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.

DONALD TRUMP:

GREAT TO BE IN WISCONSIN TONIGHT. NO PLACE LIKE BEING IN A TRUMP RALLY, ARE WE RIGHT?

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

DONALD TRUMP RALLIES SUPPORTERS WEDNESDAY IN WAUKESHA. I’M FREDERICA FREYBERG. TONIGHT ON HERE AND NOW, ZAC SCHULTZ REPORTS FROM WAUKESHA ON THE TRUMP RALLY. CHELSEA CLINTON STUMPS FOR HER MOTHER IN GREEN BAY TODAY. WE HEAR FROM LIBERTARIAN U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE PHIL ANDERSON. A POLITIFACT CHECK ON ADS PAID FOR BY THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE OPEN 8th CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AND THE STATE CALLS A HEALTH ADVISORY ON OPIOID USE. BUT FIRST, DONALD TRUMP WAS IN WAUKESHA ON WEDNESDAY. ZAC SCHULTZ WAS THERE AS WELL.

DONALD TRUMP:

I’M BACK. AND WE’RE GOING TO WIN WISCONSIN.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

AFTER TWO MONTHS AWAY DONALD TRUMP RETURNED TO CAMPAIGN IN WISCONSIN DRAWING A CAPACITY CROWD TO THE WAUKESHA COUNTY EXPO HALL WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

DONALD TRUMP:

LOOK AT ALL THESE PEOPLE.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

THE SCENE WAS IN STARK CONTRAST TO A RALLY TRUMP’S VICE PRESIDENTIAL PICK MIKE PENCE HELD IN THE SAME BUILDING IN JULY. ON THAT NIGHT, ONLY A FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE SHOWED UP AND JUST THREE MONTHS AFTER REJECTING TRUMP IN WISCONSIN’S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY, IT LOOKED LIKE WAUKESHA COUNTY WOULD REJECT THE TRUMP TICKET AGAIN IN THE FALL.

DONALD TRUMP:

BUT I WANT TO THANK TOMMY THOMPSON.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

AROUND THE SAME TIME, TRUMP SAYS HE GOT A CALL FROM FORMER WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TOMMY THOMPSON.

DONALD TRUMP:

TOMMY WAS HERE. AND I GET A CALL, “DON, CAN I COME OVER AND SEE YOU?” AND I WAS ABOUT 15 POINTS DOWN, RIGHT?

ZAC SCHULTZ:

TRUMP TOLD THE CROWD THOMPSON GAVE HIM SOME FRANK ADVICE.

DONALD TRUMP:

COMES IN AND GOES, “DON, I REALLY LIKE YOU. GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.” I SAID, “WHY?” HE SAID, “YOU’RE NOT GOING TO WIN THE STATE.” HE SAID, “BUT IF THINGS CHANGE I’LL CALL YOU.”

ZAC SCHULTZ:

SINCE THEN THE LAST TWO MARQUETTE POLLS HAVE SHOWN TRUMP ONLY A FEW POINTS BEHIND HILLARY CLINTON.

DONALD TRUMP:

SO I GET A CALL ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. DON, TIME TO COME BACK.

TOMMY THOMPSON:

THE TRUMP TRAIN IS MOVING. WE NEED YOU ON THE TRUMP TRAIN. GIVE HIM A BIG HAND, JOHN KASICH.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

IN APRIL TOMMY THOMPSON CAMPAIGNED FOR JOHN KASICH. BUT WEDNESDAY NIGHT HE WAS ALL IN FOR TRUMP TRYING TO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF TURNOUT IN WAUKESHA COUNTY.

TOMMY THOMPSON:

THE THING BETWEEN US AND HILLARY CLINTON–

[AUDIENCE BOOS]

YEAH. IS NOT GETTING OUR VOTES OUT IN WAUKESHA COUNTY, THE SOUTHEASTERN OF WISCONSIN.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

TRUMP MAY BE CLOSE IN THE STATEWIDE POLLS BUT HE’S UNDERPERFORMING AS A REPUBLICAN IN WAUKESHA COUNTY. ACCORDING TO MARQUETTE POLL DIRECTOR CHARLES FRANKLIN, THE AVERAGE OF THE LAST THREE POLLS SHOWS TRUMP LEADING HILLARY CLINTON BY 14 POINTS IN WAUKESHA COUNTY WHILE REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON HAS A 29 POINT LEAD OVER RUSS FEINGOLD. AND FOUR YEARS AGO MITT ROMNEY BEAT BARACK OBAMA IN WAUKESHA COUNTY BY 35%.

