1 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:30,419 The field of candidates in 2 00:00:30,420 --> 00:00:32,079 Wisconsin's Democratic primary for 3 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:33,899 governor gets smaller as 4 00:00:33,900 --> 00:00:36,259 the campaign ad war heats up and 5 00:00:36,260 --> 00:00:38,779 the vice president visits Wisconsin. 6 00:00:38,780 --> 00:00:41,259 This is Inside Wisconsin Politics. 7 00:00:43,380 --> 00:00:45,219 I'm Sean Johnson here with Anya Van 8 00:00:45,220 --> 00:00:46,879 Wengtendonk and Zach Schultz, hey 9 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:48,239 you two. Hello. 10 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:50,019 So, we've been talking about this as 11 00:00:50,020 --> 00:00:51,859 a crowded Democratic primary 12 00:00:51,860 --> 00:00:54,239 for a long time now, 13 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:55,699 and we had seven Democratic 14 00:00:55,700 --> 00:00:57,239 candidates just a few weeks ago, 15 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:59,079 then that was narrowed down to six 16 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:01,379 as Missy Hughes got out of the race, 17 00:01:01,380 --> 00:01:03,179 David Crowley this week gets out of 18 00:01:03,180 --> 00:01:04,799 the race. Now we're down to five. 19 00:01:05,860 --> 00:01:07,919 Zach, is it still crowded 20 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:09,939 or has this race shifted to 21 00:01:09,940 --> 00:01:10,029 you? 22 00:01:10,030 --> 00:01:11,969 In a meaningful way? 23 00:01:11,970 --> 00:01:13,749 I think the crowd it depends more on 24 00:01:13,750 --> 00:01:15,109 the lanes of what we're talking 25 00:01:15,110 --> 00:01:16,629 about. I think there's clearly a 26 00:01:16,630 --> 00:01:18,529 progressive lane, there's clearly 27 00:01:18,530 --> 00:01:20,469 a more establishment center 28 00:01:20,470 --> 00:01:22,349 government lane, and then there's a 29 00:01:22,350 --> 00:01:23,829 question of if there's room in 30 00:01:23,830 --> 00:01:25,329 between for any of the rest of them 31 00:01:25,330 --> 00:01:27,149 to kind of stake their own area or 32 00:01:27,150 --> 00:01:29,089 if they're competing for those two 33 00:01:29,090 --> 00:01:30,769 groups. But there's clearly is this 34 00:01:30,770 --> 00:01:32,729 sense as the two candidates 35 00:01:32,730 --> 00:01:33,769 have dropped out that have now 36 00:01:33,770 --> 00:01:35,309 endorsed Sarah Rodriguez, that there 37 00:01:35,310 --> 00:01:37,249 is an establishment going on. 38 00:01:37,250 --> 00:01:39,309 And that fits this national 39 00:01:39,310 --> 00:01:41,049 theme that we're seeing of 40 00:01:41,050 --> 00:01:42,829 establishment Dems worrying about 41 00:01:42,830 --> 00:01:44,309 progressive Dems potentially 42 00:01:44,310 --> 00:01:46,129 undermining chances to win seats 43 00:01:46,130 --> 00:01:47,949 in November versus 44 00:01:47,950 --> 00:01:50,029 progressives who are saying, no, 45 00:01:50,030 --> 00:01:51,429 we are the ones that are going to 46 00:01:51,430 --> 00:01:52,789 win these primaries and win in 47 00:01:52,790 --> 00:01:54,649 November, get behind us as we 48 00:01:54,650 --> 00:01:55,849 keep going forward. 49 00:01:55,850 --> 00:01:57,829 So there's definitely a shrinkage 50 00:01:57,830 --> 00:01:59,349 there, but it's almost a shrink 51 00:01:59,350 --> 00:02:00,909 agenda with lanes as opposed to 52 00:02:00,910 --> 00:02:02,319 these individual candidates. 53 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:03,839 Anya, how do you see those lanes? 54 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:04,859 I mean, I think just a few weeks 55 00:02:04,860 --> 00:02:06,499 ago, I was kind of having a hard 56 00:02:06,500 --> 00:02:08,559 time putting the candidates into 57 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:10,519 different lanes or buckets, 58 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:12,419 however you wanna do it. 59 00:02:12,420 --> 00:02:14,139 What are the lanes now as you see 60 00:02:14,140 --> 00:02:14,389 it? 61 00:02:14,390 --> 00:02:16,089 Yeah, I think Zach sort of hit the 62 00:02:16,090 --> 00:02:17,269 nail on the head with establishment 63 00:02:17,270 --> 00:02:18,229 versus progressive. 64 00:02:18,230 --> 00:02:19,449 And one way that we're seeing that 65 00:02:19,450 --> 00:02:21,109 is when these candidates are 66 00:02:21,110 --> 00:02:22,749 dropping out that they are endorsing 67 00:02:22,750 --> 00:02:24,349 other candidates. There's a world in 68 00:02:24,350 --> 00:02:26,369 which you drop out and you say, 69 00:02:26,370 --> 00:02:28,549 I love my party and all 70 00:02:28,550 --> 00:02:30,369 I want is for a Democrat to win. 71 00:02:30,370 --> 00:02:32,089 And David Crowley did that kind of 72 00:02:32,090 --> 00:02:33,169 initially in his original 73 00:02:33,170 --> 00:02:33,969 announcement that he was stepping 74 00:02:33,970 --> 00:02:35,429 down. He didn't immediately endorse 75 00:02:35,430 --> 00:02:37,129 anyone. He said the most important 76 00:02:37,130 --> 00:02:38,749 thing is just that somebody beats 77 00:02:38,750 --> 00:02:39,889 Tom Tiffany in the fall. 78 00:02:39,890 --> 00:02:41,269 And then this morning came out and 79 00:02:41,270 --> 00:02:42,229 endorsed Sarah Rodriguez. 80 00:02:42,230 --> 00:02:44,089 So I think that's a sign that 81 00:02:44,090 --> 00:02:45,809 people are kind of choosing teams 82 00:02:45,810 --> 00:02:47,489 and trying to say, who do I think is 83 00:02:47,490 --> 00:02:50,029 the best ability for 84 00:02:50,030 --> 00:02:51,829 Democrats to win in November? 