Here & Now

Here and Now for Aug. 4, 2016

ANNOUNCER:

FUNDING FOR “HERE AND NOW” IS PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON “HERE AND NOW’S” 2016 ELECTION COVERAGE, GO TO wisconsinvote.org.

ANNOUNCER:

THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PART OF OUR “HERE AND NOW” 2016 WISCONSIN VOTE ELECTION COVERAGE. FUNDING FOR “HERE AND NOW” IS PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

I’M FREDERICA FREYBERG. WISCONSIN IN THE NATIONAL POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT TONIGHT, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DONALD TRUMP AND DEMOCRATIC VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM KAINE WITH APPEARANCES IN THE BADGER STATE TODAY. WE HAVE COVERAGE OF BOTH CAMPAIGNS. TUESDAY IS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY. WE’LL TAKE YOU TO THE STATE’S 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN THE RUNNING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION SPOT. GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER SAYS HE WANTS TO EXTEND THE CURRENT UW SYSTEM TUITION FREEZE. THE CHANCELLOR OF UW-STOUT IS HERE TO WEIGH IN ON THAT. BUT FIRST, THE TRUMP TRAIN ROARS INTO GREEN BAY TONIGHT WHERE A RALLY IS HAPPENING EVEN AS WE SPEAK. MANY IN AND OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SAY THAT TRAIN DERAILED THIS WEEK, WHAT WITH INSULTS TO GRIEVING MILITARY FAMILIES AND FELLOW REPUBLICANS ALIKE. SOME ARE NOT SURPRISED THAT AS TRUMP TAKES THE GREEN BAY STAGE THIS HOUR, NONE OF THE STATE’S HIGHEST ELECTED REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS IS IN ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING HOUSE SPEAKER PAUL RYAN, GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER AND INCUMBENT U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE RON JOHNSON. CONSERVATIVE MILWAUKEE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST CHARLIE SYKES IS ALSO NOT IN GREEN BAY TONIGHT. HE’S ONE OF THE NATIONAL LEADERS IN THE “NEVER TRUMP” MOVEMENT. HE’S IN MILWAUKEE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

CHARLIE SYKES:

THANK YOU.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHY AREN’T WISCONSIN’S MOST IMPORTANT REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH DONALD TRUMP FOR TONIGHT’S RALLY?

CHARLIE SYKES:

WELL, IT’S KIND OF EXTRAORDINARY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT. YOU HAVE A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT COMES TO THE STATE, AND I THINK IT’S AN INDICATION OF HOW THEY DON’T WANT TO — THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR DISTANCE. THEY NEED TO SUPPORT HIM, AT LEAST GIVE HIM LIP SERVICE, BUT THEY WANT TO STAND BEHIND HIM, BUT IN A DIFFERENT ZIP CODE, APPARENTLY.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT KIND OF A ROCK AND HARD PLACE DOES THAT PUT THESE PEOPLE IN?

CHARLIE SYKES:

WELL, IT’S MUCH MORE OF A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE THAN IT WAS EVEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. AS YOU POINTED OUT, THIS HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE WEEK FOR DONALD TRUMP. I THINK THAT FOR CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS, PEOPLE LIKE SCOTT WALKER AND PAUL RYAN AND RON JOHNSON, REINCE PRIEBUS, WHO HAD BEEN HOPING THAT AT SOME POINT DONALD TRUMP WOULD MAKE A PIVOT. THAT HE WAS GOING TO GROW UP, THAT HE WAS GOING TO BECOME MORE DISCIPLINED. NONE OF THAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

YOU DESCRIBED THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN RIGHT NOW AS A QUOTE DUMPSTER FIRE INSIDE A NUCLEAR MELTDOWN. THAT BAD, HUH?

CHARLIE SYKES:

YEAH. THE PHYSICS ARE PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT SHAKY THERE. BUT YEAH. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LAST SIX DAYS, INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON HILLARY CLINTON, HE’S BEEN ATTACKING FELLOW REPUBLICANS, GOLD STAR PARENTS, THROWING BABIES OUT OF HIS RALLIES, MAKING UP STORIES ABOUT THE NFL. ABOUT THE ONLY WAY THIS COULD GET WORSE IS IF HE GOES TO GREEN BAY AND DOES A SHOUT-OUT TO THE CHICAGO BEARS TONIGHT. AND IT THINK THIS IS PART OF THE DILEMMA. WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN HIS OWN CAMPAIGN TALKING ABOUT WE NEED TO HAVE AN INTERVENTION, WELL YOU KNOW WHAT – YOU CAN HAVE AN INTERVENTION, BUT HE’S NOT GOING TO CHANGE. DONALD TRUMP IS WHO HE IS. THAT’S THE COLD, HARD REALITY THAT A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE COMING TO GRIPS WITH IN THE LAST WEEK.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND IF HE DID CHANGE, IF HE DID PIVOT, IF SOME KIND OF INTERVENTION CHANGED HIM, WOULDN’T THEN THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT HIM THINK OF THAT AS BEING UNAUTHENTIC?

