In April, Janet Protasiewicz was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court with more than one million votes, defeating her conservative opponent by a wide margin. Her victory tipped the balance of the court, and the new liberal majority will soon review a case,
Wisconsin Republicans think they are invincible and will likely go ahead and impeach. The smart play for her would then be to immediately resign, allowing Gov. Evers to appoint her replacement. Out of pure spite he should appoint someone even more liberal. The gerrymandering and abortion cases should then be fast tracked and decided quickly.
And then in 2024 Democrats should ride a wave of rage to power in all statewide offices, and using fair maps, majorities in the legislature. Judge Janet should also run for her stolen seat on the court, unless there are rules against it given impeachment.
Wow, Judd and Tesnim, thank you for all of this information--this has been all over the news but I'm guessing that very few understand anything about what can be done about it. Unfortunately, everything in the law can take "forever" (while the Republican party implements their agenda in every corner). Peter, commenting 34 minutes ago, seems to have one solution, maybe the best one, but I can't imagine Protasiewicz being willing to risk the move of resigning. And, how long would it take for the Governor to install a more liberal judge?
I just looked up the legal qualifications of one of my favorite Senators from the past, Russ Feingold, who was defeated by Ron Johnson in 2010 by Koch money. He'd be the perfect replacement Judge:
"For the better part of the last 10 years and in addition to his congressional and diplomatic career, Russ has taught extensively at various American law schools including Stanford Law School (where he is currently teaching), Yale Law School, Marquette University Law School, and Harvard Law School."
The only policy plank of the present GOP throughout the country is “Power for the sake of power at any cost”. Rules be damned, they want to pick their voters rather than “allow” the voters to pick their representatives. There is nothing in America that is more un-American than the GOP. Dems must vote in overwhelming numbers in 2024 & beyond.
What better example of law for thee, but not for me. Damn CONServatives think they are above the law, even their own laws. It is almost like they are pirates following the Code, it is only a suggestion.
The voter be damned. The will of the people means nothing. Amazing what the GOP will do to stay in power. Lie, cheat and steal seems to be their mantra.
Here's the kicker: What the Republicans could (and likely will) do is to impeach Judge Protasiewicz and then refuse to schedule a trial. That would leave her and the Democrats in limbo, with her being unable to decide any cases and the Governor unable to fill her position with a replacement (at least that's the way it was explained to me).
What a mockery of democracy. Republican gerrymandering in Wisconsin is legendary, of course, but I had no idea that a legislative district did not have to be contiguous! Incredible.
Anyone who is surprised by what is happening in Wisconsin has not been paying attention. The Republicans have been moving in this direction since Newt Gingrich taught his party that politics is a winner-takes-all war, not a means to govern through bi-partisan consensus. Not content with the structural advantages built into our system that allows the minority party to rule—the Electoral College, two senators for thinly populated states, and more—Republicans have been twisting or ignoring the Constitution for decades.
Packing the courts—including denying a sitting president the right to nominate a Supreme Court justice—gutting the Voting Rights Act, declaring corporations "people," a Republican-lead Supreme Court deciding the 2000 election, regularly purging hundreds of thousands from voting rolls, stripping newly elected governors of their powers, abusing Senate rules to hold up Democratic nominations—and now military promotions—using the debt ceiling to play chicken with the world economy, and so much more.
Democrats have done nothing to push back at any point in this march to locking in minority party rule. They have allowed Republicans to abuse our systen, insisting that things have to change at the ballot box. But when elections are rigged—or now deemed illegitimate when Republicans lose—how can we fight back at the ballot box?
So now we they will impeach a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice to keep their hyper-gerrymandered map and their super-majorities in their state legislatures. At the same time spineless Kevin McCarthy will green-light impeachment proceedings against Joe Biden—as Donald Trump demands—despite having no evidence of any crimes.
And this, while Donald Trump promises to use the Justice Department to punish his many political enemies should he return to the White House.
Anyone who doubts that Trump will follow through on his promised retribution has not been paying attention.