85 00:02:51,830 --> 00:02:53,309 Is it the sort of Hong progressive 86 00:02:53,310 --> 00:02:55,289 lane? Is it Rodriguez more sort of 87 00:02:55,290 --> 00:02:56,659 establishment lane? 88 00:02:56,660 --> 00:02:58,559 Nobody that I've heard has come 89 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:00,759 out and said, well, we got to stop 90 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,319 Francesca Hong, you know? 91 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:03,699 But we've seen this debate that 92 00:03:03,700 --> 00:03:05,039 you've referenced at the national 93 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:06,259 level where you have sort of the 94 00:03:06,260 --> 00:03:07,759 national establishment Democrats 95 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,999 fighting against this, 96 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,659 you know, democratic socialist 97 00:03:12,660 --> 00:03:13,900 caucus that's growing. 98 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,959 Is there an unspoken, we got a 99 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:18,799 stop Francesco Hong in all this, 100 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:20,819 or are we making that 101 00:03:20,820 --> 00:03:21,919 up? Are we looking for conflict 102 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:22,919 where there is none here in 103 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:23,969 Wisconsin? 104 00:03:23,970 --> 00:03:25,349 I don't think it'd be wise for 105 00:03:25,350 --> 00:03:26,709 anyone to say that out loud from the 106 00:03:26,710 --> 00:03:28,269 Democratic Party because there's a 107 00:03:28,270 --> 00:03:29,709 very good chance that Hong can win 108 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:31,389 this and then they have to unite 109 00:03:31,390 --> 00:03:32,209 behind her. 110 00:03:32,210 --> 00:03:33,869 So that is the, the other half of 111 00:03:33,870 --> 00:03:35,089 this game is you can drop out and 112 00:03:35,090 --> 00:03:36,189 you can endorse someone that you 113 00:03:36,190 --> 00:03:38,029 would prefer, but then you still 114 00:03:38,030 --> 00:03:39,429 want to create a sense of party 115 00:03:39,430 --> 00:03:41,509 unity. That is still the goal 116 00:03:41,510 --> 00:03:43,409 is for the Democrats in their 117 00:03:43,410 --> 00:03:44,789 minds is to beat Tom Tiffany and 118 00:03:44,790 --> 00:03:46,289 whether that is Francesca Hong or 119 00:03:46,290 --> 00:03:47,389 whether that's Sarah Rodriguez or 120 00:03:47,390 --> 00:03:49,369 Mandela Barnes or Brennan or 121 00:03:49,370 --> 00:03:50,589 Royce or anyone that's still in this 122 00:03:50,590 --> 00:03:51,689 race at this point. 123 00:03:51,690 --> 00:03:53,229 They have to worry about that in the 124 00:03:53,230 --> 00:03:54,669 long run. So in the short run, we're 125 00:03:54,670 --> 00:03:56,529 not seeing some of the disunity of 126 00:03:56,530 --> 00:03:57,409 attacking each other. 127 00:03:57,410 --> 00:03:58,729 That was a potential with a more 128 00:03:58,730 --> 00:03:59,829 crowded race. 129 00:03:59,830 --> 00:04:00,809 There's still time. 130 00:04:00,810 --> 00:04:02,249 There's still million dollar ad buys 131 00:04:02,250 --> 00:04:03,109 coming up. 132 00:04:03,110 --> 00:04:04,969 Calderoy has just announced an 133 00:04:04,970 --> 00:04:06,429 hour ago that she's got one point 134 00:04:06,430 --> 00:04:07,409 two million that she's going to 135 00:04:07,410 --> 00:04:08,829 announce and she's gonna spend every 136 00:04:08,830 --> 00:04:10,309 last penny of it. She's not going to 137 00:04:10,310 --> 00:04:11,429 drop out of this race. 138 00:04:11,430 --> 00:04:13,009 And she has a history in some of 139 00:04:13,010 --> 00:04:14,709 these big competitive elections of 140 00:04:14,710 --> 00:04:15,929 going a little. 141 00:04:15,930 --> 00:04:17,369 Contrarian towards the end. 142 00:04:17,370 --> 00:04:18,669 So I don't think it's going to be 143 00:04:18,670 --> 00:04:20,729 all quiet and rosy from here 144 00:04:20,730 --> 00:04:22,269 until August. There's going be some 145 00:04:22,270 --> 00:04:24,309 fireworks as they try and 146 00:04:24,310 --> 00:04:26,009 create that last separation to 147 00:04:26,010 --> 00:04:27,989 hopefully put themselves over the 30 148 00:04:27,990 --> 00:04:29,729 to 35 percent that may be needed to 149 00:04:29,730 --> 00:04:30,730 win. 150 00:04:30,830 --> 00:04:32,769 Anya, you were 151 00:04:32,770 --> 00:04:34,689 all set to do this profile of 152 00:04:34,690 --> 00:04:36,609 David Crowley, which, you know, 153 00:04:36,610 --> 00:04:37,909 it just sounds like it's not gonna 154 00:04:37,910 --> 00:04:40,429 happen at this point. 155 00:04:40,430 --> 00:04:42,609 But can you kind of talk through 156 00:04:42,610 --> 00:04:44,529 why it didn't work out for his 157 00:04:44,530 --> 00:04:46,249 campaign from your perspective? 158 00:04:46,250 --> 00:04:48,309 I mean, there's a world 159 00:04:48,310 --> 00:04:50,289 where you can imagine David Crowly 160 00:04:50,290 --> 00:04:51,889 being seen as one of the front 161 00:04:51,890 --> 00:04:53,809 runners in this race, and it never 162 00:04:53,810 --> 00:04:55,389 felt like that way as this campaign 163 00:04:55,390 --> 00:04:56,089 unfolded. 164 00:04:56,090 --> 00:04:57,349 Yeah, one of the ways that he was 165 00:04:57,350 --> 00:04:58,949 positioning himself throughout was 166 00:04:58,950 --> 00:05:00,649 essentially, you know, I had the 167 00:05:00,650 --> 00:05:01,429 cities on lock. 168 00:05:01,430 --> 00:05:03,029 I am a Milwaukee native. 169 00:05:03,030 --> 00:05:04,889 I have been able to work with the 170 00:05:04,890 --> 00:05:06,749 suburbs. I represent a county that 171 00:05:06,750 --> 00:05:08,649 straddles suburban and urban areas, 172 00:05:08,650 --> 00:05:10,169 and I can hold the line on rural 173 00:05:10,170 --> 00:05:11,469 areas. So he was essentially making 174 00:05:11,470 --> 00:05:13,349 this pitch of like, I can be this 175 00:05:13,350 --> 00:05:15,049 kind of statewide candidate for many 176 00:05:15,050 --> 00:05:16,509 people. One of the things that came 177 00:05:16,510 --> 00:05:18,409 up while I was trying to write this 178 00:05:18,410 --> 00:05:20,489 profile that is no longer, you now, 179 00:05:20,490 --> 00:05:21,490 whenever we write profile. 