1 00:00:35,220 --> 00:00:36,999 In other closely-watched races, 2 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:38,619 Michael Alfonso won the Republican 3 00:00:38,620 --> 00:00:40,279 primary in the 7th Congressional 4 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:42,179 District in northern Wisconsin. 5 00:00:42,180 --> 00:00:43,879 He's the Trump-endorsed son-in-law 6 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:45,539 of Transportation Secretary Sean 7 00:00:45,540 --> 00:00:46,339 Duffy. 8 00:00:46,340 --> 00:00:48,079 The 7th has a strong Republican 9 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:49,459 lean, and if elected, the 10 00:00:49,460 --> 00:00:51,419 26-year-old Alfonzo will become the 11 00:00:51,420 --> 00:00:53,219 youngest member of Congress. 12 00:00:53,220 --> 00:00:54,919 He faces former state legislator 13 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:56,419 Fred Clark, who won the Democratic 14 00:00:56,420 --> 00:00:57,239 primary. 15 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:58,679 In the third congressional district 16 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:00,479 in western Wisconsin, Rebecca Cooke 17 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:01,979 won the Democratic primary with more 18 00:01:01,980 --> 00:01:03,959 than 60% of the vote, setting up 19 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:05,098 a rematch with Republican 20 00:01:05,099 --> 00:01:07,259 Congressman Derek Van Orden. 21 00:01:07,260 --> 00:01:08,419 Plenty to talk about with our 22 00:01:08,420 --> 00:01:10,079 political panelists, Republican Bill 23 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:12,019 McCoshen and Democrat Scott Ross. 24 00:01:12,020 --> 00:01:12,939 Thanks to both of you for being 25 00:01:12,940 --> 00:01:14,159 here. Thanks for having us. 26 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:15,379 First, we have to talk about 27 00:01:15,380 --> 00:01:16,639 Crowley's win on Tuesday. 28 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:18,479 Scott, how improbable was it to 29 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:20,279 see a candidate drop out and then 30 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:21,539 come back in less than a month and 31 00:01:21,540 --> 00:01:22,409 win the nomination? 32 00:01:22,410 --> 00:01:23,869 Oh, it's something we haven't seen 33 00:01:23,870 --> 00:01:25,609 before, but, you know, David Crowley 34 00:01:25,610 --> 00:01:27,629 has a long record of delivering 35 00:01:27,630 --> 00:01:29,709 for the people of Wisconsin as the 36 00:01:29,710 --> 00:01:30,729 county executive of the largest 37 00:01:30,730 --> 00:01:32,489 county. He's cut property taxes, 38 00:01:32,490 --> 00:01:34,409 he's invested in small businesses, 39 00:01:34,410 --> 00:01:35,849 he has invested in community health 40 00:01:35,850 --> 00:01:37,329 and he's investing in the things 41 00:01:37,330 --> 00:01:39,589 that really drive the economy and 42 00:01:39,590 --> 00:01:40,809 move things forward. 43 00:01:40,810 --> 00:01:42,189 So he's a formidable candidate 44 00:01:42,190 --> 00:01:44,369 against a very flawed candidate in 45 00:01:44,370 --> 00:01:45,949 Tom Tiffany who as a 10-year record 46 00:01:45,950 --> 00:01:47,739 in the state legislature of making. 47 00:01:47,740 --> 00:01:49,559 It harder for Wisconsinites, 48 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:51,679 and he decided to go after 49 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:53,799 to Congress on the next thing, 50 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:55,559 and he spent five years making it 51 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:56,929 harder for everybody else. 52 00:01:56,930 --> 00:01:58,689 So, Bill, Tom Tiffany, Republicans, 53 00:01:58,690 --> 00:02:00,449 seemed very eager to face Francesca 54 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:01,989 Hong. Will it be a shift for them to 55 00:02:01,990 --> 00:02:02,879 pivot to Crowley? 56 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:03,719 Yeah, I don't think there's any 57 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:04,519 question about that. 58 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:05,859 But to the original question, I 59 00:02:05,860 --> 00:02:07,459 think it's unprecedented what 60 00:02:07,460 --> 00:02:09,019 happened on Tuesday night. 