The judge overseeing the John Doe investigation defends it against charges of partisanship.

"This has been an orderly and professionally conducted procedure... I realize the length of it frustrates some people. Once it's run its course, it's run its course."

Said former Appeals Court Judge Neal Nettesheim of Waukesha, interviewed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Nettesheim declined to comment specifically on whether Walker was constrained under the John Doe law from discussing what he knows about issues under investigation or from releasing specific emails. Nettesheim noted that his secrecy order extends to all parties, including the judge. Violators can be held in contempt of court. Nettesheim would be the enforcer if violations occur.

I guess it's for the judge to decide how far he's allowed to go.

ADDED: At a Barrett rally last night in Madison:

The mayor again appeared with former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who has joined Barrett on the campaign trail this week. Feingold called Walker's decision not to disclose John Doe documents "cynical" since voters cannot recall him again in his first term.

"If we do not prevail ... Scott Walker will have committed the perfect political crime," Feingold said. 

Oh, that's rich! As if Scott Walker schemed to set up a recall election against himself. Instead of calling Walker "cynical," he should call the people who demanded the recall idiots. Plus, Feingold.... if Feingold really cared about recalling Scott Walker, he'd have stepped up and become a candidate. Instead the Democratic Party got stuck with a lackluster candidate who had already lost to Scott Walker. Finally, there are remedies other than the recall, and in fact, the recall is a bad political remedy that ought to be abolished. If Scott Walker is actually guilty of some crime — if there's ultimately something of substance behind all this John Doe investigatory smoke — the remedy of impeachment will be available. There is also the political remedy: pressure on Walker to resign.