180 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:23,979 Poor went out for my having a little 181 00:05:23,980 --> 00:05:26,079 bit free time this weekend. 182 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:27,879 But you always look for both 183 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:29,699 supporters and critics. 184 00:05:29,700 --> 00:05:31,639 And I could not find a critic 185 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,059 of David Crowley. I called people 186 00:05:33,060 --> 00:05:34,199 who have been on the record 187 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,379 criticizing his policies 188 00:05:36,380 --> 00:05:37,719 and some of how he's handled, for 189 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:38,739 example, the lapse of health 190 00:05:38,740 --> 00:05:40,199 insurance at the county level. 191 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:41,859 And even his most vocal critics were 192 00:05:41,860 --> 00:05:43,739 like, I really like him as a person, 193 00:05:43,740 --> 00:05:45,399 and I think he worked really well in 194 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:46,959 Madison. And these are conservative 195 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:48,659 Republicans that I'm calling. 196 00:05:48,660 --> 00:05:50,359 And so I think that was kind of 197 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,059 where he fit in, is this really kind 198 00:05:52,060 --> 00:05:52,909 of. 199 00:05:52,910 --> 00:05:54,809 Affable person who gets 200 00:05:54,810 --> 00:05:56,349 along well, who plays nice with 201 00:05:56,350 --> 00:05:57,729 others. And I think in a certain 202 00:05:57,730 --> 00:05:59,249 way, what we're seeing is that maybe 203 00:05:59,250 --> 00:06:00,709 that is not as appealing to voters, 204 00:06:00,710 --> 00:06:02,929 that voters are mad and 205 00:06:02,930 --> 00:06:04,289 things are really hard for a lot of 206 00:06:04,290 --> 00:06:05,389 people right now. And maybe they 207 00:06:05,390 --> 00:06:07,329 want somebody who seems like 208 00:06:07,330 --> 00:06:08,649 a little bit of a fighter, maybe 209 00:06:08,650 --> 00:06:10,909 like a little of a FU 210 00:06:10,910 --> 00:06:13,009 to some of the institutions 211 00:06:13,010 --> 00:06:14,149 that they are not feeling very happy 212 00:06:14,150 --> 00:06:15,329 with right now 213 00:06:15,330 --> 00:06:17,469 So I think Sarah Rodriguez would 214 00:06:17,470 --> 00:06:19,469 obviously say, this is great for 215 00:06:19,470 --> 00:06:21,389 me, he's endorsing me. 216 00:06:21,390 --> 00:06:22,389 Did you notice that? 217 00:06:22,390 --> 00:06:24,329 This is unquestionably good 218 00:06:24,330 --> 00:06:25,409 news for me. 219 00:06:25,410 --> 00:06:27,089 Is there a case that this is good 220 00:06:27,090 --> 00:06:28,929 for Mandela Barnes? 221 00:06:28,930 --> 00:06:30,849 His campaign says, yes, we 222 00:06:30,850 --> 00:06:31,809 benefit the most. 223 00:06:31,810 --> 00:06:32,679 They're polling to show it. 224 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:34,219 Already making that case in 225 00:06:34,220 --> 00:06:36,059 everyone's inboxes that will listen. 226 00:06:36,060 --> 00:06:37,619 And I think there's a rational 227 00:06:37,620 --> 00:06:39,279 argument, especially for those that 228 00:06:39,280 --> 00:06:40,559 kind of follow this from a distance 229 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:42,119 that put people into those other 230 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:43,019 broader categories. 231 00:06:43,020 --> 00:06:45,019 If we have two African-American men 232 00:06:45,020 --> 00:06:46,839 with Milwaukee roots that have 233 00:06:46,840 --> 00:06:47,999 connections to that part of the 234 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,719 state, deep establishment ties to 235 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:51,159 winning lots of local elections 236 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:52,939 there, that you could argue that 237 00:06:52,940 --> 00:06:54,799 some people may say, well, that's 238 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:55,779 a natural transition. 239 00:06:55,780 --> 00:06:57,479 And if you liked David Crowley, you 240 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,259 should also like Mandela Barnes. 241 00:06:59,260 --> 00:07:01,159 They don't have the same electoral 242 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:02,739 history. They don't have the record 243 00:07:02,740 --> 00:07:05,719 of working in Madison. 244 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:07,459 They have challenged, Mandela Barnes 245 00:07:07,460 --> 00:07:08,479 has challenged members within his 246 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:09,979 own party. He's run a statewide 247 00:07:09,980 --> 00:07:11,899 contest. David Crowley is known for 248 00:07:11,900 --> 00:07:13,419 working more with Republicans as 249 00:07:13,420 --> 00:07:14,779 part of his pitch, as I've worked 250 00:07:14,780 --> 00:07:16,299 with people to help rural Wisconsin 251 00:07:16,300 --> 00:07:18,219 with his bills for local 252 00:07:18,220 --> 00:07:19,499 issues. 253 00:07:19,500 --> 00:07:21,659 So there's an argument at 254 00:07:21,660 --> 00:07:23,819 one optic that this absolutely 255 00:07:23,820 --> 00:07:24,999 should help Mandela-Barnes. 256 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:26,759 And then there is the other end of 257 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:28,049 it, of who. 258 00:07:28,050 --> 00:07:29,989 If there is 5% that Crawley 259 00:07:29,990 --> 00:07:30,990 had in the state, 260 00:07:32,050 --> 00:07:33,429 were they looking at him as more of 261 00:07:33,430 --> 00:07:34,889 that centrist candidate that knows 262 00:07:34,890 --> 00:07:36,589 how to make government work and 263 00:07:36,590 --> 00:07:38,489 won't be too crazy or too loud, more 264 00:07:38,490 --> 00:07:40,469 of a Tony Evers style, aw, 265 00:07:40,470 --> 00:07:41,729 shucks, let's all work together and 266 00:07:41,730 --> 00:07:42,909 make things function? 