Who are the best Republicans?
Conservative blogger Dennis York tests the premise that there must be at least a few decent Democrats, and has produced a list of five he rates highest in Wisconsin. York's list.
He has challenged me to do the same for Republicans. Who are the best Republicans in terms of being willing to listen, work together for a common good, and practice civility in the midst of the partisan wars? Current officeholders only, please.
Your nominations and comments would be most helpful. Don't leave them as comments, though. Please e-mail to Xofffiles@gmail.com, or use the e-mail link on the home page of the Xoff Files.
And include some explanation or rationale for your choice(s). Thanks.
posted by xoff @ 6:58 AM
17 comments
17 Comments:
Ellis and Cowles should be placed on the list. I would also suggest Luther Olsen.
No Republican from the Assembly should be on the list because of their refusal to negotiate or think for themselves unless Scooter and Gard give the OK.
Peggy Rosenzweig!!! She still around and kicking!
Bob Ziegelbauer
Paul Ryan--very conservative but doesn't spew venom, and is willing to think for himself as far as crafting his own bills. Raises too much of his money from PACs but such is life
Mark Gundrum--again very conservative, but chooses to spend most of his time enacting legislation to help the victims of crimes not yelling at Democrats.
Mike Ellis--an obvious choice, but may be a Republican in the same sense that Zell Miller is a Democrat. Still a good legislator.
I'll third Ellis.
jeff plale
Scott Klug
Mary Panzer
Scott Jensen when he was a moderate, (Semi) pro-choice Republican
Definately Bob Ziegelbauer
Scott Fitzgerald worked really well with Democrats on the Finance Committee during the budget. I think they thought they all got a pretty fair shake from him as co-chair.
Dean Kaufert, he represents a "city" and is as about as moderate as it comes in the Assembly.
Not Kaufert or Fitzgerald
Anyone who lead JFC should be excluded for sticking it to Public Schools and then lying about what they actually did.
We have so many great Republican legislators! Three who immediately come to my mind as "being willing to listen, work together for a common good, and practice civility in the midst of the partisan wars" are Senators Dale Schultz, Ron Brown and Sheila Harsdorf
Betty Jo Nelsen. Still the class act among Republicans over the past several decades. A conservative who truly favored limited government, and not the intrusionist, Luddite version of the pro-life stormtroopers. Honest, principled, hard-working and, most of all, a citizen legislator.
Ah, the beauty of anonymity. Even Republicans can comment without fear of retribution.
Rep. Scott Jensen: Democrats think he's a felon, but even if he is, he's a brilliant felon. Brilliant is more than I can say for most of Jensen's caucus colleagues.
Rep. Mark Gottlieb: Somehow in 2002, the GOP accidentally recruited a candidate who could think for himself. They may regret this eventually.
Rep. Carol Owens: She can't hurt anyone as long as she's asleep on the floor of the Assembly.
Rep. Leah Vukmir: A smart conservative, even if she is prone to occasionally serve as Charlie Sykes' puppet.
Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer: The only authentic, principled conservative in the whole Assembly. Ah, minority status is so liberating! Oh wait, has to be a Republican? Dammit.
Sen. Dave Zien: Any guy with a shooting range in his house has to be okay in my book.
The GOP has reached its zenith and begun its inevitable slide to the oblivion of minority. Most of its members are quite forgetable, but a few shining stars continue to show potential with respect to honesty, integrity, leadership, and reasonableness:
Cathy Stepp: Calls 'em as she sees 'em. No nonsense, straight shooter. The senate republican caucus would be better if there were a few more with her honesty and integrity.
Gottlieb: Smart. A problem solver and consensus builder. A person of his word...someone who can be trusted.
Freese: Under-rated. Uses humor and wit to disarm volatile situations. Works across party lines on issues like campaign finance reform. A genuinely nice guy.
Gielow: Like Freese, tackles issues not traditionally associated with republicans (like MA). Also willing to work acorss party lines to get the job done. Deserves more recognition than he gets.
Post a Comment
<< Home