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Brown’s win may signal swing to GOP in 2010 By Alison Dirr The Daily Cardinal
The historically blue state of Massachusetts witnessed a shift in politics when Republican state Sen. Scott Brown beat his Democratic challenger in the Massachusetts Senate race Tuesday. This shift, which comes exactly one year after President Barack Obama’s inauguration and the Democrats’ sweeping victory in both houses of Congress, has left Wisconsinites on both sides of the aisle wondering if this is the beginning of a Republican comeback. Some Republicans say they welcome a possible shift of power, hailing the Brown victory as a sign of change to come. “Scott Brown’s victory is a clear sign that in the bluest of blue states, [Republicans] can win,” Kristin Ruesch, communication director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said. “We’re coming
for Russ Feingold and Wisconsin Congressional Democrats next.” Jill Bader, communication director for Republican gubernatorial candidate and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, also expressed confidence that Brown’s victory signals a shift of power away from Democrats. “Scott Brown and Scott Walker’s messages are very similar,” Bader said. “It’s that we, the people, can take back our government and make the government work for the people again.” Although Democrats have lost their 60th Senate seat, some, like Chair Democratic Party of Wisconsin Mike Tate, say November will not yield similar results in Wisconsin. “In many ways, this election will serve to embolden and redouble efforts of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin,” Tate said in a conference call with the media.
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Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Tipping Point
The unexpected win in Massachusetts, a state that supported Democratic U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy for 46 years, has members of the party wondering how easy their bids will be this election cycle. This turnover, however, was not surprising to UW-Madison College Democrats Chair Molly Rivera. “I don’t think that Massachusetts is as liberal as people think,” Rivera said. “I think there are just as many Republicans, but [the seat] had been dominated by Ted Kennedy, who would be a very difficult candidate to beat.” Rivera said that this was just the normal cycle of politics. Whether or not Brown’s win in Massachusetts foreshadows a major shift come November, partisans on both sides of the aisle agree this victory will change Senate dynamics and possibly the outcome of the pending national health-care bill.
Kyle Bursaw/the daily cardinal
Sophomore guard Rob Wilson tipped the scoreboard the Badgers’ way with a career-high 13 points. Senior guard Trevon Hughes scored a game-high 20.
Athletic ticket prices may increase next fall
ben pierson/the daily cardinal
Afro-American professor Tracy Curtis and three other UW-Madison professors discussed racism in America one year after Obama’s inauguration Wednesday at the Madison Public Library.
Panel discusses Obama’s impact on racism By Estephany Escobar The Daily Cardinal
The UW-Madison Center for the Humanities held a panel discussion at the Madison Public Library Wednesday about race and racism in relation to the Obama administration. The discussion, “Taking Stock of Race and Racism: A Year after Obama’s Inauguration,” featured four UW-Madison faculty members who voiced their opinions and responded to public questions about the impact of Obama’s presidency on race relations. Tracy Curtis, a UW-Madison Afro-American studies assistant professor, said Obama’s presidency brought symbolic importance to race and racism discussions but has not brought change into people’s
everyday life. “It’s difficult for Barack Obama himself, he is just one person, despite that he is the president, to change the way people interact on their day-to-day lives,” Curtis said. “In order for race relations to change, it’s necessary for people to be involved in interacting with people that are not the same as they are.” According to Kathy Cramer Walsh, a UW-Madison political science professor, the government cannot change the country in a short period of time as people may have expected. “We expect impossible things from our president,“ she said. “It’s ridiculous to expect him to change the world in a year.” Will Jones, a UW-Madison his-
tory professor, agreed with the other panelists, stressing the importance of the public taking action and said people should demand the government to work towards eliminating racial inequality. “I don’t want to live in a postracial society, I want to live in a post-racist society,” he said. “I think we all confuse the terms race and racism and I think the problem is racism, not race.” Doria Johnson, a UW-Madison graduate student who attended the event, said hearing the speakers helped her become more knowledgeable about the topic of racism. “To hear them talk about, honestly, what Barack Obama means to our current everyday lives, and how they addressed it honestly gave us things to think about,” she said.
UW-Madison Athletic Board officials discussed the possibility of increased ticket prices Tuesday for the 2010-’11 Athletic Department budget. John Jentz, UW-Madison associate athletic director for business operations, said because the Athletic Board has exhausted its alternative cost saving techniques, an increase in ticket prices is likely for next year. He said the Athletic Department needs to generate nearly $60 million for the upcoming budget. “For the coming year, in order to maintain our competitiveness and keep our facilities up to speed, we’re probably going to have to ask for something more,” he said. However, the board members are still unsure exactly which sports tickets would be affected, or by how much the prices would increase, according to Jentz. He said about 70 percent of the
budget money typically comes from fans through ticket sales, concessions and donations, so the challenge is to increase the price enough without losing consistency in ticket sales. “That’s the big question facing the industry right now,” Jentz said. UW-Madison junior David Groskopf said he would be upset to see ticket prices increase because there have already been several cutbacks this year, such as the lack of free “grateful red” T-shirts at men’s basketball games. “But since I am a huge sports fan, I will definitely still buy tickets next year,” he said. The price for a single football ticket is currently $39. Men’s basketball is $24, and men’s hockey is $21. The Athletic Board will make the final decision regarding ticket prices at their meeting Feb. 16. —Kelsey Gunderson
Urban Design Commission considers Target and Edgewater Hotel proposals By Beth Pickhard The Daily Cardinal
The Urban Design Commission met Wednesday night to discuss proposals for the Target retailer on Midvale Boulevard and renovations to Edgewater Hotel. The Edgewater Hotel proposal has been redeveloped to reduce the height of
the 1940’s structure by three stories and lighten the tone, as well as add lighting to the top of the tower. There is also a “365-day outdoor space” proposed, which would accommodate private events like weddings and provide a public ice skating rink in the winter. commission to page 3
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”