61 00:02:09,020 --> 00:02:10,119 I mean, we've never seen a candidate 62 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:11,499 get out of the race and then get 63 00:02:11,500 --> 00:02:13,239 back into the race, get the sitting 64 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:14,719 governor's endorsement. 65 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:15,959 The sitting governor travels around 66 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:17,339 the state with them and literally 67 00:02:17,340 --> 00:02:19,279 brings them across the finish line. 68 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:21,259 For your poker players and poker 69 00:02:21,260 --> 00:02:22,539 enthusiasts that are watching this 70 00:02:22,540 --> 00:02:24,339 show, this is like a royal flush. 71 00:02:24,340 --> 00:02:26,279 For that to happen, every star had 72 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:27,759 to line up perfectly, and I give 73 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:28,859 Governor Evers credit. 74 00:02:28,860 --> 00:02:30,519 I mean, he leaned into David Crowley 75 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:32,119 and did everything he could. 76 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:33,939 He put his legacy on the line, 77 00:02:33,940 --> 00:02:35,999 and it worked. 78 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,099 That coupled with $4 million of 79 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:39,899 ads at the end that trade unions 80 00:02:39,900 --> 00:02:41,899 were very much involved in, 81 00:02:41,900 --> 00:02:43,479 they get credit for that as well. 82 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:45,339 And there was finally some contrast 83 00:02:45,340 --> 00:02:46,739 in the race. David Crowley ran some 84 00:02:46,740 --> 00:02:48,519 contrast, and it was on the biggest 85 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,379 flaw that Francesca Hung made the 86 00:02:50,380 --> 00:02:52,059 entire campaign, which was the issue 87 00:02:52,060 --> 00:02:52,879 of Thanksgiving. 88 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:54,899 She said, she had old 89 00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:55,899 tweets that said, cancel 90 00:02:55,900 --> 00:02:57,939 Thanksgiving. She went on both Fox 91 00:02:57,940 --> 00:02:59,939 News and CNN and had 92 00:02:59,940 --> 00:03:01,779 some unfortunate comments that 93 00:03:01,780 --> 00:03:03,419 lasted a whole week nationally. 94 00:03:03,420 --> 00:03:05,099 It was a bad, it was the worst 95 00:03:05,100 --> 00:03:06,619 unforced error I've ever seen in 96 00:03:06,620 --> 00:03:07,759 statewide politics. 97 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,159 That played into this as well. 98 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:11,639 But it was an unbelievable 99 00:03:11,640 --> 00:03:14,229 comeback for David Crowley. 100 00:03:14,230 --> 00:03:15,269 Thanksgiving was going to be the 101 00:03:15,270 --> 00:03:16,549 deciding issue? 102 00:03:16,550 --> 00:03:18,369 Well, I always joke that Donald 103 00:03:18,370 --> 00:03:19,649 Trump hates Thanksgiving, too, 104 00:03:19,650 --> 00:03:20,489 because it means he has to spend 105 00:03:20,490 --> 00:03:22,029 more time with Donald Jr. 106 00:03:22,030 --> 00:03:23,949 And... And Eric, I don't know if he 107 00:03:23,950 --> 00:03:25,309 spends any time with the second one 108 00:03:25,310 --> 00:03:26,670 from the second marriage or the, you 109 00:03:26,671 --> 00:03:28,269 know, anchor baby from the third, 110 00:03:28,270 --> 00:03:29,549 but that's, you know. 111 00:03:29,550 --> 00:03:31,609 I mean, again, this race now goes 112 00:03:31,610 --> 00:03:32,909 on to Donald Trump. 113 00:03:32,910 --> 00:03:34,749 This is about Donald Trump and Tom 114 00:03:34,750 --> 00:03:36,509 Tiffany. Tom Tiffany and Donald 115 00:03:36,510 --> 00:03:37,829 Trump lie about everything. 