estate sale in Maple Bluff last weekend for an undisclosed sum.
The asking price was at least $1,200, and Lorge said he paid more than that.
Lorge has boasted that his pompadour and sideburns lead many people to mistake him for Elvis Presley. Now he says he more closely resembles the founder of the Progressive Party, "not only in physical appearance but also in his maverick independent political style -- fighting for what is right and for the good of the people he represents," That's according to Lorge's own press release.
Actually, local La Follette experts say Lorge, who measures roughly 6 feet, is a good deal taller than La Follette, who stood about 5-foot-5.
But, they acknowledged, the two men do share a healthy - though sometimes unruly -- head of hair.
Referring to the furniture, Lorge quoted himself as saying he plans to move the La Follette sideboard into his Capitol offices - if he's allowed to - and promised to take "very good care" of the piece.
Lorge described himself as an avid student of the La Follette legacy dating back to his days as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"I chose to write about the La Follettes in my final term paper for my political science class. I was nervous when Attorney General Bronson La Follette asked me for a copy of my writing when he heard about the paper from my father, (former Sen.) Gerald D. Lorge. Bronson, 'Fighting Bob's' grandson, read it and liked it and thanked me."
Bronson La Follette was also in charge of last weekend's estate sale, and Lorge said he believes "Fighting Bob's" grandson approved the sale of the sideboard, "so I guess the Lorge/La Follette friendship lives on."
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(The Capitol Times is one of the most read Daily newspapers in Wisconsin, located in the Capital City of Madison)
In the Spirit of "Fighting Bob" La Follette
Elect
Bill
L O R G E
US Senate
Wisconsin
Return to Lorge for Senate 2000 Home Page
"In the spirit of "Fighting Bob" La Follette, I ask for your vote for the US Senate. Yes, I admire and respect the La Follettes. Our ties are many. I made a commitment when I first ran for public office to dedicate some of my political career to continuing with the entire La Follette legacy that our State holds to the highest standards. It seems we have gone backwards lately. With your vote, I will be able to turn us back on course. I can only make this big impact with your support. We need a Fighter like me in the United States Senate."
"Fighting Bill" Lorge
US Senate Candidate 2000
It is sad that the Fighting History of Bill Lorge has harmed him a great deal, and in many people's eyes, those are just battle scars and that is fine. Al least Bill Lorge stood up and he fought and he has not only the battle scars to show that, but now we need this new fighter, and when a fighter is needed, everyone knows you send in Bill Lorge.
Yet, even with the bigger than life statue of "Fighting Bob" La Follette prominently displayed in our State Capitol Rotunda, there are too many in highly powerful places in that Capitol Building who are destroying all that "Fighting Bob" La Follette stood for. Most just let it happen, we do nothing about the selling off of our Governments that is now common place accepted practice in America. "Fighting Bob" La Follette was all about fighting these corrupt influences in our Government and his lessons are in great need of being learned again by those in high places who are abusing it, even right this very minute. Bill Lorge will help lead this effort. Bill Lorge will work hard and do his very best to be like the same kind of US Senator that "Fighting Bob" La Follette was. His leadership is needed again right now. Not because Bill Lorge owns La Follette's sideboard, nor because the Lorges and the La Follettes have always been close and friendly, but because we need to do it. Wisconsin and the Nation need these reforms. Senator John McCain is now leading a National effort just like the La Follette tradition. Bill Lorge pledges to be a US Senator lined up in McCain's camp, working with him and helping him to achieve these needed reforms. The time is now to bring back the La Follette legacy to Wisconsin, the US Senate and the Nation.
Who will be the next Wisconsin US Senator elected in this special millennium year 2000 who will make this difference? "I will do it, and I want to do it with your help. I would appreciate your vote and support for the US Senate this year. I will do all I can everyday to live up to all the promises I make in this campaign. Thank you."
"Fighting Bill" Lorge
US Senate Candidate
Return to Lorge for Senate 2000 Home Page