They're the "Click and Clack" of Wisconsin politics. Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and Phil Hands, the newspaper's political cartoonist, analyze the most important issues and debates from the Badger State with political independence and a sense of humor. Instead of tedious talking points from the left and the right, "Center Stage" broadcasts from the sensible center with audio clips from the Wisconsin Capitol, from State Journal editorial board meetings, and from political events across the state.
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Milfred and Hands unpack the Wisconsin State Journal's endorsement meeting with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, who is being challenged by her seat in the Nov. 5 election by Republican businessman Eric Hovde. The race in this closely watched swing state could decide control of the Senate. Baldwin touts the bill she is pushing with Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance to demonstrate her bipartisan cred. She also criticizes her opponent as an out-of-touch , out-of-state wealthy banker.
Milfred and Hands play audio clips from and comment on the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board's endorsement meeting with U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde.
Milfred and Hands interview Brian Reisinger, the Sauk County author of "Land Rich, Cash Poor," who worked for big-name Republicans such as Gov. Scott Walker and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson. He offers a clear-minded assessment of rural economics, politics and culture, based on his own family's challenges.
Milfred and Hands assess the Middle America cred of both presidential candidates's salty surrogates. Both VP picks visited Eau Claire, talking guns, drugs, inflation, freedom and what's really weird. Our political podcasters play clips and comment each candidate's points and provocations. Wisconsin is giong to be seeing a lot more of these two, who play better here in many ways than either of their Coastie leaders.
Milfred and Hands play clips from and analyze Vice President Kamala Harris' speech last week in West Allis. They also assess her chances of winning Wisconsin in November, now that she's the Democrats' presumptive nominee. Harris is a far better campaigner than Joe Biden had been in recent months, bringing some needed energy to the ticket. Yet she faces skepticism from many Midwestern voters.
Milfred and Hands play audio clips from the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board's meeting with Madison's new school superintendent, Joe Gothard. The Madison native, former La Follette coach and principal who left the Capitol City for Minnesota and ran the bigger St. Paul, Minnesota, school district. Now he's back for the top job here. Gothard talks about prioritizing all-day 4K, making Madison a "destination district" for families, and says he'll have zero tolerance for guns in school. "Zero tolerance isn't zero care about a human being. But it is about holding people accountable for the rules and expectations we have in school. And I want to be very clear about that."
Milfred and Hands analyze the impact of Donald Trump's guilty verdicts on his bid to win the crucial swing state of Wisconsin this fall. Trump had been slightly ahead of President Joe Biden in the latest Marquette Law School poll of statewide voters. Will Trump's convictions for falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments to a porn star hurt or help his campaign? Hands, who drew a "Make America Guilty Again" cartoon for Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal, recounts the time he was confined in a police car.
Milfred and Hands analyze the two candidates for Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seat, including their recent ads, positions on key issues, and Hovde's dip into a frozen Lake Mendota. Milfred is surprised Hovde is polling so well. Hands needs a haircut and pledges to never grow a mustache like the challenger.
Milfred and Hands react to Donald Trump's first visit this year to Wisconsin, the crucial swing state he badly needs to win in November. Hands compares his hardcore devotees to a Grateful Dead following. Milfred counters Trump's dark take on Whitewater -- both its accuracy and political impact. Our political podcasters play clips from the rally and react to Trump's familiar schtick. Our political podcasters won't count him out, though they hate to imagine him getting back in.
Milfred and Hands tackle the integrity of Wisconsin's elections with top municipal clerks from Kohler and Sun Prairie. The two clerks rank the security of your vote on a scale of 1 to 10.