Calling all callers and campus outreach volunteers: I'm not kidding when I say we need you. According to the latest Marquette Law School poll, voters had higher unfavorable than favorable views of both candidates. As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel summed it up today, "About a month ahead of the April 1 election, a large percentage of Wisconsin voters still don't have an opinion about the two candidates running for the state Supreme Court." We have just under four weeks to make sure voters know who Judge Susan Crawford is and the values she would bring to the court. And just four weeks to tie her opponent to the Musk/Trump carnage. Please volunteer.
I did not watch the 90 minute rant the President addressed to Congress. NPR offers 6 takeaways from Trump's pointedly partisan address to Congress so that you can get the gist without having to listen to the speech. What IS worth listening to is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's response to the tariffs Trump imposed on Canada. Trudeau directly addresses the American people, his fellow Canadians, and then finally the President — whom he calls not by his awesome title but by his first name. The speech is pointed, strong, and concise — just over 14 minutes. (You may be subjected to some ads in the middle of his talk.)
Among the Prime Minister's no-nonsense remarks, he essentially calls Trump's justification for the tariffs false — what I would call a lie though he's too decent to use that word. In addressing the American people, he begins by saying "We don't want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally — and we don't want to see you hurt either. But your government has chosen to do this to you." Let that straightforward language sink in: "your government has chosen to do this to you." (Emphasis added.) And at one point he paraphrases the Wall Street Journal editorial board: "they point out that even though you're a very smart guy, this [i.e. the trade war] is a very dumb thing to do."
Elissa Slotkin, newly elected senator from Michigan, gave the Democratic response. She focused on three core beliefs all Americans share: the middle class is the engine of our country; strong national defense keeps us safe; our democracy — no matter how messy — is unparalleled and worth fighting for. The whole speech is worth the 10.5 minutes to watch. And at the end, she provides a prescription for how to oppose what's happening to our country: 1) don't tune out; 2) hold your elected officials accountable; 3) organize. Grassroots North Shore can help you stay engaged, let your elected officials know what policies your support and what ones you don't, and organize around issues you care about. Like I said above, we need your help.
The Oval Office meltdown on Friday and Tuesday's 90 minute rant at the joint session of Congress have moved other significant developments to the back pages while two important Supreme Court of the United State (SCOTUS) decisions were handed down in the last couple of days. First, in a case on the Emergency Docket, SCOTUS denied the administration's request to block $2 billion foreign aid payments from USAID. The funds were intended to reimburse organizations for work that had already been done. Here's CNN's take: "Wednesday, a 5-4 majority of the high court let stand a lower court ruling that required the Trump administration to quickly spend nearly $2 billion in foreign aid."
Second, last Friday SCOTUS issued an unsigned order preventing the Trump administration from immediately firing Hampton Dellinger who heads Office of Special Counsel, the federal agency that works with federal whistleblowers and others whose rights as federal employees need to be protected. On Saturday (March 1), U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson "rejected the Trump administration's claims that the special counsel's removal protections are unconstitutional because they prevent the president from rightfully installing his preferred agency head." In her decision Jackson wrote, "The Special Counsel is supposed to withstand the winds of political change and help ensure that no government servant of either party becomes the subject of prohibited employment practices or faces reprisals for calling out wrongdoing — by holdovers from a previous administration or by officials of the new one" (CBS News, March 1 2025).
From watching the cases against Trump vanish after grinding slowly through one court after another, we surely know the courts will not "save us." The legal process simply takes too long, involving as it does many opportunities for defendants and plaintiffs alike to make numerous appeals. Still, the cases cited above nevertheless reveal some interesting advances to protect democratic structures. The USAID case suggests a court system trying to prevent wholesale reneging on contracts. The case preventing Trump from firing Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, similarly suggests the courts may be inclined to understand the crucial role political independence for some agencies plays in our system of government. Over the coming year, we will see whether my suppositions hold true.
The legal arena may be slow, but it is full of important information. To keep track of the action, you can consult the Litigation Tracker at Just Security (this evening it has 96 cases listed). Or you can use the Litigation Tracker at Lawfare.
