I seldom write about Wisconsin’s Assembly, the exception being a recent series of posts on Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan of Janesville, who managed to embarrass his caucus, and the state, more ways that one. Over the weekend, though, the Associated Press wrote an analysis of Assembly deliberations on how to punish serial-offender assemblyman Jeff Wood of Chippewa Falls. (Wood has at least thrice been charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence.)
The AP’s analysis, entitled, “Analysis: Criticism of Nass one of many Democratic stumbles in Jeff Wood case,” is right on the mark.
First, the Assembly should never have acceded to Wood’s request to begin consideration late at night, so that a vote on punishment wasn’t held until just before dawn. Just before dawn — as though Wisconsin faced a natural disaster or threat to her political security. This was no crisis, and our legislators had no need to scurry to vote before a court date (today) that Wood had to enter a plea agreement. There wouldn’t have been any deadline if Wood had been sober, by the way. He created the circumstances that led to his court date; there’s no need for Wisconsin’s representatives to accommodate Wood.
Second, there should never have been a vote while assemblyman Nass was unable to attend due to the passing of his mother. Never. The Assembly majority owed Nass consideration for these circumstances, and it’s shameful that they acted both rashly in a pre-dawn vote, and disrespectfully to Nass.
Third, even if Nass had not experienced a family loss, he would still be owed more consideration that Wood. Wood is, after all, the one who should be accommodating — he’s the elected representative who’s conduct is in question. Nass hasn’t done anything wrong.
Fourth, representative Colon made himself ridiculous when he contended that Nass should have shown up for the overnight vote, and was even more ridiculous to offer an apology that was anything but a true apology (“I am very sorry that my statements were misconstrued on the floor of the Assembly and I certainly did not intend to criticize Representative Nass for missing session last night due to the unfortunate death of his mother”).
Nass is right not to accept an ersatz apology that blames him, Nass, for supposedly misconstruing something. Colon speaks as though an insult is all in Nass’s imagination. That’s nonsense. Even those who oppose Nass politically should be embarrassed by this sort of apology. It follows the Mike Sheridan course — a so-called apology that actually casts blame on those insulted by implying they’re just misunderstanding or misconstruing something. No, they’re not.
Nass was right to reject a false apology.
Fifth, I’m neither a Republic nor a Democrat. If I somehow found myself with the misfortune of being in the Wisconsin Assembly, I wouldn’t want to caucus with either major party.
Still, Democrats should look on this vote, and statements from Colon, with embarrassment. They should also take note that the Associated Press — hardly a right-wing organization — sees the late-night vote, and Colon’s remarks — as the stumbles they were.
Those progressive Wisconsinites who want good government will not find it in a majority party that holds rushed and ill-timed votes, and offers only false apologies for shameful statements.
Sixth, although I am sure that the rushed vote was a mistake, I don’t support expelling Wood. The Assembly has the power to do so, but Wood is already obligated to the law and his constituents. He has violated the former, and failed the latter. If the people of Wood’s Chippewa Falls district were foolish enough to elect him, they should have to live with that decision unless they can persuade him to resign, or until the next election. (Wood’s not running again, of course.)
Wood’s not someone who should have been in office as long as he has been, but that’s proof of the ill-judgment of his constituents. Wood was first elected in 2002. Admittedly, his offenses have all come (I believe) since he was last re-elected in 2008, the first of three recent offenses taking place in December 2008. Yet, the man the voters of Chippewa Falls foolishly selected, the voters of Chippewa Falls deserve until the next election.
Most importantly, Wisconsin deserved much better from her representatives than a rushed vote on Wood’s fate. We deserved proper deliberations, consideration for a representative’s family loss, and a true apology to assemblyman Nass, rather than a weak and insincere one that shirks responsibility.