Wisconsin gov.: I didn't block opposition website

Republican Gov. Scott Walker speaks at a news conference inside the Wisconsin State Capitol February 21, 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin.

/ Getty Images/Eric Thayer

Here's a sign of how nasty the standoff between Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the union protesters who are rallying against Walker's proposal to eliminate most of their collective bargaining rights: A skirmish broke out Tuesday over whether Walker had purposely blocked access in the Capitol building to a left-leaning website used to rally protesters.

Amid reports that the site -- defendwisconsin.org - was inaccessible on Monday and Tuesday morning, Wisconsin Democratic Party press secretary Graeme Zielinski pointed the finger at Walker and other Republicans, accusing them of a "direct assault on the First Amendment." A liberal blogger at the website ThinkProgress accused Walker of "taking a page from former Egyptian Dictator Hosni Mubarak and cutting off internet access to key protest organizers within the state Capitol building."

Walker's spokesman, Cullen Werwie, released a statement to CBS News calling the accusation that the site had been intentionally blocked a "lie."

"The Department of Administration blocks all new websites shortly after they are created, until they go through a software approval program that unblocks them," the statement said. "Within 30 minutes of being notified this website was blocked, DOA circumvented the software and immediately made the website accessible."

Werwie added that "The Democratic Party should spend less time lying about Gov. Walker and more time trying to get their AWOL state senators back to Wisconsin." Democratic senators have fled the state in an effort to prevent a vote on Walker's proposal.

The Journal-Sentinel of Milwaukee reports that defendwisconsin.org was created by University of Wisconsin teaching and graduate assistants to disseminate information about protests and Walkers' proposals. Zielinski, from the Wisconsin Democratic Party, reportedly cast the claim that there is automatic vetting for new sites as inaccurate.

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21 Photos

Wisconsin protests

[brian_norwood]

Walker: "Help! I'm stuck in a corner and can't get out!"

[Rodeo_Joe]

Walker's "repair bill" has an option to SELL OFF the PUBLIC UTILITIES with NO-BID contracts, for whatever amount, and to do so WITHOUT any commission oversight.

Wouldn't want THAT to get out, would we?

[crazyname]

Poor democrats, say and do anything to make the Governor look bad and anti citizen. He is doing what he is elected to do and that is to balance a budget and future budgets. A teacher doesn't need a labor union to do his or her job. If the union comes before the education of the students, the teachers need to go. same for the politians. Get somebody in all jobs that care for what they are doing rather than their wallets. If they don't want to teach, leave and let somebody that can, do!

[Zann-Zel]

You got him on the defensive now! : )

Keep fighting Wisconsin!

[tsigili]

Of course he blocked it. He will do it again, if need be. The freedom in this country, is a thing of the ancient past.

[Cattzen]

"The Department of Administration blocks all new websites shortly after they are created, until they go through a software approval program that unblocks them"

Therefore, the site was BLOCKED!

[rmacgilv]

Obama and his union thugs have played this far enough.It's time to move on and pass non financial legislation that doesn't require a quorum.All the republicans have to ask is what would the dems do if they were in the republicans place.Well,they would shove it down the people's throats just like Obamacare.

[nearl451]

It doens't really matter how much bile you spew.

Within a year the bill will have passed; but your darling Gov. will be facing recall.

The Unions already conceded the demands; the Gov is just going for a death blow....at thesame time as giving incredible tax breaks.

2012 is shaping up just fine for Obama and Dems, because Republicans are NOT about jobs as they claimed. They are picking fights with the public welfare at large. No need for us liberals to even weigh in, you righties are donig such a fine job giving yourselves black eyes (as we knew you would).

BTW, I can't WAIT for Boehner to touch that third rail.

[Cattzen]

The Republicans in Wisconisn increased the deficit by decreasing taxes and are now attacking the Union Right to Bargin.

GOP = Corruption and mismanagement.

[RealiteBites]

If the site was accessible prior to Monday, then it's Walker that's lying.

I believe the Wisconsin Democrats - he's like Mubarak! :p

[RealiteBites]

(because otherwise the excuse Walker's aides gave (in the linked piece) isn't applicable)

I believe the Dems!

[Cattzen]

Walker (texas ranger)has to be the most stupid (sitting) Governor in US History.

[sierrablancalucia]

The Republican attack on the middle class never ends. Walker is just a mouth piece for the billionaire Koch bros. and other far right zillionaires.