1 00:00:31,889 --> 00:00:33,849 Another major shakeup in the 2 00:00:33,850 --> 00:00:35,429 Democratic primary for governor as 3 00:00:35,430 --> 00:00:37,789 Mandela Barnes drops out. 4 00:00:37,790 --> 00:00:39,769 How does this change the race and 5 00:00:39,770 --> 00:00:40,929 what are the remaining candidates 6 00:00:40,930 --> 00:00:42,569 saying as they make their closing 7 00:00:42,570 --> 00:00:44,269 pitches to voters? 8 00:00:44,270 --> 00:00:46,089 This is Inside Wisconsin 9 00:00:46,090 --> 00:00:47,090 Politics. 10 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:53,259 I'm Sean Johnson here with my 11 00:00:53,260 --> 00:00:54,999 colleagues, Anya Van Wachtendonck, 12 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:56,999 Zach Schultz, and Rich Kramer in Eau 13 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:57,839 Claire. Hey everyone. 14 00:00:57,840 --> 00:00:58,919 Hello. 15 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:00,279 So just when it seemed like this 16 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:01,619 Democratic primary for governor 17 00:01:01,620 --> 00:01:03,959 couldn't get any wilder, 18 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:05,179 let's see, let's go through the 19 00:01:05,180 --> 00:01:06,499 candidates here. David Crowley drops 20 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:08,539 out, Sarah Rodriguez drops out. 21 00:01:08,540 --> 00:01:10,659 David Crowely drops back in. 22 00:01:10,660 --> 00:01:12,579 We now have Mandela Barnes dropping 23 00:01:12,580 --> 00:01:13,519 out of the race. 24 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:15,699 Some pretty big names there. 25 00:01:15,700 --> 00:01:17,659 Anya, what happened? 26 00:01:17,660 --> 00:01:19,119 I mean, I will give a little 27 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:20,979 behind-the-scenes entry for 28 00:01:20,980 --> 00:01:22,499 our viewers. We taped a whole 29 00:01:22,500 --> 00:01:24,279 different show right before this, 30 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:25,399 talking about the debate, and we 31 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:26,439 will get into that later. 32 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:28,679 And we got the news in our earpieces 33 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:30,539 that Mandela Barnes had dropped out. 34 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:32,439 So he released a video on social 35 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:34,479 media and interestingly, you know, 36 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:36,419 doesn't endorse another candidate, 37 00:01:36,420 --> 00:01:38,359 looked pretty dejected, and 38 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:39,879 essentially said, we all can tell 39 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:41,619 the writing is on the wall of who 40 00:01:41,620 --> 00:01:42,759 the nominee is going to be. 41 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:44,639 I assume he is alluding to Francesca 42 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:46,539 Hong, who is just carrying all these 43 00:01:46,540 --> 00:01:48,469 polls. And he said, you 44 00:01:48,470 --> 00:01:50,009 know, the number one thing to do is 45 00:01:50,010 --> 00:01:50,909 to beat Tom Tiffany. 46 00:01:50,910 --> 00:01:52,909 So it was not a ringing endorsement. 47 00:01:52,910 --> 00:01:54,929 It did not seem like an 48 00:01:54,930 --> 00:01:56,789 impassioned sort of choice 49 00:01:56,790 --> 00:01:58,669 to step down, but certainly 50 00:01:58,670 --> 00:02:00,789 some breaking news, you know 51 00:02:00,790 --> 00:02:02,189 were less than two weeks out from 52 00:02:02,190 --> 00:02:02,999 primary day. 53 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:04,039 Yeah, we got to tell you we're 54 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:05,559 recording this on a Thursday 55 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:07,419 afternoon, so by the time you watch 56 00:02:07,420 --> 00:02:09,038 it or hear it, you may know more 57 00:02:09,039 --> 00:02:10,839 about this story than we do right at 58 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:11,919 this moment. We can tell you right 59 00:02:11,920 --> 00:02:14,359 now from the Journal Sentinel, 60 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:16,059 the decisions by the Barnes camp, 61 00:02:16,060 --> 00:02:17,879 they said, came amid reporting 62 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:19,899 into allegations that Barnes was 63 00:02:19,900 --> 00:02:21,399 taking advantage of his role in the 64 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,179 party to have sexual encounters with 65 00:02:23,180 --> 00:02:25,099 young adult women. 66 00:02:25,100 --> 00:02:27,319 We also read from Politico, 67 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:28,919 the announcement comes as Democratic 68 00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:30,639 officials in the state brace for 69 00:02:30,640 --> 00:02:32,279 damaging media. 70 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:33,939 Reports. 