democracy
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Elections Are Not A Pause Button For UW Regents
Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson’s call to halt the search for the next Universities of Wisconsin president until a new governor and Legislature take office is not merely misguided. It reflects a troubling notion that government should stop working whenever election winds blow. Thompson and former UW system administrator James Langdon asked the Regents to… Continue reading
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David Crowley “Hasn’t Threatened Our Democracy” And The Civics Test For Wisconsin Voters
The Wisconsin State Journal‘s endorsement of David Crowley for governor ended with this line. We’re recommending Crowley for governor because he’s run a much bigger ship, shows more independence and hasn’t threatened our democracy. That last phrase is most remarkable, because the Board even had to evaluate it and then write it. It makes us… Continue reading
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Balkans To Brazil: Lesson For American Voters In Midterm Elections
This weekend, the world reminded us that democracy, for all its vulnerabilities and threats, often from within, is beating strong. That reminder comes just when we need it most. Voters who had grown weary of strongmen, political intimidation, corruption, and leaders who mistake public office for personal entitlement took a strong stand in two places… Continue reading
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Trump Goes All In With Putin, Bets Against Western Democracy
Donald Trump’s embrace of Vladimir Putin raises a fundamental question about America’s role in the world: Is the United States still committed to defending democracy, sovereignty, and the Western alliance—or is it prepared to sacrifice those principles for a deal with the Kremlin? There has never been any doubt among a large segment of the… Continue reading
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Minority Leaders Don’t Get To Be Purists, Dianne Hesselbein Is A Leader in Wisconsin
State Senator Dianne Hesselbein represents a district covering West Madison, Middleton, Verona, Waunakee, and villages across northwest Dane County. She’s also the Democratic minority leader and did not face a primary challenger in August. Nathan Kalmoe is running a write-in campaign against her this November. If she prevails at the polls, she will become the… Continue reading
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Independent Voters Make Wisconsin’s Governor Primary Into A Late-Night Caffeinated Nail‑Biter
(I posted this column as the flash drives in Milwaukee were being transported back to the central count location before being returned to the county courthouse to have results announced.) Close election nights are democracy at its most caffeinated. (Pardon me for that cheap line.) But after the nailbiter of an uber-close precinct-by-precinct count of… Continue reading
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Caffeinated Politics Podcast: Gun Violence And Civic Strain
When the Badge Is Worn — or Carried Democracy’s Guardrails and the Words We Use Two Amendments, One November Ballot Neighbors, Flags, and the Long Arc of Decency Continue reading
