Dear Editor: Almost two years ago Stephan Thompson, the deputy executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and previous aide to Gov. Scott Walker, filed an open records request. Top-ranking Republicans were infuriated by a UW-Madison history professor?s blog exploring the American Legislative Exchange Council and a subsequent op-ed column in the New York Times critical of Walker. In question was whether professor William Cronon violated UW?s policy by using UW email ?to support the nomination of any person for political office or to influence a vote in any election or referendum.? All in all, the exercise proved futile ? Cronon emerged vindicated and Republican leadership appeared simply vindictive.
Office of Strategic Communication