I want to begin today with the "news" out of Iowa, but before I get to that I want to highlight the upcoming Grassroots North Shore program: Authoritarian Candidates in the Nation and in Wisconsin, on Sunday, February 4, from 5:00 - 6:30pm on Zoom. This program is our annual fundraiser — we don't have any paid staff but we do need to pay for things like our zooms, stamps, postcards, flyers, snacks and water for in person meetings, a PO Box, etc. — so contribute if you can. But even if you can't, you're welcome to attend. This topic is just that important.
Our featured speaker, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, is a renowned international expert on the rise of authoritarianism. Her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present (2020; paperback with a new epilogue, 2021), examines how illiberal leaders use corruption, violence, propaganda, and machismo to stay in power, and how resistance to them has unfolded over a century. If you watch MSNBC, you have undoubtedly seen her interviews. If you haven't, you should take a look at one at least. She will discuss national and international movements. Joining her will be state Senator Chris Larson who will take a closer look at some of the most authoritarian wannabes in our legislature.
Now on to the "triumphs" of Adolf Twitler. He won Iowa, of course, with excited headlines all over important media like the New York Times (gifted), the Washington Post (gifted), CNN, and HuffPost. But his big moment doesn't seem all that robust to an astute observer, Mark Sumner, at Daily Kos: "Trump's performance in Iowa is not nearly as good as the media makes it seem."
Wisconsin is once again making some national news, even as Don the Con's exploits continue to gobble up precious news space and air time. The AP is out with a story today headlined "Wisconsin GOP's large majorities expected to shrink under new legislative maps." The Journal Sentinel also has the story, of course, but the AP is picked up by news outlets all over the country, giving it national coverage. You can read an analysis (by John Johnson, Marquette Law School) of the seven maps that were submitted in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin (SCOWIS) on January 12. His is not the only analysis taking place. All the parties to the lawsuit have until January 22 to submit response briefs to SCOWIS. The two consultants the court hired will evaluate all the proposed maps and will file a report on each of them by February 1. Parties to the lawsuit can then respond to the consultants' reports by February 8. At that point, the matter is left in the hands of the seven justices on SCOWIS. There's no timeframe for a decision but the schedule of arguments and briefings suggest that the final decision will follow fairly quickly. Maps of legislative districts must be finalized by mid-March so that people who want to run in those districts will have time to gather nomination signatures of potential constituents.
Voting in this country is and always has been vexed. Who is eligible, how people can register, even sometimes the design of ballots can confuse, confound and effectively disenfranchise. Do you remember the controversial "butterfly ballot" used in the 2000 presidential election in Palm Beach County, Florida? You can see the ballot in question in a 2019 article in The Guardian. This one poorly-designed ballot may have given the election to George W. Bush! Richard Hasan, an expert in election law and professor at UCLA, has an opinion piece in the New York Times today titled The U.S. Lacks What Every Democracy Needs (gifted). It begins "The history of voting in the United States shows the high cost of living with an old Constitution, unevenly enforced by a reluctant Supreme Court."
The piece looks at the history of Supreme Court decisions on voting rights, noting that in its 235-year history, there was only one period when it was "hospitable to broad constitutional voting rights claims. The court, under Chief Justice Earl Warren, saw a broad expansion of voting rights in the 1960s, thanks mainly to its capacious reading of the equal protection clause." Hasan identifies three voting pathologies stemming from the Constitution's lack of an "affirmative right to vote." Understanding the role SCOTUS plays in the battle for universal voting rights over the broad sweep of our nation's history can help us understand some more recent court behaviors, including the Rucho (in which the court ruled that partisan gerrymandering was something the federal judicial system could not address) and the infamous 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder that struck down the pre-clearance section of the Voting Rights Act. The Berger, Rehnquist, and Roberts courts have backed away from the Warren court's positions on expanding voting rights. Many scholars, including Hasan, assert that a constitutional amendment affirming the right to vote is not only consonant with other advanced democracies but is the clearest way to address what ails our elections.
In an effort to make Wisconsin's congressional elections less polarized and partisan, a bill "to establish a final-five runoff voting system" has been introduced in the legislature. A hearing on it was held last week. Here's how the bill envisions the process would work:
When the votes are counted, if one candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, that candidate wins. However if none of the candidates reaches that threshold, the rankings get used. The candidate with the lowest vote total is eliminated and all of the voters who selected that candidate as their top choice have their votes moved to their second choice and the votes are tallied again. If the 50% threshold is still not reached, the process continues, eliminating the lowest vote getter in each round, until a winner is decided.
The bill is authored by Rep. Ron Tusler, a Republican, and Sen. Jeff Smith, a Democrat. Its goal, according to the bill's authors, "is to change the incentive system in the state’s elections and move the more competitive contest from the primary election to the general" (Wisconsin Examiner, January 10, 2024). If you are so minded, you can sign a petition to show your support to Wisconsin legislators.
