>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PART
OF OUR "HERE AND NOW" 2018
WISCONSIN VOTE ELECTION
COVERAGE.
>> AT THE STATE OF OUR UNION IS
STRONG BECAUSE OUR PEOPLE ARE
STRONG.
[CHEERING]
>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT HIS
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW."
STATE OF THE UNION THOUGHTS FROM
U.S. REPRESENTATIVES POCAN AND
GROTHMAN.
AFTER THAT, POLITICAL PANELIST
McCOSHEN AND ROSS ON THE SPEECH,
AND BILLS AT THE CAPITOL.
"HERE AND NOW" FEBRUARY 2ND.
>> PROVIDED IN PART BY FRIENDS
OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE
UNION ADDRESS IS PRACTICALLY IN
THE REAR VIEW, EXCEPT HE SPOKE
TO SEVERAL ISSUES THAT LAY AHEAD
FOR CONGRESS TO TACKLE.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND MILITARY
SPENDING, IMMIGRATION, HOUSE
REPUBLICANS ATTENDED A RETREAT
FOLLOWING THE ADDRESS TO
STRATEGIZE ON PRIORITIES GOING
FORWARD.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVE
GLENN GROTHMAN IS STILL ON HIS
WAY BACK FROM THE RETREAT AND
JOINS US NOW BY PHONE AND
CONGRESSMAN, THANKS VERY MUCH
FOR DOING SO.
>> GLAD TO BE ON THE SHOW, I
WISH I WAS IN THE STUDIO.
>> AS DO WE.
FIRST LET ME SAY THAT WE ARE
GLAD YOU AND THE REST OF THE
DELEGATION ARE OK FOLLOWING THIS
WEEK'S TRAIN ACCIDENT.
>> HORRIBLE THING, AND IT REALLY
RUINED THE WEEK AND IT'S
SOMETHING I'LL NEVER FORGET, YOU
KNOW.
TWO NICE GUYS WHO JUST I'M SURE
LEFT THAT MORNING THINKING A
REGULAR DAY AT WORK, ONE PASSED
AWAY AND THE OTHER IN VERY
SERIOUS CONDITION.
SO, IT'S SOMETHING I'LL NEVER
FORGET.
WE HAVE TO PRAY FOR THE
FAMILIES.
>> YEAH, VERY SORRY ABOUT THAT.
BUT NOW TO KIND OF LATEST NEWS.
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE
RELEASING OF THE REPUBLICAN FIZA
MEMO?
>> I THINK IT SHOULD BE
RELEASED.
PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW WHAT PEOPLE
LIKE ME SEE.
THERE IS A CORRESPONDING MEMO
PRODUCED BY DEMOCRAT STAFF.
I'VE BEEN IN WEST VIRGINIA THE
LAST TWO DAYS, I PLAN ON LOOKING
AT IT NEXT WEEK.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE FACT THE
F.B.I. AND THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT REPORTEDLY ASKED FOR
THIS MEMO NOT TO BE RELEASED.
>> WELL, I THINK MAYBE PUT THE
F.B.I. IN A BAD LIGHT, SO IT'S
NOT SURPRISING THEY WOULD NOT
WANT IT RELEASED.
BY DONALD TRUMP IS THE HEAD OF
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE
GOVERNMENT, I'M GLAD IT WAS
RELEASED.
RIDICULOUS I DON'T THINK IT
IMPACTED NATIONAL SECURITY, AT
LEAST THAT I COULD SEE, IT SEEMS
ONLY FAIR THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD
KNOW WHAT I KNOW.
>> LET'S MOVE ALONG FROM THAT.
AS FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL G.O.P.
RETREAT, WHAT'S THE CONSENSUS?
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?
>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY SPENT A LOT
OF TIME TALKING ABOUT
IMMIGRATION.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING
ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY.
WE HAD BOTH THE SECRETARY OF
STATE AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
TALK TO US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE
OF MILITARY BUILD-UP.
AND WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE
BENEFITS OF THE TAX CUT, WENT
OVER WHAT THE PUBLIC TELLS US
ABOUT THAT, AND THINGS WE CAN
CONTINUE TO CONVEY TO THE PUBLIC
ABOUT THAT.
THOSE WERE THE BIG THREE THINGS
WE ADDRESSED.
WE BEGAN TO LOOK A LITTLE AT THE
INFRASTRUCTURE BILL IN THE
FUTURE, TO BE HONEST, A LOT OF
DETAILS YET TO BE FILLED IN
THERE.