71 00:02:33,940 --> 00:02:35,479 So, I mean, Zach, there are 72 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:36,999 different circumstances under which 73 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,359 a candidate can drop out. 74 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:40,819 It can be received in different 75 00:02:40,820 --> 00:02:41,820 ways. 76 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,919 How would you characterize this one? 77 00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:46,759 This is different from past 78 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:48,399 episodes, including the flip side of 79 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:49,759 this, when Mandela Barnes took 80 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:51,659 advantage of this in 2022 in a 81 00:02:51,660 --> 00:02:53,639 Senate run, when the other 82 00:02:53,640 --> 00:02:55,179 opponents in that primary dropped 83 00:02:55,180 --> 00:02:56,979 out, and they dropped out gracefully 84 00:02:56,980 --> 00:02:58,379 saying the only way at that time for 85 00:02:58,380 --> 00:02:59,779 them to win the nomination would be 86 00:02:59,780 --> 00:03:01,299 to go negative and hurt the party, 87 00:03:01,300 --> 00:03:02,799 and they decided not to do that. 88 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:04,299 And they were rewarded for that as 89 00:03:04,300 --> 00:03:05,819 being team players down the road. 90 00:03:05,820 --> 00:03:07,039 Sarah Galewski was appointed 91 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:08,179 treasurer. 92 00:03:08,180 --> 00:03:09,399 We've seen examples of this almost 93 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:10,279 two decades ago. 94 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:11,519 Scott Walker was going to run for 95 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:13,099 governor in 2006. 96 00:03:13,100 --> 00:03:14,499 Party officials say, hey, why don't 97 00:03:14,500 --> 00:03:15,739 you clear the field for Mark Green? 98 00:03:15,740 --> 00:03:17,579 He did, and then he was the 99 00:03:17,580 --> 00:03:19,359 nominee in 2010 when party officials 100 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:20,739 remembered he was graceful about 101 00:03:20,740 --> 00:03:22,539 that. So on one hand, it could be 102 00:03:22,540 --> 00:03:23,939 seen as Mandela Barnes seeing the 103 00:03:23,940 --> 00:03:24,759 writing on the wall. 104 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:26,099 He wasn't going to win, but he has a 105 00:03:26,100 --> 00:03:27,479 future in democratic politics in 106 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:28,499 Wisconsin. 107 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:29,879 That would be the normal way to look 108 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:30,799 at this as saying, well, there's 109 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:32,539 lots of future races he could run 110 00:03:32,540 --> 00:03:34,389 for. But then when you combine this 111 00:03:34,390 --> 00:03:35,689 with the reporting that we're 112 00:03:35,690 --> 00:03:36,809 hearing, and the rumors that have 113 00:03:36,810 --> 00:03:38,909 been running around 114 00:03:38,910 --> 00:03:41,329 circles for quite a while now, 115 00:03:41,330 --> 00:03:43,429 it doesn't have that same tone 116 00:03:43,430 --> 00:03:45,029 to it. So this looks more of getting 117 00:03:45,030 --> 00:03:46,509 ahead of the damaging news that 118 00:03:46,510 --> 00:03:48,249 could be dropping less Graham 119 00:03:48,250 --> 00:03:50,269 Plattner in the East 120 00:03:50,270 --> 00:03:52,249 Coast Senate race, and more of just 121 00:03:52,250 --> 00:03:53,309 keep your head down and get out of 122 00:03:53,310 --> 00:03:54,789 the way so it becomes less of a 123 00:03:54,790 --> 00:03:56,389 distraction, and he's forced to bow 124 00:03:56,390 --> 00:03:57,949 out disgracefully as opposed to 125 00:03:57,950 --> 00:03:59,229 bowing out in his own terms. 126 00:03:59,230 --> 00:04:01,089 Yeah, you know, you alluded 127 00:04:01,090 --> 00:04:02,989 to there, but in his message, 128 00:04:02,990 --> 00:04:05,189 he did not say Francesca Hong's 129 00:04:05,190 --> 00:04:06,929 name. He didn't say I'm dropping out 130 00:04:06,930 --> 00:04:08,589 because she's the front runner and 131 00:04:08,590 --> 00:04:09,649 that's good. 132 00:04:09,650 --> 00:04:11,289 He didn't say I am dropping out and 133 00:04:11,290 --> 00:04:13,349 I support a challenger because he's 134 00:04:13,350 --> 00:04:14,769 kind of had some fights with them 135 00:04:14,770 --> 00:04:15,770 recently. 136 00:04:16,789 --> 00:04:18,729 Rich, you reported 137 00:04:18,730 --> 00:04:20,609 on Mandela Barnes, 138 00:04:20,610 --> 00:04:22,509 this campaign and in 2022, he 139 00:04:22,510 --> 00:04:24,809 entered this race and 140 00:04:24,810 --> 00:04:26,309 presented himself as the 141 00:04:26,310 --> 00:04:27,569 front-runner and it seemed like 142 00:04:27,570 --> 00:04:28,479 That's sort of... 143 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:30,479 Slowly slipped away 144 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:31,659 during this campaign. 145 00:04:31,660 --> 00:04:34,099 And now this quite a 146 00:04:34,100 --> 00:04:35,939 shocking arc to his story this 147 00:04:35,940 --> 00:04:36,940 year. 148 00:04:38,010 --> 00:04:41,029 Yeah, it's been something else. 149 00:04:41,030 --> 00:04:42,869 I mean, in terms of name 150 00:04:42,870 --> 00:04:44,589 recognition, he did enter the race 151 00:04:44,590 --> 00:04:46,069 with more than any of the other 152 00:04:46,070 --> 00:04:48,029 candidates, including Republican 153 00:04:48,030 --> 00:04:49,849 Congressman Tom Tiffany. 