CHARLIE SYKES:

YES. THAT’S PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE INAUTHENTIC. WHAT WOULD BE THE OVER/UNDER ON HOW LONG THAT WOULD THAT LAST? I MEAN HE’S 70 YEARS OLD. YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR POSITION. YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR PACKAGING. WHAT YOU CAN’T CHANGE YOUR CHARACTER, YOUR JUDGMENT, YOUR PERSONALITY. DONALD TRUMP IS WHO HE IS. I THINK THAT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN HOPING THAT IT’S GOING TO GET BETTER, IT’S NOT GOING TO GET BETTER. THIS IS THE TRIUMPH OF HOPE OVER EXPERIENCE. I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HERE IN WISCONSIN YOU DO SEE THIS DISTANCING.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

MEANWHILE, NOW DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE WILL ENDORSE PAUL RYAN. IS THAT AN ENDORSEMENT, IN YOUR MIND, THAT THE SPEAKER WANTS?

CHARLIE SYKES:

HE DOESN’T NEED IT. SEE, THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS. WHEN DONALD TRUMP REFUSED TO ENDORSE PAUL RYAN, IT DIDN’T HURT PAUL RYAN AT ALL. PAUL RYAN IS GOING TO WIN EASILY. HE’S GOING TO GET 70% OF THE VOTE. WHAT IT DID, THOUGH, WAS TO MAKE IT MUCH, MUCH HARDER FOR DONALD TRUMP TO WIN IN WISCONSIN. LOOK, REINCE PRIEBUS, MIKE PENCE ARE MAKING A PUSH TO BUILD A BRIDGE TO CONSERVATIVES IN WISCONSIN. THEY NEED CONSERVATIVES IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN IF DONALD TRUMP CAN WIN. I DON’T THINK HE’S GOING TO WIN. BUT YOU NEED TO DO THAT. SO WHAT DOES DONALD TRUMP DO? HE BASICALLY COMES UP BEHIND PENCE AND PRIEBUS AND HE BLOWS UP THAT BRIDGE. SO THE DAMAGE WAS QUITE SEVERE. I THINK YOU SAW THAT WITH THAT OPEN LETTER FROM SPEAKER ROBIN VOS TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND TO DONALD TRUMP. YOU GOT THAT REAL SENSE OF WHAT BAD JUDGMENT IT WAS. SO DONALD TRUMP BEING AGAIN BEING PETULANT, BEING CHILDISH AND DOING HIMSELF NO FAVORS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

YOU REFERENCED ROBIN VOS, THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, PUTTING OUT A STATEMENT SAYING HE IS EMBARRASSED BY DONALD TRUMP AND YET HE STILL SUPPORTS HIM.

CHARLIE SYKES:

YEAH. AND THEN, OF COURSE, THIS IS THE REALLY PAINFUL POSITION THAT A LOT OF THESE FOLKS ARE IN, TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES, SAY, OKAY, HIS COMMENTS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THE MEXICAN JUDGE WERE BEYOND THE PALE. HIS COMMENTS ABOUT THE GOLD STAR PARENTS ARE BEYOND THE PALE. HE’S SHOWS TERRIBLE JUDGMENT. WE’RE STILL GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM. THAT IS A VERY, VERY TENUOUS SITUATION. IT’S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY REPUBLICANS STAY IN THAT POSITION BECAUSE IT’S OBVIOUSLY AWKWARD.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

SO WHAT COULD ALL OF THIS DO TO DOWN-BALLOT RACES IN WISCONSIN AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THE REPUBLICANS?

CHARLIE SYKES:

WELL, IT CAN BE DEVASTATING. THERE’S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. AND THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING AT IN THE POLLS. YOU HAVE DOUBLE-DIGIT LEADS FOR HILLARY CLINTON IN THE GENERAL ELECTION OVER DONALD TRUMP. BUT THEN YOU’RE STARTING TO SEE THE BLEED-OUT FOR THE SENATE RACES AND THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES. AND ULTIMATELY THE ONLY THING THAT’S GOING TO SAVE REPUBLICANS DOWN-BALLOT IS IF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO SPLIT THEIR TICKETS. THE ONLY WAY THEY’RE GOING TO SPLIT THEIR TICKETS IS IF THEY SEE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP AND OTHER REPUBLICANS. THAT’S WHY THIS ATTEMPT TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS I THINK IS GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC. IT’S NOT GOING TO WORK OUT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

VERY BRIEFLY, WITH ABOUT A HALF A MINUTE LEFT, WHO DO YOU BLAME FOR ALL THIS?