>> ON THAT, THE PRESIDENT WANTS,
AS YOU KNOW, $1.5 TRILLION IN
INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING, 200
BILLION FROM THE FEDS, THE REST
FROM THE STATES.
HOW IN YOUR MIND WOULD WISCONSIN
FARE UNDER SUCH A PLAN WHEN WE
ALREADY STRUGGLE TO FUND OUR
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS?
>> OH, ANYTHING WE GET TO THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN WITH REGARD
TO THE ROADS IS FOR THE GOOD.
YOU KNOW, I THINK IN THE LAST
FEW MONTHS GOVERNOR WALKER HAS
MOVED UP SOME PROJECTS, AT LEAST
OVER THE LAST YEAR HE HAS.
AND THERE ARE MORE PROJECTS YET
TO GO.
AND WHATEVER MORE MONEY WE CAN
GET TO WISCONSIN, WHETHER IT
GOES TOWARDS MOVING UP THE
HIGHWAY 23 PROJECT, WHETHER IT
GOES SOMEWHERE ELSE AROUND THE
STATE IS FOR THE BETTER.
>> SURE GETTING FEDERAL FUNDS IS
FOR THE BETTER, BUT YOU, HAVING
SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE, KNOW
THE STRUGGLES OF FINDING THOSE
FUNDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN
WISCONSIN.
WHERE WOULD THAT COME FROM?
>> I THINK SOME WOULD BE
CONTRIBUTED BY THE STATE, SOME
WOULD BE CONTRIBUTED, I THINK,
BY FEES, AND SOME WOULD COME
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I THINK SOME IS GOING TO BE
DEDICATED TO RURAL BROADBAND.
THERE'S NO QUESTIONS WE'LL HAVE
THE EYE ON THE MORE RURAL AREAS
OF THE STATE AND RURAL BROADBAND
IS VERY GOOD FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT IN THE RURAL PARTS
OF THE STATE, HOPEFULLY THAT
AREA WILL GET ITS FAIR SHARE.
>> CONGRESS IS UP AGAINST
ANOTHER DEADLINE AS YOU KNOW, TO
AUTHORIZE SPENDING, RISK ANOTHER
SHUTDOWN FACING A DEADLINE TO
DEAL WITH SO-CALLED DREAMERS.
AHEAD OF OUTLINING HIS
IMMIGRATION PLAN, INCLUDES
BUILDING THE WALL, THE PRESIDENT
PAINTED A FRIGHTENING PICTURE OF
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS MURDERERS
AND CRIMINALS.
A SNIPPET OF WHAT HE SAID MORE
GENERALLY.
>> MY DUTY AND THE SACRED DUTY
OF EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL IN
THIS CHAMBER IS TO DEFEND
AMERICANS, TO PROTECT THEIR
SAFETY, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR
COMMUNITIES, AND THEIR RIGHT TO
THE AMERICAN DREAM.
BECAUSE AMERICANS ARE DREAMERS,
TOO.
>> NOW, AS TO THE PRESIDENT'S
IMMIGRATION PLAN, CONGRESSMAN,
HE WOULD OFFER CITIZENSHIP TO
1.8 MILLION PEOPLE BROUGHT INTO
THE U.S. ILLEGALLY AS CHILDREN.
WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON THAT?
>> WELL, WE'LL SEE WHAT
RESTRICTIONS THERE ARE IN THAT
REGARD.
AND I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING
IS THE BILL THAT WE PASS HAS TO
MAKE SURE IN THE FUTURE OUR
IMMIGRATION LAW WORKS.
YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST WE HAVE --
IT'S NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.
BOTH PRESIDENT OBAMA AND
PRESIDENT BUSH DID A BAD JOB ON
IMMIGRATION.
DONALD TRUMP'S PLAN ARE END OF
CHAIN MIGRATION, THINGS LIKE
GETTING RID OF THE LOTTERY,
HAVING PEOPLE COME IN THAT WAY,
SETTING OURSELVES DOWN ON A
MERIT-BASED SYSTEM.
SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT AT
LENGTH, STILL A WORK IN
PROGRESS.
I WOULD BE SURPRISED TO GET IT
DONE BY FEBRUARY 8TH.
I DO NOT KNOW WHY WHAT A
POTENTIAL DACA COMPROMISE HAS TO
DO WITH YOU GETTING YOUR INCOME
TAX REFUND ON TIME.
I HOPE THERE ARE NOT EXTREMISTS
IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO VOTE
AGAINST KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT
OPEN BECAUSE THEY WANT A DACA
BILL NOW.
