Center for Politics and the People Newsletter

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Center for Politics and the People

Our Mission The Center for Politics and the People at Ripon College was founded in 2014 to promote constructive political debate, analyze public policy and foster the engagement of citizens and their government. Inspired by the principles of the American founders and the legacies of our great leaders, the Center is a forum for dialogue, research, analysis and dissemination of ideas about local, state, national and international issues. Policymakers, academics, experts, candidates and politicians present and defend their ideas and solutions for the benefit of the country, people and community. Students learn how to pursue careers in politics and government. The electorate finds scholarly, accessible and relevant research that connects political thought and effective governance.

Center Newsletter: Issue no. 1 Table of Contents “The State of the Center” Professor Lamont Colucci, Pages 1-2

“The Reason for The Center at Ripon College” President Messitte, Page 3

“Being a Board Member” Kathryn A. Kuhn, Page 4

“Themes for Building the Center” Nick Krueger, Pages 5-6

“The Faculty’s Role in the Center” Professor Rick Coles, Page 6

“Young Alumni and the Center” Lacy Rourke, Page 7

“The Student Advisory Board” Brad Chojnacki, Page 7

“The State of The Center” Dr. Lamont Colucci, Director of the Center for Politics and the People We live in an age of American history in which the American people, specifically the electorate, are disenchanted with politics. Due to this disenchantment, we wondered whether we should even include the word “politics” in the Center’s name. Would it turn people away from our endeavor? In each of the classes I teach on foreign policy and national security, I emphasize to students the need for any policy to have support from the electorate. A president that fails to explain—or worse, abandons— the electorate in his thinking is doomed to catastrophe. This does not mean that a president needs to conduct policy on what is popular. Far from it.

Instead, it means that whatever policy he engages, that policy must be in the interests of the electorate, and it is his administration’s job to ensure that the electorate understands this.

Perhaps the word “politics” has become synonymous with greed, incompetence, partisanship, power accumulation and bullying. There are certainly examples of all of these. However, what if we replace these words with ideas that are equally political? These would be words such as service, professionalism, patriotism, compassion and statesmanship. It is our choice; it is what defines us as Americans. We can be jaded or cynical—and I spent enough time in Washington to be both. However, I think about why I went to Washington in the first place, and suddenly that spark of idealism returns.

“A Day in the Life of the Center” Christian R. Ertel, Page 8

“Social Media and the Center” Abigail Quackenboss, Page 8 “The Importance of Youth in Politics” Alexander S. Hagen, Page 9

The Center for Politics and the People will try to tap into that spark in all of you; it will try to encourage the study and promotion of politics and the people, the electorate—in line with service, professionalism, patriotism, compassion and statesmanship. It will promote debate and dialogue where partisan and non-partisan ideas fall, not due to censorship, but because they lack intellectual weight under the sunlight of examination. Other ideas will

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Center for Politics and the People

rise and give sustenance to better methods of public policy, efficiency and invention. It will create and promote internships for our students to pursue a career in politics and government; it will produce research that is scholarly yet accessible to connect the electorate to the best side of political thought and debate; it will provide a forum for policymakers, academics, experts, candidates and politicians to present and debate their ideas and platforms; and it will reach out to like-minded institutes and think tanks to collaborate and exchange ideas and programs. We will look for ways to incorporate all other disciplines with politics: art, music, religion, history, sports, economics, communications, literature and science, to name a few. It will assist in making Ripon College stand out as even more unique to the student who is choosing a place of higher learning.

Our Founders knew that the American Republic could only survive with an electorate that was educated, virtuous and dedicated to the ideals of service and patriotism. These are what I call lower case “r” republican values— foundational rather than partisan. These are the values that the Center must encourage. These republican ideals stand shoulder to shoulder with classical liberal democratic values— lower case “d” democratic values—such as free debate, free thought, free exchange and civic participation. These are also values that the Center must encourage. Additionally, the Center will embrace Midwestern values, offering that mostly neglected perspective.

