Insight Spotlight

Newsletter Index

2024
- Oct 6, 2024 Issue 7 Oct 6, 2024
- May 12, 2024 Issue 6 May 12, 2024
- Mar 19, 2024 Issue 5 Mar 19, 2024
- Feb 12, 2024 Issue 4 Feb 12, 2024
- Jan 17, 2024 Issue 3 Jan 17, 2024
2023
- Dec 26, 2023 Issue 2 Dec 26, 2023
- Dec 12, 2023 Issue 1 Dec 12, 2023

This newsletter aims to provide insight into what Democrats are doing to help build a better future for everyone. This page will feature local party news, and highlights from WisDems and other media sources. We’ll also feature locally written essays and letters to the editor from time to time.

PLEASE SEND any ideas for “Insight Spotlight” to Mary Vitcenda, Editor, at mev1972@hotmail.com.

NOTE: Locally written items in this newsletter reflect the thoughts and opinions of their authors. They are not formal positions or statements from the Sawyer County LCO Democratic party.

Perry Govier 10/6/24 Perry Govier 10/6/24

Issue 7

October 6, 2024

Contents—Special Election Edition

Index | Quote to Note | Past Newsletters
Former Republican Liz Cheney Endorses Kamala Harris for President
Bruce Springsteen Endorses Kamala Harris
VP Kamala Harris Outlines Her Economic Vision
Topics for Tom Tiffany, Part 7: Still Plotting After All These Years
Tammy Baldwin Shows Up for All Wisconsinites

Election Info You Need to Know

Quote to Note

“I tell you, I have never voted for a Democrat. But this year I am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. I know that she will be a president who will defend the rule of law. And I know that she will be a president who can inspire all of our children and, if I might say so, especially our little girls. We have a shared commitment, a shared commitment as Americans to ensuring that future generations live in a nation where power is transferred peacefully, where our leaders are men and women of good faith, and where our public servants set aside partisan battles to do what’s right for this country.”

Liz Cheney, Former Congresswoman and Republican in exile, October 3, 2024 in Ripon, Wis.—birthplace of the Republican party

Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney Endorses Kamala Harris for President

Source: WisDems Weekly News, October 4, 2024

With Donald Trump making increasingly desperate pleas for attention in Wisconsin, his extremist lackeys are standing with him—and driving their own voters away. At the Cap Times Idea Fest, former Republican representative Liz Cheney, who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris along with her father, Dick Cheney, said if she were a Wisconsin resident, she wouldn’t vote for either Eric Hovde or Derrick Van Orden.

Republicans are fleeing right-wing extremism and election deniers in droves, and in the race to undermine democracy in Wisconsin, Derrick Van Orden and Eric Hovde are leading the charge. Derrick Van Orden crossed police lines on January 6th—and later defended his presence at the Capitol—and Eric Hovde peddled lies about drop box voting and suggested nursing home residents are not “at a point” to vote. Donald Trump, Eric Hovde and Derrick Van Orden all have two things in common—a complete disregard for democracy and Republicans who won’t vote for them. Wisconsinites know freedom is on the line at the ballot box and in November, voters will make sure this is the last we see of Trump and his election-denying band of cronies.

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Bruce Springsteen Endorses Harris and Walz, Eloquently Explains Why

Source: People magazine, October 3, 2024

Bruce Springsteen has endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the November 2024 election.

The "Born to Run" singer went onto call Donald Trump "the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime."

"He doesn't understand the meaning of this country, its history, or what it means to be deeply American," Springsteen said, citing Trump's "disdain" for the "sanctity" of the Constitution, democracy and the peaceful transfer of power — the latter referring to Trump's refusal to accept Joe Biden's presidential win in 2020.

Read the full People magazine article.

Watch Springsteen’s endorsement.

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VP Kamala Harris Outlines Her Economic Vision

Build an Opportunity Economy and Lower Costs for Families

Vice President Harris grew up in a middle class home as the daughter of a working mom. She believes that when the middle class is strong, America is strong. That’s why as President, Kamala Harris will create an Opportunity Economy where everyone has a chance to compete and a chance to succeed — whether they live in a rural area, small town, or big city.

Vice President Kamala Harris has made clear that building up the middle class will be a defining goal of her presidency. That’s why she will make it a top priority to bring down costs and increase economic security for all Americans. As President, she will fight to cut taxes for more than 100 million working and middle class Americans while lowering the costs of everyday needs like health care, housing, and groceries. She will bring together organized labor and workers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and American companies to create good paying jobs, grow the economy, and ensure that America continues to lead the world.

Read Vice President Kamala Harris’ New Way Forward for the Middle Class plan in its entirety.

Watch Vice President Harris’ Address to the Economic Club of Pittsburgh on September 25.

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Topics for Tom Tiffany, Part 7: Still Plotting After All These Years?

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

Tom Tiffany was asked the following question during a voter rally two years ago: "Who won the 2020 election?" After multiple attempts, he finally got the answer right. As I'd mentioned previously, he proved that he knew the correct answer, despite his baseless and disingenuous qualifier, '...but there were all kinds of election irregularities.' That led me to questions about how soon he knew Biden had won and what he may have done in support of an insurrection in spite of knowing. But, there's another more pressing question and line of questioning that needs to be addressed. We know some of what he did leading up to and on January 6th of 2021. What is he doing now and what is he going to do?

Tom, are you still accepting the fact that Joe Biden won the 2020 election? And, since you've had ample opportunity to come forward with any evidence you might have or know of concerning 2020 election irregularities or allegations of election fraud, is it safe to say that you have none? Have you given much thought to the number of things that Donald Trump said about that election that have turned out to be false?

Would it help if someone were to read you a list of the 10 or 20 most dishonest, illogical, and often downright silly things that he's declared about it? For example, he just recently said that he won Wisconsin in 2020. Do you believe that? Do you now believe that the final election results that were reported and certified, in addition to the results of partial and statewide recounts, were wrong? If not, then why are you supporting a man running for President who continues and will continue to lie about the last election as well as the next one? If the election lies don't bother you, are there any of his lies that do bother you? Any at all?

I'm not sure I really need to explain this to you, Tom, but I'll do the courtesy. Your beloved candidate has been running the same scheme as last time in so far as repeatedly announcing well in advance of the election that it's "rigged" against him. Do you believe it's rigged? If so, how? Give one concrete reason for believing it, apart from the failed candidate who lied about it the last time lying about it again.

In 2020, Trump had a robust support network among Republicans in Congress for his scheme to overturn the election results, and you were part of it. It should follow then, and it's only fair to ask, Tom: Will you do it again for this election? You voted to decertify the votes of Arizona and Pennsylvania on Jan. 6, 2021. Do you plan to do that again? I'm not sure anyone's heard your explanation for those votes. Is there one? If you'd decertify the votes of every single voter in Arizona and Pennsylvania, would you at least draw the line at doing the same to the voters of Wisconsin? Even if you were asked to do so by Mike Johnson or Scott Perry? Or Trump?

You owe the people of Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District answers. Are you, or will you be, taking part in another coup plot on behalf of the convicted felon who's running for your party's nomination? You have yet to do or say anything that would lead us to think otherwise. And, you haven't earned the benefit of the doubt. Tom Tiffany, have you learned anything in these past four years or do you still embrace the lawlessness of your party's candidate?

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Tammy Baldwin Shows Up for All Wisconsinites

Source: Weekly News from Ben Wikler, DPW Chair
April 12, 2024—BUT WORTH REPEATING

Tammy Baldwin on campaign trail. Photo: *CapTimes*

Contrary to Eric Hovde, Tammy Baldwin is back in the headlines for all the right reasons. A Cap Times exclusive details Tammy’s success in areas of our state that have voted for Republicans in the past. Despite being predominantly conservative, voters in these areas have shown support for Tammy, who has built relationships by engaging with constituents on issues like farming subsidies, healthcare costs, and working-class jobs. Baldwin's bipartisan approach and track record of delivering for rural communities have even garnered praise from Wisconsin Republicans, who appreciate her efforts in securing funding for local infrastructure projects like water and sewer lines for hospitals.

And Tammy keeps delivering. On Wednesday, she highlighted a funding package that aims to support Wisconsin families, including investments in affordable housing, childcare, family-supporting jobs, and mental health care. By playing a vital role in negotiating the $1 trillion funding package that was signed into law last month, Tammy solidified $450,000 for Brown County United Way to support childcare, $600,000 to fund a shared facility for childcare entrepreneurs in Fond du Lac, and $1.6 million for Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center to help people in need of behavioral treatment, to name just a few examples. Tammy proves each and every day that she fights for all Wisconsinites, and we need to send her back to Washington this November.

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Election Info You Need to Know

November Voting Guide, including Deadlines

Know Your Candidates

Get the Election Lowdown

Time to Vote No Again

Get a Ride to the Polls

Perry Govier 5/12/24 Perry Govier 5/12/24

Issue 6

May 12, 2024

Index | Quote to Note | Past Newsletters
April Is Over, but Combating Climate Change Is a Priority Every Month
The Two Referendums Passed. Now What?
Ten Topics for Tom Tiffany, Part 6: Impeachment and Ukraine
Stop Blaming Undocumented Immigrants for Fentanyl Flow Across Border
‘This fight hits close to home’—Tammy Baldwin ad
Difference Between Eric Hovde and Tammy Baldwin on Issues
Eric Hovde Thinks Seniors in Nursing Homes Shouldn’t Vote
Letter: Hovde All Hat, No Cattle
Tammy Baldwin Shows Up for All Wisconsinites
Nuggets from the 7th CD Convention

Quote to Note

“We’re about to see some blue districts in western Wisconsin, northern Wisconsin, central Wisconsin. We’re going to be flipping districts throughout the 7th Congressional District. And I cannot wait to see the look on Republicans’ faces when they realize there were Democrats among them all this time. They just drew maps to suppress their voices. And it’s not going to work anymore.”

Ben Wikler, Chair, Democratic Party of Wisconsin, April 13, 2024

April Is Over, but Combating Climate Change Is a Priority Every Month

Source: A fellow Democrat from St. Croix County

Did you know Earth Day started here in Wisconsin? Our own Senator Gaylord Nelson wanted to raise awareness about air and water pollution.

Momentum for that first Earth Day in 1970 led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and environmental protection laws, including the Clear Air Act and Clean Water Act. More than 50 years later, one billion people worldwide celebrate Earth Day, making it the largest day of civic action worldwide.

Wisconsin’s climate is changing, causing far-ranging consequences for our communities, natural resources and industries, according to our state Department of Natural Resources.

Farmers are seeing warmer temperatures increase the growing season, but extreme heat conditions stress crops and livestock. More rain will affect planting and harvesting, promote disease, and lead to polluted runoff.

Climate change also affects our forest product industry. Warmer winters cause frequent thaws, preventing machinery’s access to manage forests and transport harvested wood. Drier conditions increase the risk of wildfire and reduce habitat.

Tourism is another critical Wisconsin industry that’s affected. More frequent and intense rain during the summer could damage or reduce access to our lakes and parks. Warmer winters can limit ice fishing and other winter sports.

Let’s continue to support Governor Tony Evers and elected Democrats who have made combating climate change a key priority.

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The Two Referendums Passed. Now What?

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
April 4, 2024

Wisconsin voters have approved two statewide referendums that will affect elections in the state. Under the changes, clerks can't use private grants or donations to help them administer elections, and only election officials designated by law will be able to perform tasks to conduct elections.

While a majority of Wisconsin voters voted in favor of the questions Tuesday night, that might not be the end of the story. Opponents think vague language, especially in the second referendum question, may lead to lawsuits. If that happens, a court could determine the scope of who can be involved in performing election-related activities. .l .

. . . Once the results of the April election are certified by the Wisconsin Elections Commission—which has a May 15 deadline—the new parts of the constitution will be in place, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

That means restrictions on private grants will be in effect as clerks prepare for the August primary and November general election, plus any special or recall elections that happen before then.

Note that the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters opposed passage of these two referendums.

Read the rest of the Journal Sentinel story here.

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Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 6: Impeachment and Ukraine

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

In late January of this year, Congressman Tiffany held listening sessions around the 7th CD. He included with them a presentation about the efforts of his fellow House Republicans to find grounds to impeach President Biden. He displayed timelines and tweets under the heading of "Joe Biden's China Money Trail" and he implied a lot of things, but he had no evidence of a crime.

In fact, what his GOP colleagues had been referring to as an investigation has concluded and there are no high crimes or misdemeanors with which to initiate an impeachment. As with so many of his public statements, Tiffany again raises many more questions than he answers.

Let’s start our questions here: Tom, do you still believe that President Biden committed an impeachable offense? If so, can you name it or describe it? Can you provide evidence of it that has not already been debunked in sworn testimony, largely from your own party's witnesses? If you don't believe it anymore, would you not feel it was appropriate to make that fact known to your constituents in a timely manner?

Certainly you wouldn't want the deception to continue. And surely you’re grown up enough to admit when you’re wrong, especially after repeating serious and false accusations against our current president. Honestly, when did this become acceptable behavior for members of Congress, to invite the general public to a town hall and then unload a barrage of conspiracy theory and propaganda on them? He should at least save the hyper-partisan nonsense for his own campaign events.

But this suggests a troubling tendency. In 2020, you took the ex-president's tale about election fraud--without any credible evidence—and ran with it. Then, after having played an active role in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election, by objecting to certification of the Pennsylvania and Arizona elections, you later admitted, reluctantly, that you were wrong. I'd like to know what it will take for you to admit that you were wrong this time.

And let's not drop the issue of impeachment altogether, Tom. The former president, whom you still support, was impeached twice. If you recall, the first time it concerned his withholding of arms from Ukraine as a means of extorting President Zelenskyy into initiating a sham investigation of Joe Biden, Trump's opponent for the 2020 election. And, as you also may recall, Zelenskyy did not take part in that attempt at election fraud.

I sense some recurring themes here. Should we make anything of the fact that Trump was impeached for withholding defensive support for Ukraine meant for resisting an expected Russian incursion, and that now you've again taken part in withholding support from Ukraine? And this time it's while they're in the midst of war, defending their homeland against an ongoing Russian invasion.

Should we make anything of the fact that Trump's withholding of weapons was to force Zelenskyy to start a sham investigation of Joe Biden, thereby hurting his chances for election, and that your House majority has actually been conducting one themselves? They've wasted untold hours pretending to do anything other than serve Trump's election campaign and use their elected office to affect the outcome of the November election. Should we make anything of the fact that you and your Republican colleagues appear to be following Trump's usual game plan to the letter?

It’s hard to fathom someone, in particular a U.S. congressman, voting to block aid for our ally, Ukraine, to defend herself against a massive and completely unwarranted invasion by Russia, the greatest danger in the world to America, and to democracy, as well.

You voted against aid to Ukraine, Tom. How could you sit on that funding and let Russia regain the upper hand? What would drive you to do it? Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) recently said some of his Republican colleagues in the House want Russia to win their war with Ukraine. Why do you think he said that, and would you disagree? As ridiculous as this might sound, Tom, I have to ask. Do you have a beef with Ukraine because their president didn't play his part in Trump's election fraud scheme? What should we think?”

