Category Archives: Uncategorized

Going into the midterms Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson was thought to be the most vulnerable Republican incumbent in the nation. His approval ratings had long been under 40%, he had promised not to seek a third term and his public statements revealed an unhinged extremism that should have turned off Wisconsin’s independent voters. He evenContinue reading “Mod Dems: A New Party Within a Party”

It looks like we’re going to have a spirited Madison Mayor’s race. On Thursday Gloria Reyes formally announced that she’ll take on Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, who is likely to announce her bid for reelection later this week or next. Rhodes-Conway has served in the oddest of times, so it’s hard to judge her tenure.  First,Continue reading “On the Reyes”

This week the Madison City Council will take up a budget amendment to give themselves a raise. They should nudge their pay up a bit, but not as much as proposed. The proposal before the council would more than double their pay from about $15,000 a year to around $32,000. That’s too much for thisContinue reading “Give ‘Em a Raise”

In response to open records requests by the Wisconsin State Journal, the Madison School District finally gave the public its own information. Or at least some of it. In September the District fired new Sennett Middle School Principal Jeffrey Copeland only a few weeks into his job. The backlash from parents and staff was strong.Continue reading “He Got Fired For That?”

The biggest loser in Tuesday’s election was Donald Trump and his style of politics. Not only did his endorsed candidates get trounced overall, but it’s entirely possible that his aggressive campaigning in the closing weeks tipped the balance away from his party. Don’t forget that Trump isn’t just a polarizing figure; he’s a polarizing figureContinue reading “Trump Loses Big Time”

Yesterday I tacked on a paragraph to the end of my blog offering some hope to my fellow Democrats. I suggested four reasons that the expected Republican wave might not occur. I wasn’t serious. I was just trying to be nice. But it turned out to be prescient in the way that blind squirrels sometimesContinue reading “Why the Dems Aren’t Blue Today”

I’ll have snacks and beer ready to go by 7PM (8 eastern) tonight and I’ll be mentally prepared for a drubbing. Kind of like settling in for a Packer game, now that I think about it. Here’s what we know for sure. Democrats will lose the House and it’ll probably be by somewhere in theContinue reading “Three Races to Watch”

It’s an article of faith among Democrats that high turnout is good for both democracy and them. There’s no evidence to support either claim. This year 40 million votes have already been cast before election day and we’ll likely set a modern day record for midterm turnout. And the result of all that democracy onContinue reading “Let’s Have Lower Turnout”

Here’s the final installment. For those of you who have stuck with this, thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to let me know how you liked it… or didn’t. 39. Alien Parade While three dogged reporters grilled L. Grayson Charlie, the Sunday morning sun rose over Narvik and burnedContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 11”

We’re going to wrap up this little clambake this weekend. Here’s the penultimate installment of our story. 35. The evidence Sheriff Harold Rhude did not drive Mayor Claire Kornstedt home from the Alien Dance. Instead, after dropping off his wife at their house, they drove up to the county courthouse in the dead of night.Continue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 10”