267 00:07:42,910 --> 00:07:44,629 Or were they look at him as more, we 268 00:07:44,630 --> 00:07:45,669 need someone from that part of the 269 00:07:45,670 --> 00:07:46,829 state to fight for us. 270 00:07:46,830 --> 00:07:48,189 And that goes back to that original 271 00:07:48,190 --> 00:07:49,909 argument we've been having. 272 00:07:49,910 --> 00:07:51,809 So, were his 5%, those 273 00:07:51,810 --> 00:07:54,189 let's get it done or let's fight? 274 00:07:54,190 --> 00:07:55,369 I think that could determine where 275 00:07:55,370 --> 00:07:56,370 some of those voters go. 276 00:07:57,310 --> 00:07:59,249 And I think it's a sign that this 277 00:07:59,250 --> 00:08:00,869 race has kind of flown under the 278 00:08:00,870 --> 00:08:02,789 radar this year in that we 279 00:08:02,790 --> 00:08:03,729 haven't heard people complaining 280 00:08:03,730 --> 00:08:05,749 about, gosh, you're being bombarded 281 00:08:05,750 --> 00:08:07,429 by all these political ads. 282 00:08:07,430 --> 00:08:09,369 There has not been an advertising 283 00:08:09,370 --> 00:08:10,549 blitz in this race the way that 284 00:08:10,550 --> 00:08:12,569 we've seen in the races 285 00:08:12,570 --> 00:08:14,049 for Supreme Court that we're used to 286 00:08:14,050 --> 00:08:15,929 by now, or a November 287 00:08:15,930 --> 00:08:17,749 general election campaign, 288 00:08:17,750 --> 00:08:18,849 the kind of ad blitz you're gonna 289 00:08:18,850 --> 00:08:20,869 see in a few months. 290 00:08:20,870 --> 00:08:23,389 And so in that context, 291 00:08:23,390 --> 00:08:24,209 how does it matter? 292 00:08:24,210 --> 00:08:26,329 I guess when Sarah Rodriguez says, 293 00:08:26,330 --> 00:08:27,789 I'm gonna have a million dollar ad 294 00:08:27,790 --> 00:08:28,989 buy that I'm going to pay for with 295 00:08:28,990 --> 00:08:30,969 my campaign in 296 00:08:30,970 --> 00:08:32,808 this sort of, you know, under the 297 00:08:32,809 --> 00:08:33,808 radar race. 298 00:08:33,809 --> 00:08:35,449 You know, one person I once spoke 299 00:08:35,450 --> 00:08:36,908 to, a political scientist I once 300 00:08:36,909 --> 00:08:38,269 spoke to kind of explained that 301 00:08:38,270 --> 00:08:40,069 money in politics kind of serves two 302 00:08:40,070 --> 00:08:42,009 functions. So there's money as 303 00:08:42,010 --> 00:08:42,788 money, right? 304 00:08:42,789 --> 00:08:44,129 Like the thing that you use to buy 305 00:08:44,130 --> 00:08:45,709 things. And she has a million 306 00:08:45,710 --> 00:08:47,049 dollars to spend on this ad, but 307 00:08:47,050 --> 00:08:48,669 then it's also money as a signal as 308 00:08:48,670 --> 00:08:50,249 sort of a signal of your strength, 309 00:08:50,250 --> 00:08:52,129 the signal of, um, you know, maybe 310 00:08:52,130 --> 00:08:53,769 I want other candidates to kind back 311 00:08:53,770 --> 00:08:55,149 off because I have this in my bank 312 00:08:55,150 --> 00:08:56,289 account, what do you have? 313 00:08:56,290 --> 00:08:58,249 And so in this case, it's kind of 314 00:08:58,250 --> 00:09:00,049 that, that twofer where both she 315 00:09:00,050 --> 00:09:01,299 will be able to get. 316 00:09:01,300 --> 00:09:03,259 A pretty sizable amount 317 00:09:03,260 --> 00:09:05,119 of spread for her money 318 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:06,819 paying directly from her campaign, 319 00:09:06,820 --> 00:09:08,319 but then also it signals to the 320 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:09,759 other candidates, like what do you 321 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:11,079 got, right? And so it kind of, 322 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:12,499 again, is her kind of establishing 323 00:09:12,500 --> 00:09:14,439 that she is a front runner because 324 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,099 she has this money to spend. 325 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:17,739 And so maybe she's also trying to, 326 00:09:17,740 --> 00:09:19,279 you know, sort of intimidate others 327 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:20,979 who may not have that, right, like 328 00:09:20,980 --> 00:09:22,839 she's sending the signal of come 329 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:23,879 and get me. 330 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:25,059 I kind of wondered if that was a 331 00:09:25,060 --> 00:09:26,899 factor in Crowley dropping out, 332 00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:28,559 actually, you know, because they 333 00:09:28,560 --> 00:09:29,939 happened pretty close together and I 334 00:09:29,940 --> 00:09:31,599 imagine a decision like that builds 335 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:33,119 up more than just overnight. 336 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:34,279 And it came right after the 337 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:35,679 fundraising deadline and so it's 338 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:37,319 possible, you know, that campaigns 339 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:38,939 had their internal goals of like if 340 00:09:38,940 --> 00:09:41,039 we hit X by certain date, 341 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:42,039 we're still viable. 342 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:43,139 And one of the things he said in his 343 00:09:43,140 --> 00:09:44,879 dropout was like, it is clear I will 344 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:46,199 not become the Democratic nominee. 