CHARLIE SYKES:

DONALD TRUMP. DONALD TRUMP AND THE REPUBLICANS WHO DIDN’T STAND UP AGAINST HIM. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW WAS COMPLETELY PREDICTABLE. SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY PREDICTED IT. SOME PEOPLE WARNED THEM ABOUT IT. BUT HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BASICALLY SURRENDERS ITS PRINCIPLES AND LET’S SOMEBODY AS UNSTABLE AS DONALD TRUMP BECOME THEIR NOMINEE AND WHAT A SURPRISE THAT HE TURNS OUT TO BE AN UNSTABLE NOMINEE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

CHARLIE SYKES, THANKS VERY MUCH.

CHARLIE SYKES:

THANK YOU.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

IN CERTAIN CORNERS, THERE IS PLENTY OF ENTHUSIASM FOR A TRUMP PRESIDENCY TONIGHT IN GREEN BAY AS MR. TRUMP TAKES THE PODIUM. IT’S HAPPENING RIGHT IN THE BROWN COUNTY REPUBLICANS FRONT YARD AND THE CHAIR IN BROWN COUNTY, MARIAN KRUMBERGER, TELLS US QUOTE TRUMP HAS CREATED WELL-PAYING JOBS FOR THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES WHILE WASHINGTON POLITICIANS HAVE CREATED A NATIONAL DEBT THAT WILL BANKRUPT OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. HE COMMUNICATES IN CLEAR LANGUAGE THAT AMERICANS UNDERSTAND. HE IS EVERYTHING THAT HILLARY CLINTON IS NOT. THESE ARE THE REASONS THAT I AND THOUSANDS OF REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT UNQUOTE. AS WE MENTIONED IT’S A BIG DAY FOR PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS IN WISCONSIN. DEMOCRATIC VP CANDIDATE TIM KAINE APPEARED AT A RALLY IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE THIS AFTERNOON. “HERE AND NOW’S” ZAC SCHULTZ WAS THERE AND JOINS US NOW FROM MILWAUKEE. HEY, ZAC.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

HOW YOU DOING, FRED?

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

GOOD. SO NOW YOU COVERED MIKE PENCE LAST WEEK. HOW DID THIS TIM KAINE APPEARANCE COMPARE TO THAT?

ZAC SCHULTZ:

WELL, WHAT A DIFFERENCE 20 MILES MAKES. THAT WAS IN WAUKESHA AT THE WAUKESHA COUNTY EXPO HALL ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00. ALL THE REPUBLICAN BIG-WIGS WERE THERE, REINCE PRIEBUS, SCOTT WALKER, ROBIN VOS, SCOTT FITZGERALD. THIS EVENT WAS DOWN ON THE LAKE FRONT. IT WAS LAKEFRONT BREWERY IN MILWAUKEE, RIGHT ALONG THE RIVER UNDERNEATH A BRIDGE. IT WAS A REALLY NICE SETTING, BEAUTIFUL DAY. ALL THE PROPS AND BIG FLAGS WERE THERE. IT REALLY COULDN’T HAVE LOOKED ANY DIFFERENT. NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT PICTURES OF IT, YOU MIGHT WONDER ABOUT THE CROWD SIZE. THE CROWD AT THE PENCE RALLY WAS A FEW HUNDRED. I’VE HEARD ESTIMATES ANYWHERE FROM 600 TO JUST UNDER 1,000 BUT IT’S A MUCH BIGGER BUILDING SO IT LOOKED LIKE A SMALLER CROWD. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY MAKE HAVE PICKED A VENUE THAT WAS TOO LARGE. WHEREAS THIS RALLY THERE WERE MAYBE ONLY 300, 400 AT MOST THERE, BUT IT WAS A SMALLER SIZE. IT WAS STAGED WELL SO THE CROWD FILLED THE ROOM IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS, UP TO THE CANDIDATE AND IT LOOKED MORE LIKE A TYPICAL PRESIDENTIAL RALLY THAT YOU’D SEE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

DID TIM KAINE MAKE HAY OF BIG NAME REPUBLICANS NOT ATTENDING DONALD TRUMP’S RALLY IN GREEN BAY?

