center for politics and the people newsletter

Center for Politics and the People

“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.

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

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

“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

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.


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.

“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

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.


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.

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

“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.


“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

“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

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.

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.

From left to right:

Gail Gitcho

Brandon Lorenz


“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

“Themes for Building the Center”

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


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.

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 ideas-

based 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 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.

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.

“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 ideas-based rather than a mouthpiece for any party.” Nick Krueger


The Students and Alumni of the Center for the Politics and the People

“The 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 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.

“Young Alumni and the Center”

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.

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 student-

alumni 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.


“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.

“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.

“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.” Nick Krueger

“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

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.


“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.

“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

“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

[email protected] or Christian Ertel

at [email protected]

http://www.ripon.edu/cpp/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

center for politics and the people newsletter

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