[According to the Journal-Sentinel](http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=790245), Gov. Jim Doyle might have violated the state ethics code
by using a state aide to write the speech he gave at the Democratic Convention last week. State employees are not allowed to work on political speeches or speeches interpreted to bring “personal gain” to the officeholder.

However, the case is not so clear cut. If the speech is interpreted to be relevant to “state issues or policy,” then the governor may have been using state resources appropriately. That’s the argument Doyle is making.

For those of us cynical enough to realize that every speeh a politician gives is political, this may sound like a bunch of nonsense. However, there are rules for a reason, and Doyle should have known better. Moreover, these rules are there to discourage officeholders from dedicating their policy staffers to campaigning full time.