MOST OF THESE IMMIGRANTS, MANY
OF THESE IMMIGRANTS, I SHOULDN'T
SAY MOST, BUT SOME HAVE BEEN IN
THE COUNTRY FOR 25 YEARS, AND TO
ME WE WANT A GOOD DEAL SO THAT
GOOD DEAL FEBRUARY 8TH, MARCH 8
OR APRIL 8TH, IT'S NO REASON TO
SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT IN THE
INTERIM.
>> I READ THAT YOU ARE QUOTED AS
SAYING THAT "WE WOULD RATHER
SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT THAN GO
DOWN THE PATH OF RUINING
AMERICA."
IS THAT WHAT IMMIGRATION DEAL
WOULD DO?
>> NO, I -- WE ARE NOT GOING,
I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE TO SHUT
DOWN THE GOVERNMENT, I'LL TELL
YOU THAT.
I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE
KEPT OPEN.
HOWEVER, IF THERE ARE DEMOCRATS
WHO SAY THEY WILL SHUT DOWN THE
GOVERNMENT UNLESS I VOTE FOR A
BAD IMMIGRATION DEAL, NO, I'LL
VOTE TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT
OPEN, BUT I THINK THE TWO THINGS
ARE SEPARATE ISSUES.
>> ALL RIGHT.
CONGRESSMAN GLENN GROTHMAN, WE
NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> GLAD TO BE ON THE SHOW AS
ALWAYS.
>> THERE ARE SOME 8,000 DREAMERS
IN WISCONSIN, BROUGHT HERE BY
THEIR PARENTS AS CHILDREN.
PROTECTION AGAINST DEPORTATION
FOR THEM UNDER THE DEFERRED
ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS
PROGRAM, OR DACA, RUNS OUT MARCH
5 UNDER A PRESIDENT TRUMP
EXECUTIVE ORDER.
WE INTERVIEWED ONE OF THE
DREAMERS THIS WEEK, COLLEGE
SOPHOMORE LUPE SALMERON CAME TO
WISCONSIN FROM MEXICO WHEN SHE
WAS SIX YEARS OLD.
DESCRIBES WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE
WITH THE UNCERTAINTY WHETHER SHE
WILL BE ABLE TO STAY.
>> I GUESS IT'S ALWAYS UNDER
MIND, YOU KNOW, IT'S
SUBCONSCIOUSLY THERE.
YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL BE ABLE
TO USE YOUR DEGREE WHEN YOU
GRADUATE.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN, SO YOU JUST KIND OF ARE
LIKE HERE POWERING THROUGH IT,
YOU KNOW, TRYING TO GET IT DONE.
SO THAT IF YOU CAN, YOU KNOW,
HAVE A LIFE WITH IT AFTER LIKE
YOU'LL HAVE THAT BUT IF YOU
DON'T, YOU JUST KIND OF, YOU
KNOW, THERE BACK AT WHERE YOU
WERE.
BUT JUST KIND OF, YOU KNOW,
MAKES ME AFRAID FOR THE FUTURE,
YOU KNOW, WITH DACA, I KNEW THAT
LIKE I WOULD BE ABLE TO USE MY
DEGREE.
I KNEW I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET AN
INTERNSHIP, I WOULD BE ABLE TO
GET A JOB.
BUT WITH IT KIND OF BEING UP IN
THE AIR, I'M REALLY NOT SURE
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL BE
EMPLOYABLE, I DON'T KNOW IF, I
DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN, SO JUST KIND OF THERE,
YOU KNOW.
WE ARE LIVING IN THE BOWL AGAIN.
>> THAT WAS MADISON EDGEWOOD
COLLEGE AND DACA RECIPIENT, LUPE
SALMERON.
SHE WAS A GUEST AT THE LAST
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE WHO INVITED
HER JOINS US NOW, MADISON
DEMOCRAT CONGRESSMAN MARK POCAN.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> GLAD TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.
>> FIRST THING I WANTED TO ASK
ABOUT WAS THE REACTION TO THE
RELEASE OF THE REPUBLICAN MEMO.
>> YOU KNOW, I HAD READ IT A
WHILE BACK AND I SAID GO AHEAD
AND RELEASE IT.
THERE'S NOTHING HERE.
BUT, AND IT'S A BIG IMPORTANT
BUT, THE UNDERLYING INFORMATION,
YOU HAVE TO REDACT HOW WE GET
OUR INFORMATION OR YOU ARE
SHARING WITH THE RUSSIANS AND
ANY OTHER COUNTRY HOW WE GATHER
IT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE REPUBLICANS
WEREN'T WILLING TO DO THAT
THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS, THEY
WOULD NOT SHOW IT TO THE F.B.I.