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Stop Blaming Undocumented Immigrants for the Flow of Fentanyl Across the Southern Border

Native News Online
April 29, 2024

Opinion: Overdoses from fentanyl, opioids, and other deadly drugs such as "tranq" are leading to loss of life and a decline in the health and well-being of tribal communities. In addition, the epidemic is contributing to the spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C.

The fentanyl problem in the United States is real. According to the National Institute, in 2021, some 106,000 Americans died from a drug overdose, of which 65% were caused by fentanyl.

In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized over 379 million doses of fentanyl, which is enough to kill everyone in the United States.

Our people are succumbing to fentanyl overdoses at a rate surpassing any other group in the United States, reflecting a staggering 279% surge between 2016 and 2021. New data released last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the rate of drug overdose deaths remained flat among all Americans from 2021 to 2022,

Regrettably, this was not true for Indian Country,

The report revealed that American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people saw the sharpest surge in drug overdose deaths in the time period, with a 15% increase in the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose rates. The number of deaths per 100,000 Native people rose from 56.6 to 65.2, the data shows.

Tragically, the high rates of drug overdoses impact the well-being of tribal families and communities. Throughout Indian Country, families have been torn apart, jobs lost, and homelessness [has risen]. . . .

. . . So that fentanyl does not stand a chance of reaching tribal lands, there is a need to stop the flow into the United States from Mexico. In order for progress to be made politicians need to stop playing the blame game, particularly saying President Joe Biden has turned his head on the issue by allowing undocumented immigrants to bring it across the border,

Contrary to the false information being perpetrated by the right-wing members of Congress, the deadly drug is not being brought across the southern border of the United States by undocumented immigrants. . .

. . . Congress needs to stop blaming Biden for the border issue that has existed for decades and pass legislation to hire more law enforcement officers to get the U.S. citizens who attempt to bring in the deadly drug. Read the rest of the story here.

Editor’s Note: Republican and Freedom Caucus member Tom Tiffany, who “represents” our own Wisconsin 7th Congressional District, is one of those right-wing members of Congress spreading false information about undocumented immigrants, fentanyl, and border security. He also voted against bringing a bipartisan bill addressing a number of border issues to the full House. Republican House members have stalled the bill on orders from former president Trump.

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‘This fight hits close to home’

Tammy Baldwin Ad on Funds Combatting Opioid Abuse

View ad.

What’s the Difference Between Eric Hovde and Sen. Tammy Baldwin on the Issues?

UpNorth News
April 17, 2024

Democratic US Senator Tammy Baldwin is campaigning for a third term on a list of accomplishments rooted in a consistent set of positions on the issues dating back to her previous roles in the US House and the Wisconsin Legislature.

By contrast, any new summary of US Senate candidate Eric Hovde’s positions on the issues will require reviewing how some of those stances have changed since his last attempt to capture that Senate seat. . . .

. . . The issues section of Hovde’s website covers four areas, including immigration. The section on health care contains a relatively paltry 300 words, most of them dedicated to criticizing the Affordable Care Act, without offering any clues as to what kind of replacement he would put in its place. The section on the economy is equally vague. On foreign affairs, Hovde parrots a readily debunked claim that falsely asserted Iran had received “plane loads of cash” to fund Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.

Baldwin’s campaign website covers 15 different topics, each mentioning legislation or some other action taken during her two terms in office. Read the entire UpNorth News story here.

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Eric Hovde Thinks Seniors in Nursing Homes Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Vote

Source: Weekly News from Ben Wikler, DPW Chair
April 12, 2024

In case you missed it, California bank owner Eric Hovde announced that he believes senior citizens shouldn’t be allowed to vote if they are living in a nursing home because they “only have five, six months life expectancy.” He said: “Almost nobody in a nursing home is at a point to vote.” He announced this absurd policy proposal while also spouting off disproven conspiracies about the 2020 election.

This isn’t Eric Hovde’s first attack on seniors. He “absolutely” supports cutting Social Security benefits. He supports raising the retirement age to as high as 72 years. He has praised a GOP budget proposal to cut $205 billion from Medicare—and he wants to go even further. Hovde’s proposal to take away the freedom to vote from seniors in nursing homes is yet another disconnected and disrespectful attack on Wisconsinites from the megamillionaire bank owner. We can’t allow another MAGA Republican to rip away the hard-earned rights of our seniors.

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Dan Duffy, Delavan: “Apparently the out-of-touch California banker with the $7 million home in Laguna Beach is having some success in buying his way into contention here in Wisconsin. One wonders what he has for a residence here. A Post Office box? This guy is totally opposed to abortion, which is easy for him to say since he'll never need one himself. He also doesn't think people in nursing homes should vote, probably because the investment banker in him wants to get his mitts on that money. According to him, being overweight is a choice and that people who struggle with their weight should have to pay more for health care, which is fine for a guy with a personal dietitian probably on call 24 hours a day. Children in single-parent homes are destined for a life of poverty, said he. This candidate also said farmers don't work hard anymore and spend much of their time driving a tractor around. I don't think this person would be too good at representing non-millionaires in the U.S. Senate. Donald Trump was going to self-fund his campaigns for president too, and that didn't last long. Big donors soon seize control. Gene Watson's song ‘All Hat, No Cattle’ fits a guy well who thinks he knows everything about farmers.” Back to top

Tammy Baldwin Shows Up for All Wisconsites

Source: Weekly News from Ben Wikler, DPW Chair
April 12, 2024

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Nuggets from the 7th CD Convention

Verbatim remarks
April 13, 2024

The 7th Congressional District Convention featured a number of speakers who laid out the stakes of this year’s election for our communities, our state, and our nation. Here are a few excerpts from remarks delivered by speakers at the convention, starting with Kyle Kilbourn, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House seat now held by Republican Tom Tiffany. County chairs from throughout the 7th CD endorsed Kilbourn as the Democratic candidate.

Other speakers included Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin; John Nichols, associate editor of the Cap Times, national correspondent for The Nation magazine, and progressive activist; and Peggy Flanagan, politician, community organizer, and Native American serving as the 50th lieutenant governor of Minnesota since 2019.

Five Sawyer County LCO Democratic Party officers attended the convention: Gayle Johnson, Louise Ladenthin, Al Flora, Paul Anderson, and Mary Vitcenda. Mary recorded and compiled the following excerpts.

Kyle Kilbourn

Excerpts from his remarks

I’m running today because too often people are unable to pursue their own American dream. I want everyone to have opportunities that are seemingly out of reach because of high costs.

My vision for a new American dream—a 21st century real new deal for the 7th District.

In our current age of hyper partisan politics, the needs of our working families and communities are often left out of the conversation. Washington’s too busy squabbling amongst each other treating us like political chess pieces. No more.

I believe in a three-part approach:

1. First, we have to economically empower our working families and communities.

2. Second, we have to celebrate our rural way of life. Our sense of community. Our appreciation for nature.

3. And third, commit to good governance for all.

So, what does that mean? That means in order to empower our working families we need to ensure fair wages and strong unions. We need to invest in the public infrastructure of our rural communities, like post offices, schools, hospitals, housing. But I’m also advocating for small local businesses.

I’m tired of driving around the district…because I’m seeing empty stores and schools. The very heart of our communities are being extinguished one by one.

Another way we can empower our working families is ensure they aren’t going broke from out-of-control health costs. Every American deserves universal and quality health care, regardless of where they live. [applause]

While universal health care is the ultimate goal, and we’re going to get there, we can do more in the immediate future, including legislation that increases funding for rural health care providers and improves access to preventive and emergency care.

Meanwhile, our incumbent sits in Congress and intends to strip away Medicare, piece by piece. And our rural hospitals and clinics shut down one by one.

I will do just the opposite. I will advocate for policies that lower prescription drug prices, expand Medicare coverage, and ensure our seniors have the care they deserve and need.

Now, our rural life is built on meaningful traditions, and I’m committed to preserving that through sustainable practices. Voices out there will tell you you can either have a clean climate or you can have jobs. That’s bull.

More clean energy means protecting our natural landscapes, but it also means more union jobs and infrastructure—like roads, broadband for our rural communities. We can grow our economy and protect our land, air, and water at the same time.

Don’t let a guy who earned the nickname Toxic Tom tell you otherwise. Speaking of Toxic Tom, let’s talk about something else he knows little about: good governance.

I don’t need to tell you that Washington’s a broken place. We all watch it on the news. So let’s elect leaders who believe in good governance. Who believe in upholding health care rights, including reproductive choices. Who advocate for civic engagement rather than take voting rights away.

And let’s elect leaders who strengthen our rural communities’ access to resources—not those who show up a few times a year and say some words and empty promises.

This district is my home. So what do you say? Let’s fight for it. Let’s not focus on how red a district is or how much money it’s going to take. Let’s leave that to the pundits. I’m focused on our people. Whether it’s a red district, a blue district, every person, every family deserves to be fought for. I’m ready to fight for my home and together we can do it.

Together, let’s build a district that values people, place, and effective policy over politics. Together, let’s create a better district where every individual is valued, our communities thrive, and government works for the good benefit of all. Thank you again. My name is Kyle Kilbourn. I hope you join our campaign.

Link to Kyle’s website

Ben Wikler

Excerpts from his remarks

We win in Wisconsin because we fight. Because we work year round. Because we honor work and we want to build a state and a country that honors work, that honors families, that honors the community that binds us together. . .

. . . If you look at all of the combined impact of all these local races, statewide Biden got 35,000 more votes than Trump on the same day—in the presidential primary. When Trump came to Wisconsin and held a rally on Election Day. . .

Photo: DPW

. . . We know the lesson from this spring. We know the lesson from each of the election years. Going back a long time. Which is that when we work locally, it has an impact statewide and nationally. . .

. . . Every Democratic nominee for State Assembly will get a $2,500 grant to launch them in their campaign, as soon as they’re the nominee in their district. It’s the first time we’ve been able to put that level of support in on the front end. . . And I should mention the State Senate, every candidate will get a $5,000 grant to launch their campaign. . .

. . .We’re going to continue of course supporting the offices. At least 8 different counties right now have offices open in the 7th CD. . . If you want to open an office, stay in touch with us. Because we want to have our presence all over the place in this election.

Bricks and mortar. Being present on a main street. Showing that we can open a storefront. It does make a difference. And we want to show up everywhere that we possible can. . .

. . . We know that the building blocks of success up and down the ballot start at the county level and at the local level. It starts with conversations face to face between people who often share life histories, who listen to the same radio station when they wake up in the morning, when they’re driving to work or to the grocery store. . .

. . . What that means is that the work we’re going to do now to fight in the State Assembly, to fight in the State Senate, and we’re about to see some blue districts in western Wisconsin, northern Wisconsin, central Wisconsin, we’re going to be flipping districts throughout the 7th Congressional District.

And I cannot wait to see the look on Republicans’ faces when they realize there were Democrats among them all this time. They just drew maps to suppress their voices. And it’s not going to work anymore.

Link to WisDems website

John Nichols

Excerpts from his remarks

“The most important thing that I do is tell people in rural Wisconsin, where I come from. . .that they are the living, breathing soul of Wisconsin progressives. That the heart and soul of this movement has always been a rural heart and soul.

It’s been beaten up. It’s been beaten down. There have been high times and low times. But the fact is that progressives never win in Wisconsin if they don’t do well in rural Wisconsin. And [7th CD] Chairman Stencil said, in her great remarks, that 97 percent of Wisconsin is rural. Well, I will tell you this: 100 percent of Joe Biden’s chances in 2024 are rural.

No Democrat can win Wisconsin if you don’t hold your own in rural Wisconsin. And holding your own doesn’t always mean winning. I know that’s difficult folks, right, because in politics we always like to say win and loss. Right? We make it so simplistic.

But holding your own means getting the votes that are needed from your region to add into that total and make it possible to win statewide.” Right? And so in my neighborhood in Madison where literally sometimes the Republicans come in third, in my neighborhood in Madison holding your own is getting about 92 percent of the vote. 90-92 percent. Those are big totals.

But there are counties in Wisconsin where holding your own may be only 35 percent of the vote. But if you don’t get that 35 percent, if you fall below it, if people don’t go out and do the hard work, you don’t win statewide. It doesn’t happen.

Someplace the future of America has to begin. Someplace we have to decide. Not just that you’re going to have a president who believes in infrastructure, civil rights, voting rights, humanity itself. Doesn’t want to be a dictator. Wants to serve the people.

But you’re also going to give that president a House that can actually pass the bills he needs. That can work with that president. And I hope someday it’s a woman—[and a Congress] that can work with her and what she needs. But we’re gonna get a House of Representatives that gives him what he needs.

And you’re gonna have a Senate that doesn’t have Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema running around saying, “Oh, I don’t know if I want to overturn the filibuster.” And gives him a Senate that actually chooses to govern, right?

Someplace in America it’s going to begin. Where a wave is going to come across this country, a blue wave that says, You know what? We’re done with this divisiveness. We’re done with this failure. We’re done with all the roadblocks to getting things done.

We want to be the country of the future—not of the past. We don’t wanna make America great again. We want America to be greater than it’s ever been! And someplace it’s got to begin and I believe there is a very good chance that it is going to begin on the west side of Rhinelander, Wis. in a hotel ballroom on a Saturday morning where people got up way before 6 a.m. . .and came down to have a meeting where they plotted out how they were going to transform America.”

Peggy Flanagan

Full text of her remarks

Boozhoo. My name is Peggy Flanagan. My Ojibwe name is Speaks with a Loud and Clear Voice Woman. My husband was the least surprised when I got my Indian name. And my family is the Wolf Clan. And the role of our clan is to ensure we’re not leaving anyone behind, which is why I’m here today on behalf of Joe Biden and Kamela Harris.

You know, I jumped at the chance to be here when the Biden campaign said, Hey, will you go to Wisconsin. I was like, Heck yeah. And here’s what I know: I know that we have a little bit of rivalry with the Packers and the Vikings. And the Badgers and the Gophers. And is it a fountain or a bubbler, right?

But I think we have common ground when it comes to wanting to make sure that people have an opportunity to live their very best lives. And that working families can thrive—in this region and in this country.

So I was like, I’m gonna go visit my neighbors right next door, who aren’t gonna make fun of my accent. And I’m so excited to be here. As your neighbor to the west, I bring good news of what can happen when we have Democratic majorities.

And making sure that we are feeding our kids breakfast and lunch at school—no questions asked. A child tax credit that will lower child poverty by a third in our state. Paid family and medical leave. And protecting access to reproductive care. I could go on and on.

But I want you to know that this didn’t just happen overnight. It wasn’t just, oh, we won an election and then we did some good stuff. This was good, grassroots organizing for decades that led us to this moment. And we didn’t take anything for granted.

We built a solid foundation [in Minnesota]. And it happened because people organized, not just in 2022, or 2020, or 2016, but decades. And we’re gonna fight like hell to make sure that we can have these wins all over the place, including Wisconsin. And you are well on your way, because of folks like Ben Wikler. We love him in Minnesota, by the way. From the Wisconsin Democratic Party.