DONALD TRUMP:

WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING WE WANT, BUT THAT MEANS SHOWING UP. YOU GOTTA SHOW UP.

ZAC SCHULTZ:

OF COURSE, THOSE NUMBERS CONTAIN A SILVER LINING FOR TRUMP.

TOMMY THOMPSON:

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS STAND UP AND TELL THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE NOT SEEN THE LIGHT YET, SOME REPUBLICANS, IT’S TIME TO GET ON THE TRAIN. THE TRUMP TRAIN IS MOVING!

ZAC SCHULTZ:

IF TRUMP CAN TURN OUT THOSE TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN VOTERS IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN, HE HAS A CLEAR PATH TO WINNING THE STATE IN NOVEMBER.

DONALD TRUMP:

ON NOVEMBER 8th WE’RE GOING TO WIN THIS STATE AND WE’RE GOING TO WIN BACK THE WHITE HOUSE. WE’RE GOING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, BELIEVE ME.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ON THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SIDE, CHELSEA CLINTON CAMPAIGNED TODAY IN GREEN BAY FOR HER MOTHER HILLARY CLINTON. THE FORMER FIRST DAUGHTER APPEARED AT A RALLY AND MADE HER CASE FOR A CLINTON PRESIDENCY.

CHELSEA CLINTON:

ARE WE GOING TO FINISH THE WORK OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SO THAT EVERYONE HAS HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND IT IS INDEED MORE AFFORDABLE? ARE WE GOING TO FINALLY GET TO HIGHER EDUCATION AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY? ARE WE GOING TO FINALLY, FINALLY GET TO A PLACE WHERE ANYONE CAN LOVE WHOM THEY WANT, CAN LIVE WHERE THEY WANT TO LIVE, CAN BUY SOMETHING THEY WANT TO BUY IN A CAKE SHOP OR A GROCERY STORE WITHOUT FEAR OF DISCRIMINATION OR DENIAL? ALL OF THAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

THIS AFTERNOON, A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED THE STATE TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS IN WISCONSIN HAVE BEEN DENYING PEOPLE TEMPORARY PHOTO I.D.s TO VOTE. THE JUDGE GAVE THE STATE UNTIL OCTOBER 7 TO REPORT BACK TO THE COURT. ON NEXT WEEK’S “HERE AND NOW” WE’LL BRING YOU A U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE SPECIAL FEATURING THE TWO MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE SEAT IN WISCONSIN. REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT RON JOHNSON AND DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE AND FORMER SENATOR RUSS FEINGOLD. BUT TONIGHT WE WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE IN WISCONSIN FOR U.S. SENATE. HE’S PHIL ANDERSON. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF GREEN CAB IN MADISON AND OWNER OF A REALTY COMPANY. I ASKED HIM A QUESTION ABOUT A PLANK OF HIS PLATFORM, PRIVACY. HE SAYS QUOTE YOUR BODY IS YOUR BODY. YOUR DEFENSE IS YOUR DEFENSE. WE ASKED HIM WHAT THAT MEANS.

PHIL ANDERSON:

THAT MEANS THAT A PERSON HAS RIGHTS AND THESE RIGHTS, ACCORDING TO NATURAL LAW AND ACCORDING TO OUR FOUNDING DOCUMENTS ARE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR LIFE AS THEY CHOOSE AS LONG AS THEY DON’T INTERFERE WITH ANOTHER PERSON’S RIGHT TO DO THE SAME. SO THE THINGS THAT I DO WITH MY BODY, WHAT I EAT, WHAT I SMOKE, HOW I DRESS, WHATEVER, ALL THOSE THINGS ARE PARTICULAR TO ME AS LONG AS I’M NOT HARMING SOMEBODY ELSE BY THE CHOICES THAT I MAKE, THEN I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT WITHOUT ANY GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

LET ME ASK YOU IF THIS MEANS THAT YOU FAVOR ABORTION RIGHTS, GAY MARRIAGE AND LEGALIZATION OF POT, FOR EXAMPLE?

