OPINION & EDITORIAL
Woods deserves students’ vote for aldermanic race
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Also by Andy Granias:
- Masculinity ideal in need of review (December 6, 2007)
- Legal prostitution: Logically sound, ultimately amoral (December 4, 2007)
- Merry 'Santa-mas' to you (November 29, 2007)
- Discovery highlights moral, scientific boundaries (November 27, 2007)
- Does race matter in sports world? (November 12, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Granias' pro-Woods bias obvious (February 23, 2007)
- Diverse experiences make Woods best choice (March 27, 2007)
- Judge for District 8? (March 22, 2007)
- UW Dems limit Woods' support (January 30, 2007)
- Judge represents students, deserves your vote for Alder (January 24, 2007)
by Andy Granias
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Not long ago, I sat down and talked to Eli Judge and Lauren Woods, the two candidates vying for your vote on April 3 for alder in the eighth district of Madison. And while it may seem the rarest of practices for an editorial columnist to leave his comfy computer desk, know that this writer couldn't be more pleased he decided to do so. After all, it has given me one less thing to think about during the week of spring break: who to vote for.
Before jumping into the details of my interview and subsequent reactions, I must make it very clear that in both Eli and Lauren we have candidates that share a bona fide, enthusiastic and resolute aspiration to lead the eighth district to its fullest potential. There can be no questioning this fact. This will be a vote about political approach and not political ardor, a vote about policy and not passion. At least I hope we have the insight to make it that way.
Now, the first thing you should know is that Lauren and Eli are very different people. In style, in personality and in personal aspirations for the eighth district, they are about as different as one could imagine.
Ever the politician, there wasn't a word or an idea that Eli tripped over — perfectly executing his talking points and incorporating his personal charm into every response. Lauren, on the other hand, seemed to treat the interview as though it was a conversation with an old friend — much less formal, much less poised to impress and with much more of an emphasis on her goals as a representative rather than on her persona as a politician. I came to appreciate this more and more as the interview progressed and the issues arose.
Safety: the issue of safety was Eli's No. 1 issue. When I asked him why he placed campus safety above everything else, he told me, "It's a lot of people's No. 1 issue, and I can't ignore it." He also cited his first death threat one month into his freshman year, along with the death threats he receives "all the time as a gay guy" as the other main catalyst for his personal interest in safety.
Lauren placed campus safety on par with three other platform goals: expanding civil rights, increasing affordable housing/tenants' rights and expanding economic justice within the community.
So while it may seem as though the concern of campus safety should be chalked up to Eli based on the importance the candidates placed on the issue, it was the logistics of their plans to increase campus safety that clearly favored Lauren. Ms. Woods outlined very specific and viable plans for community police officers, increasing downtown lighting, support of the mayor's Downtown Safety Initiative's funding and encouraging the use of the Performing Arts Venue License by eighth district bar owners.
"As a way to enhance downtown entertainment options and to deter students from attending unregulated house parties, I will strongly encourage bar owners to make use of the Performing Arts Venue License," Lauren said.
The Performing Arts Venue License is a license that bar owners have access to that allows individuals 18 years or older to be in bars during certain musical or other entertainment performances.
I wasn't even sure Eli had heard of the measures Lauren proposed. The main emphasis of his plan was to increase the number of emergency blue lights around campus in order to increase security measures. But the reality is that, according to a city council member, those blue lights only aid .02 percent of those who are sexually assaulted on this campus.
Lauren: 1, Eli: 0.
Student representation: Much of the criticism expressed about current Ald. Austin King, Ms. Woods' campaign treasurer and official endorser, was that he too often neglected the needs of students.
Regarding this issue, Lauren said, "In addition to the needs of students, I also recognize that there are other communities, and that the eighth district is a campus district, but it is also the downtown district — and communities in the downtown area deserve a chance to contribute as well."
Eli, on the other hand, did not once mention the needs of the downtown community, and frequently expressed his disfavor for King's neglect of student issues.
"I have figured out what the student voice is like, how powerful it is, how important it is," Judge said. "I'm really interested in bringing that to City Council because I believe a lot of people feel disenfranchised."
As a student, it is oh-so-tempting to only pay heed to my own self-interests. But as a resident of Madison and an active participant in the community, I realize that the needs of all in the eighth district deserve equal attention. With her experience serving on a city council committee and her overwhelming knowledge of city issues, Lauren realizes this too.