OR JUSTICES A WEEK AGO.
THEY WOULDN'T SHOW IT TO THE
SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE
WHICH ARE ALSO RUN BY
REPUBLICANS.
SUCH A MANUFACTURED CRISIS, SO,
YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S FINE,
IT'S OUT THERE NOW, I DON'T
THINK ANYONE IS GOING TO SEE
ANYTHING THAT HAS NOT ALREADY
BEEN REPORTED.
I THINK IT'S AWFUL RISKY THE WAY
WE RELEASED IT, NOW WE ARE
SHOWING HOW WE GATHER
INTELLIGENCE.
NO ONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
CONTENT, IT'S A PIECE OF LETTUCE
BETWEEN TWO BUNS, NO BURGER
THERE.
BECAUSE THEY ARE DESPERATE TO
TRY TO DISTRACT THE MUELLER
INVESTIGATION AT ANY COST, LET
IT RUN ITS COURSE AND THIS IS
JUST ONE MORE OF THOSE EFFORTS
BY DEVON MUNOZ WHO DISTRICTED
THE STAFF TO WRITE THIS, NINE
MONTHS AGO HE SAID HE HAD SOME
INFORMATION HE HAD TO SHARE WITH
THE WHITE HOUSE, AND A FEW DAYS
LATER HE GOT IT THE NIGHT BEFORE
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND THEN HE
GAVE IT TO THEM.
HE'S BEEN COMPLETELY PROVEN TO
BE -- YOU KNOW, AGAIN HIS MEMO.
SO, I THINK AT THE END, YOU
KNOW, WE'LL LOOK BACK IN A
COUPLE WEEKS AND GO OH, THAT WAS
A YAWN, BUT RIGHT NOW THE
CONCERN BY THE INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY IS WE ARE GIVING AWAY
INFORMATION WE NEVER HAVE DONE
BEFORE.
>> MOVING ALONG TO THE
PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION
AND REACTION TO THAT, ON HIS
IMMIGRATION PLAN, HE SAYS HE
WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A PASS TO
CITIZENSHIP FOR LIKE 1.8 MILLION
IMMIGRANTS BROUGHT HERE BY THEIR
PARENTS.
YOU ARE CALLING FOR SO-CALLED
CLEAN DREAM ACT.
WHAT IS THAT?
>> EVERY TIME WE TRY AND
NEGOTIATE WITH THE PRESIDENT,
THE GOAL LINE MOVES.
ONE POINT WE HAD AN AGREEMENT,
THIS IS MONTHS AGO, TO PROVIDE
SOME ADDITIONAL ROADS ALONG THE
BORDER, DRONE PATROL, NOTHING
ABOUT A WALL, TO FIX WHAT HE
BROKE BECAUSE DACA WAS NOT BROKE
UNTIL THE PRESIDENT BROKE IT.
AND THEN HE WENT AND HAD A RALLY
THE NEXT DAY AND THE BASE WANTS
A WALL, WE WERE OFF THAT
AGREEMENT.
AND THEN DURING THE SHUT DOWN
CONVERSATIONS JUST RECENTLY, WE
HAD ANOTHER AGREEMENT WHERE
ACTUALLY AFTER THEY WALKED AWAY
FROM THE PRESIDENT, THE
PRESIDENT STAFF CAME UP TO CHUCK
SCHUMER AND SAID HERE IS WHAT
THE PRESIDENT REALLY MEANT.
THAT'S NOT NEGOTIATION.
WE CANNOT TRUST THE WAY THE GOAL
POST KEEPS MOVING.
WE SHOULD JUST FIX DACA, NEVER
SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROKEN TO BEGIN
WITH, AND LET'S HAVE A
MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION ABOUT
IMMIGRATION REFORM.
BUT IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT
WITH THE PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE
HOUSE ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I
THINK THERE IS COMPETING FACTORS
IN THE WHITE HOUSE, WHETHER IT
BE MILLER AND KELLY, OR OTHER
STAFF, IT'S VERY CHALLENGING.
>> DID YOU HEAR THEIR VOICES IN
HIS STATE OF THE UNION?
>> THE PART THAT IS THE MOST
MEMORABLE FROM THE NEGATIVE
PERSPECTIVE, THE FEAR-MONGERING
AROUND IMMIGRANTS.
AND TALKED 13 GANG MEMBERS AS IF
THEY ARE AROUND EVERY CORNER
THAN THE OPIOID CRISIS OR OTHER
ISSUES.