345 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:47,379 And so clearly there's like a 346 00:09:47,380 --> 00:09:48,759 calculus of what makes that clear 347 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:50,119 and maybe money was part of it. 348 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:51,439 Yeah, you know, she's got at least a 349 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:52,659 million dollars, according to her, 350 00:09:52,660 --> 00:09:54,219 and she has this outside group that 351 00:09:54,220 --> 00:09:55,539 has been spending money on her 352 00:09:55,540 --> 00:09:57,639 behalf kind of throughout the year, 353 00:09:57,640 --> 00:09:58,759 and they don't have to report their 354 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:00,579 donors and kind of like 355 00:10:00,580 --> 00:10:01,959 the Wild West in terms of 356 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:02,960 fundraising. 357 00:10:04,940 --> 00:10:07,199 The tone of the ad is, 358 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:09,879 well, she says a bad word to start 359 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:10,099 out with. 360 00:10:10,100 --> 00:10:11,999 There's a bleep off the top of 361 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:13,659 the ad and that's obviously very 362 00:10:13,660 --> 00:10:15,379 intentional They craft these ads 363 00:10:15,380 --> 00:10:16,939 with a lot of money spent on the 364 00:10:16,940 --> 00:10:18,879 people writing the ads Speaking 365 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:20,679 to specific audiences and I think 366 00:10:20,680 --> 00:10:22,139 there's a lot to actually analyze 367 00:10:22,140 --> 00:10:24,079 within the decision of that word 368 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,079 alone off the topic I think so do I 369 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:27,559 think the first reaction that I have 370 00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:29,419 is this is a sign of the coarseness 371 00:10:29,420 --> 00:10:30,979 of American politics since Donald 372 00:10:30,980 --> 00:10:32,979 Trump entered the platform 373 00:10:32,980 --> 00:10:34,279 in the atmosphere more than a decade 374 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:36,119 ago is that it's acceptable 375 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:37,919 for your political candidate to use 376 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:39,539 an expletive in their ad, even if 377 00:10:39,540 --> 00:10:41,519 it's bleeped out, as a way of 378 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:42,979 showing their rawness, their 379 00:10:42,980 --> 00:10:44,739 approachability, the way that normal 380 00:10:44,740 --> 00:10:46,619 people speak at maybe 381 00:10:46,620 --> 00:10:47,799 not the dinner table, but at least 382 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,019 at the bar or with friends. 383 00:10:50,020 --> 00:10:51,539 I think there's a sense of that does 384 00:10:51,540 --> 00:10:53,499 make them more real in the same way 385 00:10:53,500 --> 00:10:55,359 that Tony Evers has been let off the 386 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:57,319 hook time and time again for 387 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:58,779 swearing over and over because- He 388 00:10:58,780 --> 00:10:59,999 likes it up. 389 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,939 He seems like this kind old 390 00:11:01,940 --> 00:11:03,519 man and when he says it he really 391 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:04,959 means it and if someone else says it 392 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:06,779 oh that's coarse and disgusting so 393 00:11:06,780 --> 00:11:08,119 it's definitely a change in that 394 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:09,539 atmosphere but it also goes back to 395 00:11:09,540 --> 00:11:10,839 the original question we have this 396 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:12,939 is a nicely themed episode Sean of 397 00:11:12,940 --> 00:11:14,799 the establishment versus the rage 398 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:16,979 if Rodriguez does represent 399 00:11:16,980 --> 00:11:18,459 the establishment in the center she 400 00:11:18,460 --> 00:11:19,979 is the lieutenant governor at this 401 00:11:19,980 --> 00:11:22,059 point but she's the one showing 402 00:11:22,060 --> 00:11:23,679 a little more flair a little more 403 00:11:23,680 --> 00:11:24,999 fight with the words that she's 404 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:26,239 dropping off the top and talking 405 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:27,469 about she'll fight for Thank you. 406 00:11:27,470 --> 00:11:29,349 She's definitely reaching out to 407 00:11:29,350 --> 00:11:30,869 bring the rest of that Democratic 408 00:11:30,870 --> 00:11:32,949 primary audience over 409 00:11:32,950 --> 00:11:34,869 to her to say, I'm not just the 410 00:11:34,870 --> 00:11:36,309 person that is the establishment and 411 00:11:36,310 --> 00:11:37,169 that I'm the sitting lieutenant 412 00:11:37,170 --> 00:11:38,489 governor and the first person to 413 00:11:38,490 --> 00:11:39,589 enter the race. 414 00:11:39,590 --> 00:11:41,049 I'm also the person who will swear 415 00:11:41,050 --> 00:11:42,509 and fight for you. 416 00:11:42,510 --> 00:11:43,509 The other person who likes to swear 417 00:11:43,510 --> 00:11:45,049 a lot in this race, Francesca Hong. 418 00:11:45,050 --> 00:11:46,289 She's got a history of dropping a 419 00:11:46,290 --> 00:11:47,569 few F bombs out there. 420 00:11:47,570 --> 00:11:49,069 So I think that shows this broad 421 00:11:49,070 --> 00:11:50,989 spectrum and this interest in these 422 00:11:50,990 --> 00:11:52,899 two different categories of voters. 