The only way Republican’s can win in any state is by picking their voters, rather than voters selecting their representatives, but Wisconsin’s experience is beyond the pale. As someone who was born, raised and lived in WI until 2004 I am appalled at how the RepubliCONS have been able to stay in power. I lived there when the state was the beacon of light and democracy was the rule. So sad to see the people of Wisconsin to be so duped by the right-wing media that they’ve bought into the crazies. Hope there are still a couple of Republicans who will let the will of the people decide who should serve on their Supreme Court.
Once again Republicans are stifling the majority. They are the biggest proponents in the world behind the catholic church when it comes to "do as I say, not as I do". The biggest collection of hypocrites in the entire world. They have to cheat to win because they are the minority. We need more people on the left willing to gerrymander in favor of democrats. Every time the republicans win a majority they try this. And then dems take it back and make it 'fair'. Enough is enough! Fight fire with fire for once!
As a Wisconsin vote: i plan on following my state reps around to any and all sessions they hold. It’s time to get vocal and get in the face of the tyrannical radical terrorists that are the Republican Party. No mercy for the group trying to silence the majority of Wisconsin voters.
Just a reminder to everyone that the Republican party of today will do ANYTHING to stay in power. It doesn't matter what voters want or voters do, they will lie, cheat, steal, rig, change every outcome that does not suit them. They will use every single dirty low down trick in the book and then some to get and keep power over others. Because they are scared to death of a fair fight. They are a party covered in mud and it is not going to wash off. And never believe any BS that they tell you. It is all made up to serve their ultimate purpose of gaining and keeping power, period! They are a party that only cares about power over others and nothing else. They are NOT to be trusted.
Wisconsin Republicans' nuclear option
Wisconsin Republicans think they are invincible and will likely go ahead and impeach. The smart play for her would then be to immediately resign, allowing Gov. Evers to appoint her replacement. Out of pure spite he should appoint someone even more liberal. The gerrymandering and abortion cases should then be fast tracked and decided quickly.
And then in 2024 Democrats should ride a wave of rage to power in all statewide offices, and using fair maps, majorities in the legislature. Judge Janet should also run for her stolen seat on the court, unless there are rules against it given impeachment.
Wow, Judd and Tesnim, thank you for all of this information--this has been all over the news but I'm guessing that very few understand anything about what can be done about it. Unfortunately, everything in the law can take "forever" (while the Republican party implements their agenda in every corner). Peter, commenting 34 minutes ago, seems to have one solution, maybe the best one, but I can't imagine Protasiewicz being willing to risk the move of resigning. And, how long would it take for the Governor to install a more liberal judge?
I just looked up the legal qualifications of one of my favorite Senators from the past, Russ Feingold, who was defeated by Ron Johnson in 2010 by Koch money. He'd be the perfect replacement Judge:
"For the better part of the last 10 years and in addition to his congressional and diplomatic career, Russ has taught extensively at various American law schools including Stanford Law School (where he is currently teaching), Yale Law School, Marquette University Law School, and Harvard Law School."
The only policy plank of the present GOP throughout the country is “Power for the sake of power at any cost”. Rules be damned, they want to pick their voters rather than “allow” the voters to pick their representatives. There is nothing in America that is more un-American than the GOP. Dems must vote in overwhelming numbers in 2024 & beyond.
What better example of law for thee, but not for me. Damn CONServatives think they are above the law, even their own laws. It is almost like they are pirates following the Code, it is only a suggestion.
The voter be damned. The will of the people means nothing. Amazing what the GOP will do to stay in power. Lie, cheat and steal seems to be their mantra.
Here's the kicker: What the Republicans could (and likely will) do is to impeach Judge Protasiewicz and then refuse to schedule a trial. That would leave her and the Democrats in limbo, with her being unable to decide any cases and the Governor unable to fill her position with a replacement (at least that's the way it was explained to me).
"Blinded by partisianship."
That description is the ENTIRETY of the formerly republican party's (now known as the Party of Constant Criminals) alleged platform.
PCC rhymes with the GOP but is a much more colorful and more importantly, accurate description.
What a mockery of democracy. Republican gerrymandering in Wisconsin is legendary, of course, but I had no idea that a legislative district did not have to be contiguous! Incredible.