154 00:04:49,850 --> 00:04:51,729 And that was because of the 2022 155 00:04:51,730 --> 00:04:53,649 Senate loss to 156 00:04:53,650 --> 00:04:56,049 Ron Johnson. It was a close race. 157 00:04:56,050 --> 00:04:58,109 And there was a lot of advertising. 158 00:04:58,110 --> 00:04:59,389 So his name got around. 159 00:04:59,390 --> 00:05:01,279 Um, but. 160 00:05:01,280 --> 00:05:03,939 That race really hurt him also, 161 00:05:03,940 --> 00:05:05,919 beyond whatever is going to be 162 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,759 reported or is being reported at 163 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:11,139 this moment about any improprieties. 164 00:05:11,140 --> 00:05:12,979 He was damaged from that 165 00:05:12,980 --> 00:05:15,139 Senate loss to Ron Johnson 166 00:05:15,140 --> 00:05:17,059 among Democrats. 167 00:05:17,060 --> 00:05:18,419 Even before he jumped into the race 168 00:05:18,420 --> 00:05:20,259 for governor, there was an 169 00:05:20,260 --> 00:05:22,039 op-ed that had former Lieutenant 170 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:23,919 Governor Barbara Lawton, 171 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:25,859 a Democrat that is very involved 172 00:05:25,860 --> 00:05:27,699 in the party, said that 173 00:05:27,700 --> 00:05:29,659 he shouldn't get in the race, that 174 00:05:29,660 --> 00:05:31,639 he's proven that he can. 175 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,539 Can't win statewide, et 176 00:05:33,540 --> 00:05:35,719 cetera. So there was that. 177 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:37,779 And then we started seeing in 178 00:05:37,780 --> 00:05:40,739 the earlier days of this 179 00:05:40,740 --> 00:05:42,919 gubernatorial primary 180 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:44,959 among the Democrats where people 181 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:45,939 were dropping out. They weren't 182 00:05:45,940 --> 00:05:47,799 endorsing Barnes like they 183 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:49,079 did in 2022. 184 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:50,379 So that was a signal. 185 00:05:50,380 --> 00:05:52,379 Then Governor Evers endorsed 186 00:05:52,380 --> 00:05:54,559 someone besides Barnes, 187 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:56,679 who Barnes and Evers served together 188 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,519 for 189 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:00,059 years. So. 190 00:06:00,060 --> 00:06:02,019 That was a sign and 191 00:06:02,020 --> 00:06:04,099 now here we are. 192 00:06:04,100 --> 00:06:06,819 It's really been just 193 00:06:06,820 --> 00:06:09,199 a really interesting 194 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,229 ride for Barnes. 195 00:06:11,230 --> 00:06:13,229 So his departure kind 196 00:06:13,230 --> 00:06:14,909 of leaves the race in some ways 197 00:06:14,910 --> 00:06:16,409 where it was, where there seems to 198 00:06:16,410 --> 00:06:18,149 be this growing consensus out there 199 00:06:18,150 --> 00:06:20,069 that this is Francesca Hong's race 200 00:06:20,070 --> 00:06:21,289 to lose. 201 00:06:21,290 --> 00:06:23,049 She is a democratic socialist, which 202 00:06:23,050 --> 00:06:25,209 has sort of defined this campaign. 203 00:06:25,210 --> 00:06:27,049 She was asked about her views 204 00:06:27,050 --> 00:06:29,209 at this week's debate. 205 00:06:29,210 --> 00:06:30,849 Let's give a listen to what she had 206 00:06:30,850 --> 00:06:31,850 to say. 207 00:06:32,460 --> 00:06:34,419 What democratic socialism is 208 00:06:34,420 --> 00:06:36,459 is a form of government that puts 209 00:06:36,460 --> 00:06:38,099 working class people first, that 210 00:06:38,100 --> 00:06:39,839 puts work first. 211 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:41,319 The policies that we have been 212 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:43,979 working on, permanent affordability, 213 00:06:43,980 --> 00:06:45,879 has broad bipartisan support 214 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:47,379 in every corner of the state. 215 00:06:48,570 --> 00:06:50,829 Anya, you've covered her 216 00:06:50,830 --> 00:06:52,289 campaign. You profiled her for 217 00:06:52,290 --> 00:06:54,169 Wisconsin Public Radio. 218 00:06:54,170 --> 00:06:56,409 How is she presenting her 219 00:06:56,410 --> 00:06:58,329 brand of politics to 220 00:06:58,330 --> 00:07:00,849 primary voters and also potentially 221 00:07:00,850 --> 00:07:02,989 critics as this primary closes 222 00:07:02,990 --> 00:07:03,389 out? 223 00:07:03,390 --> 00:07:04,789 Yeah, I think she's been really 224 00:07:04,790 --> 00:07:06,409 consistent, not just throughout this 225 00:07:06,410 --> 00:07:07,769 campaign, but you know, throughout 226 00:07:07,770 --> 00:07:08,979 her political career. 227 00:07:08,980 --> 00:07:10,439 She was a member of the Democratic 228 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,079 Socialist Caucus in the Assembly. 229 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:13,379 She's running as a Democratic 230 00:07:13,380 --> 00:07:15,179 socialist on the Democratic ticket. 231 00:07:15,180 --> 00:07:16,839 And so you've seen that a lot in her 232 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:18,019 policy positions. 233 00:07:18,020 --> 00:07:19,559 I think a little bit what we saw on 234 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:21,959 the debate stage was her trying to 235 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:23,979 nuance some of that, perhaps for 236 00:07:23,980 --> 00:07:25,519 a more general election, again, as 237 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:27,699 she is this kind of runaway favorite 238 00:07:27,700 --> 00:07:28,899 at the moment. 239 00:07:28,900 --> 00:07:31,239 I saw some criticism actually from 240 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:33,179 national DSA members on 241 00:07:33,180 --> 00:07:34,299 social media who were saying 242 00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:36,239 essentially, oh, she's not socialist 243 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,269 enough, but I think she understands. 244 00:07:38,270 --> 00:07:40,389 That there is going to be a 245 00:07:40,390 --> 00:07:41,949 pretty ready-made line of attack 246 00:07:41,950 --> 00:07:43,829 from Republicans based on some 247 00:07:43,830 --> 00:07:45,129 of her past statements, based on 248 00:07:45,130 --> 00:07:46,849 calling for defunding the police, 249 00:07:46,850 --> 00:07:48,489 based on aligning with certain, you 250 00:07:48,490 --> 00:07:50,049 know, sort of far left, more like 251 00:07:50,050 --> 00:07:52,669 agitated sort of online figures, 252 00:07:52,670 --> 00:07:54,429 that that gives them easy things to 253 00:07:54,430 --> 00:07:56,509 kind of clip, which can 254 00:07:56,510 --> 00:07:58,429 really kind of be hard to 255 00:07:58,430 --> 00:07:59,889 oppose from a more kind of nuanced 256 00:07:59,890 --> 00:08:01,409 position. And so I think we saw her 257 00:08:01,410 --> 00:08:03,249 on the debate stage kind of trying 258 00:08:03,250 --> 00:08:06,009 out some of these more biteable, 259 00:08:06,010 --> 00:08:07,349 clippable ways of approaching her 260 00:08:07,350 --> 00:08:08,189 politics. 261 00:08:08,190 --> 00:08:10,129 Yeah, part of the question that led 262 00:08:10,130 --> 00:08:11,969 to that answer there was, 263 00:08:11,970 --> 00:08:13,309 hey, the Democratic Socialists of 264 00:08:13,310 --> 00:08:15,269 America stand for getting rid 265 00:08:15,270 --> 00:08:16,489 of prisons, getting rid of the 266 00:08:16,490 --> 00:08:18,209 Senate. Are you with them? 267 00:08:18,210 --> 00:08:19,609 And she said she didn't agree with 268 00:08:19,610 --> 00:08:21,649 them on everything. 269 00:08:21,650 --> 00:08:23,869 But Zach, I do kind of sense from 270 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:25,829 her a pivot toward 271 00:08:25,830 --> 00:08:27,669 the general election in terms of the 272 00:08:27,670 --> 00:08:28,869 way that she's answering these 273 00:08:28,870 --> 00:08:31,029 questions, you 274 00:08:31,030 --> 00:08:32,949 know, on, I don't know, you name it, 275 00:08:32,950 --> 00:08:34,769 tax policy on 276 00:08:34,770 --> 00:08:35,788 defund the police. 277 00:08:35,789 --> 00:08:37,539 You know, what stood out to you. 278 00:08:37,540 --> 00:08:39,158 She's definitely nuancing those 279 00:08:39,159 --> 00:08:41,479 positions, because in politics, 280 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:43,239 if you're explaining, you're losing. 281 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:44,659 That phrase has been around for a 282 00:08:44,660 --> 00:08:46,079 long time. So she's trying to 283 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:47,699 explain to general election voters 284 00:08:47,700 --> 00:08:49,339 that she's not that kind of 285 00:08:49,340 --> 00:08:50,579 socialist. She's a democratic 286 00:08:50,580 --> 00:08:52,619 socialist, because Republicans 287 00:08:52,620 --> 00:08:54,099 are comparing her to Venezuela. 288 00:08:54,100 --> 00:08:55,919 I mean, that's Tom Tiffany's 289 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:57,159 line of attack that I heard on 290 00:08:57,160 --> 00:08:58,359 Tuesday night during the debate. 291 00:08:58,360 --> 00:08:59,859 I was covering one of his events. 292 00:08:59,860 --> 00:09:00,999 And he's saying, well, if want to 293 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,079 know about socialism, you just have 294 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:03,299 to look at Venezuela when they're 295 00:09:03,300 --> 00:09:04,239 eating the animals and they're 296 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:05,409 eatin' their shirts and... 297 00:09:05,410 --> 00:09:06,569 There's nothing available for 298 00:09:06,570 --> 00:09:07,629 anybody, and that's what's coming to 299 00:09:07,630 --> 00:09:09,329 Wisconsin if you looked at Francesca 300 00:09:09,330 --> 00:09:10,769 Hong. That's what you're gonna hear 301 00:09:10,770 --> 00:09:11,749 from them. 302 00:09:11,750 --> 00:09:13,289 So her trying to go more on the 303 00:09:13,290 --> 00:09:14,509 lines of the old Milwaukee 304 00:09:14,510 --> 00:09:15,709 socialists, like the sewer 305 00:09:15,710 --> 00:09:16,909 socialists they were called, of 306 00:09:16,910 --> 00:09:18,409 like, let's work on infrastructure 307 00:09:18,410 --> 00:09:19,989 and public schools and the public 308 00:09:19,990 --> 00:09:22,149 good, the public welfare. 309 00:09:22,150 --> 00:09:23,609 She's trying to get ahead of some of 310 00:09:23,610 --> 00:09:25,069 those attacks and explain that's 311 00:09:25,070 --> 00:09:27,269 where her socialist policies lie 312 00:09:27,270 --> 00:09:29,089 less in the international 313 00:09:29,090 --> 00:09:30,769 communist socialist stuff that we 314 00:09:30,770 --> 00:09:32,329 hear from the countries that fall 315 00:09:32,330 --> 00:09:34,249 apart that claim to be socialist. 