Uncategorized • March 25th, 2011

Should Justice Prosser recuse himself?

by Chris Lato

I have a better question: Why is this even a story?

What possible reason is there to think that David Prosser would recuse himself? Is there some conflict here? A legitimate legal reason why this is an appropriate issue, worthy of coverage? If there is, this report should lay it out.

I realize pro-collective bargaining forces are desperately working to make the April 5 election a referendum on that issue. The messaging is that it’s time to ‘get even.’ Prosser opponents think he is Governor Walker’s right-wing right-hand man – Prosser is a former Republican state legislator, after all - but this line of inquiry is driven by an ideological, rather than rational, train of thought.

If JoAnne Kloppenburg is elected next month, will she be pushed to recuse herself from all cases involving the state Justice Department or the DNR? I’m no legal eagle, but I’m guessing no. But that’s the same shaky line of logic at work here.

More and more, I am coming around to the idea that races for Supreme Court should be partisan. The idea that these candidates and current judges are truly independent is looking more ludicrous by the day. That is not a criticism of anyone in particular, but there’s no such thing as a non-partisan candidate for the high court in Wisconsin anymore - if there ever was in the first place.

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Views on News • March 13th, 2009

Color me shocked

by Chris Lato

I had to read this piece very closely to make sure it wasn’t some kind of joke. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather. On the Daily Page (the online incarnation of Madison’s free liberal mainstay publication, Isthmus) Bill Lueders has written a, yes, fair and balanced piece about the state Supreme Court race that actually has some strong praise on behalf of candidate Randy Koschnick and points out Shirley Abrahamson’s disingenuousness on the campaign trail.

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Views on News • January 28th, 2009

Is age a factor?

by Chris Lato

Regarding the upcoming state Supreme Court race, I’m merely raising the question: is Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson too old to run? Assuming she serves out her full 10-year term, she will be 85 at the end of the road.

I have no inside knowledge about her health - presumably she’s sharp as a tack. Otherwise, evidence to the contrary would likely be clear on the campaign trail.

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2008 Primaries, Promotions, Views on News, public relations • July 23rd, 2008

The six-million-dollar election

by Chris Lato

Brace yourself for a new round of hand-wringing. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has issued an analysis that shows nearly $6 million was spent in the recent State Supreme Court election between Mike Gableman and Louis Butler.

The biggest spender: that shadowy cabal known as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. The right wing has MoveOn.org to loathe – now the Wisconsin left has WMC to demonize.

We’ve been down this road before, but it’s amazing that Butler’s supporters still aren’t letting this go. Like it or not, the Supreme Court race was democracy in action. Was it nasty? Yup. Did some of the ads take harsh pokes at the candidates? You betcha.

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Branding Politix, Views on News, public relations • July 7th, 2008

WMC bashers cry: “Bring me the head of James Haney!”

by Chris Lato

Every time I think this story is slowly dying away, a fresh outrage emerges.

Some folks on the left in Madison are foaming-at-the-mouth desperate to symbolically score the head of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce on a silver platter. They’re in a massive snit over the fact that WMC got heavily involved in the last two state Supreme Court races – and backed the winning candidates both times.

Without pausing to take into account the intelligence and will of the voters, and the fact that the high court had shifted to a decidedly anti-business stance recently, WMC-bashers are convinced that James Haney and Co. have signed a deal with Satan to be the high court’s puppet masters. more »

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Leadership, Views on News, public relations • June 27th, 2008

Surveying the landscape

by Chris Lato

The weekend is almost here, and my short attention span won’t allow me to focus on any one topic – a few things grabbed my attention this morning.

First, were you listening to Wisconsin Public Radio at 8 this morning? If not, shame on you. Catch the Week in Review in the archives here. Thanks to Joy Cardin, her staff and Matt Rothschild for a fun and enlightening hour.

Next….is there any doubt that Scott Walker is going to veto this thing? It’s the tax idea that simply won’t die in Milwaukee County- and great timing to boot, what with the economy and all. more »

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