Lauren: 2, Eli: 0.
Leadership experience: The issue of proper experience for the eighth district constituency dominated the conversation when both candidates discussed the qualifications — or lack thereof — of their opponents.
Lauren's impressive résumé includes: former Black Student Union president, member of Madison's Equal Opportunity Commission, member of the Regent Street/South Campus Master Plan Steering Committee, legislative aide to state Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, and current POSSE scholar. Her résumé clearly emphasizes her knowledge of the eighth district and her drive to stay strongly invested in its communities.
Likewise, Eli has impeccable leadership skills that are evident in his experience as chair of last fall's Students for a Fair Wisconsin campaign, aimed at educating Madisonians about the constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions. Yet Eli lacks the knowledge and experience with broader city concerns, more non-student directed initiatives and city council issues as a whole — the very council on which he wishes to serve.
Commenting on her opponent's misguided policy targets, Lauren said, "I think it's premature and very narrow to think that your only job on the city council, as a representative of one-twentieth of the city of Madison, is to look out for the eighth district. I think that's insular, I think it's narrow and I don't want a representative like that."
Neither do I.
What my time with both candidates told me was that while Eli might personify what it means to be an articulate, charming and driven politician, it is Lauren who has the experience that allows her to personify both the interests of the average student and the concerns of the average community member.
Lauren: 3, Eli: 0.
The candidates went on to discuss a variety of other issues — well, mostly Lauren did — that separated the two opponents even further. The issues included attention to the Allied Drive community, the Alcohol Density Plan, city transportation and housing concerns for UW students, among others — all of which would have made my unofficial scoreboard look more like the score of a basketball game between the Badgers and the East High School varsity squad, with Lauren getting the win.
You see, it's not that Eli doesn't have the drive, the ability or the resourcefulness to be our representative — it's that he doesn't have the experience.
So as I lay on the beach in sunny Florida on Tuesday, April 3, I will surely rest easy knowing that my vote went to the most qualified candidate and I sincerely hope you will share in my sentiment.
But don't just take my word for it. I encourage you to contact and engage with both Eli and Lauren throughout the month of March and discover for yourself what I already have. And if you decide to do so, then the following will only be a message mirroring the convictions you already hold: Vote Lauren Woods for Alderwoman.
Andy Granias (agranias@badgerherald.com) is a sophomore majoring in political science and international studies.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:13am):
"Madison's Equal Opportunity Commission, member of the Regent Street/South Campus Master Plan Steering Committee"
- Check out how many meetings they've had/when she was appointed...
I don't think a UW-Madison sophomore has the right to compare two students with 1000x the knowledge of himself to a East High vs. Badgers sporting event. That's kind of offensive. And calling Eli "ever the politician, there wasn't a word or an idea that Eli tripped over -- perfectly executing his talking points and incorporating his personal charm into every response" is more likely to be that he is smart and friendly...
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:27am):
Lauren Woods' safety strategy to increase lighting has been found in numerous government studies to actually INCREASE muggings because the students are illuminated. Did you look into this Andy?
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:42am):
I'm voting for Judge because the BH endorses Republicans. Lauren Woods is a republican.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:44am):
I've met Lauren... unimpressed. She seemed to have stock answers ready, like she was giving a stump speech.
I talked to Eli also, he seemed very genuinely concerned about safety. He knows what its like to be in our situation and it's clear he'll fight to improve security on campus and downtown.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:45am):
Because Lauren Woods is going to have enough time on city council to address all of these issues? I'd rather have someone focused to actually solve a student issue.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 3:06am):
"Lauren's not a republican, she's running a non-partisan campaign. It's not about parties at the local level, she believes in the issues!"
Sounds awfully familiar to a certain REPUBLICAN candidate from last year.......
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 3:15am):
Andy, where is your criticism of Austin King for stepping down a week before the filing deadline to ensure Woods no opposition?
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 3:41am):
I've met both candidates and couldn't feel more strongly about Eli. Lauren came across as abrasive, while I saw what you did in Eli: a friendly and articulate guy. I don't think legislative internships or being head of a student organization makes one more qualified. Fair Wisconsin turning out 66% of campus is far more impressive than Woods' positions that I'm pretty sure Austin King engineered.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 4:20am):
Eli Judge was so unqualified for the rest of city council, that AFSCME and the Dane County Democrats executive board unanimously endorsed him. And for safety, the Langdon Street Watch Program. But a random kid on in Sellery would know so much more about City Council than all of those groups. How's poli sci 104 treating ya?