Finally, we need your support. We will not always get it right; not every interest can always be served. You will agree with some speakers and forums and disagree with others—but that in and of itself is the celebration of our democracy. I ask all of you to give me your ideas and recommendations. We will need your support and efforts.

This is a new endeavor, and I think you should be willing to put your backs to the grindstone based on what Theodore Roosevelt said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Sometimes this thought is put more simply with the words, “The world is run by those who show up.” We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, and this is only the beginning.

Mayor Tom Barrett spoke on April 25th, discussing issues regarding how a Mayor operates differently than other elected officials and how to get involved in politics.

“Our Founders knew that the American Republic could only survive with an electorate that was educated, virtuous and dedicated to the ideals of service and patriotism.”

Dr. Lamont Colucci

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2014 Schedule of Events and Lectures April 3, 2014, 7 p.m.

Gail Gitcho, Ripon College Class of 2001, communications director for the Republican Governors Association and Brandon Lorenz, Ripon College Class of 2002, regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee April 25, 2014, 7 p.m.

Tom Barrett, Mayor of the City of Milwaukee May 2, 2014, 4:15 p.m.

Ron Johnson, U.S. Senator for Wisconsin August 1, 2014, 5:30 p.m.

Joe Leibham, Glenn Grothman, Duey Stroebel and Tom Denow, candidates for Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District September 17, 2014, 4:30 p.m.

(Constitution Day) Michael Gableman, Ripon College Class of 1988, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court October 1, 2014, 4:30 p.m.

Mark Harris, Democratic nominee for Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District October 15, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

Brad Schimel, Republican candidate for Wisconsin Attorney General November 24, 2014, 4:30 p.m.

Tom Petri, U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District

Center for Politics and the People

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), center, chats with Ripon College President Zach Messitte, left, and William MacLeod, Trustee of Ripon College, prior to his speech in Great Hall, May 2, 2014.

“The Reason for The Center at Ripon College” Dr. Zach Messitte, President of Ripon College

Our leaders and national commentators of every ideology tell us that America’s political discourse has gotten angrier and more divisive in recent decades. Democrats, Republicans and Independents just talk past one another, they say, more interested in the horse race, scoring political points and winning elections than actually getting anything done that will help the nation move forward. Missing from the national discussion is any real prescription about how to change the current political dynamic.

The idea of changing the dynamic was at the core of a discussion I had two years ago with Ripon College Trustee Bill MacLeod, a lawyer and resident of Washington, DC, who has been a keen observer of history, economics and politics over the course of his career. When Bill and I first imagined the idea of a Center, we thought about the ways that we might help Ripon College students and the broader campus community reconnect with the big political and social issues—minus the shouting and the partisanship—that are facing Wisconsin, the country and the world. It is my hope that, in the years ahead, the Center will help illuminate key ideas and concepts that remind our students of the need to respect different points of view and to seek out ways to work together to find the solutions that will make our world a better place.

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Center for Politics and the People

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.” Thomas Jefferson “Being a Board Member” Kathryn A. Kuhn Vice President of Government and Community Relations Medical College of Wisconsin

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.”

Thomas Jefferson

Glenn Grothman: member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin's 6th district

The Center’s first event featured Gail Gitcho ’01, former communications director of the Romney/Ryan presidential campaign and current communications director for the Republican Governors Association. She was joined by Brandon Lorenz ’02, the regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The event was moderated by President Messitte. Gitcho and Lorenz, both Ripon College graduates, shared their journeys from Ripon to D.C., and discussed key aspects of the upcoming 2014 and 2016 elections.

Today, we live in a country that is politically divided, with seemingly little opportunity to engage in constructive political dialogue and debate. The Center’s purpose is to change that reality by creating a forum that provides for the dissemination of ideas and promotes open, thoughtful discussion and debate about policies and issues of the day.