ZAC SCHULTZ:

WE WERE WAITING FOR THAT AND IT DIDN’T HAPPEN. HE MADE A FEW REFERENCES TO DONALD TRUMP, BUT HE DIDN’T SPECIFICALLY MENTION THE RALLY TONIGHT OR THE FACT THAT NO ONE ELSE WAS GOING TO BE THERE. MOST OF HIS ATTACKS ON DONALD TRUMP WERE FAMILIAR IF YOU WATCHED HIS SPEECH FROM THE CONVENTION OR ANYTHING ELSE HE SAID. WE HAVE A SOUND-BITE FROM WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT DONALD TRUMP AND LET’S HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

TIM KAINE:

WHILE WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT JOBS, DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN GOING AFTER A FAMILY OF A WAR HERO. OR DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN GOING AFTER FELLOW REPUBLICANS AND TALKING ABOUT WHY HE WON’T ENDORSE THEM IN THEIR PRIMARIES. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT JOBS AND DONALD TRUMP IS BASICALLY SHADOW BOXING WITH EVERY ENEMY HE CAN THINK OF INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT WHAT AMERICANS WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

SO HE SAYS AMERICANS WANT TO TALK ABOUT JOBS. HE’S CLEARLY LOOKING AT JOBS AND THE ECONOMY. WHAT OTHER KINDS OF POLICY MESSAGES DID TIM KAINE BRING TO THE STUMP TODAY IN MILWAUKEE?

ZAC SCHULTZ:

WELL, HE REITERATED HILLARY CLINTON’S FIVE-POINT ECONOMIC PLAN, TALKED ABOUT WHAT’S ON HER WEBSITE. IT’S A LOT OF THE SAME STUFF WE’VE HEARD BEFORE. THERE’S NOT A LOT OF NEW STUFF, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE PLATFORM THAT WAS RELEASED AT THE CONVENTION, HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE AND TALKING ABOUT ATTACKS ON PEOPLE, COMPANIES THAT EXPORT JOBS TO OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING SOME TAX INCREASES ON THE WEALTHIEST IN AMERICA. HE SAID THAT THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS THAT HILLARY CLINTON’S PLAN ACTUALLY PROVIDES A WAY TO EXPLAIN HOW YOU’RE GOING TO PAY FOR MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHERE DONALD TRUMP DOESN’T HAVE THE SPECIFICS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

SO HE ALSO SEEMED TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE ENERGIZED KIND OF TOWARD THE END OF HIS COMMENTS, AND WE HAVE A SOUND-BITE FROM THAT AS WELL. LET’S LISTEN TO HOW HE CLOSED OUT HIS APPEARANCE.

TIM KAINE:

THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY TOUGH AND CHALLENGING ELECTION BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH SOME THINGS ARE LOOKING OKAY IN THE POLLS NOW, WE KNOW THAT SINCE CITIZENS UNITED, SINCE WE’VE OPENED THE FLOODGATES TO SECRET DARK MONEY SAYING WHATEVER THEY WANT. AND WE’VE GOT THESE GOVERNORS OUT THERE TRYING TO SCREW AROUND AND KEEP PEOPLE FROM VOTING, WE KNOW THAT FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE PLAYING FOR KEEPS. WE WANT TO SERVE. THEY WANT TO WIN. I’M GLAD I’M WITH THE “WE WANT TO SERVE” PEOPLE, BUT WE GOT TO WIN, TOO. WE GOTTA WANT TO WIN. WISCONSIN, YOU KNOW HOW TO WIN. YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN, WISCONSIN COMES THROUGH. ON, WISCONSIN. WE’RE GOING TO WIN BIG IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE OF YOU. I’M SO HONORED TO BE WITH YOU TODAY. LET’S GO OUT, MAKE HISTORY WITH HILLARY CLINTON AND THEN DO GREAT THINGS TO GROW THIS ECONOMY FOR EVERYBODY.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

THERE’S THAT ENERGY. NOW, WHAT ROLE, ZAC, ARE THESE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES TAKING ON BEHALF OF THESE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS?

ZAC SCHULTZ:

WELL, IN PRIOR ELECTIONS WE’VE SEEN THE VP KIND OF TAKE THE ROLE OF THE ATTACK DOG. THAT’S BEEN THEIR JOB AS THE MAIN CANDIDATE STAYS ABOVE THE FRAY AND LOOKS PRESIDENTIAL. THE VP IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE DONE THAT DOES THE DIRTY WORK OF ATTACKING THEIR OPPONENT. OBVIOUSLY IN THIS RACE DONALD TRUMP IS NOT SHY ABOUT DOING HIS OWN DIRTY WORK AND ATTACKING HIS OPPONENT AND HILLARY CLINTON AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE SHY ABOUT ATTACKING DONALD TRUMP IN RETURN. WE’VE SEEN BOTH THESE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TAKE THE STAGE AND OFFER VERY WARM AND ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS TO THE AUDIENCE, TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY’RE AT AND TO THE CANDIDATES AND NOT REALLY ATTACK TOO MUCH. I MEAN, TIM KAINE’S MENTIONS OF DONALD TRUMP TODAY WERE NOT TOO ATTACKING AT ALL. THEY WERE RIGHT IN LINE OF — SEEN ATTACK ADS ON THE INTERNET THAT ARE A LOT WORSE. HE’S ALREADY BEEN DESCRIBED AS AMERICA’S DAD. AND SOME OF THESE OTHER PHRASES. HE CERTAINLY DIDN’T GO AWAY FROM THAT, OFF THE SCRIPT TODAY.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ZAC SCHULTZ, THANKS A LOT.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

THANK YOU.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS LESS THAN FIVE DAYS AWAY AND IN THE 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN NORTHEAST WISCONSIN THERE’S A THREE-WAY RACE AMONG REPUBLICANS ALL VYING TO REPLACE REID RIBBLE WHO IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION. THE RACE PITS STATE SENATOR FRANK LASEE, MIKE GALLAGHER WHO SAYS RIBBLE’S ENDORSEMENT AND TERRY MCNULTY AGAINST EACH OTHER. FRANK LASEE IS ATTENDING TONIGHT’S TRUMP RALLY, AS IS TERRY MCNULTY, WHO SAYS THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN CALLED THIS MORNING OFFERING HIM VIP SEATS. MIKE GALLAGHER WILL NOT ATTEND. WHILE THE THREE HOLD MANY OF THE SAME CONSERVATIVE VIEWS, THEY COME FROM DIFFERENT PLACES, AND WHEN TALKING WITH THEM, EACH BELIEVED THEIR BACKGROUNDS GIVE THEM THE EDGE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

IN THE FINAL STRETCH BEFORE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, SUMMER BRINGS FAIRS, PARADES AND THE CHANCE FOR CANDIDATES TO MIX IT UP WITH LOTS OF POTENTIAL VOTERS.

MIKE GALLAGHER:

HI, FOLKS. HOW YOU DOING?

TERRY MCNULTY:

I’M THAT GUY RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

FRANK LASEE:

I’M FRANK LASEE. I’D LIKE TO WORK FOR YOU AS YOUR CONGRESSMAN.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

THE PRIMARY CANDIDATES FOR THE OPEN 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT INCLUDE A STATE SENATOR, A PH.D. FORMER U.S. MARINE AND A VILLAGE PRESIDENT.

FRANK LASEE:

I’M A PROVEN CONSERVATIVE WHO HAS A TRACK RECORD AND SO MANY TIMES IN THE PAST I’VE SEEN PEOPLE RUN FOR OFFICE, SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT, AND THEY CAN BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO RECORD.

MIKE GALLAGHER:

I’M NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN. THIS IS MY FIRST RUN FOR OFFICE. I’M NOT SOMEONE WHO’S DOING THIS AS A STEPPING-STONE. IT’S ABOUT SERVICE AND I INTEND TO TREAT IT LIKE A DEPLOYMENT, NOT LIKE A CAREER.

TERRY MCNULTY:

I AM A WORKING GUY. I WAS OUT WORKING THIS MORNING, AS YOU KNOW. I’M A SMALL BUSINESSMAN. I’M WAS A CAREER MILITARY GUY. I’M A FAMILY GUY. IT’S NOT ALWAYS BEEN EASY FOR ME.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ACCORDING TO UW GREEN BAY POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AARON WEINSCHENK, THIS RACE IN THIS SWING DISTRICT HAS EVERYONE WATCHING.

AARON WEINSCHENK:

THE RESULTS FLIP AROUND FROM ELECTION TO ELECTION. YOU SEE DEMOCRATS WINNING SOMETIMES, REPUBLICANS WINNING SOMETIMES. I THINK THAT’S WHY YOU’RE SEEING SO MUCH ATTENTION ON THIS RACE. IT’S EVEN ON NATIONAL LISTS AS AN IMPORTANT RACE TO PAY ATTENTION TO. AND IT’S BECAUSE IT’S UP FOR GRABS, BECAUSE IT’S NOT A SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC OR SOLIDLY REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND SO REPUBLICANS HAVE TO KEEP ONE EYE ON THE GENERAL ELECTION WHILE WORKING TO EMERGE VICTORIOUS FROM THE PRIMARY. IN THE MONEY RACE, MIKE GALLAGHER STANDS APART, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS OF MORE THAN $922,000, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS. FRANK LASEE SHOWS $310,500 AND TERRY MCNULTY WITH ABOUT $7200.

TERRY MCNULTY:

MIKE WON THE MONEY GAME ALL RIGHT. AND FRANK SAYS I’M A NICE GUY BUT DON’T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

DAUNTING AS THAT MAY BE IN A CLOSELY WATCHED CONTEST, MCNULTY PRESSES ON.