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 5:19am):
Eli's work with Fair Wisconsin is inspiring and emotional. Lauren has shown her self to be a drone of endless committees and radical politics of the Green Party. That's not what students need.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 5:26am):
Eli's work with Fair Wisconsin is inspiring and emotional. Lauren has shown her self to be a drone of endless committees and radical politics of the Green Party. That's not what students need.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 6:02am):
Wait a second, how in the world can the guy who is NOT appointed to committees (that have done nothing yet, for what it is worth) by politicians, be seen in the way you write? That's highly ironic as that Woods has been preparing to run since last year... opportunism at its finest.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 6:21am):
Oh C'mon Andy. For safety, the reason to prefer Woods is letting kids into bars as opposed to house parties? Judge runs on the "out of the bars and on to the streets" paradigm! That's pretty crappy reporting there, Cronkite. I think it takes away from the credibility of your argument when literally 100% of your arguments are against Judge; he has been endorsed by numerous parties where Woods had an equal chance (even setting the College Democrats aside, which there is no reason to) and to find every single one out of line seems a bit ridiculous.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 6:44am):
Can you hear it? Yes, those are the sounds of the typing masses of Eli Lewien and his College Democrat brigade, swiftly descending upon Mr. Granias like thieves in the night. Their weapon of choice? The ever-dreaded Badger Herald comment board! Beware of their petty sarcasm good writer, beware.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 8:06am):
So, did you write any of this, or was this all dictated directly from Mr. King himself?
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 8:14am):
Haha... Lauren Woods a republican? Are you kidding me? I don't think one of our most liberal senators would have her as a legislative aid if she were.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 8:18am):
As a former East High basketball player, I resent that.
Great article though, I think Lauren Woods is an excellent candidate with the right credentials, and simply more experience and knowledge for the position. While I think Eli Judge is certainly a decent candidate and I applaud his work with Fair Wisconsin, he simply lacks the fundamentals candidate Woods possesses. I think it's unfortunate the College Democrats organization chose to ignore what is quite clearly (to me, at least) a better candidacy in Ms. Woods, and I would even go so far as to say they've diminished some of their credibility. Of course, I don't think any better of the College Republicans and their lecture series on how liberals flew planes into the World Trade Center and gave Saddam nukes and then hid them for him, but it doesn't matter since I'm sure they wouldn't endorse either candidate as neither is a republican or conservative, though Woods strikes me as more moderate of the two.
I also think it's interesting how somebody from Judge's campaign just plastered this comment board with multiple comments slandering Woods, hoping to portray multiple people with negative views of Woods. I highly doubt Eli Judge was responsible, but if you're reading this Mr. Judge, you should try to discourage this individual from doing something as stupid as writing 7 different "talking-point" posts within 5-10 minutes of each other at 2am right after the article was published on the internet. It's just way too obvious.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 8:45am):
Nine comments between 2:15 and 3:15 am! You College Dem insiders really need some Ambien!
This is the first piece I've seen where the author actually took the time to sit down with both candidates and do the hard work of interviewing and probing the differences between them. He should be commended for that. Whether you agree with his conclusion is up to you, but I think his analysis is spot-on.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 9:19am):
Andy consistently writes articles about diversity. No wonder he picked Woods.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 10:53am):
I would like it to be known that I received an email(addressed to 34 other people) from Eli's campaign crew at 4:56 AM providing a link to this article. The email tells recipients to "post a comment or two defending Eli!"
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 12:02pm):
I fully agree with this article. Unfortunately, just because there's an obviously more intelligent and qualified candidate doesn't mean she'll win. So I encourage all Lauren Woods' supporters to not only vote for her but get in touch with her campaign to help out!
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 12:17pm):
I'm quite confused as to why the former East Basketball player takes space on this comment board to drone on about the College Republican lecture series (I hope you had fun at those meetings, buddy).
I also find it rather self-promoting that the writer Granias takes the time in his intro and conclusion to toot his own horn about the lengths he took to sit down with both candidates and his own spring break plans. I'm pretty sure that was Granias himself who posted on this board at 8:45 am to futher pat his own back for his investigative "analysis."
