Battleground Wisconsin

We discuss the corrosive election coverage by corporate media giant Gannett and its paper the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which punishes candidates for being honest and authentic about controversial issues, such as the role of structural racism in American history. Will the endless media thirst for click bait, and the shameless racial division fomented by GOP candidates and campaign operatives, harm the electoral prospects of the U.S. Senate Democratic Primary front runner Mandela Barnes? Is there a chance Congress could finally pass a Budget Reconciliation bill this summer which contains elements of President Biden’s stalled domestic agenda? We talk about the apparent deal Senate Democrats made this week on prescription drug price negotiations that could mean a final bill is just around the corner. We discuss the anticipation for this Friday’s historic January 6th Investigation testimony from former White House Counsel Patrick Cipollone. Will it be Donald Trump’s John Dean moment? In Wisconsin, the Supreme

We discuss a post Roe America and its connection to the insurrection. Governor Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul go on the offensive and file lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's 1849 law banning abortions, calling it unenforceable. We review the historic and eye-popping details of Tuesday’s January 6th hearing testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, a key staffer to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board called for the defeat of Ron Johnson following his connection to the January 6th insurrection. The State Supreme Court says a Walker appointed DNR appointee can stay indefinitely and disgraced Michael Gableman sued for the 4th time for failing to keep public records. We discuss how election coverage isw dominated by horse race and faux scandal media. Finally, we urge you to get involved and volunteer with Citizen Action to make calls for Mandela Barnes for U.S. Senate every Wednesday, 5-8pm.

We debrief Citizen Action’s Brew Fest featuring Mandela Barnes and great beverages. Thanks to everyone who attended, if you couldn’t we would love your donation in support. We review the significant news that Sen. Ron Johnson tried to transmit Wisconsin’s fake electoral votes to Vice President Mike Pence on January 6th and his pathetic response when confronted by the Capitol media which is garnering national shame. We discuss the new MU Law Poll which finds Mandela Barnes is leading the U.S. Senate democratic primary and in the general election and Democrats are surprisingly strong given the terrible national headwinds Democrats face this fall. We take a look at what authoritarian conservative rule looks like this week as we wait for the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v Wade. In Madison, Legislative Republicans gavel the rights of Wisconsin women back to 1849, Kenosha County Board has Sheriff tackle, handcuff, and arrest for speaking at a public meeting, and a MKE exurban school district rejects a boo

We have a special interview this week with Eau Claire City Council member Andrew Wethmann about a California water company’s failed scheme to get access to city water. It was a victory for community organizing and local democracy and a cautionary note about the threat of big water companies cutting secret days to steal our water resources. Speaking of conspiracies against democracy, we reflect on the first two public hearings by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol: What are the revelations so far and is there any political impact? Disgraced Michael Gableman faces discipline after ‘misogynistic’ comments in court last Friday. Robert tells us if a Congressional Budget Reconciliation deal is back on life support in Washington, offering a glimmer of hope that the critical climate, health care, and tax fairness elements of the Biden domestic agenda can be enacted this summer. We open the show with a reminder to our listeners to attend our Brew Fest Fundraiser,

We welcome Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Citizen Action’s newly endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate, to discuss his historic campaign and why Citizen Action endorsed in the hotly contested primary to take on Mega MAGA Senator Ron Johnson. We debrief our 3rd Congressional District Candidate Forum, which featured the 4 Democratic candidates running to replace Ron Kind in one of the nation’s most important House elections this Fall. Watch the forum for yourself and tell us if you think there is a candidate Citizen Action should endorse. Robin Vos appointed a new Wisconsin Election Commissioner (WEC), what does it mean? Will an insurrectionist lead the WEC? Meanwhile, the disgraced Michael Gabelman is forced to testify in court on Friday about his habitual shredding of public records. The Wisconsin Supreme Court finally rules against the WMC’s disturbing effort to block employer COVID outbreak data, and the shameful propaganda statement/dissent of Justice Zeigler and 2 other right wing justices. Are these actual le

We welcome guest panelist Isiah Holmes, an award-winning journalist from the Wisconsin Examiner, for an extended conversation focused on recent revelations on police accountability and mounting book censorship. We discuss the news that no charges will be filed against Police Officer Joseph Mensah in the fatal shooting of Jay Anderson. This came despite a botched investigation that led Judge Yamahiro to conclude that major mistakes were made in the investigation. We also dive into Isiah’s article that looked into a coordinated and shameful witch hunt by Republican state legislators to ban supposedly "objectionable" books in school libraries. We close with a well-organized Republican National Committee scheme to recruit and train armies of poll workers to disrupt elections from inside the process and cause chaos at Democratic-leaning precincts, setting up frivolous grounds for overturning the will of the voters. The strategy is live in Battleground Michigan, is Battleground Wisconsin next?

