The Dispatch Monthly Mailbag with John McCormack

It’s our newest hire’s turn to answer your questions.

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John and his wife Lauren at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. (Photo courtesy of John McCormack.)

Update: This Monthly Mailbag has closed; John answered readers’ questions here.

Dear Dispatch members,

Thank you to everyone who participated in November’s Monthly Mailbag (🔒) with our fact checker, Alex Demas. To hear about his time studying political economy, living in London, and interning for Jonah—as well as get some cocktail tips—be sure to click here.

This month, senior editor John McCormack has raised his hand to take on all of your questions.

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  1. Mark Holmlund

    John, regarding abortion, why have Republicans, at least the ones arguing for a federal restriction after 15 weeks, not been able to frame the issue as a disagreement over the length of time during which abortion would be permitted? In other words, why is the proposed federal legislation with a 15 week restriction labeled a “ban,” but laws in states like California where abortion is legal until viability or Nevada with a 24 week restriction considered “pro choice”? And do you think the pro choice movement will end up regretting not supporting federal legislation with a 15 week restriction (or eventually warming to it), given its own statements that late term abortions are extremely rare?

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  2. Carrilamys

    I love WI! I've lived in TX, AZ and IA and as long as I'm making my own decisions will never again live anywhere else but WI. I live in the Madison area now and am always concerned the whole state is turning blue, is that a real perception or just a Dane Cty thing?

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    Bel

    I'm reading Tim Alberta's new book which does a good job of looking at the root of how Evangelicals ended up flocking to Trump, from inside the evangelical world. Over simplified version as I understand it; the rise of the moral majority resulted in political idolatry. I have not read a similar analysis of conservatives or the Republican party that explains the path to Trump for less religious voters.

    Maybe I'm asking you to write a book not answer a question, but given your insiders experience of DC and conservative publications, what is your hypothesis of how we ended up with Trump as the standard bearer for the right?

    From the outside, in the mushy middle, it seems like conservatives' support for the constitution and free markets were not bedrocks but an easily abandoned thin veneer.

    Not all conservatives or all evangelicals, of course, but enough to elect Trump.

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  4. BrooklynExpat

    What is your favorite beer and/or adult beverage made in Wisconsin? Bonus points if it’s available outside the greatest state in the country?

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    BikerChick

    Why would you leave the greatest state in the US (let me guess…career) and will you ever come back?

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      Dvega

      Since I took my wife away from Kaukauna in 1990, nothing good has come out of Wisconsin... Also, to get my marriage license, I had to go by a bust of Joe McCarthy in the Outagamie County Courthouse...

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        BikerChick

        Scott Walker stopped the high speed rail boondoggle and passed Act 10. Really good things.

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    Ask me about my dog, not when I'll finish my dissertation

    Milwaukee resident here.
    Where is the best place to get fried cheese curds? [edit]
    How do you cope without being able to buy New Glarus beer at any local store/restaurant? I mean, can you eat a fried piece of fish without access to Spotted Cow?
    When in crowded areas of the hallowed halls of the Capitol, or other institutions, do you ever find yourself constantly saying " 'ope, sorry (there)" when you inevitably bump into other people?

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      BikerChick

      I presume you meant “fried.” Gosh I’ve tried them so many places it’s hard to pick just one. The Craftsman in Madison has pretty good ones. The best fresh curds are found at Roelli’s Cheese Store on highway 11 in between Gratiot and Shullsburg. Squeaky fresh every time.

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  7. Crunchdoc

    Do you feel congress has any chance of really solving any of our pressing problems without being confronted by a crisis situation?
    Does the dark money of campaign contributions and lobbying firms ever give middle America any influence in congress?

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  8. Smythe_s

    Go Pack Go! John, I’m sure that Steve welcomes a fellow Packer fan to the Dispatch team.

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    Rhbrowne

    "[W]hy Wisconsin is the greatest state in the country." Oh, so close, Mr. McCormack, so close. We both know, though, that Michigan is the greatest state in the country!

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      BikerChick

      Because we don’t have a Detroit. 😜

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        Rhbrowne

        Ah yes, you only have Madison and Milwaukee - sorry!

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          Matt Sherman

          And your point is? Those two are awesome cities. Michigan doesn't exactly have that many other large cites either.

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  10. Chipwatkins

    Which member of Congress has given you the best long-form interview? Why was it the best?

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