With the City of Ripon’s rich history, it is fitting that the Center for Politics and the People will bring together national, state and local leaders as well as academicians, students and the community to enhance understanding of the role that politics plays in our daily lives. I am honored to serve on the Center’s founding Core Board, and I believe strongly that it is the responsibility of its members to set guiding principles that provide the foundation for the Center to spark intellectual curiosity about the world around us, challenge traditional thought, inspire citizen action and build our future leaders.

From left to right: Gail Gitcho Brandon Lorenz

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Center for Politics and the People

“Themes for Building the Center”

“Our Founders knew that the American Republic could only survive with an electorate that was educated, virtuous and dedicated to the ideals of service and patriotism. These are what I call lower case “r” republican values— foundational rather than partisan. These are the values that the Center must encourage. These republican ideals stand shoulder to shoulder with classical liberal democratic values— lower case “d” democratic values— such as free debate, free thought, free exchange and civic participation.” Dr. Lamont Colucci

Nick Krueger, Ripon College Class of 2009 It is widely believed today that U.S. politics has become more bitterly divided than ever before. Voters, by and large, are more relieved than anything that the fall election season is finally over. It seems that (1) everyone is a partisan; (2) every partisan believes that the other side’s partisans actively seek to destroy the United States at every turn; and (3) every partisan believes that the other side’s partisans are winning, dragging the nation ever nearer to certain ruin.

What seems to be widely forgotten, however, is that U.S. politics has been bitterly divided since the beginning. If you think the attack ads of the 2014 election cycle were nasty, you should have seen John Adams and Thomas Jefferson attack each other’s families and even their physical appearances in the 1800 presidential election (using words not fit to reprint here). Perhaps these attacks were so venomous partly because the nation genuinely feared its first wholesale transition of power from one major party to the other. Later, in 1850, Senator Henry Foote of Mississippi pulled a gun on Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri during a debate on the Senate floor; only six years after that, Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina beat Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts to within an inch of his life at his desk in the Senate. Both of these last incidents ultimately revolved around the slavery debate that soon ripped the whole country in two. And none of the incidents mentioned here did the country the least bit of good.

But these historical incidents are illuminating for a few reasons. First, we learn that although the United States has struggled through these moments of crisis (and others far too numerous to list) only with difficulty, the nation has thrived anyway. Through partisan strife, civil war, world wars, economic depression, race riots and every other challenge that has come our way, the American spirit has never broken. We are stronger and more prosperous than ever before.

Second, we learn that even the most ardent partisan among us probably does not actually intend America’s destruction and may in fact have ideas worth entertaining. For, contrary to the Federalists’ fears, Thomas Jefferson’s accomplishments were some of the most crucial in our nation’s formative years, and the Southern fears (however poorly expressed) that were made manifest on the Senate floor should have been heard as alarm bells by Northern leaders to imminent and grave challenges.

Third—and most relevant today—we observe that “soundbite politics” is no better way to form policy than it was 200 years ago. The hyper-partisan attacks of the election of 1800 served only to inflame and exacerbate genuine issues; these events are stains on the reputations of men whom we otherwise associate with well-reasoned policy choices that created the conditions for American prosperity and security. The personal attacks and physical violence perpetrated

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Center for Politics and the People

by Foote, Benton, Brooks, Sumner and others were not only vile, unnecessary and unhelpful but also obscured genuine policy questions and arguably hastened on the impassioned decisions that led to war.

It would be silly and naïve to suggest that building the Center for Politics and the People at Ripon College will end or even meaningfully reduce the partisanship that defines the American system. As these examples illustrate, partisanship has always been with us and probably always will be. But partisanship does not have to be personal. The foundational premise of the Center is that good governance in the American system—what Abraham Lincoln might have called the right that makes might—requires rich diversity of political thought and that all political viewpoints ought to be given a fair shake.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman came on behalf of the Center for Politics and the People regarding judicial philosophy on September 17th, Constitution Day.