423 00:11:52,900 --> 00:11:54,599 Yeah, I mean, I'm reminded that 424 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:56,459 Francesca Hong, in, I believe, her 425 00:11:56,460 --> 00:11:57,899 introductory speech in the assembly 426 00:11:57,900 --> 00:11:59,319 dropped an F-bomb. 427 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:01,039 And in her final speech in the 428 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:02,419 Assembly, if you ever had a chance 429 00:12:02,420 --> 00:12:04,359 to see that, she just let one linger 430 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:06,719 as she bid farewell 431 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:07,800 to her colleagues there. 432 00:12:07,801 --> 00:12:08,669 And plenty in between. 433 00:12:08,670 --> 00:12:10,599 Those weren't the only two. 434 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:11,979 I think it's expected. 435 00:12:11,980 --> 00:12:14,259 I mean, I think it's expect that in 436 00:12:14,260 --> 00:12:15,839 today's politics right now, I think 437 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:17,979 Democrats are so mad at 438 00:12:17,980 --> 00:12:19,899 President Trump that you 439 00:12:19,900 --> 00:12:21,579 have to show in your ads that you're 440 00:12:21,580 --> 00:12:23,759 not just like an old-time 441 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:25,199 Democrat, that you are going to get 442 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,099 up there and fight, fight, fight. 443 00:12:27,100 --> 00:12:27,879 I think that is the word. 444 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:29,739 And again, that you are not sort of 445 00:12:29,740 --> 00:12:31,119 part of this establishment that 446 00:12:31,120 --> 00:12:32,979 people are so angry with and do see 447 00:12:32,980 --> 00:12:34,859 as, you know, too moderate or 448 00:12:34,860 --> 00:12:35,639 too incremental. 449 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,539 And so they don't want these 450 00:12:37,540 --> 00:12:39,639 sort of consultant polished 451 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:40,899 candidates, right? They want people 452 00:12:40,900 --> 00:12:41,739 who are more real. 453 00:12:41,740 --> 00:12:43,219 That's certainly part of the appeal 454 00:12:43,220 --> 00:12:44,819 of Hong. I keep hearing that from 455 00:12:44,820 --> 00:12:46,339 voters who support her is that she 456 00:12:46,340 --> 00:12:48,359 seems like she is who she's 457 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:49,459 always been in the same way that you 458 00:12:49,460 --> 00:12:51,099 kind of hear about Bernie Sanders. 459 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:52,679 And you know it's hard this week to 460 00:12:52,680 --> 00:12:54,079 talk about politics without 461 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:55,059 mentioning sort of the Graham 462 00:12:55,060 --> 00:12:56,529 Plattner situation in Maine. 463 00:12:56,530 --> 00:12:58,249 But one of the kind of series of 464 00:12:58,250 --> 00:13:00,069 reactions to that has been, 465 00:13:00,070 --> 00:13:01,609 now that he's dropped out, the 466 00:13:01,610 --> 00:13:02,909 progressive wing saying, OK, but 467 00:13:02,910 --> 00:13:05,469 voters clearly wanted his politics, 468 00:13:05,470 --> 00:13:07,309 if not sort of all of the other 469 00:13:07,310 --> 00:13:08,749 things that went along with it. 470 00:13:08,750 --> 00:13:10,269 So they're waiting to see whether, 471 00:13:10,270 --> 00:13:11,909 you know, the Democratic Party, if 472 00:13:11,910 --> 00:13:13,489 they try to shoehorn in a more 473 00:13:13,490 --> 00:13:14,889 establishment sort of candidate. 474 00:13:14,890 --> 00:13:15,809 And so I think we're seeing these 475 00:13:15,810 --> 00:13:17,549 like real fights. 476 00:13:17,550 --> 00:13:18,789 And so Wisconsin, I think, will be 477 00:13:18,790 --> 00:13:20,389 another kind of bellwether, maybe 478 00:13:20,390 --> 00:13:22,299 not in the sort fireworks 479 00:13:22,300 --> 00:13:23,639 and really scandalous way of what's 480 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:24,939 going on in Maine, but I think that 481 00:13:24,940 --> 00:13:26,339 we're having sort of our own version 482 00:13:26,340 --> 00:13:28,019 of that play out right here. 483 00:13:28,020 --> 00:13:29,599 Yeah, I mean, I think national eyes 484 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:30,539 are elsewhere right now. 485 00:13:30,540 --> 00:13:31,479 But over the next month, we are 486 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:33,379 going to have a real debate among 487 00:13:33,380 --> 00:13:35,499 Democrats here about what it means 488 00:13:35,500 --> 00:13:37,679 to be their party in 489 00:13:37,680 --> 00:13:38,459 2026. 490 00:13:38,460 --> 00:13:40,299 What about Mandela Barnes, as 491 00:13:40,300 --> 00:13:41,779 we kind of look at other advertising 492 00:13:41,780 --> 00:13:42,819 in this race. 493 00:13:44,020 --> 00:13:45,519 He is one of the other candidates 494 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:47,059 who at least through his own money 495 00:13:47,060 --> 00:13:48,859 and through that outside money has 496 00:13:48,860 --> 00:13:50,739 been up on the air, right? 497 00:13:50,740 --> 00:13:53,119 He's gotten out there that it's 498 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:55,199 hard to figure out if he's rerunning 499 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:57,119 his Senate race and 500 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:58,919 living off that experience of like, 501 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:00,339 I'm the guy you remember, you liked 502 00:14:00,340 --> 00:14:02,039 me before, I got the most votes of 503 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:03,739 anyone who's lost a US Senate race. 504 00:14:03,740 --> 00:14:04,959 I should have won, but I was the 505 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:06,679 only one that lost to an incumbent. 