SO, CLEARLY A LOT OF
FEAR-MONGERING IN THE SPEECH TO
TRY TO JUSTIFY A WALL AND I
THINK MOST PEOPLE THINK THE WALL
IS UNNECESSARY, BUT IMMIGRATION
REFORM IS A CONVERSATION WE HAVE
TO HAVE.
>> THE PRESIDENT WAS ABLE TO
BOAST, MANY WOULD BELIEVE
RIGHTFULLY, ABOUT THE ECONOMY.
I MEAN, UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOW, THE
STOCK MARKET IS SCREAMING HOT.
DO DEMOCRATS LIKE YOURSELF
REJECT THAT THESE ARE POSITIVE
INDICATORS OF A STRONG ECONOMY?
>> IT'S A POSITIVE SIGN THAT FOR
80 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, SO, THE
VAST MAJORITY UNDER PRESIDENT
OBAMA, SINCE 2008 THE ECONOMY
HAS BEEN COMING UP.
THE PROBLEM IS THE STOCK MARKET
ALONE IS NOT A GOOD INDICATOR OF
HOW REAL WORKING FAMILIES ARE
AFFECTED BY IT.
WE ARE FINALLY SEEING A LITTLE
BIT OF A SPIKE IN PEOPLE'S WAGE,
BUT THAT'S BEEN BEHIND, SO ALL
PRODUCTIVITY IS UP, THE STOCK
MARKET IS UP, PEOPLE ARE NOT
REALLY SEEING IT IN THE
PAYCHECKS AND THAT'S THE PART WE
HAVE TO ADDRESS.
WAGES HAVE BEEN FLAT FOR SO
LONG, SOME CATCHING UP TO DO,
THE MINIMUM WAGE IS WAY SUBPAR
AND ONCE WE ADDRESS THOSE
ISSUES, REAL WORKING FAMILIES
ACROSS WISCONSIN WILL ACTUALLY
FEEL THE ECONOMY LIKE THOSE IN
THE TOP 1 AND 2% HAVE FELT IT.
>> WELL, SPEAKING OF MORE MONEY
IN PEOPLE'S PAYCHECKS, THE
REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN WOULD PUT
MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S
PAYCHECKS.
WE ARE TOLD THAT AVERAGE
FAMILIES WILL SEE LOWER TAX
BILLS AS WELL.
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THOSE CAN
TAX CUTS?
>> TWO THINGS.
FIRST OF ALL, DONE FOR THE
WEALTHIEST, BY THE REPUBLICAN
DONORS AS SAID BY SEVERAL
REPUBLICANS DURING THE WHOLE
PROCESS.
IN TEN YEARS, WHEN THE TAX CUTS
FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS GO AWAY AND
VANISH, THEY STAY FOR THE
CORPORATIONS AND FOR THE MOST
WEALTHY.
SO, 83% OF THE MONEY IN TEN
YEARS WILL GO TO THE TOP 1%,
THAT'S THE FACTS OF WHAT THEY
PASSED.
PEOPLE WILL SEE A LITTLE
INCREASE NOW AND CAUTION PEOPLE
THAT THERE IS A BIG CONTROVERSY,
I.R.S. MIGHT HAVE MAYBE
OVERESTIMATED, BEING POLITICALLY
PRESSURED TO GIVE YOU BIGGER
AMOUNTS NOW THAT YOU MAY NOT SEE
AT TAX TIME NEXT YEAR, SO BE A
LITTLE CAREFUL IF YOU ARE ONE OF
THE PEOPLE WHO WAIT FOR THE
REFUND.
YOU MAY BE GETTING MORE NOW, BE
AWARE OF THAT, BUT ON GENERAL,
THE TAX CUTS ARE TOTALLY SKEWED
FOR THE CORPORATIONS AND
WEALTHIEST, AND TEN YEARS THE
ONLY PART THAT'S LEFT.
TAX RELIEF IN A MEANINGFUL WAY,
YOU HAVE TO AFFECT WORKING
CLASS, MIDDLE CLASS, THOSE
ASPIRING IN THE MIDDLE CLASS FOR
A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN
WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
>> WHAT'S THE TAKE ON THE
PRESIDENT'S PLAN FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING?
>> WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE SOME
NEGOTIATION ON THIS.
I THINK HE HAS TALKED ABOUT
INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE.
BUT VAST MAJORITY IS SELLING OFF
ROADS AND BRIDGES AND CHARGE
TOLLS SO CHECK OFF THE TAX BILL
AND NOW YOU PAY IT TO CROSS A
BRIDGE SOMEWHERE.
THAT'S NOT INVESTING IN PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE MOST PEOPLE
CONSIDER.
