May the Wind Be At Your Back, Tom

I never had a bad meeting or conversation with Tom Barrett. He'd find a way to turn something bad into something good or at least hopeful.

I and several other NEA Directors from Wisconsin lobbied Barrett when he represented the state's 5th Congressional District from 1993-2003. I do not recall having to talk with his staffers in his place, either. When it came time to meet, he was always there.

That's saying a lot. Congresspeople usually leave lobbying, especially lobbying the way we did it, which was something like four times a year at predictable intervals, to their staffs. They catch up on new information, if there is any to be shared--the major reason behind lobbying, by the way--later. To say they were too busy wasn't necessarily a brush-off, though it certainly could have been: Congresspeople run all over the place. Multi-tasking, in committees and subcommittees, might not be what they originally bargained for, but it's what they're saddled with.

I had no idea whether Tom was always glad to see us, but he always acted like it. He's a Democrat, so he fell into step with most of whatever the NEA was peddling at any one particular time. Or perhaps we were more or less in step with him.

But the meetings were, generally, fun and lighthearted, as he always tried to be. He could be serious, but knew he was amongst friends.

His political ambitions hit their limits when he sought the governor's mansion. He lost in the primary in 2008, then in two general elections when the state crossed over to the dark side and supported Mr. F. Gow (most recent former governor of Wisconsin) in 2010 and when he was recalled in 2012. I never thought he put together a package of positions that sufficiently defined his candidacies, though he probably would have made a decent governor. The timing of that loss was devastating to the Wisconsin teachers' unions, which have had to endure the knee-capping effects of the awful Act 10.

But he didn't step down from being mayor of Milwaukee during either campaign. It became a good fit, not a booby prize. Mild-mannered though he usually is, he also gained a stand-up-guy reputation in 2009 when he defended someone from being mugged at the State Fair and his hand was broken and a tooth chipped by a guy with a pipe (who should be getting out of jail about now). So much for the myth of the wimpy liberals.

This isn't an easy city to hold together. It still is one of the most segregated large cities in America. And, of course, the pandemic held its own challenges. But he didn't shrink from what needed to be done; he ordered, and justifiably maintained, a lockdown to lessen the spread of the virus. There is a certain toughness to him that he doesn't flaunt because he doesn't have to. With that understated competence, he was the longest-serving mayor of a large American city when he stepped down the other day.

I would think that his assignment as ambassador to Luxembourg is down the priority list for President Biden. It fits better into the 'just reward' category, for being a productive and loyal Democrat who will maintain the high standards of the State Department, challenged horribly by ex- and his thugs. It's got a nice, comfortable feel to it. Perhaps it fit both men's priorities.

When my life needed changing, I went out of my way to find a dwelling in what was then the 5th Congressional District, because I knew Tom Barrett would represent me. When I retired, I came back to Milwaukee because Tom was its mayor. Nobody should be surprised, then, if someday I go looking for real estate in Luxembourg.

You will be missed, Tom Barrett. As the Irish say, may the wind be at your back.

Be well. Be careful. Get a booster. With some luck, I'll see you down the road.

Mister Mark