506 00:14:06,680 --> 00:14:08,499 Or if he is running a new race, but 507 00:14:08,500 --> 00:14:09,739 it doesn't feel like there's a 508 00:14:09,740 --> 00:14:11,599 different message than there was 509 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:12,759 before. So he's definitely running 510 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:14,139 on that platform. 511 00:14:14,140 --> 00:14:15,939 And the question is, where does he 512 00:14:15,940 --> 00:14:17,599 fall within these frameworks we've 513 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:18,579 talked about? Because he's got 514 00:14:18,580 --> 00:14:19,659 establishment history. 515 00:14:19,660 --> 00:14:21,059 He's also got very progressive 516 00:14:21,060 --> 00:14:21,939 history. 517 00:14:21,940 --> 00:14:23,219 The question is, does he carry 518 00:14:23,220 --> 00:14:24,739 through to voters to say, no, I'm 519 00:14:24,740 --> 00:14:25,840 the best of both worlds? 520 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:28,779 And how much does that loss 521 00:14:28,780 --> 00:14:30,739 in the Senate race still linger 522 00:14:30,740 --> 00:14:32,179 over the top of him, as his 523 00:14:32,180 --> 00:14:33,499 opponents have used it against them 524 00:14:33,500 --> 00:14:34,779 on the campaign trail? 525 00:14:34,780 --> 00:14:36,419 It does seem like when he got into 526 00:14:36,420 --> 00:14:38,479 the race, his message was, 527 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:39,999 I am the front runner here. 528 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:41,339 It's just a matter of time. 529 00:14:41,340 --> 00:14:43,219 I am gonna set the agenda 530 00:14:43,220 --> 00:14:44,539 in this race and I'm focused on 531 00:14:44,540 --> 00:14:45,399 November. 532 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:46,799 You're now starting to see Sarah 533 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,759 Rodriguez make that same 534 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:50,159 general argument. 535 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:51,559 Look, these candidates are coming in 536 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:52,439 endorsing me. 537 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:54,419 The state party in 538 00:14:54,420 --> 00:14:56,299 these straw polls has been 539 00:14:56,300 --> 00:14:58,359 supporting me, but 540 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:00,459 we don't know. 541 00:15:00,460 --> 00:15:02,179 We don't, Mandela Barnes did come in 542 00:15:02,180 --> 00:15:04,429 here with actual name recognition. 543 00:15:04,430 --> 00:15:06,129 That nobody else could really match. 544 00:15:06,130 --> 00:15:07,809 And so we'll find out soon whether 545 00:15:07,810 --> 00:15:09,169 the other candidates have kind of 546 00:15:09,170 --> 00:15:11,189 cracked the consciousness of people 547 00:15:11,190 --> 00:15:12,369 who've been on their summer breaks 548 00:15:12,370 --> 00:15:12,919 here. 549 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:14,219 Well, and one thing that should also 550 00:15:14,220 --> 00:15:15,979 be noted is that while the Democrats 551 00:15:15,980 --> 00:15:17,659 are kind of working all of this out 552 00:15:17,660 --> 00:15:18,839 amongst themselves, and we are 553 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:20,279 devoting so much air time to what 554 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:22,039 they're talking about, Tom Tiffany 555 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:23,759 essentially has the Republican feel 556 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:25,259 to himself. And so he just launched 557 00:15:25,260 --> 00:15:27,139 his own, his, I think, fourth 558 00:15:27,140 --> 00:15:28,959 ad campaign, and it shows him having 559 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:30,359 a pancake breakfast. 560 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:31,859 And it's like this very kind of 561 00:15:31,860 --> 00:15:34,159 wholesome, folksy, you know, 562 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:35,999 all-American, I'm a normal 563 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:37,339 guy, you betcha, right? 564 00:15:37,340 --> 00:15:38,699 And because he kind of has the feel 565 00:15:38,700 --> 00:15:40,699 to him, he doesn't need to be kind 566 00:15:40,700 --> 00:15:42,719 of parsing those details. 567 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:44,119 And I think it's really good for 568 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:45,739 Republicans that Democrats are kind 569 00:15:45,740 --> 00:15:47,719 of out there splitting hairs 570 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:49,799 in all of these different ways, 571 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:51,119 splitting donors, splitting 572 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,019 attention, while Tom 573 00:15:53,020 --> 00:15:54,419 Tiffany can just sort of have the 574 00:15:54,420 --> 00:15:55,599 field to himself. And so I think 575 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:57,279 we're also going to see a real shift 576 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:58,779 in dynamics after the primary 577 00:15:58,780 --> 00:16:00,339 because that's when all of these 578 00:16:00,340 --> 00:16:01,839 national Democratic groups, et 579 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:03,319 cetera, will throw their weight 580 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:05,139 behind one candidate and see 581 00:16:05,140 --> 00:16:06,899 if they can pick up whatever that 582 00:16:06,900 --> 00:16:08,479 is, six months, eight, or six weeks, 583 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:10,379 eight weeks of momentum. 584 00:16:10,380 --> 00:16:11,679 On top of everything that Tom 585 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:13,019 Tiffany has essentially had since 586 00:16:13,020 --> 00:16:13,469 January. 