116 00:03:37,830 --> 00:03:39,629 He has a long record of failing 117 00:03:39,630 --> 00:03:41,249 Wisconsin, whether it's cutting $300 118 00:03:41,250 --> 00:03:43,149 billion from rural health 119 00:03:43,150 --> 00:03:45,169 care, whether it's 120 00:03:45,170 --> 00:03:46,789 a nationwide abortion ban, which he 121 00:03:46,790 --> 00:03:48,249 supports. When he was in state 122 00:03:48,250 --> 00:03:50,269 legislature he cut 123 00:03:50,270 --> 00:03:51,929 public education by the largest in 124 00:03:51,930 --> 00:03:54,469 history. This case now will be about 125 00:03:54,470 --> 00:03:57,829 Donald Trump, whose rating 126 00:03:57,830 --> 00:03:59,689 is in the toilet, and the fact that 127 00:03:59,690 --> 00:04:02,009 Tom Tiffany votes with him, not 80% 128 00:04:02,010 --> 00:04:04,149 of the time, not 90% of time, 129 00:04:04,150 --> 00:04:05,809 100% of the time. 130 00:04:05,810 --> 00:04:07,749 My God, if we usually 131 00:04:07,750 --> 00:04:10,369 see candidates out there on busses, 132 00:04:10,370 --> 00:04:11,909 if Donald Trump says so, Tom 133 00:04:11,910 --> 00:04:13,349 Tiffany's gonna be riding around in 134 00:04:13,350 --> 00:04:14,909 a, you know, in one of those 135 00:04:14,910 --> 00:04:16,309 catering carts. 136 00:04:16,310 --> 00:04:18,268 Well, Tom Tiffany was asked, 137 00:04:18,269 --> 00:04:19,349 would you like to see Donald Trump 138 00:04:19,350 --> 00:04:20,610 in Wisconsin? And he hedged, he 139 00:04:20,611 --> 00:04:21,929 said, oh, he's very busy. 140 00:04:21,930 --> 00:04:23,489 Well, let me just be very clear 141 00:04:23,490 --> 00:04:24,429 about this. 142 00:04:24,430 --> 00:04:25,969 No one in history has gotten more 143 00:04:25,970 --> 00:04:27,289 votes in the state of Wisconsin than 144 00:04:27,290 --> 00:04:28,769 Donald Trump. If Donald Trump can 145 00:04:28,770 --> 00:04:30,709 turn out that 1.7 million 146 00:04:30,710 --> 00:04:32,609 voters for Tom Tiffany, 147 00:04:32,610 --> 00:04:34,489 Tom Tiffany will easily be the next 148 00:04:34,490 --> 00:04:35,769 governor of the state Wisconsin. 149 00:04:35,770 --> 00:04:37,829 So yes, there is a role for Donald 150 00:04:37,830 --> 00:04:39,189 Trump in this election. 151 00:04:39,190 --> 00:04:41,689 And whether that's 152 00:04:41,690 --> 00:04:43,049 town hall meetings like he did for 153 00:04:43,050 --> 00:04:45,329 Michael Alfonso or it's mail or 154 00:04:45,330 --> 00:04:47,169 it phone banks or whatever 155 00:04:47,170 --> 00:04:48,669 it may be, and maybe it's public 156 00:04:48,670 --> 00:04:49,939 appearances, we'll see. 157 00:04:49,940 --> 00:04:51,559 But there's absolutely a role for 158 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:52,459 Donald Trump. 159 00:04:52,460 --> 00:04:53,759 So I want to talk about polling. 160 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:55,099 I know you have a long-standing beef 161 00:04:55,100 --> 00:04:56,659 with the media and how the media 162 00:04:56,660 --> 00:04:57,879 covers polling. 163 00:04:57,880 --> 00:04:59,199 What should we take away from this, 164 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,219 and what's your advice to the public 165 00:05:01,220 --> 00:05:02,879 when it comes to the avalanche of 166 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:03,919 polls we're gonna see in the next 167 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:04,489 couple months? 168 00:05:04,490 --> 00:05:06,709 Well, again, when you 169 00:05:06,710 --> 00:05:07,929 make the race just about the horse 170 00:05:07,930 --> 00:05:09,029 race, you're not talking about the 171 00:05:09,030 --> 00:05:10,309 important issues that face the 172 00:05:10,310 --> 00:05:11,349 people of Wisconsin, whether it's 173 00:05:11,350 --> 00:05:12,689 education, whether it's 174 00:05:12,690 --> 00:05:13,989 affordability, whether the fact that 175 00:05:13,990 --> 00:05:15,369 gas prices are at record high, 176 00:05:15,370 --> 00:05:16,749 nearly four dollars a gallon in the 177 00:05:16,750 --> 00:05:17,829 state of Wisconsin. 178 00:05:17,830 --> 00:05:19,769 All those sorts of things take away 179 00:05:19,770 --> 00:05:22,149 from what is the real issue here, 180 00:05:22,150 --> 00:05:23,829 which is what the candidates stand 181 00:05:23,830 --> 00:05:26,309 for, what they've done in 182 00:05:26,310 --> 00:05:27,649 the past and what they're going to 183 00:05:27,650 --> 00:05:28,729 do in the future for us. 184 00:05:28,730 --> 00:05:30,429 And so that's where I think we have 185 00:05:30,430 --> 00:05:32,349 to, you know, we can't just anoint 186 00:05:32,350 --> 00:05:34,349 people based on you know, what is 187 00:05:34,350 --> 00:05:35,389 in a sample? Because we've seen 188 00:05:35,390 --> 00:05:36,589 polling here. I mean, you know in 189 00:05:36,590 --> 00:05:38,129 April, we saw polling that said 190 00:05:38,130 --> 00:05:39,969 Maria Lazar had a chance and 191 00:05:39,970 --> 00:05:41,429 two weeks later, she lost by, you 192 00:05:41,430 --> 00:05:42,289 now, 20 points. 193 00:05:42,290 --> 00:05:43,290 40 or? 194 00:05:44,210 --> 00:05:46,049 20 points, you no, so I, again, I 195 00:05:46,050 --> 00:05:47,789 think that the important thing is, 196 00:05:47,790 --> 00:05:49,809 is that people are transparent in 197 00:05:49,810 --> 00:05:51,929 the process and make sure that you 198 00:05:51,930 --> 00:05:53,089 know they get the information they 199 00:05:53,090 --> 00:05:54,609 need and maybe polling isn't the way 200 00:05:54,610 --> 00:05:55,629 to determine. It should be 201 00:05:55,630 --> 00:05:57,309 determined by who you think is going 202 00:05:57,310 --> 00:05:59,129 to be best for you and make your 203 00:05:59,130 --> 00:05:59,649 life better. 204 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:00,789 How much should it discourage 205 00:06:00,790 --> 00:06:02,049 Republicans because they were dead 206 00:06:02,050 --> 00:06:02,949 set, they were going to face 207 00:06:02,950 --> 00:06:03,649 Francesca Hong. 208 00:06:03,650 --> 00:06:04,969 Well, I think they were certain, 209 00:06:04,970 --> 00:06:06,569 including me, that she was going to 210 00:06:06,570 --> 00:06:08,009 win that primary because on Friday 211 00:06:08,010 --> 00:06:09,909 before the Tuesday election, 212 00:06:09,910 --> 00:06:11,349 a poll came out that had her up 22 213 00:06:11,350 --> 00:06:12,189 points. 214 00:06:12,190 --> 00:06:14,049 Even Marquette's poll the 215 00:06:14,050 --> 00:06:16,579 week prior had her 20 points. 216 00:06:16,580 --> 00:06:18,619 All four of the last polls were 20 217 00:06:18,620 --> 00:06:20,139 or more. 218 00:06:20,140 --> 00:06:22,339 Mark Kutt actually got her number 219 00:06:22,340 --> 00:06:24,139 right. They had her at 38. 220 00:06:24,140 --> 00:06:25,799 She finished at 39.3. 221 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:27,359 That's well within the margin of 222 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:28,360 error. 223 00:06:28,620 --> 00:06:30,639 What they also got right was 224 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:31,979 the undecided number. 225 00:06:31,980 --> 00:06:34,019 It was probably around 34% 226 00:06:34,020 --> 00:06:35,359 two weeks out. 227 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:37,059 What nobody could have predicted, I 228 00:06:37,060 --> 00:06:38,099 don't think Scott could have, I 229 00:06:38,100 --> 00:06:39,719 certainly couldn't have, was that 230 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,599 David Crowley would get almost 100% 231 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:43,539 of the undefined. 232 00:06:43,540 --> 00:06:44,859 That's unheard of. 233 00:06:44,860 --> 00:06:46,739 Fran Hong got one of the 234 00:06:46,740 --> 00:06:47,519 34%. 235 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:49,479 David Crowley got 32%. 236 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:51,499 One percent went others in 237 00:06:51,500 --> 00:06:53,379 their field. That's absolutely 238 00:06:53,380 --> 00:06:55,539 unprecedented in Wisconsin politics, 239 00:06:55,540 --> 00:06:57,499 and it shows that the coalescing of 240 00:06:57,500 --> 00:06:59,319 Democrats behind a single candidate 241 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:01,029 focused on electability. 242 00:07:01,030 --> 00:07:02,269 Yeah, that was the thing. 243 00:07:02,270 --> 00:07:03,469 I mean, when you focused on that 244 00:07:03,470 --> 00:07:05,289 issue of electability, something was 245 00:07:05,290 --> 00:07:06,669 very easy. You said the Thanksgiving 246 00:07:06,670 --> 00:07:08,129 thing. I think that was absolutely 247 00:07:08,130 --> 00:07:09,969 devastating to the harm campaign. 248 00:07:09,970 --> 00:07:11,349 And it showed, like, rather than 249 00:07:11,350 --> 00:07:12,969 large, complicated policy 250 00:07:12,970 --> 00:07:14,689 pronouncements, if the issue is 251 00:07:14,690 --> 00:07:16,409 electability it's pretty easy to 252 00:07:16,410 --> 00:07:17,369 understand that that might be a 253 00:07:17,370 --> 00:07:19,009 vulnerability because a lot of 254 00:07:19,010 --> 00:07:20,049 people like Thanksgiving. 255 00:07:20,050 --> 00:07:20,449 Yeah. 256 00:07:20,450 --> 00:07:22,329 So, the rap on Tom Tiffany a year 257 00:07:22,330 --> 00:07:23,949 ago when he was first being floated 258 00:07:23,950 --> 00:07:25,209 as a candidate for governor was, can 259 00:07:25,210 --> 00:07:26,229 he raise any money? 260 00:07:26,230 --> 00:07:27,469 Well, he's had billionaires that 261 00:07:27,470 --> 00:07:28,429 have transferred money through the 262 00:07:28,430 --> 00:07:29,289 party to him. 263 00:07:29,290 --> 00:07:30,389 He's funded a lot of ads. 264 00:07:30,390 --> 00:07:32,289 He's already on the air right now. 265 00:07:32,290 --> 00:07:33,709 Will he have enough or do you think 266 00:07:33,710 --> 00:07:35,029 maybe the billionaire Fawcett gets 267 00:07:35,030 --> 00:07:36,469 turned off if they don't view this 268 00:07:36,470 --> 00:07:39,029 as as winnable a race with it. 269 00:07:39,030 --> 00:07:40,529 Oh, I think he's going to raise more 270 00:07:40,530 --> 00:07:42,189 money than any candidate in history, 271 00:07:42,190 --> 00:07:43,969 and that includes the self-funders 272 00:07:43,970 --> 00:07:45,729 that we've had in the last couple of 273 00:07:45,730 --> 00:07:47,449 cycles on the Republican side. 274 00:07:47,450 --> 00:07:48,729 I don't think money's going be an 275 00:07:48,730 --> 00:07:50,389 issue for Tom Tiffany. 276 00:07:50,390 --> 00:07:51,489 I think they're going to do even 277 00:07:51,490 --> 00:07:53,309 more on the low-dollar side. 278 00:07:53,310 --> 00:07:54,149 That's out there. 279 00:07:54,150 --> 00:07:55,629 It's called low-hanging fruit in 280 00:07:55,630 --> 00:07:57,169 politics. They can easily go get 281 00:07:57,170 --> 00:07:59,049 that, but Tom Tiffany will 282 00:07:59,050 --> 00:08:00,279 not have a resource issue. 283 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:01,839 Well, Democrats have enough money. 284 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:02,959 Ben Wickler's not there at the 285 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:04,079 Democratic Party to bring in all 286 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:05,409 that money. He's helped. 287 00:08:05,410 --> 00:08:08,749 Yeah, I think he'll be helping out. 288 00:08:08,750 --> 00:08:10,649 The Democratic strategy is 289 00:08:10,650 --> 00:08:11,949 to raise a lot of money, right? 290 00:08:11,950 --> 00:08:13,609 They've done a very good job using 291 00:08:13,610 --> 00:08:15,189 things like the loopholes created by 292 00:08:15,190 --> 00:08:16,589 Robin Voss. We've never been in on 293 00:08:16,590 --> 00:08:17,849 the grift. 294 00:08:17,850 --> 00:08:19,809 Mayhaps another instance of being 295 00:08:19,810 --> 00:08:21,729 hoisted on your own petard, 296 00:08:21,730 --> 00:08:23,769 and they have $5 million left to 297 00:08:23,770 --> 00:08:24,889 spend, of course, because the 298 00:08:24,890 --> 00:08:26,729 Republicans, what they wanted to 299 00:08:26,730 --> 00:08:28,589 accomplish was that Fran Hong not be 300 00:08:28,590 --> 00:08:29,629 the next governor of the great state 301 00:08:29,630 --> 00:08:31,149 of Wisconsin, and with their $5 302 00:08:31,150 --> 00:08:32,668 million of spending have achieved 303 00:08:32,669 --> 00:08:33,669 their goal. 304 00:08:34,209 --> 00:08:36,408 I'm sure they're popping champagne 305 00:08:36,409 --> 00:08:37,490 bottles over that one. 306 00:08:38,669 --> 00:08:39,629 It's, you know, this is going to be 307 00:08:39,630 --> 00:08:40,569 a wide open race. 308 00:08:40,570 --> 00:08:41,928 Clearly, as you pointed out, Tom 309 00:08:41,929 --> 00:08:44,189 Tiffany has raised $10 million of 310 00:08:44,190 --> 00:08:46,749 his money in 2026 311 00:08:46,750 --> 00:08:48,749 from three billionaires, you now, 312 00:08:48,750 --> 00:08:50,609 the two U lines and Diane 313 00:08:50,610 --> 00:08:52,029 Hendrix. And on the day he got his 314 00:08:52,030 --> 00:08:53,829 last transfer, he promised on the 315 00:08:53,830 --> 00:08:54,789 radio he was not going to raise 316 00:08:54,790 --> 00:08:55,749 taxes on billionaires. 317 00:08:55,750 --> 00:08:57,809 So that was nice timing for that. 318 00:08:57,810 --> 00:08:59,589 Um, this is a loophole that 319 00:08:59,590 --> 00:09:00,979 Democrats have used successfully. 320 00:09:00,980 --> 00:09:03,179 Under Ben Wickler for 10 321 00:09:03,180 --> 00:09:04,559 straight years. 322 00:09:04,560 --> 00:09:06,279 Republicans are finally figured it 323 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:07,079 out. 324 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:08,279 Yeah, we're leveling the playing 325 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:08,569 field. 326 00:09:08,570 --> 00:09:10,569 The irony of this is, it was less 327 00:09:10,570 --> 00:09:12,089 than a year ago that Tom Tiffany was 328 00:09:12,090 --> 00:09:13,129 calling this the billionaire 329 00:09:13,130 --> 00:09:14,889 loophole that Democrats abused, even 330 00:09:14,890 --> 00:09:16,369 though he was part of the process of 331 00:09:16,370 --> 00:09:17,669 creating it, but now he's taking 332 00:09:17,670 --> 00:09:17,949 advantage. 333 00:09:17,950 --> 00:09:19,169 Well, why wouldn't you? 334 00:09:19,170 --> 00:09:20,709 It's a legal mechanism for raising 335 00:09:20,710 --> 00:09:22,489 money in the state of Wisconsin, and 336 00:09:22,490 --> 00:09:23,949 Republicans have failed to use it in 337 00:09:23,950 --> 00:09:24,809 the past. 338 00:09:24,810 --> 00:09:25,649 Tiffany's not going to make that 339 00:09:25,650 --> 00:09:25,969 mistake. 340 00:09:25,970 --> 00:09:27,229 He can spend all the money he wants, 341 00:09:27,230 --> 00:09:28,649 but he can't erase his record. 342 00:09:28,650 --> 00:09:30,649 He did scrub his website right 343 00:09:30,650 --> 00:09:32,649 before he got in saying all the 344 00:09:32,650 --> 00:09:35,109 really radically extreme policies, 345 00:09:35,110 --> 00:09:36,249 but that again yesterday he was 346 00:09:36,250 --> 00:09:38,089 photographed with his lit in his 347 00:09:38,090 --> 00:09:39,869 back pocket, which says MAGA 348 00:09:39,870 --> 00:09:41,809 extremist Tom Tiffany. 349 00:09:41,810 --> 00:09:43,629 So we'll have to see how he explains 350 00:09:43,630 --> 00:09:44,209 that one away. 351 00:09:44,210 --> 00:09:45,729 Gubernatorial races are all about 352 00:09:45,730 --> 00:09:47,109 the future. What are you going to do 353 00:09:47,110 --> 00:09:48,729 for me? What's in it for me as a 354 00:09:48,730 --> 00:09:50,589 voter if I vote for you Scott Ross 355 00:09:50,590 --> 00:09:51,969 or Bill McCaushan or in this case 356 00:09:51,970 --> 00:09:53,869 Tom Tiffany or David Crowley? 357 00:09:53,870 --> 00:09:55,169 Tom Tiffany's already out with 358 00:09:55,170 --> 00:09:56,669 positive ads talking about his 359 00:09:56,670 --> 00:09:58,429 agenda for the future of the state 360 00:09:58,430 --> 00:09:59,379 of Wisconsin. 361 00:09:59,380 --> 00:10:00,579 And I think it's very, very 362 00:10:00,580 --> 00:10:02,119 positive. You're also going to see 363 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,259 sharp contrast between him and David 364 00:10:04,260 --> 00:10:06,119 Crowley, which you did not see until 365 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:07,559 the very end of the Democratic 366 00:10:07,560 --> 00:10:08,359 primary. 367 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:10,379 And I that was a mistake for 368 00:10:10,380 --> 00:10:11,659 all the other candidates who ran 369 00:10:11,660 --> 00:10:13,099 against Francesca Hong. 370 00:10:13,100 --> 00:10:14,859 David Crowely figured it out at the 371 00:10:14,860 --> 00:10:16,809 right time, and it worked. 372 00:10:16,810 --> 00:10:18,369 Switching to congressional races, 373 00:10:18,370 --> 00:10:19,489 we've got a rematch in the third 374 00:10:19,490 --> 00:10:21,009 with incumbent Republican Derek Van 375 00:10:21,010 --> 00:10:23,189 Orden against Rebecca Cook. 376 00:10:23,190 --> 00:10:24,649 Scott, does this race follow the 377 00:10:24,650 --> 00:10:26,189 national environment or the top of 378 00:10:26,190 --> 00:10:27,529 the ticket, or does it stand out on 379 00:10:27,530 --> 00:10:28,889 its own, particularly for Democrats 380 00:10:28,890 --> 00:10:30,189 and independents in the 3rd? 381 00:10:30,190 --> 00:10:31,889 Well, I would say that because Tom 382 00:10:31,890 --> 00:10:33,349 Tiffany, you know, supports the $2 383 00:10:33,350 --> 00:10:35,049 billion slush fund for terrorist 384 00:10:35,050 --> 00:10:37,049 insurrectionists, that he is 385 00:10:37,050 --> 00:10:38,790 the biggest January 6th terrorist 386 00:10:38,791 --> 00:10:40,069 insurrections in Wisconsin. 