I was asked to give a little more of a reason why Ed Fallone is a "true democrat" and deserves as much support as people can possibly provide in Wisconsin. I speak as a student of his (I had Constitutional Law with him), and also as his friend. He is, to put it succinctly, a brilliant legal scholar. His analysis of the constitutionality of issues that confront society today has really inspired me. He isn't a partisan drone, he is always willing to side with the argument that has the most legal merit. In class, he would often highlight the brilliant opinions of Justices Brennan, Marshall (both), Holmes, Frankfurter, Warren, AS WELL AS Rehnquist, Scalia, and other great conservative minds. He touted cogent legal arguments, not political rhetoric.
As a Wisconsinite, he has spent a lot of time writing about the legal developments in the state, including writing spirited, well reasoned, and convincing arguments about the dangers of such efforts as the collective bargaining union stripping efforts, Voter ID laws, and even the minutiae involved in the process of enacting such legislation. He recognizes the value of progressive ideas, like stem cell research (he has been deeply involved with a company doing just that), immigration reform, and the invidiousness of voter suppression.
I was inspired when I was in his class to become a better student, and he advocated that everyone find a person to be their hero/mentor/inspiration within the law - someone to aspire to be like and to go beyond what they had accomplished. He does not view the law as stilted and anachronistic - he sees it as progressing with the times we live in but still rooted in the ideals that gave rise to a nation such as ours.
I cannot opine on the future, and what he would do on the bench, but I can say that if his judicial decision-making is anything like his legal research and teaching, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will return to the prestige it used to have. Where there is currently partisan bickering, a lack of respect, and devalued opinions, there will be a court that once again demands respect for its forward-looking (often cutting-edge) holdings, driven not by politics, but by the law.
I hope that you will support Ed Fallone, and if you think you can help in any way with his candidacy, please contact me. We need help collecting nominating signatures, to start.
Here are some links:
The story of the announcement:
http://www.jsonline.com/...
The actual announcement:
http://wispolitics.com/...
His Faculty Profile:
https://law.marquette.edu/...
His Blog Postings:
http://law.marquette.edu/...
His take on the enactment of the collective bargaining law (he thought it was illegal to enact in the way it was):
http://www.todaystmj4.com/...
His support of Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court and thoughts on her confirmation hearings:
http://www.jsonline.com/...
A recent interview with him:
http://law.marquette.edu/...
