📚 Summer school. Michael Whatley holds 3 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Free & Fair Elections). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
7.8% of receipts from PACs — own money clears the 15% cap; an outside super PAC backs the race but isn't the candidate's to control. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
32%☆ not yet
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
Promoting false 2020 fraud claims costs the Peaceful Hand-Off.
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
42%☆ not yet
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Not held; no dignity credit registers in the record.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
68%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
An affordability agenda earns Fear-Is-Not-Fuel.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
49%☆ not yet
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Promoting false 2020 fraud claims costs Truth. Registers as held on the badge; no broken commitments are flagged.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
40%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Not held; no cross-party credit registers in the record.
60
7Morality
68%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Faulted for promoting false 2020 claims (a truth failing), but no personal corruption, criminal conduct, or private scandal on the record.
60
Challenge this review＋
This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
Are you Michael Whatley? An official named in a review may answer it by phone rather than in writing. Confirm it's you and we'll arrange a call.
Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →