Center Stage, with Milfred and Hands

Milfred and Hands analyze a dozen potential Republicans who could challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, for her seat in 2024. Baldwin appears in a strong position and has always been good at raising money. She's inoffensive to many Wisconsinites and has won over many rural voters with talk of protecting American jobs and sticking up for veterans. She also drew national attention as the lead senator successfully lobbying enough Republicans to approve a bill for gay marriage. Milfred and Hands think a GOP congressman would be the strongest opponent, but is unlikely to run. Others include the state's former lieutenant governor, a little known Franklin businessman and "America's sheriff."

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Most Republicans celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, but the high-court decision is costing the party votes -- especially with young people and suburban women in swing states such as Wisconsin. On their latest political podcast, Milfred and Hands analyze recent statements by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, and U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, who seek to soften the party's stance on abortion. Johnson says Wisconsin should let voters decide the emotional issue in a 10-question referendum featuring ranked-choice voting. Van Orden floats a 15-week limit on legal abortion, despite his moral objections.

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Milfred and Hands analyze the spring election results and what they mean going forward. Democrats boosted turnout and drew broader support April 4 for their candidates largely because of their push to restore abortion rights. The winning candidate statewide and in Madison also had a lot more money. Our political podcasters aren't fans of judicial elections and suggest better ways to select top judges in Wisconsin. They also criticize losing high-court candidate Dan Kelly's sour grapes as well as winner Janet Protasiewicz's "Fab Four" embrace of a partisan team over independence.

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Milfred and Hands analyze the April 4 election for Madison mayor while explaining the Wisconsin State Journal's endorsement in the race, which pits incumbent Satya Rhodes-Conway versus grassroots challenger Gloria Reyes. If you plan to vote next Tuesday, you'll want to listen to this.

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Milfred and Hands sing about the biggest political news from 2022 -- all set to holiday songs. On two numbers, they channel Kermit and Miss Piggy with festive flare. Hands tries to convince a downsized Santa to return to the North Pole. All of the lyrics for today's podcast were written by Rick Horowitz of Milwaukee, a writing coach and former columnist.

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Milfred and Hands play audio clips from the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board's recent endorsement meeting with U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes. Our political podcasters quiz the Democratic challenger on climate change, cash bail and the first thing he would do if a Democratic-controlled Senate eliminated the filibuster. Milfred and Hands tick off a lot of reasons for opposing a third term for the conspiratorial incumbent, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh. They were less clear, going into their meeting with Barnes, what the young challenger's core message was, given how much defense he has played against attack ads. The State Journal is endorsing in the race in Sunday's newspaper and on madison.com.

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Milfred and Hands discuss and play audio clips from Gov. Tony Evers' meeting this week with the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board, seeking its endorsement. The Democratic governor outlines his accomplishments and answers questions about abortion, redistricting and why he thinks voters should reelected him Nov. 8: "The alternative really sucks." Hands quizzes Evers about school closings during the pandemic. Milfred insists sheepshead is a better game than euchre -- and the governor agrees. Our political podcasts preview the editorial board's endorsement in the race for governor, coming this Sunday in print and on madison.com.

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A Wisconsin judge is dead, and a U.S. Supreme Court justice was targeted for violence. Court officials have always faced threats because their decisions can send people to prison, overturn laws and settle financial disputes. What’s different and worse today is the influence of partisan politics on judges, juries and rulings. Milfred and Hands talk with former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske about her experiences on the bench, including threats she received as a judge in Milwaukee County -- and the time police slept in her living room as a precaution. Geske faults politicians on the left and the right for increasing political pressure on the courts, which are supposed to be nonpartisan. "There’s an assumption that we’ve got to have judges in our pockets," Geske says. "They’ve got to be deciding for us. And if they’re not, they’re bad guys. I’ll tell ya, I was disappointed when Obama did it. I certainly didn’t like it when Trump did it. And I think Schumer went way over the line."

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Milfred and Hands play audio from and comment on the top four Democratic candidates seeking to challenge U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, this fall. They all have strengths and weaknesses. Milfred and Hands weigh in on who has the best shot. The conspiratorial Johnson is underwater in public opinion. Yet he's still formidable, given the Republican-friendly election cycle that's expected this fall, and Wisconsin's well-earned status as a swing state.

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Milfred and Hands quiz the State Journal’s new executive editor, Kelly Lecker, about her Wisconsin roots, spelling championship and passion for journalism. Lecker grew up milking cows on a Shawano County dairy farm, then graduated from UW-Stevens Point with degrees in journalism and Spanish, and a minor in military science. She's worked for several Midwestern newspapers, including as interim editor for the Columbus Dispatch, where she's done just about every job other than taking pictures. Hands tries to spell Lecker's winning word when she won the Wisconsin State Spelling Bee in 1985. Then our political podcasters see if Lecker can spell the names of prominent Wisconsin politicians. 

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