TERRY MCNULTY:

I DON’T TRUST A CAREER POLITICIAN OR A WASHINGTON D.C. GUY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT. I THINK THIS COUNTRY’S AT A TIPPING POINT. WE GOT REAL PROBLEMS. AND A LOT OF THEM ARE REALLY FISCAL PROBLEMS. AND I DO A GOOD JOB OF THAT HERE IN THE VILLAGE OF FORESTVILLE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

FOR FRANK LASEE, ONE ISSUE OVERSHADOWS ALL THE OTHERS.

FRANK LASEE:

OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR A VERY LONG TIME. WE HAVE A NATIONAL DEBT OF $19 TRILLION. WE’RE SPENDING $600 BILLION MORE THAN WE’RE TAKING IN THIS YEAR. AND THIS DEBT ISSUE WILL CROWD OUT MILITARY SPENDING, SAFETY SPENDING, SOCIAL SECURITY. IT’S GOING TO CROWD OUT EVERYTHING IN THE FUTURE. I’M VERY CONCERNED IT’LL GET TO BE $30, $40, $50, $100 TRILLION. NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT OR PUT A STOP TO IT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ON THAT SCORE, MIKE GALLAGHER, WITH HIS BACKGROUND IN HIGH-RANKING MILITARY INTELLIGENCE, AGREES, OFFERING THAT NO NATION HAS MAINTAINED ITS MILITARY POWER WHILE FAILING TO GET ITS FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER. GALLAGHER EMPHASIZES THE THREAT OF TERRORISM.

MIKE GALLAGHER:

WE’VE ALLOWED A TERRORIST STATE TO BE CARVED OUT IN THE HEART OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND TO IT HAS FLOCKED 38,000 FOREIGN FIGHTERS. 6,000 OF WHICH HAVE EUROPEAN PASSPORTS. WE’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. IT’S WORSE THAN AFGHANISTAN IN THE ’70s AND ’80s. AS PETRAEUS TESTIFIED LAST YEAR, THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT LAS VEGAS. WHAT HAPPENED THERE WON’T STAY THERE. WE’RE SEEING INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC RADICALIZATION POP UP IN ALL 50 STATES.

DONALD TRUMP:

ISIS HAS SPREAD ACROSS THE REGION AND THE ENTIRE WORLD.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, DONALD TRUMP HAS VOICED THE FEAR OF TERRORISM LOUD AND CLEAR, BUT ALSO FOUND HIMSELF MIRED IN CONTROVERSY. THOSE RUNNING IN THIS GOP CONGRESSIONAL UNDERCARD ACKNOWLEDGE THE TENSION OF RUNNING THEIR OWN RACE WHILE WATCHING THEIR PARTIES’ PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE RUN HIS.

MIKE GALLAGHER:

AT THE VERY LEAST, HE RECOGNIZES WE’RE A COUNTRY AT WAR. AND THAT WE HAVE TO WIN THAT WAR. THAT IS GOOD INSTINCTS.

FRANK LASEE:

HE’S A VERY BRIGHT MAN ACTUALLY. HE IS SOMEWHAT OBNOXIOUS OFTEN, BUT HE IS ALSO A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUAL AND OUR COUNTRY NEEDS SUCCESS RIGHT NOW.

TERRY MCNULTY:

WE HAVE TO MAKE HIM BE PRESIDENT. I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME OUT. DONALD WILL TELL YOU HE BROUGHT A RECORD NUMBER OF VOTERS TO THE PRIMARY FOR PRESIDENTIAL. I SURE HOPE THOSE PEOPLE FOLLOW HIM HERE IN THE FALL.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

TURNOUT FOR PRIMARY ELECTION DAY NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 IS PROJECTED AT ABOUT 16%. ALSO RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN THE 8TH DISTRICT IS DEMOCRATIC TOM NELSON, WHO FACES NO PRIMARY CHALLENGER. HE WILL FACE THE WINNER OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IN THE GENERAL ELECTION. NELSON IS OUTAGAMIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND FORMERLY A STATE LEGISLATOR.

TOM NELSON:

HOW YOU DOING?

TEEN:

GOOD.

TOM NELSON:

SO YOU HAD SOME AWARD-WINNING ANIMALS THIS YEAR?

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

TOM NELSON SAYS HE WOULD BRING THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A LOCAL NONPARTISAN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO HELP HIM WORK ACROSS THE AISLE IN CONGRESS. HE SAYS HE WOULD REJECT BAD TRADE DEALS THAT HAVE HURT NORTHEAST WISCONSIN MANUFACTURING JOBS. HE CALLS THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN THE DISTRICT.