My husband was like, Will you see him? Will you get a selfie with him? Yes! But you’ve been playing the long game. Slowly winning races like for governor and lt. governor, Sara Rodriguez, who’s my bestie. I love her.

And Janet on the Supreme Court, of course. And finally, getting new maps in this state that undid a decade of horrible gerrymandering. So there is hope. And there is hope with your congressional candidate Kyle. Who by the way, graduated from the University of Minnesota. But then had the good sense to come home to Wisconsin. I get it.

But in order to build that momentum in Wisconsin, I think that this is leading to a season of progressive wins, like we had in Minnesota last year. We have to make sure that we re-elect Joe Biden and Kamela Harris. And we have to make sure that we elect Democrats up and down the ballot everywhere here in Wisconsin.

This election is more than just policies. It’s about the soul and the heart and the future of our nation as a whole. And I’d like to share with you, if I can, about the first time that I met Joe Biden. The first conversation I had with him was in his dining room, when he was vice president.

I went to Washington with David Wellstone, who was the son. You know Paul. He was the son of the late, great Paul Wellstone. And I was invited there to an event celebrating advocates who were working on domestic violence and sexual assault issues.

In the dining room of the vice president, I told him my story of being a survivor of domestic violence and a child witness of abuse. The care and compassion that I received from then vice president Joe Biden was unlike anything I had ever experienced. And he said, Thank you for sharing your story. I will hold it, and I invite you to please share it with other people, because it’s powerful. I accepted that invitation, and my life has changed dramatically.

So I just want you to know the kindness of this man. We can talk all about the policies, and we will. But that is why I am here. That is why I am here.

So we’ve got Joe Biden who is a decent, caring and big-hearted guy, and now let’s contrast that with the other guy. The Republicans are gonna nominate a twice-impeached, criminally indicted disgraced and defeated former president Donald Trump.

And they’re nominating Trump’s MAGA Republican allies all across the country. He lies. He cheats. He steals to get ahead. And has no problem using the presidency to enrich himself and his family members.

He is selfish. And he is only in this for himself. Full stop. We have lived through four long years of Trump before, and every day brought crisis and chaos and corruption. And he put his own interests in front of ours over and over again.

Remember going to sleep each night and having this pit in your stomach, like what tweet am I going to wake up to in the morning? What world leader will he have picked a fight with the next day? Or his appearance. I am the mom of an 11-year-old having to turn off the television whenever he came on, because I didn’t want her to witness his crude behavior and foul language.

So when we all saw what happened on January 6th, we know he won’t think twice about burning down our democracy just to hold power. And it is serious. We’ve heard this so many times, but this is truly the most important election of our lifetime. Because the stakes could not be higher.

Democracy itself is on the ballot and so much more. Just look at what Trump and his MAGA allies said they wanted to do:

· Repeal the Affordable Care Act and take away your health care.

· Take away the rights of women and girls to make decisions about their own bodies.

· Stop mothers and fathers and parents from using IVF.

· Shoot Americans in the street when they exercise their First Amendment right to protest.

· Give tax cuts to the wealthiest people and corporations at a time of inexcusable and inequality in our country.

· Giving January 6th insurrectionists a Get out of jail free card. He literally has said it. And we must never, ever forget that he pledged to be a dictator on Day 1. And I believe him. I believe him.

So Donald Trump plans to take a wrecking ball to the very foundation of democracy because he doesn’t want you, he doesn’t want us, to have a say. But in Wisconsin, I’m here to tell you that you DO have a say. You are a swing state, you are a mighty, good looking group of people, who are going to ensure that we send Joe Biden and Kamela Harris back to the White House.

And we have to just ask ourselves, Who do we trust to fight for us? For our families and for our future? Let’s remember what things were like before Joe and Kamela took office.

A deadly pandemic. I lost my brother in the pandemic. Thousands of small businesses that were shuttered forever. Millions of Americans were losing their jobs. Democracy hanging on by a thread.

We were lurching from crisis to crisis, all exacerbated by a dangerous and chaotic president who was only looking out for himself. We were a nation in desperate need of a healing voice and a steady hand.

But now, three years later, we’re in the middle of a great American comeback story. Joe, Kamela and the Democrats are investing in America’s middle class—rebuilding our economy from the middle out and the bottom up. There is hope in America again.

And Joe Biden and Kamela Harris have turned that hope into action. So already senior citizens are paying less for their prescriptions. The price of insulin is capped at $35, saving over a million Wisconsinites money every time they refill a prescription.

Over a quarter million Wisconsinites have signed up for health care through ACA. And more than $6.6 billion have been invested right here in this state in infrastructure projects, including rebuilding roads and bridges, revitalizing public transit, ports and airports and creating clean water infrastructure. And providing affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.

And my favorite project is the Blatnik Bridge—that bridge that connects our two states, the heartbeat, the lifeline between our states. And as we are talking about this, even just today. We know that $2 billion in student loans has been forgiven in Wisconsin alone. That’s real money for folks. Right?

That means people can buy a house. They can pay off debt. Right? They can live their life. And here’s a favorite fact of mine. Joe Biden has created more jobs and added more jobs to the economy than any other president in U.S. history.

That’s worth a lot. And we’ve made real progress. But I know there’s more work to do. At kitchen tables across this country, families are still worried about the cost of living. The safety of our children. And the health of our planet. And faith in our personal freedoms.

And so that is what this election is all about. Who can we trust to protect the progress that we’ve made and keep fighting for more? If there’s one thing that I’ve learned over the last three years, is that having a president who cares about you and your family, and not just himself, makes a world of difference.

I mean, do you ever think that Donald Trump ever took his kid to buy a pair of shoes? He can’t imagine what it’s like being a parent barely getting by. But I know that Joe Biden can.

And Joe, Kamela, the amazing Tammy Baldwin and Democrats across Wisconsin—I know that you believe in an America where everyone has a fair shot for a better life. No matter where you’re from. What you make. How you pray or who you love.

Where opportunity abounds and Americans have more freedom than their parents did, not less. They believe in us, and I believe in us. That’s what we’re working here every day to build.

And it’s going to take all of us. And I have one more story before you wrap up, and you can continue your business here.

But in summer of 2022, when we were running for re-election, Gov. Walz and I, there was a day that we found out that Roe was overturned. And we were literally filming a campaign commercial at the painters union.

And the first thing I did was, I called my mom. And with tears in my eyes, I heard her say to me, and it was a “buck up” sort of moment, she said, I have prepared you your whole life for this moment.

So I did what any mother would do, I wiped the tears from my eyes, I took a deep breath and got focused. Because it’s unconscionable that my daughter will have less/will have fewer rights than I do. Than I did. Or that even her grandmother did.

And as your neighbor to the west, as lieutenant governor, but mostly as Shevonne’s mom, I ask you to join me in doing everything we can to ensure that we re-elect Joe Biden and Kamela Harris. That you re-elect your incredible senator Tammy Baldwin. And that you elect Democrats up and down the ballot all across Wisconsin because this is a people-powered campaign.

That’s how we won in 2020 and it’s how change has ALWAYS come to our country. Generation after generation, everyday Americans have stepped forward to make our union a little more perfect by knocking on doors, by calling our neighbors, by having heartfelt conversations about what is at stake. And about our shared dreams and hopes for our future.

And as Joe Biden says, we are in this for the future of the soul of our country—of America. This battle is far from over, but choosing freedom—true freedom, real freedom—over fear. Hope over hatred. Democracy over division.

We’ve started to turn the tide. Now, together we can finish the job. So I’m honored and humbled to be able to spend some time with you. Thank you for being in a windowless room on a beautiful Saturday, protecting our democracy—doing the good work that we do as Democrats. It really, really matters.

So, I never thought that I’d be lieutenant governor. I didn’t grow up as a little girl thinking, I want to be the second most powerful person in the state of Minnesota. I wanted to be a ballerina-nurse, which is exactly what it sounds like.

But here’s what I know. Because of the DFL, our Democratic Farmer Labor party, because of Democrats, there was a clear path for a kid who had a Section 8 housing voucher that secured our family a place to live. We relied on public programs like SNAP and the child care assistance program. And now I get to pay that back and pay that forward because of that investment. Being the first Native American woman elected to executive office in this country, the first Native American woman to head a national party committee as chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. And I share that with you not to brag, because that’s not who we are in Minnesota. It’s certainly not who I am as a Native woman.

But I share that with you because my existence is because of this party. It’s because of the investments that we have made in community and each other and fought to protect our share of rights, for our sovereignty, for our identity, for our existence.

So thank you, thank you, thank you for being in this fight. Chi-miigwech. And have a great rest of your convention.”

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Perry Govier 3/19/24 Perry Govier 3/19/24

Issue 5

March 19, 2024

Index | Quote to Note | Past Newsletters
Plan for the April 2 Election
’A New Day in Wisconsin’—Gov. Evers signs fair maps legislation
A Deeper Dive on the Impact of Redistricting
Ten Topics for Tom Tiffany Part 5: Women’s Reproductive Rights
Our Values: U.S. History Lessons from the Philippine Islands
Our Values: Look for the Helpers
Local Dems Staff Table at LCO Round Dance
President Biden Outlines Inspiring Vision in Fiery SOTU

Quote to Note

“The issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are; it’s how old are our ideas. Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done.

President Biden, State of the Union address, March 7, 2024

Plan for the April 2 Election

Vote No on Constitutional Amendments
Sawyer County Board Members Up for Election
Make a Plan to Vote

The April 2 election is fast approaching, and there are two significant matters for you to consider. One involves two proposed state Constitutional Amendments (questions) that will appear on the ballot. The second involves the Sawyer County Board.

Vote No on Constitutional Amendments

There will be two proposed state constitutional amendments (questions) on the April 2 ballot:

❌Question 1: “Use of private funds in election administration. Shall section 7 (1) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that private donations and grants may not be applied for, accepted, expended, or used in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum?"

❌Question 2: “Election officials. Shall section 7 (2) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums?"

The League of Women Voters (LWV) and Sawyer County LCO Democrats urge you to vote “no” on these amendments. Other groups that oppose the amendments include the Wisconsin Justice Institute and Wisconsin Conservation Voters.

Important Notes

Your vote on these questions is binding. If approved, these provisions would be added to the state constitution. Your vote is not simply expressing a preference.

The overall intent of these amendments is to make it harder to vote. They are an attempt to work around the better process of the governor working with the Legislature to ensure adequate support for running elections.

Background

These amendments stem from a $10.6 million grant from the non-profit Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) to election offices throughout the state in 2020 due to the added costs of administering an election during a pandemic. CTCL was largely funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, leading to the nickname “Zuckerbucks” for the funding.

More than 200 communities in Wisconsin received shares of the grant, with $8.8 million going to Milwaukee, Racine, Green Bay, Madison, and Kenosha—the state’s largest cities. Many smaller communities also received grants, including inRepublican areas like Waukesha County. Waukesha received $42,000, which it used to help cover increased mailing costs, tables, rolling partitions and equipment.

Conservatives launched legal challenges over the grants, and courts ruled multiple times that there was nothing in state law that prohibited clerks from taking the money. Bipartisan members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission also upheld the grants.

Per the process for amending the state constitution, the Wisconsin Legislature passed the amendments in two separate sessions, which moved them to this spring’s ballot. All Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature opposed the amendments. Note that the governor was not involved in the process.

Here’s what the League of Women Voters says about these proposed amendments.

Question 1: Use of private funds in election administration

· Elections need to be fully funded. This amendment reduces the options for municipal governments looking for outside sources of funding for elections without providing alternative resources. This change will shift the burden even further onto taxpayers.

· This change will have a negative impact on the voter experience and could lead to long lines and wait times at polling places, consolidated polling places, longer waits for election night results, and more due to lack of funding.

· This change does not belong in our constitution. If the Legislature wants to make this change, lawmakers should work with the governor to do so in a way that ensures our elections are fully funded.

· Vote No on question 1 to ensure our clerks have the support and money they need to keep our elections running smoothly and securely.

Question 2: Election officials

· Elections are a lot of work. Clerks rely on a whole host of outside experts, volunteers, and community members to make sure our elections are run smoothly and the results are accurate.

· Voter education organizations, like LWV, play a critical role in informing the public about their right to vote. This proposed change to our state constitution ties the hands of our election officials from getting the outside support they need for our elections to function.

· This change does not belong in our constitution. If the Legislature wants to make this change, lawmakers should work with the governor to do so in a way that ensures our clerks are able to get the support they need to run our elections.

Vote No to question 2 to ensure our clerks have the support they need to run our elections and voters have the support they need to make informed decisions for our state.

For More Information

League of Women Voters Toolkit, including messaging

Wisconsin’s April 2 referendum questions and the ‘Zuckerbucks’ debate, explained—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

‘The money needed to come from somewhere’: How Madison spent its ‘Zuckerbucks’—WKOW TV

Sawyer County Board Members Up for Election

The second significant matter on the April ballot is the election of Sawyer County Board commissioners.

The Democratic Party of Sawyer County and Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation supports the following candidates in contested races as most aligned with progressive values: Kay Wilson, District 2; Tweed Shuman, District 3; and Christopher Rusk, District 11. Sawyer County LCO Democrats also support unopposed candidate Brian Bisonette, District 9, as most aligned with progressive values.

For More Information

Full list of Sawyer County board candidates: 2024-Spring-Election---Sawyer-County-Board-Candidates (sawyercountygov.org)

Make a Plan to Vote

· Know where to vote.

· Bring proper identification.

· Make sure you are registered to vote.

Get more information at myvote.wi.gov/en-us

If you’re registered, you may also search your voter record at My Voter Info on the above site.

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‘A New Day in Wisconsin’

Sources: Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition
WisDems Chair Ben Wikler’s weekly newsletter, March 1, 2024
Wisconsin State Legislature website

Gov. Evers holds up newly signed fair maps bill. AP Photo

On Monday, February 19, 2024, with pro-democracy leaders, fair maps activists and state legislators looking on, Gov. Tony Evers signed fair maps—the maps he submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in December 2023—into law.

These maps will be in place for the 2024 elections and give Wisconsin voters a real shot at electing an accountable, representative, and balanced legislature for the first time since the extreme partisan gerrymander was imposed in 2011.

As the Governor stated at the press conference before the signing, "Folks, it's a new day in Wisconsin...few have been as consequential as this one."

Here’s WisDems Party Chair Ben Wikler’s take on the impact of the new maps on northern Wisconsin:

Under the 2022 ultra-gerrymandered maps, the northernmost Democratic state legislator in Wisconsin is Jodi Emerson, who represents the one non-GOP district in Eau Claire—a district drawn to soak up as many Democrats as possible and prevent competitive races in the surrounding area.

Now, the overwhelmingly Democratic voters on Wisconsin’s Northern edge will be able to elect a Democrat in the 73rd Assembly district; voters in the purple Western tip of the state in Northwest Wisconsin will have a shot at electing a Democrat in the 30th district; Democrats have a shot at three Assembly districts in Eau Claire—and the 31st state Senate seat!—and Wausau voters will finally have a clear shot at electing a Democrat in a district that is likely to be one of the most competitive in the whole state.