387 00:10:40,070 --> 00:10:41,529 But we actually have. 388 00:10:41,530 --> 00:10:42,949 A January 6 terrorist 389 00:10:42,950 --> 00:10:44,609 insurrectionist is the candidate and 390 00:10:44,610 --> 00:10:46,209 current congressperson from the 391 00:10:46,210 --> 00:10:47,469 third congressional district, Derek 392 00:10:47,470 --> 00:10:49,629 Van Orten. He is unhinged. 393 00:10:49,630 --> 00:10:51,289 People criticize me sometimes about 394 00:10:51,290 --> 00:10:53,269 my speaking online, 395 00:10:53,270 --> 00:10:55,229 but this guy is totally unhinge. 396 00:10:55,230 --> 00:10:56,989 And Rebecca Cook brings a real 397 00:10:56,990 --> 00:10:59,789 experience of what people in 398 00:10:59,790 --> 00:11:00,849 the third Congressional district 399 00:11:00,850 --> 00:11:02,369 have to deal with, affordability, 400 00:11:02,370 --> 00:11:04,509 gas prices, working two jobs. 401 00:11:04,510 --> 00:11:05,949 And I think that translates much 402 00:11:05,950 --> 00:11:07,949 better for what the public 403 00:11:07,950 --> 00:11:09,589 is going to want in selection, 404 00:11:09,590 --> 00:11:11,309 especially given the record that 405 00:11:11,310 --> 00:11:12,469 Trump has. 406 00:11:12,470 --> 00:11:14,009 In the state, whether it's with Tom 407 00:11:14,010 --> 00:11:15,849 Tiffany or Derek Van Orton of really 408 00:11:15,850 --> 00:11:16,619 hurting people. 409 00:11:16,620 --> 00:11:18,459 Even in midterms, which are 410 00:11:18,460 --> 00:11:19,979 historically bad for the party in 411 00:11:19,980 --> 00:11:21,459 power, and in this case it's 412 00:11:21,460 --> 00:11:23,699 Republicans, 87% 413 00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:25,339 of incumbent Congress people get 414 00:11:25,340 --> 00:11:26,259 re-elected. 415 00:11:26,260 --> 00:11:27,879 So the advantage is going to be to 416 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:28,999 Derek Van Orden. 417 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:30,539 Rebecca Cook has already lost that 418 00:11:30,540 --> 00:11:31,540 seat twice. 419 00:11:32,500 --> 00:11:33,819 I think she's going to lose the 420 00:11:33,820 --> 00:11:35,199 rematch. It's going be a hat-trick 421 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:37,059 of losses for her, but it 422 00:11:37,060 --> 00:11:38,199 will be a competitive race right 423 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:39,239 down to the end. And that's one 424 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:41,059 where we may see Donald Trump in La 425 00:11:41,060 --> 00:11:41,859 Crosse or Eau Claire. 426 00:11:41,860 --> 00:11:43,839 Does Derek Van Orden need to adjust 427 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:44,779 his behavior? 428 00:11:44,780 --> 00:11:46,139 Already on Twitter this week, he was 429 00:11:46,140 --> 00:11:47,699 saying Democrats stole the primary 430 00:11:47,700 --> 00:11:48,519 election. 431 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:49,029 Or is he just... 432 00:11:49,030 --> 00:11:50,849 I think he is who he 433 00:11:50,850 --> 00:11:52,689 is. I wouldn't have said that. 434 00:11:52,690 --> 00:11:53,709 I don't think that's accurate. 435 00:11:53,710 --> 00:11:54,969 I don't think we should care how 436 00:11:54,970 --> 00:11:56,849 your primary played out. 437 00:11:56,850 --> 00:11:57,989 At the end of the day, Francesca 438 00:11:57,990 --> 00:11:59,229 Hong didn't care. She had the 439 00:11:59,230 --> 00:12:01,089 ability to ask for 440 00:12:01,090 --> 00:12:02,929 a recount. She chose not to. 441 00:12:02,930 --> 00:12:04,769 It spoke volumes about her 442 00:12:04,770 --> 00:12:06,229 character, I think. 443 00:12:06,230 --> 00:12:07,769 So we should focus on the future. 444 00:12:07,770 --> 00:12:09,289 That's what voters want us to talk 445 00:12:09,290 --> 00:12:11,109 about is what are you 446 00:12:11,110 --> 00:12:13,349 going to do to help us balance our 447 00:12:13,350 --> 00:12:14,719 checkbook every month here? 448 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:16,599 So in the seventh congressional, 449 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:17,739 Michael Alfonso used his 450 00:12:17,740 --> 00:12:19,419 father-in-law's money and the Trump 451 00:12:19,420 --> 00:12:20,839 endorsement to cruise to the 452 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:21,799 nomination. 