316 00:09:34,250 --> 00:09:37,049 And Rich, you covered the debate. 317 00:09:37,050 --> 00:09:38,549 She was asked about, I mean, 318 00:09:38,550 --> 00:09:39,789 everybody there on that debate stage 319 00:09:39,790 --> 00:09:41,409 was saying, let's tax millionaires 320 00:09:41,410 --> 00:09:42,569 to pay for stuff in state 321 00:09:42,570 --> 00:09:43,570 government. 322 00:09:44,430 --> 00:09:46,329 She got a little more specific 323 00:09:46,330 --> 00:09:48,389 than others, and yet it 324 00:09:48,390 --> 00:09:49,829 seemed like potentially an 325 00:09:49,830 --> 00:09:51,089 incomplete answer based on her 326 00:09:51,090 --> 00:09:52,090 record. 327 00:09:53,140 --> 00:09:54,140 Yeah, that's right. 328 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:56,899 Her website has 329 00:09:56,900 --> 00:09:58,559 all kinds of very specific numbers. 330 00:09:58,560 --> 00:10:00,399 And also, she's been in the 331 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:01,859 Assembly for some time now. 332 00:10:01,860 --> 00:10:03,719 And she's taken a 333 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:05,659 lot of votes. She's introduced a lot 334 00:10:05,660 --> 00:10:06,559 a legislation. 335 00:10:06,560 --> 00:10:09,139 So on the debate stage, 336 00:10:09,140 --> 00:10:10,639 essentially, she was saying, well, 337 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:13,159 for millionaires, it'd be a 1% 338 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:15,199 tax increase to something like 339 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:17,339 8.6% versus 340 00:10:17,340 --> 00:10:19,279 whatever it is 341 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:21,199 now. So she said 342 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:22,279 that. But... 343 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,199 Right away online, Democrats 344 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:26,299 even, were saying, well, you know, 345 00:10:26,300 --> 00:10:28,719 actually, she's got a plan to 346 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:30,539 create a new tax bracket and set it 347 00:10:30,540 --> 00:10:32,439 at 17 point something 348 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:34,659 percent, which is 349 00:10:34,660 --> 00:10:36,639 true. That was part of a 350 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:38,459 plan she put out in the 351 00:10:38,460 --> 00:10:41,839 legislature, so she 352 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:43,859 talked really 353 00:10:43,860 --> 00:10:45,939 generally about it, 354 00:10:45,940 --> 00:10:48,019 and so then others had to go and 355 00:10:48,020 --> 00:10:50,419 dig up what she said in the past. 356 00:10:50,420 --> 00:10:52,539 Um, we did mention last week 357 00:10:52,540 --> 00:10:54,699 that we were gonna wait for another 358 00:10:54,700 --> 00:10:57,099 story to develop this police 359 00:10:57,100 --> 00:10:59,539 shooting in Madison and 360 00:10:59,540 --> 00:11:00,719 you've heard all the candidates for 361 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:02,439 governor come out and say, you know, 362 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:04,259 we need to have a swift 363 00:11:04,260 --> 00:11:06,159 investigation of that. 364 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:07,759 Uh, Zach, I think it's fair to say 365 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:09,599 that Francesca Hong's response 366 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:11,199 to the shooting was certainly the 367 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:12,219 most attention getting. 368 00:11:12,220 --> 00:11:14,219 She went out to the site of the 369 00:11:14,220 --> 00:11:15,459 shooting with the bullhorn and 370 00:11:15,460 --> 00:11:16,460 called it an execution. 371 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:19,699 What is she saying now and why'd 372 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:21,949 she use that word in her words? 373 00:11:21,950 --> 00:11:23,089 Well, she was asked during the 374 00:11:23,090 --> 00:11:24,909 debate, would you make 375 00:11:24,910 --> 00:11:26,629 the same statement as governor? 376 00:11:26,630 --> 00:11:28,449 And her answer was no, because 377 00:11:28,450 --> 00:11:31,089 the governor has a bigger megaphone, 378 00:11:31,090 --> 00:11:32,149 and essentially eluding it wouldn't 379 00:11:32,150 --> 00:11:33,689 be appropriate for the governor to 380 00:11:33,690 --> 00:11:34,769 make that statement. 381 00:11:34,770 --> 00:11:36,169 What's interesting is you're 382 00:11:36,170 --> 00:11:37,869 supposed to campaign how you would 383 00:11:37,870 --> 00:11:39,689 govern, and she did make 384 00:11:39,690 --> 00:11:41,869 that as a candidate, 385 00:11:41,870 --> 00:11:43,269 only a few weeks away from a 386 00:11:43,270 --> 00:11:44,109 primary. 387 00:11:44,110 --> 00:11:45,809 And the video of her doing it, the 388 00:11:45,810 --> 00:11:47,469 crowd is clearly trying to goad her 389 00:11:47,470 --> 00:11:49,309 into using word murder and she 390 00:11:49,310 --> 00:11:51,189 at that moment takes a pause and 391 00:11:51,190 --> 00:11:52,839 then says execution. 392 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:54,759 So she was even calibrating what she 393 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:56,559 was saying in that moment. 394 00:11:56,560 --> 00:11:58,299 This wasn't as much of an off the 395 00:11:58,300 --> 00:11:59,879 cuff statement as you might think. 396 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:01,339 When you cover her in speeches, she 397 00:12:01,340 --> 00:12:03,239 is very measured in her in 398 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:04,319 her thought and her speech. 399 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:06,099 She pauses before she answers a 400 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:07,979 question. She's thinking about it's 401 00:12:07,980 --> 00:12:09,879 not just letting the words fly 402 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:11,039 like we see on social media 403 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:12,579 sometimes with some politicians and 404 00:12:12,580 --> 00:12:14,019 then worry about retracting it 405 00:12:14,020 --> 00:12:16,019 later. So for her to use that word 406 00:12:16,020 --> 00:12:17,919 was a intentional thing, 407 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:19,639 and then to say, well, I wouldn't as 408 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:21,459 governor. Does call into question, 409 00:12:21,460 --> 00:12:22,539 like what is the line then? 410 00:12:22,540 --> 00:12:24,199 Why use it now in this case and not? 411 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:25,499 And we know it will be used against 412 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:27,039 her. Tom Tiffany's already talking 413 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:28,139 about that. 414 00:12:28,140 --> 00:12:29,679 They're attacking the Democratic 415 00:12:29,680 --> 00:12:31,059 candidate simply because the street 416 00:12:31,060 --> 00:12:32,679 where the shooting took place is 417 00:12:32,680 --> 00:12:34,559 still shut down by protestors, 418 00:12:34,560 --> 00:12:35,799 saying that Madison needs to get 419 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:36,999 control of the streets and that as 420 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:38,179 governor, he would obviously have 421 00:12:38,180 --> 00:12:39,659 that street open by now. 422 00:12:39,660 --> 00:12:41,179 So they're going to use this against 423 00:12:41,180 --> 00:12:42,639 her as a candidate, assuming that 424 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:43,999 she wins this primary. 425 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,219 And the question is, how does she 426 00:12:45,220 --> 00:12:46,939 continue explaining those statements 427 00:12:46,940 --> 00:12:48,879 and those votes to general election 428 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:49,880 voters? 429 00:12:50,510 --> 00:12:52,109 Let's talk about David Crowley, 430 00:12:52,110 --> 00:12:53,789 Milwaukee County's executive, who 431 00:12:53,790 --> 00:12:56,009 got back in this race as 432 00:12:56,010 --> 00:12:58,029 the Francesca Hong alternative. 433 00:12:58,030 --> 00:12:59,809 And I got to think that Mandela 434 00:12:59,810 --> 00:13:01,749 Barnes' departure from this 435 00:13:01,750 --> 00:13:04,129 race potentially changes 436 00:13:04,130 --> 00:13:06,309 the calculus for him. 437 00:13:07,790 --> 00:13:09,769 Rich, what were we hearing from 438 00:13:09,770 --> 00:13:11,589 David Crowly 439 00:13:11,590 --> 00:13:13,329 as it relates to Francesca Hung up 440 00:13:13,330 --> 00:13:15,469 to this point in the race? 441 00:13:15,470 --> 00:13:17,149 And has it been catching on? 442 00:13:17,150 --> 00:13:18,929 Is there is there a sign that this 443 00:13:18,930 --> 00:13:19,889 theory? 444 00:13:19,890 --> 00:13:21,409 That Crowley supporters had is 445 00:13:21,410 --> 00:13:22,410 actually working. 446 00:13:24,230 --> 00:13:26,329 Well, yeah, the 447 00:13:26,330 --> 00:13:28,209 claim that we've heard from 448 00:13:28,210 --> 00:13:29,509 David Crowley and some of the other 449 00:13:29,510 --> 00:13:31,609 Democratic candidates is that 450 00:13:31,610 --> 00:13:33,709 the Republican Governors 451 00:13:33,710 --> 00:13:35,529 Association is essentially trying 452 00:13:35,530 --> 00:13:38,309 to get Hong elected 453 00:13:38,310 --> 00:13:40,009 during the primary so that it would 454 00:13:40,010 --> 00:13:42,149 be easier for Tom Tiffany to 455 00:13:42,150 --> 00:13:43,989 defeat her. So that was the line 456 00:13:43,990 --> 00:13:45,610 going into it. 457 00:13:49,350 --> 00:13:50,709 And they... 458 00:13:50,710 --> 00:13:53,079 The Oh, 459 00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:54,919 I lost it. 460 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:55,019 I'm sorry. 461 00:13:55,020 --> 00:13:56,979 Yeah, yeah, I mean, I will 462 00:13:56,980 --> 00:13:58,419 say one thing about those those ads 463 00:13:58,420 --> 00:13:59,519 that you mentioned the Republican 464 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:01,559 ads I 465 00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:03,679 think they are kind of Doing 466 00:14:03,680 --> 00:14:05,219 there's they're serving two goals 467 00:14:05,220 --> 00:14:06,519 right now for Republicans. 468 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:07,619 They're kind of getting bang for 469 00:14:07,620 --> 00:14:09,699 their buck in a couple ways I 470 00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:10,699 do think there's a pretty strong 471 00:14:10,700 --> 00:14:12,699 case to be made that they were 472 00:14:12,700 --> 00:14:15,519 there to prop up 473 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:17,719 Francesca Hong They're saying 474 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:19,299 that she's a very liberal candidate 475 00:14:19,300 --> 00:14:21,099 in these liberal media markets, but 476 00:14:21,100 --> 00:14:23,039 I think now Republicans 477 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:25,099 do view her as the general 478 00:14:25,100 --> 00:14:26,319 election candidate in the way that 479 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:27,379 they're talking about her. 480 00:14:27,380 --> 00:14:28,979 So they are kind of getting a head 481 00:14:28,980 --> 00:14:30,839 start on these attacks 482 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:31,840 in some way. 483 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:34,679 Anya, David 484 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:36,699 Crowley and Mandela Barnes were kind 485 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:38,379 of going at it. 486 00:14:38,380 --> 00:14:40,979 And as their candidacies 487 00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:42,919 progressed in this race, 488 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:45,259 as Mandela Barnes kind of felt like 489 00:14:45,260 --> 00:14:47,259 David Crowely had blocked his 490 00:14:47,260 --> 00:14:48,139 path. 491 00:14:48,140 --> 00:14:49,679 Now that Mandela Barns is out of the 492 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:51,859 way, is there a 493 00:14:51,860 --> 00:14:53,279 boost coming for Crowley? 494 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:54,739 Yeah, I mean, you know, it is 495 00:14:54,740 --> 00:14:56,959 possible that among other concerns, 496 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:58,559 Mandela Barnes felt snubbed by the 497 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,699 fact that Governor Tony Evers backed 498 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:01,959 Crowley and not him. 499 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:03,839 He was his lieutenant governor. 500 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:06,139 And so we saw barbs, 501 00:15:06,140 --> 00:15:07,919 I means like almost schoolyard barbs 502 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:09,799 on social media, primarily 503 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,739 coming from Barnes 504 00:15:11,740 --> 00:15:13,059 towards Crowley, but then Crowley 505 00:15:13,060 --> 00:15:14,449 would sort of respond in kind. 506 00:15:14,450 --> 00:15:16,849 So really like a really kind of 507 00:15:16,850 --> 00:15:18,669 it felt like bad blood between them. 508 00:15:18,670 --> 00:15:20,149 One of the arguments that the Barnes 509 00:15:20,150 --> 00:15:21,789 camp has been making as other 510 00:15:21,790 --> 00:15:23,589 candidates have dropped out is we 511 00:15:23,590 --> 00:15:25,469 will absorb those votes. 512 00:15:25,470 --> 00:15:27,709 And so now part of the question is 513 00:15:27,710 --> 00:15:29,529 where will these remaining 514 00:15:29,530 --> 00:15:30,469 sort of Barnes votes go? 515 00:15:30,470 --> 00:15:31,969 Will they go further left towards 516 00:15:31,970 --> 00:15:33,449 Hong? Will they go further towards 517 00:15:33,450 --> 00:15:35,089 the center, towards Crowley? 518 00:15:35,090 --> 00:15:36,289 And of course, I haven't checked the 519 00:15:36,290 --> 00:15:37,749 numbers recently, but as of last 520 00:15:37,750 --> 00:15:39,669 week, 100,000 absentee ballots 521 00:15:39,670 --> 00:15:40,669 had already been turned in. 522 00:15:40,670 --> 00:15:42,109 I imagine that number is much higher 523 00:15:42,110 --> 00:15:43,829 now. So, there's also the question 524 00:15:43,830 --> 00:15:45,649 of like... Of the remaining 525 00:15:45,650 --> 00:15:47,129 voters who haven't cast their 526 00:15:47,130 --> 00:15:49,469 ballots, some of them are undecided, 527 00:15:49,470 --> 00:15:51,349 but those who were leaning towards 528 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:52,929 Barnes, now where are they going to 529 00:15:52,930 --> 00:15:54,909 go, especially if these 530 00:15:54,910 --> 00:15:56,529 allegations start to come out and it 531 00:15:56,530 --> 00:15:58,129 becomes an even more chaotic news 532 00:15:58,130 --> 00:16:00,149 cycle that distracts from the actual 533 00:16:00,150 --> 00:16:02,329 meat of the campaign. 534 00:16:02,330 --> 00:16:04,229 Uh, Rich, you know, real 535 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:06,049 quick on that law, on those 536 00:16:06,050 --> 00:16:08,229 ballots, there was a lawsuit filed 537 00:16:08,230 --> 00:16:11,149 to try to get them counted, 538 00:16:11,150 --> 00:16:12,849 a judge ruled on that this week, 539 00:16:12,850 --> 00:16:14,909 what does that mean for those 540 00:16:14,910 --> 00:16:15,910 absentee ballots? 