In other words, the Republican myth of a solid red Northern Wisconsin can now enter the dustbin of history.

In fact, there will now be competitive or blue districts in every corner of the state—North, South, East, West, and central Wisconsin.

Democrats live everywhere. Rural areas, suburbs, small towns, and cities. To think otherwise is to fall victim to Republican propaganda. The lack of representation was the result of the GOP rigging the maps.

Winning an Assembly majority won’t be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. But if we win the most votes, it’s now possible. And multiple state Senate seats—as many as five or six—are within reach this cycle as well, putting us on the path to a majority in 2026.

In other words, here in 50-50 Wisconsin, the margin of victory may at last be within the margin of effort.

Our goal is to fill the ballot. To find candidates in every single legislative and Congressional district. Extraordinary folks are already stepping forward or making plans to do so.

Impact on Sawyer County

The new maps have a significant impact on Sawyer County, which was previously in Assembly District 87 and Senate District 29.

Under the 2024 maps, Sawyer County is in Assembly District 74, which besides Sawyer County includes all of Iron and Washburn counties, and parts of Ashland, Douglas, Bayfield, and Burnett counties. Chanz Green, R-Grandview, represents Assembly District 74. Under the 2022 maps, Sawyer County was represented by Jim Edming, R-Glen Flora.

Under the 2024 maps, Sawyer County is in Senate District 25, represented by Romaine Quinn, R-Cameron. Under the 2022 maps, Sawyer County was represented by Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee.

Assembly races are on deck this year, meaning Democrats must field a candidate against the Republican candidate—Green if he chooses to run again and isn’t unseated by a Republican challenger in a primary. His term expires on Jan. 6, 2025. Quinn’s Senate term ends on Jan. 4, 2027.

For More Information

· Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition

· What do Wisconsin's new maps mean for the Legislature's balance of power? - WPR

· Wisconsin's new legislative maps: Questions, answers on redistricting (jsonline.com)

· Wisconsin Legislature: 2023 Wisconsin Act 94 NOTES: Scroll waaaaay down the page to District 74 for full breakdown of the geographic area of the new Assembly district. At the time of publication I (the newsletter editor) could not find a similar breakdown for new state Senate districts—not even on the Wisconsin Legislature page. I’ll keep looking.

· Wisconsin Legislative District Viewer Enter your address to compare your 2022 legislators to 2024 legislators.

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A Deeper Dive on the Impact of Redistricting

‘The prime benefit of the new maps isn’t that they will help Democrats, it is that they will help democracy.’

By Kerry Kittel, New Richmond, Wis.
Printed in the Hudson Star Observer

Many of the people and news outlets who celebrated the return of fair legislative maps in Wisconsin missed the big picture. Will the new fair maps lead to more Democrats winning legislative seats? Of course they will. [But] the prime benefit of the new maps isn’t that they will help Democrats, it is that they will help democracy.

Fair maps will increase the number of quality candidates willing to run for legislative seats in both parties. More Democrats will run because many formerly Republican districts are now toss-ups, and others will have a 3-5 percent Republican advantage rather than a 10 percent advantage. Moderate Republican candidates will increase because winning elections will depend on listening to the voters, not far-right party leaders.

Issues such as sensible gun reform, including background checks, Medicaid expansion, decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana, preserving access to abortion in some or most cases, access to contraception, and funding public schools all have strong public support. Republicans can either give them serious consideration or pay the price.

Republicans have already demonstrated that running radical candidates for statewide offices is a losing strategy. Governor Evers defeated Scott Walker in 2018 and beat radical conservative Tim Michels by a larger margin in 2022. Jill Karofsky and Janet Protasiewicz each defeated ultra-conservative Dan Kelly by 11 percent. Wisconsin Republicans will eventually realize that statewide elections can’t be won that way.

One can hope that huge sums or dark money supporting extremist candidates will be reduced. Perhaps we all will be spared the worst of the negative ads designed to suppress the vote. In the new fair maps Wisconsin, voter participation should also increase.

Wisconsin residents should celebrate the return of a more voter-centered, issue-oriented democracy. Our rich tradition of considering all good public policy ideas, many of them progressive, ended with the Republican gerrymandering in 2010. With that obstacle removed, we can once again follow Wisconsin’s state motto and move forward.

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Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 5: Women’s Reproductive Rights

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

What does Tom Tiffany think about women's reproductive rights?

We have answers: Tiffany is supported by Wisconsin Right to Life and has been endorsed by National Right to Life, which wants to ban abortions without exception for rape or incest. In fact, he says he could see Congress creating a nationwide ban, "where you do not get to abort a baby after 15 weeks."

I have to question Tiffany's choice of language. Does he believe that the terms "fetus" and "baby" are interchangeable? Is a three-month-old baby also called a fetus? Likewise, he has accused pro-choice lawmakers of seeking to make "partial birth abortion" legal. Could he find for us a licensed OB/GYN professional who has used that term, or who regards it as appropriate or even meaningful in their work? If not, then where did he get the idea that this nonsensical, non-existent thing exists? Is he really advocating a nationwide ban on something that doesn't exist and doesn't even make sense?

I haven't read all of his campaign literature, so I'd have to ask Tom if he has ever run for office before on a platform that advocated taking rights away from every woman in America. Feeling as passionately about it as he seems to now, why would he not share that with the voting public? Has he looked at polling data to see how popular the idea of canceling women's reproductive rights might be, particularly in his own congressional district? Would that make a difference to him if he did? Tiffany has also voted against the Right to Contraception Act, which would guarantee the right to birth control in federal law. I don't think he wants to know how unpopular that vote might be.

I feel the need to ask Tiffany these many questions, specifically because I get a very clear impression that he hasn't asked them of himself. I'd like to know that, at least once, he had to consider such questions on this matter of such dire importance. Does the life of a fetus have greater value than that of the mother carrying it? He owes his constituents an answer to that one. Is there justification for allowing a woman to die by refusing her life-saving medical treatment, or in effect forcing a woman to exchange her own life for that of the fetus she is carrying? If so, he should provide his justification and explain where it comes from.

What drives Tiffany's desire to ban abortion in every instance everywhere in America without knowing anything about the individual circumstances? Does he believe that it doesn't matter what the circumstances are? Does he believe that women see abortion as just another form of birth control? Does he believe that abortion is something that women make casual decisions about for themselves, and that they don't take childbirth as seriously as he does? Does he believe that he is superior to them and must intervene in their decision-making? Just where does one get the idea that a woman's healthcare decisions can be vetoed, essentially, by anyone? And, why is it not also the case with any healthcare decision made by a man?

Is there any factual or logical justification at all for his intention to intervene? Or is he inserting his personal religious beliefs into his legislative role? And, if that is the case, does he find the First Amendment to the Constitution to be difficult to comprehend? Has he read something in it that he feels contradicts the general sense that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion?"

And finally, If it is the case, if Tom were to concede that he's imposing a narrow set of religious beliefs on us that a clear majority of Americans disagrees with, then what are those beliefs, what specific religion and sect are they from, and is there scripture that he could cite for us that would support his position?

It's not that any of that matters with regard to it being constitutional. Church has no business running State. And vice versa. But, at the very least, when someone tells us that something is against their religion, they can begin to explain—and must—by telling us exactly what religion that is, and then be prepared to take a lot of questions.

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Our Values
U.S. History Lessons from the Philippine Islands

Editor’s Note: This is where we, members of the Sawyer County LCO Democrats and guests, express our own values and their connection to the party.

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

My father once told me that I was being philosophical. I had long forgotten what that conversation had been about until it came to me again recently. It was in the early 80s and now I remember what prompted it. I had said to him, "You know, sometimes I think we create our own enemies." And that was his response. We had been talking about global politics and, in particular, the difficulties the US was having with Iran and in Central America. My point was that we had been propping up some nasty dictators around the world for a long time and it had finally come back to bite us. Not to mention what it had done to the people living under them.

So, I didn't take offense at being called philosophical, whether or not one was intended. I saw it as the recognition that we came at it from different perspectives. I respected his. He'd had a front row seat to geopolitics gone bad when he served at the end of World War II, conducting interviews and gathering intelligence from members of the German high command.

And my perspective was formed largely by the time that I'd spent overseas with the Navy and primarily in the Philippines. I served on an aircraft carrier that deployed to the western Pacific and was homeported at the Subic Bay Naval Base for roughly four months during that time. It's certainly not enough time to have made me an expert on the history or politics of that nation, but I learned quite a few things while there.

To begin with, I learned a part of U.S. history that was never mentioned in any of the history classes that I'd attended. In primary school, the Spanish-American War was never given nearly as much attention as the Revolutionary, Civil, and World Wars. And the part of it that took place in the Philippines was simply treated as that nation's liberation, by the U.S., from centuries of Spanish control. Although the bloody conflict between U.S. troops and Filipino guerrillas over the four years that followed was never brought up.

No Good Reason to Obscure Our Own History

It seems that the two nations had differed on the meaning of that word "liberation." I first learned about it from friends I'd made there. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples of our history texts omitting events that were less than exemplary of a nation like ours, which claims to be a champion of democracy. In fact, many countries do the same thing. Japan's history texts didn't include their record of abuses throughout the nations they occupied in World War II until the formerly occupied nations shamed them into it. I can't think of a good reason for a country to obscure its own history from the view of its people. How can you develop good foresight with a filtered view of the past? And who chooses the filters?

When I arrived there just after Christmas in 1977, the Philippines was under martial law, imposed by then President Ferdinand Marcos, and it had been for five years. A month earlier, Marcos' political opponent, a former senator named Benigno Aquino, had been convicted on false charges and sentenced by a military court to death by firing squad, though Marcos later commuted his sentence. I'd already read a bit with regard to the Philippines' current political climate while en route from San Diego, beginning with an article from a Time magazine that had been laying around the shop, and then going up to the ship's library for a deeper dive.

It became obvious that much of the world regarded the Marcos regime as thoroughly corrupt. Nepotism and cronyism were well-known to abound there. Friends and relatives were given government positions, some created just for them, as well as monopolies on Philippine exports. It was said that the Marcos family treated the Philippine Treasury as their personal slush fund. And it was readily apparent to anyone with eyes how the rest of the country had fared. Poverty was widespread.

I asked those Filipino friends about this broad perception of corruption, not sure whether I should be asking them if they thought it was true or if they were even aware of what the rest of the world saw it for. It wasn't any secret to them, but they spoke in carefully chosen words about anything having to do with the government. I felt rather helpless. The "Third World" had been an eye opener. I'd never encountered so many people with so few personal possessions, for one thing. And, from their perspective, it was puzzling how an American could earn near-poverty level wages and still have his very own car. And a new one, at that.

U.S. Propped Up Corrupt Regime

My near poverty was a temporary condition, largely induced by rank, or a lack of. Not so with theirs as long as the Marcos family ruled. And the Marcos family ruled as long as my country continued to prop them up. This was probably the point in my life at which I came to fully realize that the way I voted made a difference in the lives of people on the other side of the globe that I really cared about. And I also recognized that their vote didn't mean a damn thing.

I'd love to describe some of the many frauds perpetrated by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos upon their people, but time doesn't permit. I'll just give you a telling example, as shown in a PBS documentary. I didn't think even Imelda Marcos would be so bold and so dishonest as to take a news crew on a tour of her brand new suburban-style housing development, only to have some pesky cameraman shoot some footage from the side of the homes when nobody else was looking. The "new homes" were literally facades attached to the front of corrugated steel quonset huts, an apt metaphor for Imelda and the whole regime.

Not Content with the Status Quo

My dad was right. I am philosophical. I'm not content with "Well, that's just the way things work." I'd rather occupy the realm of what can be done and what should be done. That is particularly so when the people being crushed under "the ways things work" are people I know or care about. I left the Philippines with two clear thoughts in mind.

First, I felt the need to better inform myself and others about what our foreign policy is doing to real people's lives, and the need to be more selective in that regard about the leaders we choose.

Second, I felt some relief in knowing that our country would never let anyone so conspicuously self-serving and corrupt assume our presidency. The kind of person whose primary focus was enriching himself and his family beyond any recognizable bounds and without any concern for what it would do to the rest of the country, who would lie and abuse power incessantly, doing anything to keep from being unseated. [I didn’t think someone like that] could gain traction without a stiff backlash from the American electorate. Certainly, between laws, journalism, and common sense, a person like that would not be able to occupy the White House. I thought. For some reason.

And now we have hindsight. And foresight. We should use it. By the way, if you're not familiar with the story, that political rival of Marcos, Benigno Aquino, was flown to the U.S. for life-saving medical treatment during his incarceration. He stayed longer than his recuperation required and had continued to be an open critic of Marcos with a much larger megaphone available to him, but he decided on his own to return to the Philippines. Before leaving, he explained to a journalist that he couldn't do enough to help his country and its people from so far away. When asked if he knew he'd likely be killed when he got there, he said "yes." The plane landed, soldiers boarded, and Aquino was shot dead before reaching the door.

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Our Values
Look for the Helpers

Editor’s Note: This is where we, members of the Sawyer County LCO Democrats and guests, express our own values and their connection to the party.

By Mary Vitcenda, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: "My mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”

Fred Rogers, long-time host of a children’s show on PBS; Photo: NPR

Fred Rogers, of course, was Mr. Rogers, the host of a beloved children’s show on PBS. I thought of his words recently as I compared the records and plans of President Biden and Donald Trump for governing (or not governing). I’m focusing on the federal level here, and I’m omitting detail in the fervent hope that you search out more information yourself from credible sources. That said, I urge you to look at the following issues, and others, through Mr. Rogers’ eyes before voting in national, state, and local elections.

The economy: Under President Biden’s leadership, Congressional Democrats have enacted policies that are creating jobs, increasing wages, and making needed investments in our economy. They have lifted the economy almost back to pre-pandemic levels. As the economy improves and the Fed makes sound decisions on interest rates, inflation should decrease. In fact, it’s already cooling.

As for Trump and MAGA Republicans in Congress, they continue to promote the failed trickle-down tactic of tax cuts for large corporations and the wealthy. Trump also supports isolationist ideas that would raise prices and hurt consumers.

Access to affordable health care: President Biden and Congressional Democrats have lowered the cost of prescription drugs. His administration also has worked to reduce the number of Americans without health insurance by the millions, and it supports measures to protect women’s access to reproductive health care.

Conversely, Trump continues to say he would eliminate Obamacare. He claims to favor more access to abortion services than extreme states but continues to brag about appointing the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.

Immigration reform: President Biden and Democratic lawmakers recently worked with Republican lawmakers to craft a bipartisan bill that would provide resources to secure the southern border and restrict the flow of asylum seekers when necessary.

You’d think Republicans would support this bill, given some GOP lawmakers helped develop it. But Trump told Congressional Republicans to oppose the bill because he wants to keep whining about the border instead of solving problems.

