WMC and the governor's race

The Isthmus has an interesting article about business vs the religious right in last week's edition (still available until tomorrow but not online) that is worth a read. It explores the problem groups like Wisconsin Manufacturers in Commerce (WMC) have with the religious right demanding things like bans on gay marriage and stem cell research that are bad for business in Wisconsin.

A potential ban on stem cell research will have massive consequences for our state. Wisconsin is truly poised to become the leader in stem cell research and the potential for our state's economy is in the billions. It is an industry that creates high-paying, long-term jobs too.

But a potential ban on gay marriage and civil unions could have a huge financial impact for our state too. The ban proposed in Wisconsin goes much farther than the ones in other states. It could put domestic partner benefits for everyone at risk which will make it harder for our state to recruit talented professionals. If the UW system cannot offer benefits to future researchers and other universities can, it means our state will pass up on the grants and potential patents that could be developed here simply because the religious right wants to be able to stick their noses in everyone's bedroom.

It could also mean Wisconsin will lose millions of dollars in convention spending if the past is any indicator. The Isthmus article revealed that the city of Cincinnati had $45 million worth of conventions pull out after they passed a ban on protections for gays in lesbians for employment, civil rights and housing. Many other potential conventions took Cincinnati off the list. The city repealed the ban in 2004. Wisconsin politicians should take note - those campaign slogans really do affect not only people lives, but the bottom line.

So what is a group like WMC to do? Should they back Governor Doyle because he is on their side when it comes to the potential economic development our state could have with stem cell research or stick with a Republican like they usually do and back Rep. Mark Green even though he could cost their members billions of dollars?

The Isthmus article notes that WMC mostly sat out of the last governor's race. Will they do so again?