INVESTING IN ROADS AND BRIDGES
AND SCHOOLS AND BROADBAND WITH
PUBLIC DOLLARS WOULD MAKE SENSE
AND IF HE'S WILLING TO DO MORE
THAN WHAT HE'S TALKED ABOUT IN
THAT AREA, I WOULD LOVE TO WORK
WITH HIM AS I THINK MOST PEOPLE
WOULD.
BUT RIGHT NOW, JUST SELLING
THINGS OFF TO WALL STREET HEDGE
FUND MANAGERS SO THEY CAN MAKE A
PROFIT AND EVERYONE ELSE PAYS A
TOLL IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
>> CONGRESSMAN MARK POCAN,
THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> SURE, THANK YOU.
>> IN TONIGHT'S CLOSER LOOK,
UNPACKING THE POLITICS OF THE
STATE OF THE UNION AND LOOKING
AHEAD WITH CAPITOL CONSULTANTS
MANAGING PARTNER STRATEGIST BILL
McCOSHEN, AND I WANT TO ASK YOU
BOTH WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE
RELEASING THE REPUBLICAN FIZA
MEMO.
>> TURNED IT BACK TO CONGRESS,
AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY
THE TIME THIS AIRS.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING.
AMERICAN PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW
EITHER IF THE FIX WAS IN TO HELP
HILLARY CLINTON OR HURT DONALD
TRUMP.
NEITHER IS RIGHT AND I THINK
THEY OUGHT TO RELEASE THE
DEMOCRATIC MEMO, TOO.
THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW, HAVE
CONFIDENCE IN THE TOP COPS AT
JUSTICE AND F.B.I., I'M NOT SURE
THEY DO.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE FACT THE
F.B.I. AND JUSTICE ARE SAYING
PLEASE DON'T DO THAT.
>> OF COURSE THEY ARE.
IT'S GOING TO EXPOSE A LOT OF
THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN
DOING POTENTIALLY WRONG.
>> THIS IS NONSENSE.
THIS IS ABOUT COVERING DONALD
TRUMP'S KEESTER, AND PAUL RYAN
IS NOT ONLY, HE IS AIDING AND
ABETTING THE TRASHING OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
EVERY PERSON INVOLVED IN THIS IS
A REPUBLICAN.
DONALD TRUMP GOT CAUGHT, HE IS
AFRAID OF GETTING EXPOSED AS
COLLUDING WITH THE RUSSIAN
GOVERNMENT TO GET HIS ELECTION
AND NOW THEY ARE DOING A SMOKE
AND MIRROR, MUDDY THE WATERS
THING, WHAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE
REALLY GOOD AT.
>> YOU DON'T FEEL IT'S
POLITICIZING THE WHOLE
INVESTIGATION?
>> I THINK THE WHOLE
INVESTIGATION IS POLITICAL.
SO, WHY NOT PUT THE FACTS OUT
THERE FOR THE PUBLIC TO JUDGE
ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
PUT THE REPUBLICAN MEMO OUT, AND
FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESS AND THE
DEMOCRATIC MEMO OUT.
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.
>> YOU ARE STEAMING HOT.
>> THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
FOUR PAGES OF GARBAGE WRITTEN BY
DEVON NUNOZ.
>> YOU HAD TO HAVE TOP SECRET TO
SEE IT TODAY.
>> HE WAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND
GETTING HIS DIRECTION AND SECRET
MEETINGS AND TAKING THE TOP LAW
ENFORCEMENT IS IN THE TANK FOR
HILLARY CLINTON, MY GOD, JAMES
COMEY.
MY GOD, PEOPLE SAY JAMES COMEY
AND WHAT THE F.B.I. DID IN TERMS
OF THE ELECTION ARE WHY DONALD
TRUMP IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE NOW.
>> YOUR VIEWERS ARE SMART
ENOUGH, JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES.
>> SOMETHING THE PRESIDENT SAID
DURING THE STATE OF THE UNION.
SEEMED TO BE PUTTING PEOPLE WHO
MIGHT CROSS HIM ON NOTICE.
LET'S LISTEN.
>> SO TONIGHT I CALL ON CONGRESS
TO EMPOWER EVERY CABINET
SECRETARY WITH THE AUTHORITY TO
REWARD GOOD WORKERS AND TO
REMOVE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO
UNDERMINE THE PUBLIC TRUST OR
FAIL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
>> SO, WHO IS HE TALKING ABOUT
THERE?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
I DIDN'T -- I CAN'T SEE THE
VIDEO, BUT I'M WONDERING IF WHEN
HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT
RESPECT, PAUL RYAN MAY HAVE
BACKED UP JUST A BIT IN CASE A
LIGHTNING BOLT STRUCK.
