James Sample of the New York based non-partisan Brennan Center for
Justice concludes, "After consecutive years of special interest
dominance, and the addition of a Willie Horton ad, perceptions of
Wisconsin's judiciary have suffered a real hit. The Wisconsin campaign
turned into a shameful race to the bottom."
Our nasty secret is out! The nation knows we are no longer the state of
Bob La Follette, Gaylord and Prox. Let's pledge that this will be a
temporary condition. How can we thank Jim Haney and the WMC Board for
destroying our reputation?
The Brennan Center joins the chorus of
FightingBob.com, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, and all members of
the Court in calling for full public funding of court races and a
"strong electioneering communications law that would bring greater
accountability to third party groups running TV advertising." Amen,
amen.
WMC spent $1,232,000 on shameful TV spots added to
right-wing front groups, Wisconsin Club for Growth ($443,000), and the
Coalition for American Families ($381,881). Eighty-nine percent of TV
spending on the Gableman-Butler race came from outside interest groups.
That is unacceptable.
We must act. I'm pleased that several lawyers have responded to my article calling
on lawyers to action. I'm reminded of the RFK quote, "All that is
necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to remain silent."
Silent we will not remain! We begin with a meeting next week to map
strategy for reform. We will respond to former Justice Edward Ryan's
question: "Which shall lead, money or intellect?"
Public funding is the first step.
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lefty golfer
We might have once upon a time been the state of Bob, Gaylord and Prox, but that was a long time ago. I moved to WI almost 40 years ago because of the progressive reputation of the state and the then great UW System. Since then I've seen the political system become mean, vindictive, and anything but progressive. The last 2 SC races alone should convince anyone who doubts that, but there are more examples as well. 1 more year, I retire and then its off to somewhere where the ideals of Bob, Gaylord and Prox are still alive and respected.