Special Report - Eau Claire city council member Kate Beaton discusses a California company’s effort to grab access to Eau Claire City water. Has the looting of Wisconsin’s water resources begun, or can an engaged public push back?

We welcome State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde as a guest panelist for a serious discussion of the proliferation of guns and lack of political courage to do anything real about it. With our government ground to a standstill on everything that matters to voters, can democracy survive? We break some news, as Rep. Moore Omokunde gives us a preview of a a game changing Climate and Jobs package to be released next month. Can it get Wisconsin on a course to meet the climate crisis and finally begin to address the twin evils of income inequality and racial inequality? Next, we talk about the surprising resignation of Republican Dean Knudson’s from the Wisconsin Election Commission for lack of GOP support for free and fair elections. Will it lead to MAGA control of Wisconsin election apparatus? We close with Eau Claire city council member Kate Beaton to discuss a California company’s effort to grab access to Eau Claire City water. Has the looting of Wisconsin’s water resources begun, or can an engaged public

What is the potential impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law after 6 months? Can it, as Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich proposed on a media call hosted by Citizen Action this week, fund an expansion of Amtrak to the City of Champions? What do this week's Pennsylvania primaries portend for WI? Are the insurrectionists and the progressive populists on the rise? We talk about the latest COVID spike and new data showing Pro Trump counties continue to suffer double the COVID death rates of pro-Biden counties, while President Biden continues to be quiet on the continued failure to obtain the COVID vaccine patent waiver needed to vaccinate the global south. New NPR polling finds 2/3rds of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade, but does it mean anything politically? Why are Milwaukee leaders shifting blame for the shootings after the Bucks game last week by demonizing youth for the decision of adults to allow an unprecedented proliferation of guns. Also this week, who is behind the baby formula shortage? (Hint,

We take stock on this week's horrific milestone of 1 million U.S. COVID deaths, so far. What does it say about the country and what does it portend for the future? Primary elections have started across the country and we look at the role of Donald Trump in the elections. What does it mean for the prospects for American democracy? Robert discusses lessons for Wisconsin learned from Lt. Governor John Fetterman’s U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania. Does Fetterman offer a blueprint for WI Senate candidates, or not? We discuss the strange role of health care in the 2022 elections. In addition to the now life and death abortion issue, Ron Johnson keeps flip flopping on ACA repeal, and passing a death sentence for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. What is going on, and does health care offer a pathway for Democratic victory in November? We close with a teaser on exciting new climate and structural racism legislation that will be introduced in early June in Wisconsin.

We discuss the latest shock to American democracy, the SCOTUS leak of a draft majority opinion overturning Roe V Wade, with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin’s Courtney Hayward. We explore the politics andthe implications for Wisconsin. Are there ways we can fight back effectively? Yet another judge orders Assembly Republicans to prevent the destruction of records in ex Supreme Court Justice Gableman's sham election review. Next we talk about the policy implication of a new Wisconsin poll showing that public opinion of policing remains largely unchanged over the last decade, despite the largest protest movement in American history. Where do we go from here? Finally, Citizen Action organizer Barbara Cerda joins us to invite listeners to a Southeast Wisconsin Organizing Coop 2022 Election party celebrating Spring election victories and planning for the Fall elections on Wednesday, May 11th, 5:30pm in Milwaukee.

We have a fantastic conversation with Justice is Global’s Tobita Chow to discuss an American Prospect article denying that anti-China ads tap into anti-Asian sentiments in the American public. Are there Democratic arguments that can inadvertently spread hate and aid the Republicans?

We have a fantastic conversation with Justice is Global’s Tobita Chow to discuss an American Prospect article denying that anti-China ads tap into anti-Asian sentiments in the American public. Are there Democratic party arguments that can inadvertently spread hate and aid the Republicans? We discuss the new Marquette Law poll. Is there any shakeup in Wisconsin politics in this critical election year? Meanwhile, the Trumpification of the Wisconsin Republican Party continues. In These Times Magazine's Hannah Faris joins us to discuss the historic union organizing at Starbucks in Wisconsin and throughout the country. Is the labor movement making a comeback?