Law cases make heavy reading at least for those of us who are not lawyers. So here's a little serious fun to indulge in before you choose the SOMETHING you will do this week to elect Judge Susan Crawford to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Dr. Jill Underly to the Superintendent of Public Instruction: The Contrarian brings you "States of the Union."
TAKE ACTION
Volunteer with Grassroots North Shore to make calls to Democratic women ahead of the April 1 election.
Volunteer with Grassroots North Shore to leaflet on the UWM campus.
Volunteer with the Democratic Party to knock on doors:
League of Women Voters Vote No
"Wisconsin voters will be asked one question to amend (change) the constitution on their April ballot. This amendment, the sixth proposed by the legislature in the last year, is another example of the legislature attempting to bypass the authority of the executive and judicial branches through the constitutional amendment process, while denying voters the ability to propose their own citizen-led ballot initiatives." Go to the Toolkit.
Thursday, March 6: The People V. Musk campaign launched today. As promised, below you will find Messaging Talking Points for the campaign, a Social Media Toolkit that will be continuously updated from now until April 1st, a link to the Campaign Website, and the link to RSVP for our first Town Hall event for this Thursday, with Ben. Unfortunately, we do not have the link to sign up for the town hall but the links we do have are live.
Write letters to Wisconsin Voters with Vote Forward. Vote Forward is excited to bring you the first letter writing campaigns of 2025, focused on the important upcoming race for Wisconsin’s next Supreme Court Justice. On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters will choose either Judge Susan Crawford or Judge Brad Schimel to join an open seat on the state Supreme Court. Though this race is nonpartisan, meaning that neither candidate is running as a member of a political party, Crawford is widely perceived to be aligned with liberals, and Schimel with conservatives. After the April 2023 Supreme Court election (for which Vote Forward letter writers wrote over 350,000 letters!), the Court’s balance shifted to a 4-3 liberal majority. This year’s election could either preserve the Court’s existing liberal ideological balance, or shift it to a 4-3 conservative majority.
Begin by creating an account at Vote Forward. The organization has extensive resources, including frameworks for the letters you will augment with a personal reason for voting. The letter-writing campaign is strictly nonpartisan and does not mention specific candidates. The goal is to increase turnout, especially in historically marginalized communities, in the spring election. Still Vote Forward is a left-leaning organization: "We also support partisan campaigns to encourage likely-Democratic voters to turn out in strategic states and districts." Have a look at their detailed instructionsInstructions and then Create an account to get started.
EVENTS
Wednesday, March 5
GOTV Digital Postcard Party, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Congregation Sinai, 8223 N Port Washington Rd, Fox Point
Join Tikkun Ha-Ir, Sinai Social Justice Team, WIVEC, and Working Families Party for a GOTV postcard party. We will fill out digital postcards to help mobilize members of our community for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. No writing is necessary, the postcards are all digital! Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to participate! Register.
Thursday, March 6
Voter Protection 101 Training, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Virtual
Join our Wisconsin Voter Protection 101 Training to learn about Wisconsin election law so you can help people exercise their right to vote. We'll cover election law basics, voter registration, and available resources, as well as how you can get involved protecting democracy in your community! Sign up.
Who's Really Behind Extremist Attacks on Democracy, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Virtual
Who is really driving the attack on democracy—and how are they using religion, money, and lies to reshape America? Join Katherine Stewart, author of Money, Lies, and God, to learn about the network of billionaires, religious extremists, and political operatives who are funding and fueling the attacks on our democracy. This conversation will connect the dots between dark money, radical ideology, and the policies threatening our freedoms. Learn who’s behind this extremist agenda—and what we can do to fight back. See you there! Sign up.
Friday, March 7
Stand Up For Science, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Wisconsin Capitol
2 E Main St, Madison
Stand up for science with us, because science is for everyone! More info at www.standupforscience2025.org. Sign up.
Stand in Solidarity with Federal Workers at the VA, 4:15pm
VA Medical Center, National Avenue & 49th St, Milwaukee
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses abd Health Professionals; SEIU; AFGE; Milwaukee Area Labor Council • AFL-CIO. Attacks on federal workers are attacks on all working families and essential services. 58% if all federal workers hold jobs that directly support our troops or our seniors. And attack on workers at the VA is an attack on the high quality of care that our veterans deserve. Stand with workers and the veterans they serve!