453 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:23,019 Ordinarily, the seventh isn't in 454 00:12:23,020 --> 00:12:24,819 play. Could it be with someone of 455 00:12:24,820 --> 00:12:26,839 his particular reputation and this 456 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:27,039 being an 457 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:28,879 open seat. If ever the sauce was 458 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:30,999 there to be sampled by the 459 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,019 by the Democratic voters it might be 460 00:12:33,020 --> 00:12:34,239 there because this is a guy who has 461 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:35,459 absolutely no experience he's a 462 00:12:35,460 --> 00:12:37,319 carpet bagger you know he was he 463 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:38,779 got there by you know essentially 464 00:12:38,780 --> 00:12:40,639 financed by Sean Duffy's 465 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:42,559 corruption so yes I think that if 466 00:12:42,560 --> 00:12:44,139 Fred Clark can get the resources to 467 00:12:44,140 --> 00:12:46,119 be able to articulate that then 468 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,079 I say it's entirely possible whether 469 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:49,159 or not he'll be able to get it it's 470 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:50,679 gonna be tough because the because 471 00:12:50,680 --> 00:12:52,549 again Republican failure all 472 00:12:52,550 --> 00:12:53,609 over the country. 473 00:12:53,610 --> 00:12:55,429 The Democrats are all over the 474 00:12:55,430 --> 00:12:56,849 place in terms of being able to 475 00:12:56,850 --> 00:12:58,229 spend in races they might not 476 00:12:58,230 --> 00:12:59,749 otherwise have been able to get. 477 00:12:59,750 --> 00:13:01,729 And very clearly Democrats will have 478 00:13:01,730 --> 00:13:03,169 the control of the Congress come 479 00:13:03,170 --> 00:13:03,859 after this election. 480 00:13:03,860 --> 00:13:05,499 This is like Tom Tiffany's home 481 00:13:05,500 --> 00:13:07,359 place and there's a lot of legacy 482 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:07,360 there. 483 00:13:07,361 --> 00:13:10,069 Before that, there's legacy. 484 00:13:10,070 --> 00:13:11,629 Listen, Michael Alfonso and his 485 00:13:11,630 --> 00:13:13,049 family moved to Land O'Lakes when he 486 00:13:13,050 --> 00:13:14,069 was three years old. 487 00:13:14,070 --> 00:13:15,809 I know this because I coached him in 488 00:13:15,810 --> 00:13:18,069 hockey when he 10 years old for 489 00:13:18,070 --> 00:13:19,269 a team out of Managua. 490 00:13:19,270 --> 00:13:21,129 He then, they moved to 491 00:13:21,130 --> 00:13:22,509 Wausau when he in middle school, 492 00:13:22,510 --> 00:13:23,889 which is where he met Sean Duffy's 493 00:13:23,890 --> 00:13:24,729 daughter. 494 00:13:24,730 --> 00:13:25,929 He's a Wisconsinite through and 495 00:13:25,930 --> 00:13:27,989 through. I like the notion of having 496 00:13:27,990 --> 00:13:29,989 someone young on our side finally 497 00:13:29,990 --> 00:13:31,829 running for a major office and 498 00:13:31,830 --> 00:13:33,089 I think he's gonna do well. 499 00:13:33,090 --> 00:13:34,949 He surprised me by how 500 00:13:34,950 --> 00:13:37,119 much. He won a highly competitive 501 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:38,159 primary by. 502 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:39,679 That was an impressive win 503 00:13:39,680 --> 00:13:40,799 considering the amount of money that 504 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:42,279 was spent in that district. 505 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:43,319 All right, that is all the time we 506 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:44,819 have. Bill McCosh and Scott Ross, 507 00:13:44,820 --> 00:13:45,639 thanks again. 508 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:46,640 Thanks for being here. 509 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:54,200 He's entertaining.