John Norquist Would Be My Choice for U.S. Senator from Wisconsin

In my opinion, there is, or should be, a distinct difference between the type of individual who is better suited to be a member of Congress, than a United States senator, and vice versa.

I believe a U.S. senator should be a visionary, an innovator and a strategist — a macro thinker — not a micro doer.

Members of Congress represent individual in congressional districts, which gives them a certain responsibility to act in the best interests of the constituents in their district.

The number of congressional districts in a state is determined by its population. The number of seats in Congress is set at 435. So as states gain or lose population as counted in the census, the number of districts they have can also change. Currently the average population per district is 646,946 people. 

In Wisconsin we currently have eight congressional districts, while California has 53. At one time Nebraska had six districts, while it currently only has three.

The United States Senate does not work on population. Every state has two senators.

To me, this is part of the "check and balance" system that is the fabric of our governmental system. Members of the House or Representatives are more involved in the "micro" aspects of their own congressional district, while U.S. senators are more concerned about the "macro" aspects concerning their entire state.

In their duties to the country as a whole, while both members of Congress and senators should be willing to sometimes vote contrary to the wishes of their constituents, if they believe it is best for the country in the long run, U.S. senators should give more concern to the long-term strategical implications.

In thinking about who would make the best U.S. senator to replace Herb Kohl, I have used my above thoughts as the basis for vetting the possible candidates. I have met a number of the candidates discussed in person, during political events, or when I did interviews on the radio show Talking to Q that I did for QFM some years ago. Not that it is necessary to meet someone in person to consider their attributes — in fact, sometimes the up-close persona can be the curtain that covers the face of the wizard.

As I look at the track records of the politicians in Wisconsin, over the past 15 to 20 years, one person stands out as impressing me the most with his intellect, his vision and his results.

John Norquist has a well-earned reputation for seeing the future, and helping to implement its beginnings. He is currently the President and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), a think tank and advocacy group in Chicago.

Quoting from Mayor Norquist's bio:

"Norquist served as Mayor of Milwaukee from 1988-2004. Under his leadership, Milwaukee experienced a decline in poverty, saw a boom in new downtown housing, and became a leading center of education and welfare reform. He oversaw a revision of the city's zoning code and reoriented development around walkable streets and public amenities such as the city's 3.1-mile Riverwalk. Named a Governing Magazine Public Official of the Year during his tenure, Norquist also received widespread recognition for championing the removal of a .8 mile stretch of elevated freeway, clearing the way for an anticipated $250 million in infill development in the heart of Milwaukee."

I don't know if Mayor Norquist would consider running for office again, and of course he would have to move back home to Wisconsin.

But I cannot think of any Wisconsin politician, in recent history, who has better credentials to represent Wisconsin in the United States Senate.