YOU KNOW, WHAT THE SPEECH WAS IS
OUR AMERICAN CARNAGE, THE
SEQUEL, YOU KNOW, M.S.13.
THIS IS A RIDICULOUS SPEECH OF
RACISM, NONTRUTH TELLING AND
BASICALLY LAYING OUT THE
DIVISION THAT EXISTS IN AMERICA
FOR ALL TO SEE AND HE CONTINUES
TO JUST PLAY TO 35% OF THE
ELECTORATE.
>> HE'S A BUSINESSMAN, THE FIRST
TRUE BUSINESSMAN TO BE PRESIDENT
IN SEVERAL DECADES AND THIS IS
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE PRIVATE
SECTOR.
IF YOU MESS UP, YOU ARE OUT.
THAT'S WHAT HE'S SPEAKING TO,
AND MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE
WITH HIM ON THAT.
>> SOUNDED KIND OF MENACING, HE
MAY BE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE IN
THE F.B.I. OR THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OR -- WE DON'T KNOW.
>> WE NEVER REALLY KNOW WITH
DONALD TRUMP.
YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE'LL KNOW IN A
TWEET DOWN THE ROAD, BUT I THINK
PROCESS-WISE, WHAT HE'S SPEAKING
TO, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WITH
HIM.
>> HE HAS SOME SORT OF
EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS BUT HE'S
NOT A BUSINESSMAN.
HE'S A BRAND MANAGER.
>> HE CAN MANAGE MY BRAND.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
>> HE BRANDS HIMSELF IN TERMS OF
THIS 35%.
>> YOU FEEL LIKE HE GETS A BUMP
OUT OF THIS SPEECH?
>> HE DID.
HIS POLL NUMBERS ARE ALREADY UP.
SOMETHING OUT TODAY,
FAVORABILITY IS UP TO 49,
HIGHEST SINCE JUNE OF 2017.
SO HE ABSOLUTELY GOT A BUMP.
TWO DIFFERENT NATIONAL POLLS,
ONE BY CBS, ONE BY PLITICO, SAID
70% THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD.
SMART POLITICS.
NO QUESTION HE GOT A BUMP OUT OF
THIS.
>> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TALK
ABOUT A BUMP.
>> IF THERE IS A BUMP, IT'S NOT
LONG LASTING.
IT'S PEOPLE ASKED ARE YOU OK
WITH THE SPEECH FINALLY OVER.
>> IT MAY ALAY SOME OF THE
CONCERN ON THE PART OF
REPUBLICANS FOR MID TERMS?
>> NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
NOW, LET'S JUST SAY THE MAP
FAVORS REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE
ANYWAY, TEN SENATORS UP THIS
YEAR IN STATES THAT TRUMP WON,
SIX BY DOUBLE DIGITS.
SO, THE MAP FAVORS REPUBLICANS
TO KEEP THE SENATE.
AS IT RELATES TO THE CONGRESS,
THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATING
AND THEIR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN
THAT HOUSE.
>> THE POLITICS -- THE MAP MAY
FAVOR THE REPUBLICANS BUT THE
POLITICS FAVORS THE DEMOCRATS.
>> NO WAY, THAT CHANGED.
>> 12 HOUSE SEATS OPEN,
DEMOCRATS ARE TARGETING AND
OUTFUNDRAISING THE REPUBLICANS 3
TO 1 IN THE SEATS.
>> REPUBLICANS HAVE RAISED MORE
MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE, EVER
BEFORE.
THEY WILL BE WELL FUNDED IN THE
RACES.
PENDULUM HAS SWUNG ON POLICY,
THE TAX CUT IS HUGE SO FAR, AND
PEOPLE JUST SAW THE FIRST SIGNS
OF THAT IN THE PAYCHECK AND SEE
IT THROUGHOUT 2018, BENEFITS
REPUBLICANS.
>> CLEARLY WITH THE REPUBLICANS
AND SENATOR ADAM JARCHOW, 100%.
SCOTT WALKER, TRYING TO PAY OFF
VOTERS WITH $100 CHECK BEFORE
THE ELECTION AND 1994 CAMPAIGN
TO STAY WITH THE PAL TOMMY
THOMPSON.
>> I RAN THAT CAMPAIGN.
>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN
A MINUTE, BUT FIRST WHAT THE
PRESIDENT SAID ABOUT
INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING.