Saturday, March 8
Canvass with Working Families Party, 9:00am - 1:00pm
413 N 2nd St, Milwaukee
Help us get out the vote! Our canvasses will launch from our downtown office. Sign up.
Celebrate Milwaukee's International Women's Day, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Red Arrow Park, 920 N Water St, Milwaukee
Join the Milwaukee IWD Coalition for our fourth annual event! Listen to a variety of speeches from community members and organizations that fight for liberation. The event will feature a social hour with local vendors and artists, plus a kids' activity table. Come along to celebrate the struggle for women's liberation while building community- and discover ways you can get more involved!
11am Rally at Red Arrow Park
11:30 March from Red Arrow Park to Turner Hall (0.5 mile)
12-3pm Panel Discussion, Makers Market, Food Trucks, & Community Building
North Shore Dems REACH GOTV, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Virtual
Join the North Shore Dems as we get out the vote for Susan Crawford and progressives up and down the ballot in the crucial April! Unable to canvass or not up for braving the bitter cold? No problem! Friend-to-friend organizing is a powerful tool to turn out your circle this Spring. Our experienced volunteer leaders will train you on the Reach app, so you can organize your network to help us win in April! Sign up.
Saturday, March 8
Canvass with Working Families Party, 9:00am - 1:00pm
413 N 2nd St, Milwaukee
Help us get out the vote! Our canvasses will launch from our downtown office. Sign up.
Monday, March 10
Be Informed (Why We Can't Wait), 10:30am - 12:30pm
The Historic Tripoli Shrine Center
3000 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Wisconsin is not for sale. As billionaires try to take control of our government, we must prepare to protect ourselves. Please join us for a Faith Leaders and Community Engagement Brunch & Briefing, sponsored by Souls to the Polls WI. RSVP.
State Budget Listening Session, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Villard Square Library, 5190 N 35th St, Milwaukee
With Representative Sequanna Taylof, Senator Dora Drake, Representative Darrin Madison, and Representative Russell Goodwin, Sr. Hosted by the 11th Assembly District. Contact the Office of Representative Sequanna Taylor for more details. Email: [email protected] | Phone number: (608) 237-9111.
Support Susan Crawford with the Wisconsin Democratic Party Jewish Caucus, 6:00 - 7:00pm CDT
Virtual
This race is so important that it has attracted unwanted attention from UNelected president Elon Musk, who is pouring his own money into ads for Judge Crawford's opponent (Brad Schimel), just as he did to boost Trump's presidential campaign. Which makes the election a MUST WIN for Susan Crawford, for Wisconsin, and for democracy. RSVP now and stay tuned for our special guest announcement! Once you've signed up, you'll receive the Zoom link by email.
Save Democracy in Wisconsin with Swing Blue Alliance, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Virtual
The State Supreme Court Race in Wisconsin is the most important election of 2025. On April 1st, Judge Susan Crawford will face Scott Walker’s former Attorney General to fill an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It is critical to protect the 4-3 pro-democracy majority we helped achieve in 2023 when Wisconsinites elected liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz. Since 2023, Wisconsin has enacted fair state legislative maps and re-elected Tammy Baldwin to the US Senate.
We'll be calling Democrats to let them know about the State Supreme Election on April 1. We are working directly with the Wisconsin Democrats and will use Hubdialer, an automated dialing system. Callers will get full training every session, and help with questions and any technical problems for the duration of the phone bank and a debrief to share experiences and create community. All you need is a phone and a computer (PC, Mac, or laptop, not a tablet). Sign up.
Tuesday, March 11
Astor Street Regulars, noon
Wisconsin Club, 990 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Attorney Marc Christopher, who practices Immigration and Criminal Law, will speak on The Mass Migrant Deportation Campaign in Wisconsin. In today’s political upheaval, individuals and families who are undocumented live in frightening, uncertain, traumatic situations. Rumors abound about mass deportations, ICE activities, speculation about the future, and the status of thousands of allegedly missing migrant children.
