Barrett calls on Walker for 4 debates

Associated Press

Updated: May 9, 2012 8:59 AM

MADISON (AP) — Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett wants to debate incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker four times before the June 5 recall election.

Barrett on Wednesday called on Walker to focus all of the debates on the issue of jobs.

Walker's campaign spokeswoman Ciara Matthews had no immediate comment.

Jobs and the economy have been a major focus of the recall campaign, with both sides using different numbers to make their cases.

Walker points to the state's unemployment rate, which is the lowest it's been since 2008.

But Barrett points out that Wisconsin lost more jobs than any other state between March 2011 and March 2012.

Walker has also taken Barrett to task for Milwaukee's 10.4 percent unemployment. Barrett has been mayor of Milwaukee since 2004.

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