541 00:16:17,580 --> 00:16:20,939 Well, yeah, the judge dismissed 542 00:16:20,940 --> 00:16:23,059 or denied to issue an injunction 543 00:16:23,060 --> 00:16:24,679 essentially blocking the Wisconsin 544 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:26,379 Elections Commission guidance saying 545 00:16:26,380 --> 00:16:28,619 that you cannot, 546 00:16:28,620 --> 00:16:30,299 if you have sent in your absentee 547 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:32,139 ballot, you cannot ask for 548 00:16:32,140 --> 00:16:34,259 it to be spoiled and get a new one. 549 00:16:34,260 --> 00:16:36,079 So essentially what that means is 550 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:37,299 that people who have already cast 551 00:16:37,300 --> 00:16:39,619 ballots for, 552 00:16:39,620 --> 00:16:41,659 you know, Lieutenant Governor Sara 553 00:16:41,660 --> 00:16:43,779 Rodriguez, Mandela Barnes, 554 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:46,879 Missy Hughes, they're essentially 555 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:47,839 out of luck. 556 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:50,139 At this point so 557 00:16:50,140 --> 00:16:52,199 Unless that changes unless this is 558 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:53,899 rushed through an appeal process up 559 00:16:53,900 --> 00:16:55,379 to the Supreme Court and the Supreme 560 00:16:55,380 --> 00:16:57,279 court makes a ruling before August 561 00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:59,779 11th it kind of seems like 562 00:16:59,780 --> 00:17:02,139 Those votes will be counted, but 563 00:17:02,140 --> 00:17:04,409 they won't go anywhere 564 00:17:04,410 --> 00:17:06,149 Zach, we had a couple of polls out 565 00:17:06,150 --> 00:17:07,368 this week. 566 00:17:07,369 --> 00:17:09,189 They both showed Francesca Hong 567 00:17:09,190 --> 00:17:11,009 with at least a 20-point 568 00:17:11,010 --> 00:17:12,010 lead. 569 00:17:12,670 --> 00:17:14,429 One of them showed Mandela Barnes. 570 00:17:14,430 --> 00:17:15,848 Marquette showed Mandella Barnes. 571 00:17:15,849 --> 00:17:16,929 And second, David Crowley down at 572 00:17:16,930 --> 00:17:18,309 about 7%. 573 00:17:18,310 --> 00:17:20,409 But in the Marquett poll, 574 00:17:20,410 --> 00:17:21,949 we're looking at a third of voters 575 00:17:21,950 --> 00:17:23,649 still undecided. 576 00:17:23,650 --> 00:17:24,989 Now Mandela Barns is out of the 577 00:17:24,990 --> 00:17:25,969 race. You got all those undecide 578 00:17:25,970 --> 00:17:26,848 voters. 579 00:17:26,849 --> 00:17:28,709 David Crowely is still there. 580 00:17:28,710 --> 00:17:30,909 Could this race shake 581 00:17:30,910 --> 00:17:33,789 up and change in the closing days? 582 00:17:33,790 --> 00:17:34,379 Well. 583 00:17:34,380 --> 00:17:36,339 Every time we say no, we're proven 584 00:17:36,340 --> 00:17:38,199 wrong, it does get shaken up 585 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:39,919 by larger events than what we 586 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:40,979 probably could have predicted on 587 00:17:40,980 --> 00:17:41,859 this show. 588 00:17:41,860 --> 00:17:43,719 But the question is, is there 589 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:45,799 enough room for anyone to 590 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:47,439 gain enough ground to catch the lead 591 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:49,319 that Franchesca Hong looks like she 592 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:51,479 has? Just talking about those 593 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:52,639 absentee ballots that have been 594 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:53,939 cast, they're not getting counted 595 00:17:53,940 --> 00:17:54,859 back. 596 00:17:54,860 --> 00:17:56,459 The question will be, once this race 597 00:17:56,460 --> 00:17:58,359 is all over, will the margin 598 00:17:58,360 --> 00:18:00,479 of votes that Mandela Barnes 599 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:02,359 and Rodrigues received add 600 00:18:02,360 --> 00:18:04,129 up to the amount. 601 00:18:04,130 --> 00:18:05,889 That the second place person took, 602 00:18:05,890 --> 00:18:07,249 or will they have made a difference 603 00:18:07,250 --> 00:18:08,869 in some spoiling manner? 604 00:18:08,870 --> 00:18:10,189 That'll be interesting math to see, 605 00:18:10,190 --> 00:18:11,609 but by then, we'll have a winner. 606 00:18:11,610 --> 00:18:13,689 Yeah, we're either going to have 607 00:18:13,690 --> 00:18:15,769 a massive comeback 608 00:18:15,770 --> 00:18:17,349 here by one of these candidates 609 00:18:17,350 --> 00:18:19,569 coming back to, 610 00:18:19,570 --> 00:18:21,469 I guess, edge out Francis Kong 611 00:18:21,470 --> 00:18:22,869 at the end, or else we're going to 612 00:18:22,870 --> 00:18:24,789 the most interesting governor's 613 00:18:24,790 --> 00:18:26,629 race in the country this November 614 00:18:26,630 --> 00:18:28,649 between a democratic socialist 615 00:18:28,650 --> 00:18:30,449 and somebody that Democrats will 616 00:18:30,450 --> 00:18:32,469 paint as an election denier in 617 00:18:32,470 --> 00:18:34,329 Tom Tiffany. So get ready for 618 00:18:34,330 --> 00:18:36,069 a lot of money and ads to come to 619 00:18:36,070 --> 00:18:37,449 your state of Wisconsin, which we 620 00:18:37,450 --> 00:18:39,059 are very used to. 621 00:18:39,060 --> 00:18:40,079 That's all the time we have for 622 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:41,519 today. Thanks for joining us. 623 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,099 This has been Inside Wisconsin 624 00:18:43,100 --> 00:18:44,239 Politics. 625 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:45,259 Be sure to follow us on 626 00:18:45,260 --> 00:18:47,879 pbswisconsin.org, wpr.org 627 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:49,799 YouTube, or wherever you 628 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:50,800 get your podcasts.