There’s a saying that some libertarians are born and others are made (as a result, tragically, of experiencing misconduct at the hands of the state). Libertarianism of both origins, especially those of us from movement (old) libertarian families, has been around long before the Libertarian Party – the LP – was formed in late 1971. Needless to…
Politics
America, City, Federal Government, Local Government, Politics
The National-Local Mix
by JOHN ADAMS •
Alt-Right, Bigotry, Politics
Trump’s Surrogates Know Exactly What the Alt-Right Is
by JOHN ADAMS •
A few days ago, during a panel discussion, New York Times columnist Charles Blow and Trump surrogate former Congressman Jack Kingston clashed over the racism of Trump’s alt-right supporters. Kingston claimed not to know what the term alt-right meant, and Blow scolded Kingston for Kingston’s professed ignorance. (Their exchange begins after 6:30 on the video.)…
Politics, Trump
Forget the Tactical (For Now)
by JOHN ADAMS •
This year hasn’t been a great one for polling, data operations, or vaunted GOTV efforts. If it had been so, then Hillary Clinton would now be president-elect. So much conventional tactical analysis (much of which I accepted) has proved erroneous. There’s no gain, and much harm, in focusing on the tactical now. Even if one…
Freedom of Speech, Politics, Trump
Of Course Most #NeverTrumpers Will Capitulate
by JOHN ADAMS •
Thousands who (admirably) devoted themselves to the #NeverTrump movement have already (sadly) begun to second-guess their opposition now that Trump’s heading to federal power. Ben Terris nicely describes the impulse – the natural reaction to yield to power – in Welcome to NeverTrump Grief, Stage 3: GOP skeptics bargain with Trump — and themselves. One…
Bigotry, Politics, Press
‘Critics Say So’
by JOHN ADAMS •
Is Stephen Bannon, newly-appointed chief strategist to Donald Trump, a racist. A headline to a story on that subject comes with a limitation: critics say so. (See, Is Trump’s new chief strategist a racist? Critics say so.) There’s the weakness of a legacy press: big money, high self-regard, but a small appetite for declaring definitely the character of a person’s…
History, Law, Liberty, Politics, Presidential race 2016, Trump
Kevin Drum on Trump and the End of Reconstruction
by JOHN ADAMS •
Blogging at Mother Jones, Kevin Drum – like many of us, of whatever politics – seems uncertain about the consequences of a Trump Administration. (In fairness, much has happened in a short time, and it’s hard to make sense of it all.) Still, Drum’s thinking has shifted significantly over the last few days, in ways…
Johnson-Weld, Libertarians, Politics, Presidential race 2016
Where Libertarians Stand on the Presidential Race
by JOHN ADAMS •
Libertarians have a political philosophy, and may also be members of a political party using that same name. For those of us who are both ideologically libertarian and members of the national party (as I am), the statement yesterday from Libertarian vice presidential candidate Bill Weld (a former Republican governor of Massachusetts), summaries nicely our…
Campaign Ads, Politics
‘Please Re-Elect Gerald’
by JOHN ADAMS •
Politics, Poll, Presidential race 2016, US Senate Race 2016
Marquette Law Poll Results (Early October ’16 Edition)
by JOHN ADAMS •
The early October Marquette Law School poll results are out, and here are two key findings from the 10.6.16 to 10.9.16 poll (the full results will be available online later this afternoon). Clinton-Trump-Johnson-Stein, Among LV: New Marquette Law School Poll, Wisconsin likely voters: Clinton 44% Trump 37% Johnson 9%Stein 3%#MULawPoll — MULawPoll (@MULawPoll) October 12,…
City, Culture, Local Government, Politics
Twenty-Five Years On: School Board & City
by JOHN ADAMS •
Alternative title: Culture Advances While Beyond Politics Far Lags Behind. Over at the Banner, there’s a new feature entitled, “A mini-look at local history – a new Banner Monday project!” The 10.10.16 entry is about two public actions from twenty-five years ago. I’m all for history (local or otherwise), but the entry is telling coming from a…
City, Education, Politics, School District
At Whitewater’s Common Council Meeting, 10.4.16
by JOHN ADAMS •
There are a few moments from last night’s Common Council meeting that I’ll consider briefly today. Budget. It’s fall, and so for Whitewater’s local government that means a proposed budget rollout, and Council sessions principally occupied with that subject through November. On efficiency of government services, City Manager Clapper remarked that one can expect municipal…
Politics, Presidential race 2016
Preparation
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve posted observations from Stuart Stevens, a GOP consultant and writer not affiliated with any presidential candidate this year. Here’s another, after last night’s debate: Saw last night why campaign managers focus on helping their candidates prepare for debates & don’t live on tv talking about debates. — stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) September 27, 2016 Preparation…
Politics, Poll, Presidential race 2016, US Senate Race 2016, Wisconsin
Marquette Law Poll Results (Mid-September ’16 Edition)
by JOHN ADAMS •
The mid-September Marquette Law School poll results are out, and here are a few key findings from the 9.15.16 to 9.18.16 poll (the full results will be available online later this afternoon). Clinton-Trump, Among LV: New Marquette Law School Poll finds Clinton leading Trump among likely voters in WI 44% to 42%. #mulawpoll — MULawPoll…