We assess the damage of the State Supreme Court redistricting bombshell, imposing a radical gerrymander for WI Assembly and Senate districts for at least 2022, and perhaps until 2032. What are the implications for democracy, racial equity, and the progressive movement? Robert educates us on Governor Evers’ newly unveiled clean energy plan, the first serious move on climate in Wisconsin history. A Tax Day report on Wisconsin’s billionaires finds that their wealth grew by 50% or $19.7 billion in the two short years since the COVID pandemic began. Is the politics finally aligned for making Billionaires pay their fair share in taxes, through President Biden's proposed Billionaires tax or other means? We welcome award winning Wisconsin Examiner journalist Isiah Holmes to talk about a new report quantifying that shocking percentages of Wisconsin’s Black and Hispanic renters are behind in their rent payment and at risk of eviction. Why is this happening, and what can be done?

We say goodbye to panelist Claire Zautke who is leaving Citizen Action to join Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s new administration in a senior policy position. The panel discusses the GOP effort to stop Governor Evers Administration from using the state’s energy efficiency program to lower carbon emissions, showing yet again how dangerous conservative ideology is for the future of humanity. The public wants to respond to the climate crisis, but will Democrats finally be effective at holding them accountable at the ballot box? We take a deep dive into Wisconsin’s new Congressional maps and compare their competitiveness over the last two decades and the role the urban/rural divide plays in the expansion of “safe seats.” Citizen Action Driftless Cooperative organizer Ben Wilson joins us to promote a La Crosse Earth Day event next Friday. We close by welcoming Justice Global’s Tobita Chow to discuss his In These Times Magazine editorial on the war in Ukraine. We also dig into U.S. Senate Candidate Alex Lasry’s

We debrief the Spring Election, including the right wing’s effort to take over local schools boards on shameful culture war conspiracies and the watershed election of Milwaukee's first Black mayor. The panel takes stock in the historic U.S. Senate vote confirming the first Black woman, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, to the Supreme Court. Disgraced former judge Michael Gableman shamefully speaks at Trump's Florida resort and is praised by the insurrectionist ex-president. How can Republicans continue the pretense that Gableman is leading an impartial and objective investigation? Claire educates us on the important health care policy behind the big Barack Obama/Joe Biden media event at the White House this week. A Citizen Action member from our North Central Wisconsin Organizing Co-op directly impacted by unaffordable health insurance costs gets a trip to the White House to see the Obama-Biden event. We discuss critical Biden agenda items that still need to be addressed before November 2022. Finally, the panel di

We have an exclusive interview with Eau Claire school board president Tim Nordin about the right wing attacks on school board members, and the death threat against him that is making national and international news. And make sure to vote April 5th!

Speaker Vos is found in contempt of court for failing to turn over records related to his sham 2020 election “investigation.” Will the political boss of the State Assembly comply with the court order to comply with Wisconsin’s open records laws? We have an exclusive interview with Eau Claire school board president Tim Nordin about the right wing attacks on school board members, and the death threat against him that is making national and international news. Claire tells us why COVID boosters were authorized for Americans 50+ while the world continues to wait for a World Trade Organization waiver to allow the production of affordable COVID vaccines. We call out Congressional inaction on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies that could impact the healthcare of 14 million Americans weeks before the critical November elections. Can the Democrats summon the unity to fulfill their campaign promises to make health care more affordable and to prevent a political catastrophe at the polls? We close discussing Sen. Bal

We discuss this historic week where the U.S. Supreme Court surprisingly reversed Wisconsin’s redistricting maps in its scandalous shadow docket. What is going on and where do we go from here? Next, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson appeared before the U.S. Senate for ground-breaking confirmation hearing and faces shameful tactics from the Trump wing of the GOP. Will she survive the awful politics of the U.S. Senate? The panel reviews the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ new blueprint for executive action that includes 55 different items President Biden can implement without Congress. In Wisconsin, Speaker Vos hints that his GOP sham investigation may end soon. Will former President Trump let him get away with it? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) turns 12 this week and early voting has started for the April 5th Spring Election..

Our panel discusses Speaker Robin Vos’ meeting with conservative conspiracy theorists who are urging illegal decertification of the 2020 presidential election. Will Trump be returned to power via midterm coup? The Wisconsin Election Commission does not pursue charges against Wisconsin's fake electors. What does it mean? We review the implications of Gannett closing its West Milwaukee printing plant where it prints the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and numerous other Wisconsin newspapers. Is there any future for corporate-owned newspapers? Finally, the progressive firebrand brewer Kirk Bangstad from the Minocqua Brewing Super PAC joins us to talk about the PAC’s lawsuit alleging U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and U.S. Reps. Scott Fitzgerald and Tom Tiffany are barred from holding public office by the post Civil War 14th Amendment. Will they suffer the fate of confederate leaders?