TOM NELSON:

SO I THINK THOSE CORE ECONOMIC BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES, WHETHER THEY’RE ISSUES OF TRADE. WE NEED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS PAID MEDICAL LEAVE BECAUSE FAMILIES CAN’T AFFORD TAKING TIME OFF THEIR WORK TO CARE FOR A CHILD OR TO CARE FOR A LOVED ONE. THERE ARE ABOUT 150,000 SSI RECIPIENTS HERE IN NORTHEAST WISCONSIN. SOCIAL SECURITY HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN A REALLY BIG ISSUE. WE HAVE TO RESIST ANY EFFORT, ANY AND ALL EFFORTS TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY. THAT WOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL OF THE CANDIDATES BY GOING TO wisconsinvote.org.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WITH VOTERS GOING TO THE POLLS TUESDAY AND POSSIBLE CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT’S UP LAWS CONCERNING WHETHER TO BRING PHOTO IDENTIFICATION, LET US PREFACE THIS UPDATE WITH THIS. PHOTO ID WILL BE REQUIRED FOR TUESDAY’S PRIMARIES, BUT TONIGHT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM NEWS INTERN NINA KRAVINSKY, WE OFFER A REFRESHER ON THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE CONTENTIOUS LAW, STARTING WITH A NEW TWIST IN THE BATTLE OVER VOTER ID THAT CAME LAST WEEK WITH A SWEEPING RULING FROM A FEDERAL JUDGE. THE JUDGE KEPT THE LAW IN PLACE BUT INVALIDATED SOME PARTS OF IT. THAT LEFT BOTH SIDES FOR AND AGAINST APPEALING THE RULING.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

THAT RULING, YET ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR THE BILL GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER SIGNED INTO LAW IN 2011. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER ITS PASSAGE IN MARCH 2012, A DANE COUNTY JUDGE RULED THE LAW VIOLATED THE WISCONSIN STATE CONSTITUTION. IN APRIL 2014, FEDERAL JUDGE LYNN ADELMAN AGAIN BLOCKED THE REQUIREMENT. LATER THAT SAME YEAR, THE STATE SUPREME COURT AND A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT UPHELD THE VOTER ID LAW. BUT ONE MONTH BEFORE THE NOVEMBER MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND SCOTT WALKER’S RUN FOR A SECOND TERM AS GOVERNOR, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THAT THERE WASN’T ENOUGH TIME FOR THE LAW TO GO INTO EFFECT FOR THAT ELECTION AND POSTPONED ITS ENACTMENT. IN MARCH 2015, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECLINED TO HEAR WISCONSIN’S VOTER ID CASE, EFFECTIVELY LETTING THE LAW TAKE EFFECT. THE STATE DECIDED TO DELAY ITS IMPLEMENTATION, THOUGH THE LAW WAS IN PLACE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES THIS PAST APRIL. THIS SUMMER, THOUGH, A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED THOSE WHO CANNOT PROVIDE THEIR IDs CAN INSTEAD SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT SO THEY CAN VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. AND IN LAST WEEK’S RULING, THE FEDERAL JUDGE SLAMMED THE LAW AND STRUCK DOWN PARTS OF IT. THE JUDGE ALSO INVALIDATED SEVERAL OTHER ELECTION LAW CHANGES.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AFTER ALL OF THESE RULINGS, THE IMPORTANT PART FOR TUESDAY IS THAT VOTER ID WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE AUGUST 9 PRIMARIES, BUT PENDING APPEALS THE LATEST RULING WOULD CHANGE WHAT HAPPENS AT THE POLLS IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION. THIS WEEK GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER TOLD STATE AGENCIES HE INTENDS TO KEEP THE UW TUITION FREEZE IN PLACE IN THE NEXT TWO YEAR BUDGET. IT’S BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 2013. CONCERNING THE UW SYSTEM BUDGET IN LIGHT OF ANOTHER FREEZE, PRESIDENT RAY CROSS SAID THIS. OUR REQUEST WILL BE MODEST, BUT CONTINUED BUDGET CUTS AND FROZEN TUITION CANNOT BE SUSTAINED. WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION, THE REVENUE COMING INTO THE UW SYSTEM TODAY FROM THE STATE OF WISCONSIN IS THE LOWEST IN THE SYSTEM’S HISTORY. NEIGHBORING STATES BY CONTRAST ARE INVESTING IN THEIR PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS. WE GO NOW TO UW-STOUT TO GET REACTION FROM ITS CHANCELLOR, BOB MEYER. FIRST WE SHOULD MAKE THIS DISCLAIMER. WPT IS PART OF THE UW SYSTEM. AND, CHANCELLOR, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

BOB MEYER:

PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE. THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT WILL ANOTHER TUITION FREEZE MEAN ON YOUR CAMPUS?