Rule of law and voter protection: President Biden and Democrats support the rule of law, including the peaceful transfer of power between presidential elections. They also believe all eligible voters should have access to the ballot box. And they want the United States to stay in the alliance of democratic nations and uphold the principles our forebears fought for in World War II.

On the other hand, Trump shows a strange affinity to Vladimir Putin, who definitely is no friend of democracy. Trump also worked mightily to overturn the 2020 election by instigating the violent January 6th attack on the Capitol and by advancing a fake elector scheme and other tricks.

Which Candidate Mirrors Your Values?
I ask that you compare the approaches of these two candidates and decide which one most closely matches your values when you vote this year. And please think of Mr. Rogers’ advice to “Look for the helpers” as you cast your ballot.
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Local Dems Staff Table at LCO Round Dance

Sawyer County LCO Democrats staffed a table at the March 2 Round Dance at the Seven Winds Casino. Joan Cervenka, Louise Ladenthin, Tom Vitcenda, and Mary Vitcenda urged passersby to vote in upcoming elections. And they asked visitors to sign up for a raffle offering $50 gift certificates for the LCO Country Store.

Joan Cervenka later asked Opichee Day Bedeau, six-year-old son of tribal member Opie Day, to draw two winners’ names for the certificates. The winners, announced by Round Dance emcee Mike Sullivan were Art Mustache and Myra Whitrock.

Fans decorated with the Stars and Stripes proved the most popular giveaway at the table—especially among the kids! “Although state and national elections aren’t coming up until August and November, we were happy to get the names of our Democratic candidates in front of everyone at the Round Dance,” said Party Secretary Louise Ladenthin. Posters urged votes for Biden-Harris, Tammy Baldwin, and Kyle Kilbourn, candidate for the 7th District Congressional seat now held by Tom Tiffany.

From left, Sawyer County LCO Dems Louise Ladenthin, Joan Cervenka, and Tom Vitcenda staffed a table at the March 2 LCO Round Dance. Mary Vitcenda, who took these photos, also volunteered.

Opichee Day Bedeau, 6, and Joan Cervenka look on while Mike Sullivan, emcee at the Round Dance, announced a winner in the Sawyer County LCO Dems’ raffle at the event.
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President Biden Outlines Inspiring Vision in Fiery State of the Union Speech

“This was the unfiltered reality check moment that American politics needed. After months of hand wringing, journalists and the public alike got to see the Biden that those who work with him see every day: a president in full, fired up, laying out his vision of freedom, democracy, and prosperity for working people—and drawing a razor-sharp contrast with a Republican Party that wants to take freedoms away from women and hand budget-busting tax cuts to billionaires.”—Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair

President Biden delivers 2024 State of the Union speech. Photo/*Washington Post*

Full SOTU speech: SC VD 103 (youtube.com)

Highlights of SOTU speech: Biggest Moments From President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address (youtube.com)

Transcript: State of the Union Address 2024: Read the full text of Biden's speech (usatoday.com)

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Perry Govier 2/12/24 Perry Govier 2/12/24

Issue 4

Feb. 12, 2024

Index | Quote to Note | Past Newsletters
’Don’t Give Up’
Ten Topics for Tom Tiffany Part 4: The 2020 Election
Another Question: Are Trump and Tiffany on Your Side?
DNR Can Regulate Large Animal-Feeding Operations, Judge Rules
Tammy Baldwin Fights for Wisconsinites
ICYMI Local Edition: Judge Isham to Visit Feb. 27 Party Meeting
ICYMI State Edition: Gov. Evers —State of State Address; Response to Redistricting Lawsuit Report
ICYMI National Edition: President Biden and VP Harris—President Biden in Superior; VP Harris in Waukesha

Quote to Note

Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

‘Don’t Give Up’

ICYMI: Message from Ben Wikler, WisDems Party Chair

Feb. 9, 2024

Team MAGA wants you to panic. They want you to curl into a fetal position. They want you to freak out, throw your hands up in despair, turn on your fellow Democrats, and give up.

Don’t fall for it.

Ben Wikler

Yesterday, we saw a partisan hit job dressed up like a legal document: Robert Hur, appointed by loyalty-obsessed Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions as a prosecutor and later tapped as Special Counsel to investigate the handling of classified documents by Joe Biden in the time between his vice presidency and his election, investigated exhaustively, with full cooperation from now-President Biden. Hur interviewed nearly 150 witnesses, reviewed 7 million documents, and spent $3.5 million taxpayer dollars over 15 months. If there was any crime to find, he would have found it. There was not. President Biden handled classified documents the right way, because he takes our national security seriously—and he always has.

So, unable to prosecute, he decided to serve up a Fox News-y fusillade of attacks on Biden As a certain president might say, it’s pure malarkey. The five-hour interview with Biden that Hur’s report reports upon took place on October 8, 2023. Remember what happened on October 7? President Biden was responding in real time to one of the biggest international crises of the last decade. By all accounts, he was doing so masterfully, in full control of an incredibly complex situation—a moment Republican pundits called “President Biden’s finest hour.”

The GOP is turning up their spin machine to 11—because, while Biden emerged clean from an exhaustive investigation, Trump also faced an investigation into his own handling of classified documents… and now faces accountability.

Take a look at what came out of these two investigations, in this chart:

Trump is actively undermining national security and, allegedly, breaking laws willy-nilly in order to protect himself and pull off a criminal cover-up.

He’s a menace. To American security, to democracy, to our allies.

And the GOP knows that, as this truth sinks in with the American public, it’s a political disaster for his presidential campaign.

That’s why they’re kicking up dust and calling it smoke. That’s why they’re trying to get you to stop scrutinizing Trump. That’s why they’re pulling out every dirty dishonest trick in the book. And you’d better believe they’re just getting started.

But we’re not going to let them succeed.

We have a choice to make. Are we going to stay focused, or are we going to let Republican BS send us into a tailspin?

Are we serious about winning this election—stopping the Trumpian menace to the American experiment, and building a future that moves us closest to our highest ideals?

This is a choice we’ve made before. It’s a choice we’ll have to make over and over during the next 269 days. And it’s a choice whose consequences will ripple through the rest of our lives.

Stand firm. Fight back. The country that we love is on the line.

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Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 4: The 2020 Election

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

Sometimes when Tom Tiffany speaks, it has the effect of an unfinished sentence on me. I find myself waiting for the second part of the sentence that will make sense of the first part. And, not hearing that raises questions.

When I'd last heard, Tom believed that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. He said so. He was asked by attendees at a voter rally last fall who had won the election and, after answering "Biden is president" several times, he admitted that it was a win and not a steal. Although, there was a qualifier. He added "...but there were irregularities." And that would open up a whole new set of questions, but I'll treat that one separately from the first.

If I had the opportunity today to ask some follow-up questions--and there are oh so many--I would have to start by asking if he still believes that Biden won the election, or had he changed his mind about that in the past year. It seems that many of the Republican members of Congress who initially denounced the ex-president over his actions on January 6th have changed their minds back to supporting the coup leader again. Whether or not Tiffany has, would he still support a candidate for president who has continued to lie to this day about having won the last election and it being stolen from him? Can he even begin to justify voting for that?

I'm also concerned about Tiffany's reluctance to admit that Biden had won. What made it difficult for him to say it? Bitterness in defeat? That would seem rather petty. Could it be fear? Would it be awkward if it became known that he disagrees with the leader of his party as to who our legitimate and rightful president is?

Possibly what concerns me most is the question of when it was that Tom Tiffany knew Joe Biden had legally and fairly won the election. Let's go for the obvious question. Did Tom learn about that before or after January 6th when he objected to certifying election results for Arizona and Pennsylvania? Did he knowingly assist in perpetrating a fraud intended to overturn our last presidential election or was he an unwitting dupe?

Now, about those "irregularites." I have a battery of questions for Tom: Name any one of the irregularities. Has it been reported to the authorities? Introduced in a court hearing? If not, why not? If so, which one? What evidence was given? What was the outcome? I'd remind Tom that not one of the claims of election fraud brought by the former president's legal team has held up to scrutiny, largely because they lacked evidence of any kind. So, what was it that was so convincing to Tom that he'd stand up and vote against certifying two state elections?

But, there's more. The effort was organized inside the Republican House Conference to get members voting to de-certify. Whose idea? Who coordinated the effort? Who were the go-betweens that linked members of Congress with the White House in the planning? Who instructed Tom? What would he be willing to tell us about all that?

Rest assured, Tom Tiffany is hoping you'll never ask.

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Another Question: Are Trump and Tiffany on Your Side?

By Tom Vitcenda, member, Sawyer County LCO Democrats
Updated slightly from version published in the Ladysmith News, Feb. 8, 2024

Here’s a question for my fellow 7th CD citizens: Are Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany really for you? Are they really on your side? Let’s look at some recent words and actions from these two candidates and decide.

Trump’s line

Trump said he hopes the U.S. economy crashes before the election so he can blame Biden and (he thinks) get back in the White House. Does an economic downturn, and all the suffering it would bring, help you?

Trump said he’ll be a dictator on day one of his hoped-for second term to prosecute, imprison, or even execute anyone he says is an enemy of his administration. Putting aside the issue of whether that’s a normal position for a U.S. presidential candidate to take—Does punishing political enemies help you?

Trump asked Republicans in Congress to oppose the bipartisan border security bill so Biden doesn’t get any credit for solving the problem. In other words, Trump doesn’t want to solve border issues; he just wants to blame Democrats for them. Again—does failure to implement more restrictive border policies and control drug flow across the border help you?

Tiffany’s line

So, Tom Tiffany—not to be outdone by Trump—has voted against every bill that had input from Democrats. The bills that Trump’s mini me (Tiffany) has opposed include the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (which includes a $1 billion grant to replace the Blatnik Bridge between Superior and Duluth), the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and (wait for it) the Consumer Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act. That last vote is rich, given all of Tiffany’s whining about high gas prices.

[Following two paragraphs are updated to reflect latest developments:] And how would Tiffany vote on a bipartisan border bill should it ever make it through both the Senate and the House? A bill that, when last introduced, promised to be the best chance to make some repairs to our broken immigration system. I would be happy if Tiffany voted for the bill, but who knows whether he would, because he’d lose his big talking point. And if he voted against it, well, that would just be more proof that he’s not out to help you.

Any vote a border bill would be another test of whether Tiffany is all talk and no action. Whether he has any substance or is an empty suit. Whether he’s interested in governing or just wants to fight culture wars.

Think for yourself

Now, you don’t have to take my word for all this. If you want to see how Tiffany operates, I suggest you attend one of his town hall meetings. There you will hear with your own ears his constant mantra of division, mistrust of institutions, and outright hatred of government and government employees. Not to mention his unwillingness to listen to anything that comes close to another point of view.

I have been to two of his events and found them to be negative, divisive, condescending, and even bullying. Bottom line: Keep an eye on Trump and Tiffany. Listen to what they say. Watch what they do—and what they don’t do. Then ask yourself: Are they looking out for me and the best interests of the country? Or are they just looking out for themselves and their own interests?

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DNR Can Regulate Large Animal-Feeding Operations, Judge Rules

The Cap Times
Jan. 30, 2024
Excerpts

A northeast Wisconsin judge [on Jan. 30] ruled in favor of maintaining a requirement meant to prevent water pollution from large-scale commercial farms, a decision cheered by environmental advocates.

In an oral ruling, Calumet County District Court Judge Carey Reed sided with the state Department of Natural Resources in their bid to dismiss the case, brought by the litigation arm of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce on behalf of two dairy groups last year. Read full article.
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Tammy Baldwin Fights for Wisconsinites

Source: Ben Wikler’s weekly newsletter
Feb. 9, 2024

[During the week of Feb. 5-9], Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced several pieces of legislation to help Wisconsinites in every corner of the state. She proposed imposing a tax on out-of-state investors who purchase multiple properties in Wisconsin, slowing down these companies from buying up real estate in our communities and driving up costs for Wisconsinites. And working alongside Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota, Tammy introduced legislation to support environmental restoration and protection along the Mississippi River. Tammy has even been praised by Republicans across Wisconsin for her work.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin; photo from her website

Throughout her time in the Senate, Tammy has secured significant victories for Wisconsinites, championing legislation that directly addresses Wisconsin’s top concerns. Tammy’s tireless advocacy has secured funding for infrastructure projects that will create jobs and stimulate economic growth across the state, and she’s led the charge to improve access to affordable prescription drugs, helping to cap insulin costs at $35 a month for folks on Medicare, and expand health coverage for essential services to ensure that Wisconsinites receive the care they deserve. It’s essential we reelect Senator Baldwin so she can continue working hard for Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate.

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In Case You Missed It
Local Edition

Judge Isham to Visit Feb. 27 Meeting of Sawyer County LCO Dems, Public Welcome

The next meeting of the Sawyer County LCO Democratic Party is set for Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 at the Kinnamon School Visitor Center and Museum. Come for a social hour and listening session at 5:30 p.m. with Sawyer County Circuit Judge Monica Isham. The regular business meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

We’d like to see you in person. But you may also attend the meeting by Zoom. Email sc.lco.dems@gmail.com and we will send you a Zoom link before the meeting. Join us!

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In Case You Missed It
State Edition

Gov. Evers Delivers State of the State Address

Jan. 23, 2024
Excerpts

Gov. Tony Evers delivered the sixth State of the State address on Jan. 23. Gov. Evers highlighted historic increases in shared revenue, which are essential to fund public services like EMS, fire, law enforcement, and public transportation, and touted executive action he took to increase public education funding and save Wisconsin’s childcare industry.

Gov. Evers declared that 2024 is the ‘Year of the Worker. The governor outlined the tremendous growth in Wisconsin’s economy over the past year, including increased power for Wisconsin workers after years under Scott Walker’s anti-union, anti-worker administration. Read his full address.

Gov. Evers Files Response to Expert Report Submitted to Wisconsin Supreme Court in Redistricting Lawsuit

Feb. 8, 2024
Excerpts

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers filed a response [on Feb. 8] to the expert report submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court [the previous] week in ongoing redistricting litigation regarding Wisconsin’s legislative districts.

In January, Gov. Evers submitted fair maps to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to consider that are responsive to the will of the people, avoid partisan bias, and increase the number of competitive legislative seats. Additional details on the governor’s submitted maps are available here. Two neutral experts selected by the Court were charged with reviewing all submitted maps, including the governor’s, and released their review of the parties’ maps last week. The governor’s statement regarding the submitted expert report is available here.

The report submitted by two neutral experts to the Court [in January] specifically noted maps submitted by Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty were “partisan gerrymanders.” In relevant part, the experts noted, “[T]he Legislature’s plan does not deserve further consideration….We also note that both the Legislature’s plan and the Johnson plan, from a social science perspective, are partisan gerrymanders.” The expert report also noted the map submitted by Gov. Evers and three other maps under consideration by the Court are “similar on most criteria.”

Gov. Evers, in a filing [on Feb. 8] with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, asked the Court to remove maps submitted by Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (“Respondents”) from further consideration because, as the two neutral experts concluded, the Republican-aligned maps submitted to the Court fail to meet constitutional requirements, are not politically neutral, and prioritize their political party. Further, the governor asks the Court to adopt the fair maps he submitted last month or one of the other remaining maps the experts deemed “similar on most criteria” (“Viable Plans”). Read the full press release.