Last week was momentous in Cheeto Benito's efforts to convince the DC Court of Appeals to dismiss the entire election subversion case on the grounds that a former president cannot be prosecuted for any crimes he may have committed while discharging his responsibilities. In short, his lawyer argued, he has complete immunity from prosecution for official acts. All three judges on the panel expressed considerable skepticism about this claim, but none more so that Judge Pan who made sure Trump’s Lawyer Walked Into a Trap, according to George Conway III. The link takes you, not to the article in The Atlantic (which I cannot access even though I have a subscription and am logged in!), but to an interview on MSNBC with Chris Hayes.
Now that we have traversed the year end revelries, the Events list is once again robust. Make it part of your New Year's commitment to engage!
EVENTS
Tuesday, January 16
National Day of Racial Healing, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Online
Join Nurturing Diversity Partners founder Dr. Fran Kaplan and dialogue facilitator Darrell Ferguson for a thought-provoking presentation that delves into Dr. King’s complete dream: To heal the world and create a Beloved Community through nonviolence, truth and reconciliation. Sign up.
Wednesday, January 17
January General DPOC Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Ozaukee Democrats Office, 1930 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton
Join us at our Grafton Office as we gather to hear speakers and catch up on the local and state politics influencing Ozaukee County – while spending time with like-minded people. All interested people are encouraged to attend.
Thursday, January 18
Brookings: Key Takeaways from the 2024 Iowa Caucuses, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Online
Historically, the Iowa caucuses have had major political implications for presidential hopefuls. As the first state contest, it is a chance for candidates to make their initial impression on the electorate by demonstrating their ability to build support or floundering in their first major campaign test. In 2024, the Iowa caucuses will help Republicans determine which candidate has the best chance of challenging Donald Trump for the party’s nomination. Join the Governance Studies Program at Brookings for a discussion moderated by Senior Fellows Elaine Kamarck and E.J. Dionne, Jr. along with a panel of experts who will discuss the results of the 2024 Iowa Republican caucuses and determine their likely impact on the race. Viewers can submit questions for speakers via email to [email protected] or on Twitter/X @BrookingsGov using #IowaTakeaways. Sign up.
Friday, January 19
League of Progressive Seniors: Milwaukee County Challenges and Opportunities, 9:30am Knickerbocker Hotel, 1028 E Juneau, Milwaukee
Souls to the Polls and the League of Progressive Seniors invite you to hear from County Executive David Crowley
and discuss issues that the County faces in 2024. How can we work with the County Executive to protect our most important resources? How can we address the needs for affordable housing, health, transportation, recreation and parks in a time of budget shortfalls in local communities statewide. To let us know that you plan to attend OR if you are interested byt cannot attend, email Tom Callan.
Saturday, January 20
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Brady and Farwell, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
DNC Delegate Training, 2:00pm
Zoom
As many of you know that next year is the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago August 19th-22nd 2024. Are you interested in being a delegate to the National Convention or just want more information on the process? The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is hosting several free national convention info sessions both virtually and in person throughout winter and spring. Sign up. Additional days, times, and locations are available on February 7, 11, and 22.
Grassroots Glendale 2024 Kickoff!, 3:00 - 5:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
Join Grassroots Glendale for their 2024 Kickoff meeting! We'll be getting together as a team to discuss our strategy for electing Democrats and progressives up and down the ticket in 2024. Please bring your likeminded friends and family members along to learn about how you can help us win in April and November! Sign up.
Monday, January 22
State Senate Dems Welcome to New Leader, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Enlightened Brewing Company, 2020 S Allis St, Milwaukee
Please join us as we welcome our new Senate Democratic Leader, Dianne Hesselbein to Milwaukee! With fair maps within reach, we must begin preparing to flip the Wisconsin State Senate from red to blue and you are critical to making that happen. We look forward to seeing you there. This is a fundraiser for the State Senate Democrats Committee. RSVP.
Milwaukee Party Democratic Party Monthly Meeting, 6:00pm
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Harmony room
The Democratic Party of Milwaukee County holds its monthly meeting on the third Monday of each month. Join with fellow Democrats to hear from important speakers, to learn about upcoming Dem events, and to discuss important issues with each other.
Tuesday, January 23
Supermarket Legends UWM Voter Registration, shifts from 10:00am - 4:00pm
UWM Library
If you are able to help, email Sue Schneidler.
Milwaukee Press Club, 11:45am - 1:30pm
Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
Jay Rothman, president of the Universities of Wisconsin, will be the guest speaker at a Newsmaker Luncheon set for Tuesday, January 23, hosted by the Milwaukee Press Club and WisPolitics.com. Rothman previously was chairman and CEO of Foley and Lardner LLP, one of the state’s largest law firms and ranked among the top 50 law firms in the country based on revenue. He will take questions from a panel of journalists and from the audience at the luncheon, to be moderated by Milwaukee Press Club President Maryann Lazarski, series/documentary producer for Milwaukee PBS. Advanced registration and payment are required.
