PRINT ADS

Former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala has returned to public life — as a Web-based political commentator.

The role on WISC-TV's Web site, which debuted Wednesday, is Chvala's first venture into the political spotlight since he pleaded guilty in October 2005 to two felony counts of misconduct in office and violating election laws.

Since then, the 53-year-old Democrat has remained largely out of the limelight, working as a consultant after being stripped of his law and real estate licenses.

Chvala, who will appear opposite former Republican Party executive director Brandon Scholz, declined to comment Wednesday.

Mordecai Lee, a UW-Milwaukee professor of governmental affairs and a former lawmaker who served with Chvala, said the weekly online political program may be the start of Chvala's second act in politics.

"It's a common aspect of American life that we give just about everybody a second chance," said Lee. "If Richard Nixon had a second life ... I guess everyone else deserves one, too."

Lee, who called Chvala a friend and ideological compatriot, compared the situation to political consultant Dick Morris. Morris resigned as an adviser to President Bill Clinton in 1996 after reports surfaced Morris had patronized a prostitute. But he later became a political commentator — and frequent critic of Clinton and his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York.

Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, who has been one of Chvala's most vocal critics, said he would be "uncomfortable" if Chvala ever discussed government ethics or political reform on the WISC program. But Heck said Chvala would have no direct political role as a commentator.

"He's an individual who has been down but he's never been out," Heck said. "He's a scrapper and a fighter. Is this surprising? A little bit. But it's not surprising, knowing Chuck Chvala. He's a person who keeps coming back and coming back."

Tom Bier, station manager for WISC, said Chvala approached him about being a political commentator in February, and the two have had ongoing discussions since then.

Eventually, Bier asked Scholz to join Chvala, and the first two segments of the program were posted to the station's Web site Wednesday, Bier said.

The idea is for the two political veterans to share their insights into campaigns and political issues, Bier said, including state, local and national politics. The program is supposed to be informative, not combative, he said.

For now, the weekly program will be available only on the Web, but it is possible it could move to television, he said. It will run through the end of the year and then be re-evaluated, Bier said.

The station might also use Chvala and Scholz as television commentators during elections, Bier said. Both are receiving "minimal compensation," he said.

Bier said he recognizes "some risk" in tapping Chvala for the program.

"But I've known Chuck a long time," Bier said. "I'm one of those that believe in redemption."