GO AHEAD AND TAKE A LOOK AT THAT
SOUND BITE AS WELL.
>> TONIGHT I'M CALLING ON
CONGRESS TO PRODUCE A BILL THAT
GENERATES AT LEAST $1.5 TRILLION
FOR THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT THAT OUR COUNTRY SO
DESPERATELY NEEDS.
>> NOW, THE THING ABOUT THIS,
THOUGH, IS THAT THE STATES HAVE
TO SPEND MONEY TO GET MONEY, AND
NOW I KNOW THAT GOVERNOR WALKER
IS TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY
BEING OK WITH A GAS TAX SO THAT
WE COULD GET SOME OF THIS
FEDERAL MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
SPENDING?
WHAT ABOUT THAT?
>> HIS FIRST EFFORT ON THIS,
TRUMP'S WAS NOT ONE SINGLE PENNY
TO SPENT ON ASPHALT TO PAVE A
ROAD IN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.
THIS IS SMOKE AND MIRRORS.
AND SCOTT WALKER HAS MADE AN
ELECTION YEAR CONVERSION, WE
WILL FIND OUT THAT WATER IS WET.
>> I THINK THE POLICY IS GOOD,
WE NEED TO IMPROVE OUR ROADS,
BRIDGE, HARBORS AND AIRPORTS, NO
QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
I THINK THE POLITICS OF TRICKY.
I'M NOT SURE HE CAN GET
ADDITIONAL SPENDING THROUGH
CONGRESS AFTER THE TAX INCREASE.
AND SCOTT'S POINT, STATES HAVE
TO SPEND UP TO 70% IN MATCH
MONEY AND WISCONSIN IS NOT WELL
POSITIONED TO GET THAT.
>> TALK ABOUT AS YOU WERE A
MOMENT AGO TOMMY THOMPSON AND
GOVERNOR WALKER FLYING AROUND
THE STATE TOUTING THIS WELFARE
REFORM.
THOUGHTS?
>> IT WORKED FOR TOMMY THOMPSON.
HELPED HIM WIN IN 1986 AND
CONTINUED TO BE POPULAR, TO THE
POINT BILL CLINTON SIGNED THE
FEDERAL WELFARE REFORM TEN YEARS
LATER.
>> IT'S BACK, BUT ATTACKING
PEOPLE, THE REPUBLICANS WENT ALL
IN ON ATTACKING PATTY SHOCKNER,
HAVING PEOPLE URINATE IN CUPS TO
GET THE PUBLIC BENEFITS AND WON
BY TEN POINTS IN A SEAT NOT HELD
BY DEMOCRATS SINCE 1996.
AND SCOTT WALKER IS TALKING
ABOUT DIVIDING PEOPLE, THE DOG
WHISTLE, A REAL PROBLEM THERE
THIS TIME AROUND.
>> THANKS VERY MUCH.
BILL ROSS, McCOSHEN --
>> A HEARING SPOKE OUT AS PEOPLE
ON BOTH SIDES SPOKE OUT ABOUT
THE RAFT OF SPECIAL SESSION
BILLS RELATED TO NEW
REQUIREMENTS, LIKE DRUG TESTING
FOR THOSE IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND
MAKING FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS
WORK MORE HOURS IN RETURN FOR
ELIGIBILITY.
REPUBLICAN FRAMERS SAY THE POINT
OF THE CHANGES IS GET RECIPIENTS
OFF WELFARE AND INTO WORK.
THOSE OPPOSED SAY IT DOES NOT
ALWAYS WORK AS INTENDED.
>> AND CERTAINLY THE IDEA THAT
SIMPLY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF
HOURS BY TEN IS SUDDENLY GOING
TO MAKE PEOPLE MORE SUCCESSFUL,
UM, I -- I'M LOOKING FOR THE
EVIDENCE THERE.
I FEEL LIKE BETTER
EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES WE CAN
USE, I WONDER IF YOU HAVE
EVIDENCE IT WORKS.
>> IT'S NOT JUST KICKING PEOPLE
OFF BENEFITS AND THE
CHARACTERIZATION, IT'S REALLY
ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE THE
BENEFITS OF WORK, NOT THE
BENEFITS OF GOVERNMENT
DEPENDENCE.
>> AND FINALLY TONIGHT, A LOOK
AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK.
THAT'S WHEN WE'LL LOOK AT A BILL
INTRODUCED EARLIER THIS MONTH
THAT COULD REDIRECT FUNDS THAT
ARE CURRENTLY SENT TO SCHOOL
LIBRARIES.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
?
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED IN PART BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "HERE
AND NOW" 2018 ELECTION