BOB MEYER:

WELL, IF WE THINK OF IT IN JUST RAW DOLLARS, A 2% TUITION INCREASE FOR US WOULD MEAN ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS ON OUR BASE BUDGET. OUR STATE APPROPRIATION IS APPROXIMATELY $37 MILLION GOING INTO THIS BIENNIUM. WITH THE REDUCTIONS THAT WE HAD, WHICH WAS ABOUT $5.3 MILLION, WE ARE AT ABOUT $28 MILLION IN GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUE THAT IS USED. BASICALLY THAT’S OUR OPERATING REVENUE. AND SO TO HAVE TUITION FROZEN, OF COURSE, HAS A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON US. A MILLION DOLLARS IS A BIG DEAL

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT ABOUT THE FAT, THE RESERVES THAT CAMPUSES HOLD THAT DREW SO MUCH IRE FROM THE LEGISLATURE?

BOB MEYER:

TRADITIONALLY, UW-STOUT HAS NOT HAD HIGH RESERVES AND IN FACT WE WERE ON THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION’S WATCH LIST FOR HAVING RELATIVELY LOW RESERVES. SO WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN THE UW SYSTEM RELATIVE TO THE RESERVES. AND WE’RE ACTUALLY ON A SAVINGS PLAN. OUR RESERVES LAST YEAR WERE ABOUT $6 MILLION. IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE TUITION RESERVES THAT ARE HELD, AND THAT’S WHAT THE REGENTS AND THE LEGISLATORS I THINK PAY ATTENTION TO PRETTY CLOSELY, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAVE SOME FUNDS THIS YEAR AND MOVE THAT UP TO ABOUT $7.7 MILLION. BUT IT’S STILL RELATIVELY LOW IN TERMS OF THE RELATIVE AMOUNT OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

YOU HAVE IN THE PAST HAD TO MAKE CUTS, WHAT WITH THE BUDGET CUTS TO THE UW SYSTEM AND THE TUITION FREEZE. WHAT KINDS OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED AT UW-STOUT? AND HOW HAVE THEY AFFECTED THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE?

BOB MEYER:

SO OUR FOCUS WAS PRIMARILY ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IF YOU REALLY EXAMINE THE DETAILS OF HOW WE REDUCED THE BUDGET. ONE EXAMPLE, WE WENT FROM FOUR COLLEGES IN THE ACADEMIC AREA TO THREE COLLEGES. THAT ELIMINATED A DEAN AND IT ALSO ELIMINATED A BUDGET MANAGER. IT SAVED ABOUT $360,000. IN THE STUDENT SERVICES AREA, WE DID SOME REORGANIZATION OF THE DEAN’S OFFICE, THE DEAN OF STUDENTS’ OFFICE. THAT SAVED US ABOUT ANOTHER $150,000. IN MY CASE, MY OFFICE TOOK A 16% REDUCTION. AGAIN, WE TRIED TO LOOK IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS AND THE OVERHEAD AREAS, IF YOU WILL, TO TRY TO LEAN OUT THE ORGANIZATION.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND SO AT THIS POINT, YOU JUST DON’T THINK THAT YOU CAN MANAGE ANOTHER TUITION FREEZE?

BOB MEYER:

WE WILL PROBABLY BE DOING MORE WITH LESS IN TERMS OF TRYING TO OFFER FEWER SECTIONS AND INCREASING CLASS SIZES. THAT’S NOT SOMETHING THAT’S DESIRABLE. IT REDUCES THE SCHEDULING CHOICES, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT STUDENTS HAVE AND THAT’S OFTENTIMES NOT GOOD.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ALL RIGHT. CHANCELLOR, WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

BOB MEYER:

MY PLEASURE. THANKS AGAIN FOR HAVING ME.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, WE SAY FAREWELL AND THANK YOU TO SOMEONE ON THE “HERE AND NOW” STAFF WHO IS LEAVING US. AFTER 37 YEARS AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER HERE AT WPT, LISA CURRAN IS RETIRING. YOU’VE SEEN LISA’S WORK ON THOUSANDS OF WPT’S PROGRAM, FROM LIVE CAPITOL COVERAGE TO HOCKEY AND BASKETBALL GAMES TO TWELVE YEARS OF THE LIVE “WEEKEND” NEWS PROGRAM AND THROUGHOUT OUR YEARS ON “HERE AND NOW.” WE WILL MISS HER DEDICATION TO ACCURACY, TO COLOR AND COMPOSITION AND ESPECIALLY HER SMILE AND GET IT DONE ATTITUDE. FAREWELL, LISA. KEEP YOUR EYE ON US. CURIOUS ABOUT THE LATEST PRESIDENTIAL POLL RESULTS HERE IN THE BADGER STATE? TUNE IN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT FOR NEW STATEWIDE NUMBERS FROM MARQUETTE LAW SCHOOL POLLSTER CHARLES FRANKLIN. I’M FREDERICA FREYBERG. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

ANNOUNCER:

FUNDING FOR “HERE AND NOW” IS PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON “HERE AND NOW’S” 2016 ELECTION COVERAGE, GO TO wisconsinvote.org.