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In Case You Missed It
National Edition

President Biden Touts Wisconsin Infrastructure Investments In Superior

From Ben Wikler’s Jan. 26, 2024 newsletter

[On Jan. 25,[ President Biden visited Superior to announce a new $1 billion investment to replace the Blatnik Bridge, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s progress toward repairing American infrastructure.

Two years ago, President Biden visited the Blatnik Bridge to celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the president returned to Superior this week to announce a new investment in the future of the Twin Ports. The investment, which was only made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will create over 10,000 good-paying jobs and support economic growth in Northern Wisconsin.

After Donald Trump turned ‘infrastructure week’ into a punchline, President Biden and Democrats have stepped up and delivered an infrastructure decade. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021, over $6 billion has been announced to support Wisconsin infrastructure projects. While the Republican Congressmen on both sides of the Blatnik voted against repairing our infrastructure, Democrats like Senator Baldwin helped to get the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law across the finish line and have worked alongside Governor Evers for two years to bring this funding home. President Biden and Wisconsin Democrats are improving our roads, bridges, broadband connectivity, and water quality, and Wisconsinites can trust they will continue doing the right thing for our state.

From Ben Wikler’s Jan. 26, 2024 newsletter

Vice President Harris Defends Reproductive Freedom in Waukesha County

On the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her nationwide ‘Reproductive Health Tour’ in Wisconsin and called out Republican attacks on reproductive freedom. Vice President Harris made clear that Roe would not have been overturned were it not for Donald Trump, who has vowed to lead the charge in passing an abortion ban if he reaches the White House again. As Vice President Harris spoke about the importance of returning reproductive freedom to millions of American women, Wisconsin Republicans in Madison introduced a new extreme abortion ban and even compared women to animals when defending the ban.

While Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans only want to rip away reproductive freedoms, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Senator Baldwin have pushed to codify Roe and to guarantee women nationwide access to reproductive healthcare. The choice this November cannot be more stark, and American freedoms are on the line at the ballot box.

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Perry Govier 1/17/24 Perry Govier 1/17/24

Issue 3

Jan. 17, 2024

Index | Quote to Note | Past Newsletters
President Biden Blasts Trump’s ‘Web of Lies’
What’s on the Line in 2024
Ten Topics for Tom Tiffany Part 3: The Presidency and the Law
Insightful Analysis: The Left Behind
Insightful Analysis: Why Are Americans So Gloomy About Their Great Economy?
ICYMI State Edition: Ben Wikler
ICYMI State Edition: Gov. Evers

Quote to Note

In trying to rewrite the facts of January 6th, Trump is trying to steal history the same way he tried to steal the election.
President Biden
Jan. 5, 2024

In Speech Recalling Jan. 6 Insurrection, President Biden Blasts Trump’s ‘Web of Lies’

President Biden delivers remarks on the third anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack defending the sacred cause of democracy. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Excerpts

Read transcript of full remarks.

Watch video of full remarks.

Today, we gather in a new year, some 246 years later, just one day before January 6th, a day forever shared in our memory because it was on that day that we nearly lost America — lost it all.

Today, we’re here to answer the most important of questions. Is democracy still America’s sacred cause?

This is not rhetorical, academic, or hypothetical. Whether democracy is still America’s sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time, and it’s what the 2024 election is all about.

. . . Three years ago tomorrow, we saw with our own eyes the violent mob storm the United States Capitol. It was almost in disbelief as you first turned on the television.

For the first time on our history, insurrectionists had come to stop the peaceful transfer — transfer of power in America — first time — smashing windows, shattering doors, attacking the police.

. . . The entire nation watched in horror. The whole world watched in disbelief. And Trump did nothing.

Members of his staff, members of his family, Republican leaders who were under attack for the — at that very moment pled with him: “Act. Call off the mob.”

Imagine had he gone out and said, “Stop.”

And still, Trump did nothing. It was among the worst derelictions of duty by a president in American history: an attempt to overturn a free and fair election by force and violence.

. . . Let’s be clear about the 2020 election. Trump exhausted every legal avenue available to him to overturn the election — every one. But the legal path just took Trump back to the truth that I had won the election and he was a loser. (Applause.)

. . . In trying to rewrite the facts of January 6th, Trump is trying to steal history the same way he tried to steal the election.

. Political violence is never, ever acceptable in the United States political system — never, never, never. It has no place in a democracy. None. (Applause.)

You can’t be pro-insurrectionist and pro-American.

. . . Unlike other nations on Earth, America is not built on ethnicity, religion, geography. We’re the only nation in the history of the world built on an idea — not hyperbole — built on an idea: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.”

We’ve never fully lived up to that. We have a long way to go. But we’ve never walked away from the idea. We’ve never walked away from it before. But I promise you, I will not let Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans — (applause) — force us to walk away now.

. . . You can’t love your country only when you win.

So, I’ll keep my commitment to be president for all of America, whether you voted for me or not. I’ve done it for the last three years, and I’ll continue to do it.

. . . This is the first national election since January 6th insurrection placed a dagger at the throat of American democracy — since that moment. We all know who Donald Trump is. The question we have to answer is: Who are we? That’s what’s at stake. (Applause.) Who are we?

We’re the only nation in the world that’s come out of every crisis stronger than we went into that crisis. That was true yesterday and it’s true today, and I guarantee you will be true tomorrow.

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What’s on the Line in 2024

WisDems Message Monday
Jan. 8, 2024

As we kick off this election year, the choice before the American people couldn’t be more clear. The choice this November will not simply be between competing philosophies of governing – it will be about protecting our democracy and the very individual freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

The threat Donald Trump posed in 2020 to American democracy has only grown more dire since then.

At the direction of Donald Trump, the MAGA Republican Party has openly embraced a platform of election denialism, undermining our country’s democratic institutions, and restricting the right to vote.

Trump is running a campaign on revenge and retribution. It’s a vision of dividing our country, attacking our values, and eroding our ideals. And it would come at the expense of Americans’ freedoms:

Reproductive freedoms: Trump paved the way for ripping away the freedom for millions of Americans to get the reproductive care they need by nominating Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. Because of Donald Trump, 1 in 3 women of reproductive age now live under an abortion ban. And now he’s running to ban abortion nationwide.
The freedom to live in safe communities: Trump and his extreme MAGA disciples want to jeopardize the freedom to live in a country where political violence is unacceptable; the freedom for our children to learn in schools free of gun violence; and the freedom for every American to be who they are without fear.
Bedrock economic freedoms: MAGA Republicans want to return to the failed trickle-down economics that protects the rich on the backs of the middle class – threatening to cut Social Security and Medicare to pay for his handouts to the ultra-wealthy, incentivizing shipping good paying jobs overseas, and gutting affordable health care by repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, President Biden and Vice President Harris are offering a different vision. They are determined to build a more fair and more free America:

Where the economy is built from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down.

That restores Roe so that once again, women have the freedom to make their own health care decisions.

That protects our most vulnerable.

Where everyone can live, work, and retire with the dignity owed to every single American.

Time and time again, voters have rejected the existential threat to freedom and democracy that Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans represent.

The American people rejected MAGA extremism and chose President Biden and Democrats’ vision of unity over division and hope over fear in 2020—and they'll do it again this year.

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Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 3: The Presidency and the Law

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

"Hi! It's Tom Tiffany. I'm hosting a telephone town hall Wednesday (9/20) at 7PM with special guest Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10). We'll discuss Biden family investigations while taking your questions live on the call!"

That was the text message I received, another Tiffany town hall invitation and this time with ample notice. This intro alone inspired far too many questions for me to narrow down to just one. My very first question for Tom might have been, "Are you aware that Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania asked the former president Trump for a pardon?"

And that would have led to the next, "Do you know what specifically he wanted to be pardoned for?" And "Could it have something to do with Perry introducing Jeffrey Clark to Trump, as someone in the Justice Department who was willing to sit in as Attorney General and flip the election upside down?" Having once observed Tiffany in a free-wheeling Q&A session, I suspect that his answer to that question would have somehow included the name Hunter Biden.

But before we get into those "Biden family investigations," Scott Perry enters the picture again with the [most recent] House Speaker race [that ultimately selected Mike Johnson as speaker]. Tiffany's given full-throated support for another Jan. 6 pardon-seeker, Jim Jordan, to take the gavel. By Jordan's own admission, he was on the phone with the ex-president before and during the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol but ignored a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee.

So I'd ask Tom Tiffany, "Do you think that Jim Jordan could be a witness for the prosecution against Trump in the coming Jan. 6 trial? Is there any reason that he shouldn't be expected to testify? Would it surprise you if Jordan were to plead the 5th in sworn deposition? Any idea why he asked for a pardon, as Perry did? And, do you feel this is someone who would serve the interests of the American people as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, second in line to the presidency?"

Several of Tiffany's Republican colleagues who didn't vote for Jim Jordan received death threats and family members were threatened, as well. Here is Scott Perry's response when asked about that: “All of us in Congress receive death threats. I don’t know if that’s a news flash for anybody here." And "There are people out in the world that dislike us and threaten us, that’s nothing new. It’s nothing new to any member of Congress. Another red herring.”

I would ask "Do you receive death threats, Tom? Are you having to spend great sums of money to protect yourself and your family from violence? Have you received death threats from members of your own party? Would you find that to be an acceptable practice in conducting the people's business in the nation's capital and would you treat it as normal if you did?"

Perry's lax view of thuggish behavior among his colleagues made me want to ask Tiffany again, "Why was it that you deemed Scott Perry to be an appropriate special guest for a town hall, one that was open to all of your constituents?

What would a person like that have to offer the people of CD7 in a discussion of the Biden family? Could it be that Perry's something of an expert on red herrings?"

Rather than spend the time addressing everything that has thus far been offered as evidence by the Republican-led Oversight Committee—and failed to meet that test—with regard to allegations of wrongdoing by President Biden, I would ask Tiffany, "Is there actual evidence of a crime having been committed? If so, have you seen any of it? Can you locate it? Or can you locate a person who can locate it? And if not, why would you waste your time and ours with baseless accusations about which you have no knowledge whatsoever?"

Here's a question for me: "Why do I want to ask all these questions?" Good question. Tom Tiffany says a lot of things that aren't true, but not only that. He says things to the public that are malicious, nakedly partisan, divisive, and inciteful. I'd like to know, as he repeatedly votes against bills intended to give much needed support to Wisconsinites in every part of the state, what it is that he thinks his job as a member of Congress is supposed to be. And how is hyper-partisanship going to help him fulfill that role?

Among the defenders of the Jan. 6 attack and those responsible for it, those still clinging to the Big Lie about election fraud, we continue to hear one false statement after another. Yet, when given a chance to repeat them in sworn testimony in a court of law, the election deniers turn silent. Isn't that where evidence, if you have any, ultimately matters?

I think it's safe to say that if Tom Tiffany had the opportunity to make his outrageous claims in a courtroom about Joe Biden, or any of the other faux outrages he chooses to peddle, knowingly risking charges of perjury, he wouldn't attempt it more than once. But that's something that won't happen. Nevertheless, someone should point out whenever possible the discrepancies between Tiffany's public statements and reality.

There's a level of mendacity [coming from Tiffany] that the public should be aware of; [he’s] a candidate in the next election that voters really need to know better. He's proven only one thing to my satisfaction, and that is that he's not a serious member of Congress. We're all old enough to remember when we did have a serious representative in that seat, and there's simply no comparison.

Maybe at the core of it all, my question for Tiffany might just be, "Do you believe the false statements that you so frequently make and simply repeat them without verification? Or is it actually your intention to misinform your constituents?" It could be helpful for us to know.

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Insightful Analysis: The Left Behind

By Harold Myerson, The Prospect
Jan. 15, 2024
Excerpts

The cultural rifts between urban and rural America are a constant of our history. When they also become economic, they become dangerous.

A volunteer walks past a campaign sign before a Donald Trump rally, October 16, 2023, in Adel, Iowa. AP Photo

One of the most prevalent misconceptions in interpretations of American politics concerns why the votes of particular constituencies shift from one party to another. The white working class was once the backbone of the Democratic Party, and as late as 2008 gave Barack Obama 40 percent of their vote. . .

. . . In 2016, though, the bottom fell out of white working-class and rural support for Hillary Clinton. . .

The most decisive change, as I’ve noted before, was the almost complete flight of capital from small-town and rural America. . .

In assessing, then, the politics of rural America and the white working class today, what’s tipped it into Trumpism isn’t cultural rage, which has been an ever-present factor of varying intensities. It’s the economic abandonment of their towns and their livelihoods by American capital, and the decades of indifference to that abandonment shown by their governments.

Unlike their populist forebears of the 1890s, however, there is virtually nothing in Trumpism that addresses the left behind’s economic plight . . .

Instead of backing policies that could constitute a resurrection of their economic worlds, Trump promises retribution against their enemies . . .

There have been only two instances in our history when the government did endeavor to lessen the gap between urban prosperity and rural penury. The first, of course, was the New Deal, whose programs of rural electrification and Southern and Western hydropower were specifically designed to revitalize and industrialize much of rural America. The second is Biden’s ongoing efforts to bolster reindustrialization, chiefly in rural America. The first was a clear political success. The political success of the second is yet to be determined. Read the full essay.

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Insightful Analysis: Why Are Americans So Gloomy About Their Great Economy?

The Economist
Jan. 14, 2024
Excerpts

“The vibes are off” is a phrase that does not usually appear in rigorous economic analysis but has cropped up again and again in serious discussions about America over the past year. From an array of hard data, there is reason to think that people ought to be quite satisfied about the state of the economy: inflation has slowed sharply, petrol prices are down, jobs are plentiful, incomes are rising and the stockmarket is strong. But survey after survey suggests that Americans are in fact quite unhappy. They think that the economy is in bad shape and that President Joe Biden is mismanaging it. What gives?

. . . To judge from the range of indicators—good and bad—Americans do appear to be unduly pessimistic. Ryan Cummings and Neale Mahoney, two economists who previously served in the Biden White House, created a simple model to predict the level of the consumer-sentiment index, drawing on inflation, unemployment and consumption data as well as stockmarket performance. Their conclusion was that the index has been about 20% lower than where the data suggest it ought to be. Other models have found a similar discrepancy.

This suggests a second category of explanation: that opinion polling and sentiment surveys may have a negative bias. . .

Another element may be the tone of news coverage. . .Throw in the vitriol that tends to go viral on social-media platforms, and the negative bias might be even more pronounced. . .

A final explanation is that there may simply be a long lag between the post-pandemic recovery and feelings about the economy. It has been a topsy-turvy period. . .

If a similar timeline is now in play, Americans have probably gone about halfway towards accepting their new higher-priced reality. It also helps that real-income growth has accelerated over the past year, letting them recover some of their lost purchasing power. The consumer-sentiment index has been volatile, but it did clearly bottom out in mid-2022—right around the peak in inflation—and it did also post a solid rise in December, even if it remains low by historical standards.