And to the concern about postings appearing in the wee hours of the morning. Yeah, college students are up late. I've also heard that a lot of people get their news online. I'm really not sure how this is earth-shattering.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 12:21pm):
We must defend eli on the badger herald wall! We must spread lies about "lauren being abrasive"! You'll are pathetic.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 1:35pm):
The supporters of Eli Judge aren't the only ones paying attention to this comment board. The 12:02 post is a weak and laughable attempt to recruit volunteers for Lauren Woods' campaign. Is her campaign that desperate for help?
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 1:49pm):
10:53AM is a lie. Lauren Woods, please control your people. Thanks.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 1:51pm):
Bias article alert. Yep. The siren is going off.
According to Andy: "Some of the things that make my soul smile include: music, travel, uncomfortable surroundings, loud personalities, down-to-earth folks, poetry (Carl Sandburg is my favorite), my Greek heritage, and the difficult road of fighting for justice."
Gee. Sounds like Woods could not have MADE a better editorial writer. Woods is a huge poetry slam advocate (not that it is bad, or anything), clearly down-to-earth in your opinion (a value criteria you use in this editorial... for whatever reason), and fighting for justice? Are you sure you didn't write this to suck up to the Ashok Kumar cry baby crowd after Woods lost the College Democrats endorsement? I have heard you were highly critical of the endorsement in private, so this editorial does not surprise me and only further shows the disconnect between the insular Woods crowd, and the rather apathetic rest of the student body who gets a superficial view of local policy thanks to this long time politician veteran of UW-Madison. Remember when Emily McWi- wait, no, you were in high school then.
Speaking of high school, you wrote when leaving Central High School (when asked what you would miss most): "The ethnic diversity" ... and sure enough, Lauren Woods... yeah... it keeps adding up Mr. Senior Class President. Your Muslim representation article? More of the same. It's not that you're representing something which is bad (diversity is a good idea, I agree), it's how you tried you portray this column as something it is not: fair and balanced. You knew the SECOND you researched these candidates (assuming Austin King didn't provide the information for you) who you were going to write for.
You have every right to formulate your opinion, but don't kid us that this was some fair and balance approach where you had a "blank slate" with the candidates. It's the same way you write pro-Doyle articles, yet work for Doyle. Puh-lease.
It took a simple Google search and review of your past editorials to see right through you. Next time, when you're a bit older and wiser (maybe like Emily Freidman) you will try hiding your partisan nature from the column. Somewhere (well, Miami, Florida to be exact), Mac Verstandig is rolling over in his grave (and by that I mean 1L Torts class) as he wonders what has happened to the quality of the editorial page at The Badger Herald.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:43pm):
The Badger Herald comment board is hilarious.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:47pm):
To 1:51,
A personal attack on the author is the dumbest of the dumb. It shows that you have no rebuttle for his arguments regarding the aldermanic race. Please grow up you wise, aged, political resevoir of knowledge.
Indeed it is hard to reason with someone who had first-hand contact with those whom he is writing about, which is exactly what makes this article so good.
Sincerely,
Logical thinkers everywhere
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:51pm):
Action Alert: Comment negatively about Lauren Woods on badgerherald.com! Do it now, minions of the College Dems! (Really, this is probably more like four people that just constantly keep re-posting and re-posting.) Get a life, guys.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 2:59pm):
Reminder:
NONE OF THIS MATTERS!
Why?
BECAUSE NOBODY GIVES A F*CK.
Nobody is going to vote, and nobody is going to read your dumbass commentary.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 4:10pm):
The Badger Herald makes wads of advertising money off of people refreshing this page and commenting on articles like this. Good times!
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 5:07pm):
to 10:53AM:
It's cool if you want to trash the candidates, the author, the college dems, etc, but do not make up a point blank lie about gettng an email.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 7:33pm):
1:51 PM
Moron, editorials are biased by nature!
Anonymous (February 24, 2007 @ 12:53am):
anyone endorsed by Ashok Kumar is not someone students would want to see in any type of leadership position. yikes.
Anonymous (March 22, 2007 @ 3:07am):
Andy: Want to explain why you are personal friends with lauren woods and how numerous people on your OWN FLOOR at Sellery have commented about your "off the record" comments? It's cool if you LIKE her and want to write a piece supporting her, but PRETENDING to be fair is so FAUX News of you, sir.
Anonymous (May 13, 2007 @ 2:58pm):
How'd this work out for you, Granias?
You are a joke.
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