Therefore, as we build the Center from nothing more than this recognition, we aim to create a place that is different from most. The Center will not be the partisan newspaper or television ad with which candidates spewed nonsense about one another in 1800 or 2014; our programming will be issues- and ideasbased rather than a mouthpiece for any party. It will not be the pulpit, cane or gun with which officeholders intimidated one another in the 1850s; we will welcome thoughtful and constructive discussion of all viewpoints. We refuse to accept the tactic of declaring issues “settled” so as to close debate and seek to debate the hard questions that define our generation. Most of all, we believe in the proven ability of informed American citizens to govern themselves and intend to connect them as best we can with accessible and relevant ideas to enable their participation in and preservation of the American Republic.

“The Center will not be the partisan newspaper or television ad with which candidates spewed nonsense about one another in 1800 or 2014; our programming will be issuesand ideas-based rather than a mouthpiece for any party.” Nick Krueger “The Faculty’s Role in the Center” Rick Coles, Professor and Chair of Exercise Science, Chair of the Faculty Advisory Board The Faculty Advisory Board (FAB) was established to provide a voice for Ripon College faculty input to the Center for Politics and the People at Ripon College. The FAB consists of four full-time Ripon College faculty members, each serving two-year terms, and meets a minimum of two times each year. The Chair of the FAB then reports to the Core Board at their meetings.

The FAB creates suggestions and advice for the Core Board and assists in promoting the Center on campus and in the community. In addition, the FAB serves as a bridge between the Ripon College faculty and the Core Board, receiving communications and suggestions from the faculty. This allows the Ripon faculty to have input into the Center’s activities. The FAB also assists in identifying speakers, experts and panel members for Center presentations.

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Center for Politics and the People

The Students and Alumni of the Center for the Politics and the People “Young Alumni and the Center”

“The Student Advisory Board”

Lacy Rourke, Co-President of the Student Advisory Board The Center for Politics and the People at Ripon College was created to encourage productive political debate among Ripon students, the community and citizens, and it is already providing many opportunities for student and alumni involvement in addition to its regular event schedule. For example, the Center has created a new and exciting way for alumni of Ripon College to be active through its Student Advisory Board.

Brad Chojnacki, Co-President of the Student Advisory Board Here in Ripon we have the benefit of being a small, liberal arts college where numerous student involvement and leadership opportunities exist for those who take the initiative to grasp them. The Student Advisory Board is comprised of current students and recent alumni who are working to create opportunities for those seeking a career in a political field. By using the resources of recent alumni who have completed the first steps in their post-collegiate lives, current students will benefit from their experiences. We hope to give Ripon students an advantage in a difficult field, and we hope to help the college by having these students who benefit from the Center to give back and help others who were once in their shoes.

The Student Advisory Board, comprised of current students and recent alumni (up to ten years out), was established to provide recommendations to the Core Board and the Director with student perspective in mind. It also acts as an additional conduit between the Core Board and Ripon College to promote student involvement. The Student Advisory Board is also working to create a studentalumni network that will assist current students and recent graduates as they pursue careers in government, international relations and policy. This program will help connect students with internships and promote mentoring with alumni.

As the Student Advisory Board develops over the next year, we are looking for suggestions and involvement from alumni across the country. More information about how to become a mentor and where to advertise internships for Ripon College students will be made available in coming weeks.

Brad Schimel, Wisconsin Attorney General Elect, came to Ripon on Wednesday, October 15th. He spoke about the role of the Attorney General as a Constitutional Officer.

The second reason for the Student Advisory Board is to help guide the Center from a student’s view.

Often, administrative policy leaves out the student element and unintentionally hampers great initiatives.

It is our job to tell the Center what the students have interests in and to make sure that implementation of Center activities involves the students on a level where the students feel that they have a personal stake in the Center.

It is our hope that we can create a solid network dedicated to the advancement of student interests in order to help the entire institution of Ripon College.