587 00:16:13,470 --> 00:16:14,669 Yeah, you did see the Democratic 588 00:16:14,670 --> 00:16:16,229 Governors Association through an 589 00:16:16,230 --> 00:16:17,529 affiliated group start running ads 590 00:16:17,530 --> 00:16:19,509 against him this week, but you're 591 00:16:19,510 --> 00:16:21,109 right, he has spent millions of 592 00:16:21,110 --> 00:16:23,189 dollars just painting himself as Mr. 593 00:16:23,190 --> 00:16:24,729 Wisconsin, love pancakes, old 594 00:16:24,730 --> 00:16:26,689 fashions, just kind of like 595 00:16:26,690 --> 00:16:28,249 your neighbor, basically. 596 00:16:29,530 --> 00:16:30,649 Once that primary is done, there's 597 00:16:30,650 --> 00:16:31,769 just going to be an onslaught of 598 00:16:31,770 --> 00:16:32,609 money though. 599 00:16:32,610 --> 00:16:33,629 We had to talk about the vice 600 00:16:33,630 --> 00:16:35,429 president coming to Wisconsin, he 601 00:16:35,430 --> 00:16:37,469 does that from time to time. 602 00:16:37,470 --> 00:16:39,229 Zach, why, it's not a presidential 603 00:16:39,230 --> 00:16:41,129 year, he wasn't in a swing district, 604 00:16:41,130 --> 00:16:42,269 what was he doing here? 605 00:16:42,270 --> 00:16:44,069 Well, anytime a Republican comes to 606 00:16:44,070 --> 00:16:45,169 Milwaukee, they're there to raise 607 00:16:45,170 --> 00:16:46,529 money, first and foremost. 608 00:16:46,530 --> 00:16:47,709 The difference is he actually held 609 00:16:47,710 --> 00:16:49,389 an event open to the public on top 610 00:16:49,390 --> 00:16:51,469 of it. During the Bush era, 611 00:16:51,470 --> 00:16:52,449 there are Republicans coming in 612 00:16:52,450 --> 00:16:53,709 constantly, it's just they held a 613 00:16:53,710 --> 00:16:55,449 fundraiser and left town with the 614 00:16:55,450 --> 00:16:57,509 money, not with any ad recognition. 615 00:16:57,510 --> 00:16:59,149 But he's still here campaigning. 616 00:16:59,150 --> 00:17:00,409 He's campaigning for Tom Tiffany, 617 00:17:00,410 --> 00:17:01,589 he's campaiging for himself. 618 00:17:01,590 --> 00:17:02,829 No matter what Donald Trump thinks, 619 00:17:02,830 --> 00:17:04,229 he can't run for president again, 620 00:17:04,230 --> 00:17:06,249 and JD Vance wants to be the 621 00:17:06,250 --> 00:17:07,789 presumptive Republican nominee in 622 00:17:07,790 --> 00:17:09,789 28. No one's is beyond looking 623 00:17:09,790 --> 00:17:10,568 two years ahead. 624 00:17:10,569 --> 00:17:12,088 That's actually a short window. 625 00:17:12,089 --> 00:17:13,189 For them to be looking ahead. 626 00:17:13,190 --> 00:17:14,529 So this was entirely political, no 627 00:17:14,530 --> 00:17:16,149 matter what the platform on the 628 00:17:16,150 --> 00:17:16,779 stage said. 629 00:17:16,780 --> 00:17:18,118 Yeah, campaigning is kind of like 630 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:19,179 exercise, right? 631 00:17:19,180 --> 00:17:20,118 Like even when you don't feel like 632 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:21,318 doing it, it seems like candidates 633 00:17:21,319 --> 00:17:23,039 feel like they gotta keep coming to 634 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:24,939 these swing states, just 635 00:17:24,940 --> 00:17:26,639 kind of rinse and repeat. 636 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:28,239 Anya, anything in the message stand 637 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:29,919 out? Or just the visit as a whole 638 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:31,959 stand out to you about why JD Vance 639 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:33,119 is here now. 640 00:17:33,120 --> 00:17:34,639 I mean, yeah, I think you can't in 641 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:36,399 an election year ignore Wisconsin or 642 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:37,379 other suing states. I think he was 643 00:17:37,380 --> 00:17:38,939 also campaigning for Derek Van Orden 644 00:17:38,940 --> 00:17:39,220 to suing. 645 00:17:39,221 --> 00:17:41,409 And Brian Stile, the two kind of 646 00:17:41,410 --> 00:17:42,449 targeted Republicans in Wisconsin. 647 00:17:42,450 --> 00:17:43,789 Yeah. So just again, sort of 648 00:17:43,790 --> 00:17:45,249 bringing some national attention, 649 00:17:45,250 --> 00:17:46,829 some money. 650 00:17:46,830 --> 00:17:48,829 But also he had this message around 651 00:17:48,830 --> 00:17:50,589 fraud and rooting out fraud and sort 652 00:17:50,590 --> 00:17:52,369 of the federal government's response 653 00:17:52,370 --> 00:17:53,929 to fraud. And so I think this is a 654 00:17:53,930 --> 00:17:55,269 way in which we're seeing that 655 00:17:55,270 --> 00:17:57,169 concept emerge as an election 656 00:17:57,170 --> 00:17:59,109 year issue of sort of, you know, 657 00:17:59,110 --> 00:18:00,809 rooting out corruption and like they 658 00:18:00,810 --> 00:18:01,829 are going to be the honest and 659 00:18:01,830 --> 00:18:04,169 transparent arm of government, which 660 00:18:04,170 --> 00:18:05,709 is a sort of interesting tact to 661 00:18:05,710 --> 00:18:06,809 take at a time that I think people 662 00:18:06,810 --> 00:18:08,109 are much more concerned about, you 663 00:18:08,110 --> 00:18:10,229 prices than necessarily the 664 00:18:10,230 --> 00:18:12,609 specter of fraud that, again, 665 00:18:12,610 --> 00:18:14,429 sort of, there's no evidence 666 00:18:14,430 --> 00:18:15,430 actually exists. 667 00:18:16,550 --> 00:18:17,549 That's all the time we have for 668 00:18:17,550 --> 00:18:18,909 today. Thanks for joining us. 669 00:18:18,910 --> 00:18:20,269 Our colleague, Rich Kramer, will be 670 00:18:20,270 --> 00:18:21,469 back next week. 671 00:18:21,470 --> 00:18:22,749 This has been Inside Wisconsin 672 00:18:22,750 --> 00:18:24,469 Politics. Be sure to follow us on 673 00:18:24,470 --> 00:18:26,869 pbswisconsin.org, wpr.org 674 00:18:26,870 --> 00:18:28,789 YouTube or wherever you get your 675 00:18:28,790 --> 00:18:29,790 podcasts.