Support Peter Burgelis for Alderman, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Pop! 124 National Avenue, Milwaukee
The Chief Officers' Association for Milwaukee Fire Department has endorsed Peter Burgelis for District 11 Alderman. Join us for a fun fundraiser to support Peter's campaign for Alderman. Please RSVP or make a contribution even if you can't attend. We have the momentum we need to start the year strong and stay focused on the February primary and April general election! I'm grateful for your support!
WisDems Voter Protection Kickoff, 6:00 - 7:00pm
Virtual
Join the WisDems Voter Protection Team — and special guest, WisDems Chair Ben Wikler — in kicking off our 2024 program on January 23rd at 6pm CT on Zoom! We'll hear from Chair Wikler about what's at stake in 2024, share our plans to protect voting rights across the state, and explain all the ways you can get involved in the fight for democracy in 2024. Sign up.
Thursday, January 25
Milwaukee's Birthday Party, 5:30 - 8:00pm
The Grain Exchange, 225 E Michigan St, Milwaukee
Join the Milwaukee Press Club as we toast to Milwaukee’s 178th Birthday with more than 400 community and business leaders on Thursday, January 25 from 5:30-8 P.M. at The Grain Exchange. This year’s party theme, A Vote for Milwaukee, celebrates all the ways our city will be in the spotlight in 2024. That includes hosting the Republican National Convention. Event admission includes gourmet food stations by Bartolotta Catering, complimentary beer, birthday cake and a party favor. Cash bar. Tickets: In advance $40 | At the door $50. RSVP by Friday, January 19.
DNC Delegate Training, 6:00pm
Zoom
As many of you know that next year is the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago August 19th-22nd 2024. Are you interested in being a delegate to the National Convention or just want more information on the process? The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is hosting several free national convention info sessions both virtually and in person throughout winter and spring. Sign up. Additional days, times, and locations are available on February 7, 11, and 22.
WISDOM Elections 2024 Training, 6:30pm
Zoom
In order to prepare for the upcoming 2024 elections, WISDOM is excited to have relaunched School of Democracy last September! The fourth event in our series is a training with our affiliate, FREE's Director Peggy West-Schroder on State Elections on January 25 at 6:30 p.m. CT through Zoom. Come learn about important upcoming elections, what's at stake for 2024 and how you can make a difference by using your voting power. Register.
Saturday, January 27
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th and North Ave, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.
SAVE THE DATE
Multiple Dates and Times
Registration at Urban League Drivers Training Classes, Various
Milwaukee Urban League, 435 W North Ave, Milwaukee
Supermarket Legends have a new opportunity to answer questions about voting and to help with voter registration on the last days of the spring drivers training classes at the Milwaukee Urban League, 435 West North Avenue. We need volunteers to be available on the following dates and times:
- February 1 — 1:30pm
- February 8, March 14 — 6:45pm
- February 22, March 28 — 11:00am
If you can help, contact Linea Sundstrom.
Saturday, February 3
Grassroots Glendale 60 Days to Victory Friendbank, 4:00 - 6:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
Join Grassroots Glendale for our 60 Days to Victory Friendbank! We'll be getting together to learn how to activate and engage our networks using the Reach app for relational organizing. Join us to text our networks, to hear what issues matter to our friends, and to make plans to vote for Democrats up and down the ticket in 2024! Sign up.
Wednesday, February 7
DNC Delegate Training, 2:00pm
Zoom
As many of you know that next year is the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago August 19th-22nd 2024. Are you interested in being a delegate to the National Convention or just want more information on the process? The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is hosting several free national convention info sessions both virtually and in person throughout winter and spring. Sign up.
Sunday, February 11
DNC Delegate Training, 3:00pm
Zoom
As many of you know that next year is the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago August 19th-22nd 2024. Are you interested in being a delegate to the National Convention or just want more information on the process? The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is hosting several free national convention info sessions both virtually and in person throughout winter and spring. Sign up.
Saturday, February 17
Get Out the Vote - Spring Primary, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Help connect with Ozaukee County voters ahead of the February 20 Spring Primary Election. You can contact us at http://www.ozdems.org.
Sunday, February 18
Get Out the Vote - Spring Primary, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Help connect with Ozaukee County voters ahead of the February 20 Spring Primary Election. You can contact us at http://www.ozdems.org.
Thursday, February 22
DNC Delegate Training, 6:00pm
Zoom
As many of you know that next year is the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago August 19th-22nd 2024. Are you interested in being a delegate to the National Convention or just want more information on the process? The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is hosting several free national convention info sessions both virtually and in person throughout winter and spring. Sign up.
other important links
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