Reporting on how undocumented people are being treated in Wisconsin is sketchy. Our guest is attorney Marc Christopher who specializes in criminal and immigration law. He is a former assistant district attorney with years of experience in criminal and immigration court cases. Marc can help us understand what is happening in Wisconsin to individuals and families who are in danger of losing their ability to be in this country. Join us for insight into how Wisconsinites are coping with threats to their way of life, and how institutions and individuals are fighting back.
Lunch is $35 cash preferred, pay at the door. RSVP by Wednesday, March 5th, to Phyllis Bankier. (If the link does not open an email on your system, try using her email address directly: [email protected]. It will be helpful to her if you use the subject line "Re:Astor Street March 11 understanding migrant deportation.") As always, we hold you to your reservation as we are charged for all lunches not canceled 5 days before the event.
Wednesday, March 12
Rally to Stop Shady Schimel, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Marquette University Law School - Eckstein Hall
1215 W Michigan St, Milwaukee
Rally to stop Medicaid cuts, defend reproductive rights, and keep Musk’s dirty money out of WI. Let shady Schimel know where we stand! Sign up.
Thursday, March 13
Second Chance! Let's Win Reproductive Rights, 3:00 - 5:00pm
Alverno College Conference Center
4300 S 43rd St, Milwaukee
We are doing it again! The Reproductive Rights Committee, along with Alverno College Students Speak Repro Group will host a fair-like, intergenerational event of art and activism to empower advocates to fight for reproductive freedoms. Our multi-modal workshop session will cover where we currently are in the fight for repro-access in WI, what work still needs to be done, and tangible action you can participate in to amplify your voices and make the full spectrum of personal choice a reality in our communities. Participation in a joyous art installation will engage and inspired. We are thankful to our co-hosts: Arts4Impact and Art Activist, Niki Johnson.
This event is free and open to the public. Arrive anytime; we suggest a 1-hour visit. Registration is helpful as Ian's Pizza will be served. Spacious parking. A child's craft table is available for a bit of fun while Mom visits the various booths. Contact [email protected] for questions. Register.
Saturday, March 15
North Shore Dems REACH GOTV, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Virtual
Join the North Shore Dems as we get out the vote for Susan Crawford and progressives up and down the ballot in the crucial April! Unable to canvass or not up for braving the bitter cold? No problem! Friend-to-friend organizing is a powerful tool to turn out your circle this Spring. Our experienced volunteer leaders will train you on the Reach app, so you can organize your network to help us win in April! Sign up.
Monday, March 17
DPMC Dems Membership Monthly Meeting, 6:00 - 7:00pm
Fiesta Café, 1407 S 1st St, Milwaukee
Join us for the March Monthly Membership Meeting at Fiesta Cafe! Celebrate Women’s History Month with us!
Wednesday, March 19
Oz Dems General Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Join fellow Democrats as we connect about the upcoming spring election for the State Supreme Court, local, and county elections throughout Ozaukee.
Save the Date
Saturday, March 22
North Shore Dems REACH GOTV, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Virtual
Join the North Shore Dems as we get out the vote for Susan Crawford and progressives up and down the ballot in the crucial April! Unable to canvass or not up for braving the bitter cold? No problem! Friend-to-friend organizing is a powerful tool to turn out your circle this Spring. Our experienced volunteer leaders will train you on the Reach app, so you can organize your network to help us win in April! Sign up.
4th Congressional District Convention, 12:00 - 3:00pm
McGovern Senior Center, 4500 W Custer Ave, Milwaukee
It’s almost time for our 4th Congressional District Convention! I’m looking forward to seeing you all and am anticipating another successful event. Be on the lookout for the official Call to Convention, which will be sent out soon. If you need to renew your membership, please do so via the following link: Renew your membership here.
Sunday, March 23
Democratic Party of Milwaukee County's Annual Gala "Forward Together," 5:30 - 8:30pm
Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago Street, Milwaukee
Please join us this spring for the Milwaukee County Dems Annual Gala: Forward Together! RSVP. Please RSVP names and dietary needs by March 5th to [email protected].
Saturday, March 29
Coffee, Tea & Democracy, 10:00am - 1:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton
Stop by the Dem office on the last Saturday of every month from 10:00am - 1:00pm for this new event!
Q: What is it?
A: A fun and safe space where ideas will percolate and tea is spilt.
We provide refreshments. You bring yourself, and a friend. See you there!
other important links
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