“Our theory of the case is that if we can continue to maintain a tight labour market while easing inflation and delivering real wage gains, that recipe should show up in improved sentiment. And we think we’re starting to see that,” says Jared Bernstein, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. The vibes, in other words, may be picking up. Read the full article.

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In Case You Missed It
State Edition

Weekly newsletter from Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair
Jan. 12, 2024
Excerpts

Donald Trump Wants the Economy to Fail, Brags About Ending Roe

This week, Donald Trump flexed his MAGA credentials, making headlines for saying he hopes the economy crashes this year, and following that up by boasting about having overturned Roe v. Wade.

For years, Donald Trump has been committed to destroying the economy for Wisconsin families, and now that Wisconsinites are reaping historic gains from Bidenomics—from lower costs to record job growth—Trump is calling for the economy to crash. With Trump’s record as the worst president for jobs in modern American history, it doesn’t come as a surprise that he would root for Wisconsinites’ livelihoods to be crushed in the hopes of a second term.

Trump’s horrific record doesn’t end with crashing our economy. Since Roe was overturned, Trump has bragged about being responsible for ripping away American’s reproductive freedoms—repeatedly. His most recent boast: “I did it. I’m proud to have done it.”

Whether reproductive freedom or the economy is at stake, it is clear Donald Trump has all the wrong answers. While the ultimate goal of Republican politicians is to pass a nationwide abortion ban that would block abortion access in every state in the country, Wisconsin Democrats believe that reproductive health care is health care—plain and simple. Alongside reproductive freedom, the economic well-being of Wisconsinites has been a top priority for President Biden and Vice President Harris as they continue to build a booming economy from the bottom up and the middle out.

Thanks to President Biden and Democrats, More Wisconsinites Have Health Insurance Than Ever Before

Earlier this week, federal health officials announced a record 20 million Americans—including more than 250,000 Wisconsinites—signed up for health insurance in 2023 under the Affordable Care Act. More Americans have quality health care than ever before, and millions more are saving money on prescription drugs and health insurance thanks to leadership from President Biden, Vice President Harris, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and Democrats.

But while President Biden is bringing down costs and expanding access to health care, Donald Trump wants to take that quality, affordable care away.

If Donald Trump has his way, he would gut health insurance for tens of millions of Americans, threaten coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, and send costs skyrocketing. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites have access to affordable health coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act, and Trump’s pursuit of a repeal of this lifesaving law is downright dangerous. While Republicans and Donald Trump continue trying to gut lifesaving policies, Democrats and President Biden are fighting to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Wisconsinites.

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Gov. Evers Submits Fair Maps to Wisconsin Supreme Court in Redistricting Legislation

Press Release
Jan. 12, 2024
Excerpt

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today submitted fair maps to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the Court to consider in ongoing redistricting litigation. The governor’s proposed maps for the districts of the Wisconsin State Legislature submitted today are responsive to the will of the people, avoid partisan bias, and increase the number of competitive legislative seats. Additional details on the governor’s submitted maps are available [in the full news release].

“Wisconsinites don’t want Republican or Democrat maps because Wisconsin isn’t a red or blue state—we’re a purple state, and our maps should reflect that basic fact. I’ve always promised I’d fight for fair maps—not maps that favor one political party or another—and that’s a promise I’m proud to keep with the maps I’m submitting today,” said Gov. Evers. Read full news release.

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Perry Govier 12/26/23 Perry Govier 12/26/23

Issue 2

Dec. 26, 2023

Index | Quote to Note | Archives
Kindness is (Still) a Show of Strength
Ten Topics for Tom Tiffany Part 2: Covid
ICYMI Local Edition: Sawyer County LCO Dems
ICYMI State Edition: WisDems News Releases
ICYMI State Edition: Gov. Evers
ICYMI National Edition: President Biden
ICYMI National Edition: Liz Cheney
Compare and Contrast: Biden and Trump’s Christmas Greetings

Quote to Note

Fear never builds the future, but hope does. And building the future is what America does, what we’ve always done.
Joe Biden
(21:59 in transcript)

Kindness is (Still) a Show of Strength

By Steven Beschloss
Dec. 22, 2023
(including reprint of 2021 essay)
Excerpts

President Biden and his beloved dog Champ in the Oval Office in 2021. *White House photo*

The toxicity of the body politic—particularly fueled by the GOP’s leading presidential candidate—can undermine our belief in the basic decency of people. Donald Trump’s use of dehumanizing language like “vermin” to describe political opponents or Hitlerian concepts like “poisoning the blood of the country” to describe immigrants can make us doubt that America and its leaders are capable of better.

That’s why I offer this uplifting reminder of positive leadership, originally published June 21, 2021, two days after the death of the Biden family dog, Champ. This essay remains one of my favorites, and I hope you find it inspiriting, whether it’s the first time you’re reading it or a repeat experience.

Even as we must aggressively confront the worst among us who are drawn to cruelty and dictatorship, we can and must continue to appeal to our better angels. In the year ahead, I hope voters will back more caring leaders capable of kindness, compassion and empathy. Read the full essay.

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Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 2: Covid

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

When the pandemic struck, Tiffany had some very specific ideas of his own about how it should and should not be handled. In 2020, Tiffany introduced his first bill in the US House, in which he proposed pulling federal funding from schools that didn't open for in-person classes by September 8th of that year. That alone prompted the first question I wished to ask him on the topic, "Did you, at any time, even briefly consider a different approach, in which Congress would provide the funding necessary for schools to re-open safely?"

One media outlet did ask him if he thought rushing to open schools would cause a second wave of the virus. His response was, "I think its clear children aren't affected by this and we should work to get them back at school." How is it clear, Tom? What specific information do you have, or level of expertise do you possess, in the realm of public health and in particular communicable diseases, to support that? Even if it were true that children couldn't catch COVID or die from it--and it obviously isn't--do you understand how the lives of teachers, staff, their family members, and the family members of all of those schoolchildren would be put at risk?

The rationalization Tiffany offered was, "It's so important to get kids back to school this fall, we saw them lose nearly a semester's worth of learning with many kids home, some of them without any broadband connection." I'd like to hear from Tom what he's done to help expand broadband access to all of Wisconsin, or at least all of his district. He could have voted for that, but he chose to vote "no" on the bill that brought over $1 billion in broadband expansion funds to Wisconsin.

There's a theme that seems to run through Republican approaches to governing these days. The governors of Florida and Texas have, with the enthusiastic help of their Republican-dominated state houses, used their offices to wage a culture war and to pass laws that seem to have just one purpose, to stifle the constituencies that don't vote for them. Tiffany's almost gleeful threat to punish schools is consistent with the animosity towards educators frequently demonstrated by Republicans. And this leads me to ask Tiffany, "Do you feel it's the role of an elected official to punish constituents with whom he disagrees politically? Do you feel that punishing anyone is part of holding elected office? Do you see it as the role of a congressman to serve only those who voted for him?"

If Tom were to answer that last question with a "no," I would then want to know why he continues to use his town halls and emails to traffic in conspiracy theories and groundless accusations. While there's clearly an appetite among Republican voters for that sort of thing, those who don't share it have to endure having their intelligence insulted repeatedly by Rep. Tiffany. Does he have anything else to offer the people of CD-7, or is it all just red meat for angry right-wingers?

And finally, even if it were accepted as a norm that members of Congress use their votes to reward certain constituency groups and harm others, can Tiffany justify his punishing votes when they end up punishing many of his strongest supporters? He voted against the American Rescue Plan Act and against the Restaurant Revitalization Fund which would have provided restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss when it was so badly needed. What, in Tom's mind, was more important than to help small businesses in his district who were struggling to stay afloat through no fault of their own? Was there some higher principle he was serving, and could he please share with us what that was?

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Joan Cervenka, right, treasurer, Sawyer County LCO Democrats, presents a donation to Joey Johnson, Executive Director, Hayward Senior Resource Center

In Case You Missed It
Local Edition

Sawyer County LCO website
Dec. 11, 2023
Excerpt

Meals on Wheels and related non-profit food programs in Sawyer County recently received a boost thanks to the Democratic Party of Sawyer County and LCO Reservation. The party presented $500 to five area sites offering food-related services to seniors and others in need—$100 each. Full story and more photos

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In Case You Missed It
State Edition

Recent News Releases from WisDems

DPW on Supreme Court Taking Up Abortion Medication Case

Dec. 14, 2023
Excerpt

“Make no mistake: as Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans push this country toward a national abortion ban and the Supreme Court hears this case, Wisconsinites’ freedoms are under threat. If the Supreme Court restricts access to mifepristone—a safe and effective abortion medication—it will be an alarming step towards Trump and Republicans’ ultimate goal of stripping away Wisconsinites’ reproductive rights after Trump-appointed justices helped overturn Roe. Read full news release.

DPW on Falling Inflation

Dec. 12, 2023
Excerpt

Today’s CPI report is yet another clear example that Bidenomics is working for Wisconsin families. Under the Biden-Harris Administration’s leadership, inflation continues to fall, wages are rising, thousands of new jobs are pouring back into our state, and hardworking Wisconsinites are reaping the benefits.

MAGA Republicans like Donald Trump, on the other hand, continue to push failed trickle-down policies that would roll back President Biden’s transformative progress for America’s middle class. As the GOP continues to put the pocketbooks of the ultra-wealthy and big corporations ahead of Wisconsin families, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats remain focused on building our economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Read full news release.

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Gov. Evers Statement on Wisconsin Supreme Court Ruling

Dec. 22, 2023
Excerpt

MADISON, Nov. 27, 2023—Gov. and First Lady Kathy Evers today shared a video message encouraging Wisconsinites to take care of their mental health during the holiday season.

Earlier this year, in recognition of the troubling statistics seen over the past few years regarding mental health and the growing demand for mental and behavioral health services providers have seen across the state, Gov. Evers declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health, calling mental and behavioral health a “burgeoning crisis” affecting the state and Wisconsin’s kids, families, and workforce. See full press release.

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In Case You Missed It
National Edition

Excerpt

In 2023, President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Delivered Results for American Families

White House Briefing Room, Dec. 22, 2023:

During his first two years in office President Biden worked with Congressional Democrats to pass historic laws that form the basis of his Investing in America agenda — a key pillar of Bidenomics. The American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are transforming lives across the country by lowering costs, creating good-paying jobs, revitalizing American manufacturing, and empowering workers.

This year, the President and the entire Biden-Harris Administration have worked every day to quickly and effectively implement these laws and invest in communities that have too often been left behind. And we are showing Americans how President Biden’s agenda is benefitting their communities: we deployed Cabinet and Administration Officials across over 40 states through four Investing in America tours, holding hundreds of events to highlight the impact of the President’s agenda. And we launched a new website — invest.gov — where Americans can see how President Biden’s actions are reaching their own communities. Read full statement.

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In Case You Missed It
National Edition

Liz Cheney: We’re seeing ‘a sort of a sleepwalking into dictatorship’

‘CBS Sunday Morning’ interview
Dec. 3, 2023
Excerpts

From interview

John Dickerson: “If a person is a member of Congress and they’ve sworn an oath to defend the Constitution—can they defend the Constitution and also endorse Donald Trump?”

Liz Cheney: “No. They’re inconsistent.”

John Dickerson: “So they’re breaking with their oath by saying they would like hm to be the next president?”

Liz Cheney: “In my view fundamentally there is a choice to be made. You can’t both be for Donald Trump and for the Constitution. You have to choose.”

Liz Cheney’s statement from Jan. 6 committee

“Tonight I say this to my Republican colleagues: You are defending the indefensible. There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone. But your dishonor will remain.”

From interview

John Dickerson: “You say Donald Trump if he is re-elected, it will be the end of the Republic. What do you mean?”

Liz Cheney: “He’s told us what he will do. People who say, well, if he’s elected, it’s not that dangerous because we have all these checks and balances, don’t fully understand the extent to which Republicans in Congress today have been co-opted. One of the things we see happening today is a sort of a sleepwalking into a dictatorship in the United States. . . . The things he has said and done in some ways are so outrageous that we have become numb to them.

What I believe is the cause of our time is that we not become numb—that we understand the warning signs, that we understand the danger, and that we ignore partisan politics to stop him.” Watch full interview.

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Compare and Contrast

Christmas Greetings from President Biden and the Twice Impeached, Multiply Indicted Former Guy

Sources: Twitter and Truth Social, via MeidasTouch TV
Dec. 24, 2023

Communiques from President Biden and Donald Trump during the Christmas holiday speak volumes about what kind of people they are.

President Biden

*Excerpt:* “This Christmas Even, Jill and I got to speak with some excited young Americans who happened to be very curious about the whereabouts of one Santa Claus.”

Donald Trump

*Excerpt:* “Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith. . . MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

President Biden

Donald Trump

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Mary Vitcenda 12/12/23 Mary Vitcenda 12/12/23

Issue 1

Dec. 12, 2023

Index | Quote to Note | Archives
Barack Obama on Telling Our Story
Ten Topics for Tom Tiffany Part 1: Race and U.S. History
More Toxicity from Tom
ICYMI State Edition: Ben Wikler
ICYMI State Edition: Gov. Evers
ICYMI National Edition: President Biden—Health Care Costs, Supply Chains
Compare and Contrast: Trump’s Call to Repeal the ACA

Quote to Note

‘No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.’
Winston Churchill

Barack Obama on Telling Our Story

Appearance on Pod Save America, Nov. 6, 2023
Excerpts

Jon Favreau: In this media environment, what story would you tell about why democracy is a better choice than what the demagogues and authoritarians are selling?

Barack Obama: . . . I think the starting point is to talk about the things that are uppermost on people’s minds to give you a permission structure to get to democracy. . . And speak about those squarely. And that’s the gateway that then gets to where we want to be . . .

. . . I think the argument we can tap into right now is remembering, reminding people that we’ve been through stuff like this before. . . And the good news is that because we had this system of being able to persuade each other about the better angels of our nature, in fits and starts, we got better. We got kinder. We got more tolerant. It’s never been perfect. It’s always been messy. But there was a pathway for us to express our better selves. And that was true not just for Democrats. It was true for Republicans, too . . .

. . . What I’m always trying to look for is a way to get to the point where somebody who otherwise wouldn’t listen and is fearful and is angry and suspicious can stop because they feel as if I saw them for a second. And I understood their lives. And in that moment, maybe then I can persuade them that this precious thing we have, which is our ability to sort things out, and exercise forbearance towards each other. And understanding and just getting along and listening—if I can get to that moment, then I think we’ll be OK . . .

. . . There are times when there’s room for a prophetic voice. Just radical truth telling. And not only is that sometimes satisfying, but our own base sometimes needs to hear that. But you have to pick and choose your spots, and you always have to . . . give people an opening. You have to give them an invitation—there’s gotta be room for them in that truth that you’re speaking. I’m telling you something that maybe you don’t want to hear, but I bet you can understand it and be a part of us addressing the truth. See full interview.