“The foundational premise ofCenter the for Center is that good governance Page 8 Politics and the People in the American system—what Abraham Lincoln might have called the right that makes might—requires rich diversity of political thought and that all political viewpoints ought to be given a fair shake.” Nick Krueger Congressman Tom Petri will appear for the Center on November 24th, appearing with officials from the Center to share their vision for the new center and upcoming programming.

“A Day in the Life of the Center” Christian R. Ertel, Special Assistant to the Director Thus far, daily activity at the Center for Politics and the People at Ripon College has centered on the foundational level of the organization. Our Core Board members— who support us by volunteering their time to help develop the Center's activities—have enabled many projects that will define the Center’s future. Consistent coordination with these involved supporters has been the key to channeling these volunteers’ enthusiasm and making progress.

Other everyday activity at the Center has also included contacting people whom the Center may want to host for speaking events on the Ripon College campus.

Furthermore, the Center has actively sought student participation through several student contests, and we are looking forward to engaging with our newly formed Student Advisory Board. The Center continues to look towards its bright future with the help of its broad base of supporters.

“Social Media and the Center” Abigail Quackenboss, Ripon College Class of 2015 Humans, by nature, are social beings. Whether we are engaging in political discourse in an intimate setting among colleagues and peers or enthralled in passionate debates, there is a social component. In the past decade, the social component has taken on a new form with an online presence. With the aid of social media, anyone can be a newsmaker, commentator or gatekeeper.

Consequently, it makes sense to connect the Center to the world around us in an online platform.

The initial phase of implementing the Center’s social media presence is more than live-tweeting Center events.

More important, it requires a vision for what the Center’s online presence can be. The Center’s outlets will be utilized in a way that engages with students, speakers, journalists, political leaders and other centers. While the initial presence will include Twitter and Facebook, as technology advances, the Center will also adapt to new trends as appropriate. Finally, because social media thrives on dialogue, the Center’s outlets aim to spark conversation and engage with others about our events as well as politics at the local, state, national and international level.

“I am honored to serve on the Center’s founding Core Board, and I believe strongly that it is the responsibility of its members to set guiding principles that provide the foundation for the Center to spark intellectual curiosity about the world around us, challenge traditional thought, inspire citizen action and build our future leaders.” Kathryn A. Kuhn

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Center for Politics and the People

“The Importance of Youth in Politics” Alexander S. Hagen, Secretary of the Student Advisory Board and Ripon College Class of 2015

The political future of humanity, regardless of whether it is at the local, state, national or international level, depends upon the proper training and education of its youngest generations. As time passes and these generations mature, an increasing amount of responsibility is bestowed upon them. From casting ballots and holding politicians accountable to being elected into positions of leadership and authority, the trust of the world is vested in the ability of these youths to act patiently, wisely and ethically. To facilitate this process, institutions like the Center for Politics and the People at Ripon College provide an education for young college students seeking to become more actively involved in politics.

The Center for Politics and the People serves as a conduit for political education and exploration. By bringing a diverse array of influential political speakers to campus—from current U.S. government officials to candidates running for state or national election—students are given a valuable opportunity to witness the political process of the country in action and absorb a variety of different political ideas. In the future, the development of a process designed to acquire internships for Ripon College students will provide them with vital work experience within the realm of politics that may serve to prepare them for leadership roles in the future. In this manner, the Center for Politics and the People recognizes the importance of youth in politics and works to prepare them for greater levels of involvement in and commitment to the future of humanity.

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people…they are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”

Thomas Jefferson

For more information on the Center, please visit our website at http://www.ripon.edu/cpp/, or contact Dr. Lamont Colucci at coluccil@ripon.edu or Christian Ertel at ertelc@ripon.edu

“Wisdom and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among the body of the people, being necessary for the preservation of their rights and liberties, and as these depend on spreading the opportunities and advantages of education in the various parts of the country, and among the different orders of people, it shall be the duty of legislators and magistrates... to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries of them.”

John Adams