Some resources organizers are using to help understand and oppose this Republican scheme:
Map of WI state house districts along with the reps and how to call them https://arcg.is/i501j0
Follow the money map from the ULINE Wisconsin billionaires to the Jan 6th protestors and the GOP. https://embed.kumu.io/afcca4a60071d585e16fe9a1a5e18391
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/09/11/maga-coup-against-democracy/
A 3 min of audio summary of the threatened GOP impeachment (streaming from SoundCloud) https://on.soundcloud.com/MLZ31
Anyone who is surprised by what is happening in Wisconsin has not been paying attention. The Republicans have been moving in this direction since Newt Gingrich taught his party that politics is a winner-takes-all war, not a means to govern through bi-partisan consensus. Not content with the structural advantages built into our system that allows the minority party to rule—the Electoral College, two senators for thinly populated states, and more—Republicans have been twisting or ignoring the Constitution for decades.
Packing the courts—including denying a sitting president the right to nominate a Supreme Court justice—gutting the Voting Rights Act, declaring corporations "people," a Republican-lead Supreme Court deciding the 2000 election, regularly purging hundreds of thousands from voting rolls, stripping newly elected governors of their powers, abusing Senate rules to hold up Democratic nominations—and now military promotions—using the debt ceiling to play chicken with the world economy, and so much more.
Democrats have done nothing to push back at any point in this march to locking in minority party rule. They have allowed Republicans to abuse our systen, insisting that things have to change at the ballot box. But when elections are rigged—or now deemed illegitimate when Republicans lose—how can we fight back at the ballot box?
So now we they will impeach a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice to keep their hyper-gerrymandered map and their super-majorities in their state legislatures. At the same time spineless Kevin McCarthy will green-light impeachment proceedings against Joe Biden—as Donald Trump demands—despite having no evidence of any crimes.
And this, while Donald Trump promises to use the Justice Department to punish his many political enemies should he return to the White House.
Anyone who doubts that Trump will follow through on his promised retribution has not been paying attention.
The only way Republican’s can win in any state is by picking their voters, rather than voters selecting their representatives, but Wisconsin’s experience is beyond the pale. As someone who was born, raised and lived in WI until 2004 I am appalled at how the RepubliCONS have been able to stay in power. I lived there when the state was the beacon of light and democracy was the rule. So sad to see the people of Wisconsin to be so duped by the right-wing media that they’ve bought into the crazies. Hope there are still a couple of Republicans who will let the will of the people decide who should serve on their Supreme Court.
I assume the court has considered maps before. How do they argue around the wording of the state constitution?
Once again Republicans are stifling the majority. They are the biggest proponents in the world behind the catholic church when it comes to "do as I say, not as I do". The biggest collection of hypocrites in the entire world. They have to cheat to win because they are the minority. We need more people on the left willing to gerrymander in favor of democrats. Every time the republicans win a majority they try this. And then dems take it back and make it 'fair'. Enough is enough! Fight fire with fire for once!
As a Wisconsin vote: i plan on following my state reps around to any and all sessions they hold. It’s time to get vocal and get in the face of the tyrannical radical terrorists that are the Republican Party. No mercy for the group trying to silence the majority of Wisconsin voters.
Just a reminder to everyone that the Republican party of today will do ANYTHING to stay in power. It doesn't matter what voters want or voters do, they will lie, cheat, steal, rig, change every outcome that does not suit them. They will use every single dirty low down trick in the book and then some to get and keep power over others. Because they are scared to death of a fair fight. They are a party covered in mud and it is not going to wash off. And never believe any BS that they tell you. It is all made up to serve their ultimate purpose of gaining and keeping power, period! They are a party that only cares about power over others and nothing else. They are NOT to be trusted.
If she recuses on this issue, they will simply threaten to do it again on EVERY issue.
Don't resign, don’t recuse . Tell them to F off and try it.
They will lose their puny seats next cycle .
Never give these idiots an inch.
I am so goddam tired of "when they go low, we go high".
It does not work with these shameless autocrats.