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Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 1: Race and U.S. History

By Jim Bootz, Vice Chair, Sawyer County LCO Democrats

I'm not sure how I got on Tom Tiffany's call list, but I received my first invitation to one of his town halls in a voicemail message that mentioned Critical Race Theory (CRT) as being its theme. I wondered, "What does Tom Tiffany know about Critical Race Theory?" Perhaps he'd bring along a distinguished scholar as an authoritative source on the subject. And does he know that it's not taught in any primary schools in the nation, as it's a graduate level college course? No matter, it was too late. The message was received shortly before the meeting started. It was over before I knew about it.

I was also led to wonder why he thought the topic was worthy of a town hall meeting. I found that, in his 2021 Wisconsin GOP convention speech, he called CRT "flat out racism." Could he cite any part of the curriculum that would lead a reasonable person to think that? This statement suggested a troubling pattern with Tom. He voted against removing Confederate memorials from the U.S. Capitol. He voted against recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday. And he opposes teaching U.S. history that includes anything regarding race that he fears would portray all white people as being bad, such as slavery.

People who were willing to tear our nation apart to preserve their supposed right to own other human beings were the root cause for the Civil War, as well as the lasting turmoil that was left in its wake. Can you tell that story without mentioning race? I can't say, having been white my entire life, that I've ever felt ashamed of my race while I was studying U.S. history. I've been disgusted at the white people who seemed to have no qualms about kidnapping massive numbers of people from another continent—and of another race—and bringing them here to be treated as farm animals.

But I do have the utmost admiration for those white people who fought to put an end to that. So, the first question that I'd wanted to ask Tom Tiffany, if I'd attended a town hall meeting and been free to ask, came out this way: "If the year were 1861 and you were standing in line to sign up to fight in the Civil War, which side would you be joining and, most importantly, why?"

But that's barely scratching the surface. It conjures up so many more questions. Why did Tiffany feel comfortable with his uninformed bashing of Critical Race Theory? Does he see his constituency as being white enough that he doesn't have to worry about treading on any toes up here? It would be great to know what specific historical facts and events would make Tom feel ashamed of being white. I can't say I understand it, but could he tell us if his desire to filter out unsightly American history extends to mention of other races, too? What else would Tom remove from history books if he could? Would the Trail of Tears or Wounded Knee or "Let them eat grass" make the cut?

But finally, what kind of person wants to edit out anything from our nation's history? What kind of person seeks to keep a nation uninformed about their own past? Someone who doesn't trust democracy? Someone who prefers an uninformed and compliant populace? What is Tiffany's objective? Does he want to promote white grievance while denying that members of any other race should ever have one?

As you can see, I've blown right past my 10 questions, and I'm afraid I'm likely to continue expanding this list. So, let's make this "Ten Topics and Myriad Questions for Tom Tiffany" instead. This first topic has been Race and U.S. History. There are so many more questions for Tom, and I'll continue to raise them with topics that will include COVID Response, Elections, Women's Health, Mass Shootings, and Representative Democracy, Trust, and the Truth. As for getting an answer to any of these questions from Tiffany, I'll leave that challenge with the reader.

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More Toxicity from Tom

Sources: WisDems Message Monday; Kirk Bangstad newsletter

TOP MESSAGE: Tom Tiffany is an ultra-MAGA Republican who will stop at nothing to force his radical agenda on Wisconsin. By far the most conservative member of the Wisconsin congressional delegation, Tiffany wants to take away millions of Wisconsinites’ hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits and slash veterans’ benefits and health care. He’s even voted to take away Wisconsinites’ freedoms and to undermine the will of the people by overturning the 2020 election.

*Tom Tiffany has spent years spreading Donald Trump’s false election conspiracy theories.

· *Tom Tiffany voted to overturn President Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania and Arizona and said that he would have voted to overturn Wisconsin’s election results if a vote had been held.

*As recently as April 2023, Tom Tiffany refused to acknowledge that President Biden won the 2020 election.

*Latest news: Tom Tiffany voted against expelling Geoge Santos from Congress, despite egregious behavior condemned by Republicans and Democrats alike. Bad behavior begets more bad behavior.

*Tom Tiffany is an anti-abortion extremist who co-sponsored a national abortion ban that doesn’t include exceptions for rape or incest.

*Tom Tiffany has backed legislation that would slash veterans’ benefits and health care and spearheaded efforts to cut Social Security and Medicare.

· *Tom Tiffany helped write a plan that would raise the age of eligibility for Medicare and Social Security, privatize Social Security, and turn Medicare into a voucher system. Tiffany said separately that he supports raising the retirement age.

· *Tom Tiffany voted against the bipartisan PACT Act, which was the most significant expansion of veterans’ health care in 30 years, extending benefits to more than 3.5 million combat veterans exposed to toxins during their military service.

*Tom Tiffany voted against the American Rescue Plan, which delivered direct relief to the American people and helped rescue the American economy after the devastation of COVID-19.
*The American Rescue Plan has been hard at work to support the economy in Tiffany’s own district.

· *One example: Rice Lake received a $3.1 million grant through the Neighborhood Investment Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, to reconstruct the city’s main street. The road repairs will help revitalize the city’s downtown district, improve pedestrian safety, and attract new investments to the region. See our story on Gov. Evers cutting the ribbon Nov. 17 to open Rice Lake’s new Main Street.

·*Tom Tiffany voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, and in so doing voted against lowering prescription drug prices, lowering health care costs, combating climate change, and a fairer tax system.

*Tom Tiffany voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which delivers critical funding to Wisconsin infrastructure projects while creating good-paying jobs statewide, including in his own district.

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In Case You Missed It
State Edition

Weekly newsletter from Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair

Excerpts

Get Ready for Upcoming Elections

Nov. 27, 2023
On December 1, candidates for local offices [began] gathering signatures to ensure that they’ll be on the ballot come this spring. Those signatures are due on January 2. Primaries are coming on February 13. And the general election for local offices will take place this coming April 2.

It’s coming soon. And here’s the bad news: that April 2 local election is on the same day, and the same ballot, as the GOP presidential preference primary. Expect high MAGA turnout.

So many offices will be on the ballot this spring. More than 1,600 county supervisors. Dozens of mayors, from Kenosha to Wausau to Superior, and everything in between, and hundreds of common council and township board members. More than 50 circuit court judgeships. Two Court of Appeals judgeships. School boards from Eau Claire to Milwaukee. And much more.

These offices are critical for local governance and the direct effect they have on the lives of Wisconsinites.

And many are critical for another reason as well: they directly affect how the November elections will be administered and adjudicated.

Never forget: Four of the last six presidential elections in Wisconsin have come down to less than one percentage point.

So . . . let’s get back to work—to win local races that can safeguard the future of American democracy in the tipping-point state.

Dec. 8, 2023

Moore, WisDems Promote Medicaid Expansion In Face of GOP Attacks on Health Care

Dec. 8, 2023

On Dec. 7, Rep. Gwen Moore, State Rep. Kalan Haywood, and WisDems Chair Ben Wikler held a press call highlighting how North Carolina’s recent expansion of Medicaid has left Wisconsin as one of just 10 states to have not implemented Medicaid expansion under the ACA.

Despite broad public support for expanding Medicaid, Wisconsin Republicans have refused to lift a finger to address the skyrocketing costs of health care, rejecting every attempt to expand BadgerCare for over a decade. . . .

. . .Not only is Wisconsin behind the times on Medicaid expansion, but Trump and Wisconsin Republicans continue to remain dedicated to their years-long plot to “terminate” the ACA. If Trump gets his way, 228,000 Wisconsin seniors and people with disabilities could receive worse care. That’s the MAGA vision for Wisconsin—letting our vulnerable communities pay the price while the GOP sides with insurance companies and Big Pharma.

Medicaid expansion and protecting the ACA remain priorities for President Biden and Wisconsin Democrats, who will continue to fight to lower costs for seniors, vulnerable communities, and hard-working Wisconsin families.

In solidarity, Ben

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Gov. Evers, First Lady Encourage Wisconsinites to Take Care of Mental Health During Holiday Season

Press Release
Excerpt

MADISON, Nov. 27, 2023—Gov. and First Lady Kathy Evers today shared a video message encouraging Wisconsinites to take care of their mental health during the holiday season.

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In Case You Missed It
National Edition

Excerpts

Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Lower Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs

White House Briefing Room, Dec. 7, 2023:

President Biden believes that health care should be a right, not a privilege. For too long, corporate special interests and trickle-down economics have allowed Big Pharma to make record profits, while millions of Americans struggle to afford health care and prescription drugs to treat common and chronic conditions. As part of the President’s Bidenomics agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration is cracking down on price gouging and taking on special interests to lower costs for consumers and ensure every American has access to high-quality, affordable health care.

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing new actions to promote competition in health care and support lowering prescription drug costs for American families, including the release of a proposed framework for agencies on the exercise of march-in rights on taxpayer-funded drugs and other inventions, which specifies that price can be a factor in considering whether a drug is accessible to the public. The Administration believes taxpayer-funded medications should be reasonably available and affordable.

These actions build on the steps the Administration has already taken to lower health care costs, including capping the cost of insulin at $35 per product per month for seniors, finally allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, requiring drug companies to pay rebates to Medicare if they raise prices faster than inflation, and locking in $800 per year in health insurance savings for 15 million Americans under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. See full fact sheet.

President Biden Launches New White House Supply Chain Council with Aim to Reduce Inflation

UPI News
Nov. 27, 2023

President Joe Biden on Nov. 27 announced dozens of new policy initiatives designed to strengthen the U.S. supply chain while lowering prices for inflation-weary American consumers.

Speaking at the first meeting of his new White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, the president launched 30 new policy initiatives ranging across the the nation's economic sectors deemed critical to the United States' economic and national security. See full UPI story. | See White House Briefing Room fact sheet.

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Compare and Contrast

Adapted from WisDems Message Monday
Nov. 27, 2023

Trump Renews Call to ‘Terminate’ Affordable Care Act

Donald Trump is running on an agenda to make America sicker, doubling down on his push to terminate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that has provided hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites with lifesaving health care over a decade. Here’s where Trump and President Biden stand on affordable health care.

Donald Trump
Trump’s latest campaign promise is to rip away affordable health care access from millions of Americans.

President Biden
The President has used his time in office to lower costs and expand access to health care—including by bolstering the ACA to reduce premiums and capping the price of insulin at $35 for seniors.

Donald Trump
Trump was one vote away from gutting the ACA in his first term, and he’s now campaigning to try again. Reminder: Republicans tried multiple times to repeal the ACA after it was passed. They have never come up with an alternative.

President Biden
The contrast is clear: While President Biden and Vice President Harris work to lower health care costs for families, Trump and MAGA Republicans are hellbent on siding with insurance companies and making health care costs more expensive for hardworking Americans and seniors.

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Insight Spotlight

Newsletter Index

Contents—Special Election Edition

Quote to Note

Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney Endorses Kamala Harris for President

Bruce Springsteen Endorses Harris and Walz, Eloquently Explains Why

VP Kamala Harris Outlines Her Economic Vision

Build an Opportunity Economy and Lower Costs for Families

Topics for Tom Tiffany, Part 7: Still Plotting After All These Years?

Tammy Baldwin Shows Up for All Wisconsinites

Election Info You Need to Know

Contents

Quote to Note

April Is Over, but Combating Climate Change Is a Priority Every Month

The Two Referendums Passed. Now What?

Milwaukee Journal SentinelApril 4, 2024

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions for Tom Tiffany Part 6: Impeachment and Ukraine

Stop Blaming Undocumented Immigrants for the Flow of Fentanyl Across the Southern Border

‘This fight hits close to home’

What’s the Difference Between Eric Hovde and Sen. Tammy Baldwin on the Issues?

Eric Hovde Thinks Seniors in Nursing Homes Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Vote

Tammy Baldwin Shows Up for All Wisconsites

Nuggets from the 7th CD Convention

Kyle Kilbourn

Ben Wikler

John Nichols

Peggy Flanagan

Contents

Quote to Note

Plan for the April 2 Election

‘A New Day in Wisconsin’

Sources: Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition WisDems Chair Ben Wikler’s weekly newsletter, March 1, 2024 Wisconsin State Legislature website

A Deeper Dive on the Impact of Redistricting

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions for Tom Tiffany Part 5: Women’s Reproductive Rights

Our Values U.S. History Lessons from the Philippine Islands

Our Values Look for the Helpers

Local Dems Staff Table at LCO Round Dance

President Biden Outlines Inspiring Vision in Fiery State of the Union Speech

Contents

Quote to Note

‘Don’t Give Up’

ICYMI: Message from Ben Wikler, WisDems Party Chair Feb. 9, 2024

Take a look at what came out of these two investigations, in this chart:

Ten Topics and Myriad Questionsfor Tom TiffanyPart 4: The 2020 Election

Another Question: Are Trump and Tiffany on Your Side?

DNR Can Regulate Large Animal-Feeding Operations, Judge Rules

Tammy Baldwin Fights for Wisconsinites

In Case You Missed It Local Edition

In Case You Missed It State Edition

In Case You Missed It National Edition

Contents

Quote to Note

In Speech Recalling Jan. 6 Insurrection, President Biden Blasts Trump’s ‘Web of Lies’

What’s on the Line in 2024

Ten Topics and Myriad Questionsfor Tom TiffanyPart 3: The Presidency and the Law

Insightful Analysis: The Left Behind

Insightful Analysis: Why Are Americans So Gloomy About Their Great Economy?

In Case You Missed It State Edition

Contents

Quote to Note

Kindness is (Still) a Show of Strength

Ten Topics and Myriad Questionsfor Tom TiffanyPart 2: Covid

In Case You Missed It Local Edition

In Case You Missed It State Edition

DPW on Supreme Court Taking Up Abortion Medication Case

DPW on Falling Inflation

In Case You Missed It National Edition

In Case You Missed It National Edition

Compare and Contrast

Contents

Quote to Note

Barack Obama on Telling Our Story

Ten Topics and Myriad Questionsfor Tom TiffanyPart 1: Race and U.S. History

More Toxicity from Tom

In Case You Missed It State Edition

In Case You Missed It National Edition

Compare and Contrast

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
April 4, 2024

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 6: Impeachment and Ukraine

Sources: Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition
WisDems Chair Ben Wikler’s weekly newsletter, March 1, 2024
Wisconsin State Legislature website

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 5: Women’s Reproductive Rights

Our Values
U.S. History Lessons from the Philippine Islands

Our Values
Look for the Helpers

ICYMI: Message from Ben Wikler, WisDems Party Chair

Feb. 9, 2024

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 4: The 2020 Election

In Case You Missed It
Local Edition

In Case You Missed It
State Edition

In Case You Missed It
National Edition

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 3: The Presidency and the Law

In Case You Missed It
State Edition

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 2: Covid

In Case You Missed It
Local Edition

In Case You Missed It
State Edition

In Case You Missed It
National Edition

In Case You Missed It
National Edition

Ten Topics and Myriad Questions
for Tom Tiffany
Part 1: Race and U.S. History

In Case You Missed It
State Edition

In Case You Missed It
National Edition