PHIL ANDERSON:

LEGALIZATION OF POT, YES. THE WHOLE WAR ON DRUGS IS JUST A WAR ON PEOPLE. AND THAT’S ACTUALLY A WHOLE OTHER QUESTION THAT I WAS HOPING YOU’D ASK ME. GAY MARRIAGE, FINE. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN’T BE INVOLVED IN MARRIAGE AT ALL. THERE’S NO INTEREST THERE IN DECIDING WHO SHOULD FORM CONTRACTS WITH EACH OTHER AND WHO IS LOVING EACH OTHER. THE ISSUE OF ABORTION I DIFFER FROM OUR NATIONAL PLATFORM. OUR NATIONAL PLATFORM LEAVES IT A LITTLE BIT AMBIGUOUS. I BELIEVE THAT MEDICALLY, LOGICALLY, PHYSIOLOGICALLY THAT AFTER FERTILIZATION AT SOME POINT SHORTLY THEREAFTER THAT THIS IS A HUMAN BEING ENTITLED TO RIGHTS. SO CONSTITUTIONALLY I THINK THAT ABORTION IS– SHOULD BE ILLEGAL.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ON THE SECOND PRONG OF THAT, IT HAS TO DO WITH GUNS OBVIOUSLY. YOUR DEFENSE IS YOUR DEFENSE. WHAT’S YOUR POSITION ON BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PEOPLE BUYING GUNS AT GUN SHOWS OR ON THE INTERNET?

PHIL ANDERSON:

I THINK THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS LISTED THE SECOND FOR A PARTICULAR REASON. AND THAT IS, ALL THE RIGHTS THAT WE — THAT ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS ARE NOT GOOD IF THEY CAN’T BE DEFENDED FROM EACH OTHER, FROM CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, FROM EVEN OUR GOVERNMENT. AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT — DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES IN WHATEVER WAY THEY SEE FIT WITH WHATEVER WEAPON THEY SEE FIT. NOW IN TERMS OF CHECKS, SOMEBODY WHO IS A CONVICTED FELON, SOMEBODY WHO HAS A CLEARLY DIAGNOSED MENTAL ILLNESS THAT MAKES THEM UNSTABLE, THAT’S WHERE I WOULD DRAW THE LINE AT. BUT WITH A CAVEAT. AND THAT IS ONCE YOU ALLOW FOR EXCEPTIONS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, THEN THE GOVERNMENT’S STILL DEFINING MENTAL ILLNESS. AND AT SOME POINT THEY COULD DEFINE IT AS A BELIEF SYSTEM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT THEN BECOMES A WAY TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE ON WHETHER THEY CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

MOVING ON TO SOCIAL SECURITY. WHAT’S YOUR POSITION ON WHETHER THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM SHOULD BE MAINTAINED?

PHIL ANDERSON:

IT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BUT PHASED OUT. WE NEED TO RAISE THE RETIREMENT AGE AND WE NEED TO STOP MAKING PROMISES THAT WE CAN’T KEEP. THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE HISTORICALLY BAD JOB OF STEWARDING — BEING STEWARDS OF OUR INCOME AND OUR FUNDS. IT SHOULD BE PHASED OUT. PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO OPT OUT. AND EVENTUALLY WE SHOULD GET RID OF THAT PROGRAM OVER THE NEXT 10 OR 20 YEARS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ON HEALTH CARE GIVEN YOUR POSITION ON GETTING GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY, AS YOU SAY, HOW DO YOU VIEW THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?

PHIL ANDERSON:

IT’S A DISASTER. IT’S A HAND-OUT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BASICALLY. IF YOU EQUATE HEALTH INSURANCE WITH LET’S SAY AUTO INSURANCE, WHEN YOU HAVE AUTO INSURANCE IT’S FOR CATASTROPHIC EVENTS. YOU GET IN A CAR WRECK OR HAIL DAMAGE OR WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE. YOU DON’T HAVE AUTO INSURANCE TO PAY FOR YOUR OIL CHANGES OR REGULAR MAINTENANCE BUT WE HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THAT’S BASICALLY SET UP TO DO THAT INCLUDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. THAT MAKES IT A LOT SLOWER AND A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE. THERE ARE GOOD EXAMPLES IN THE MARKETPLACE WHERE HEALTHCARE IS BEING PROVIDED AT VERY INEXPENSIVE RATES BY SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES. FOR EXAMPLE ONE CALLED ATLAS MD IN WICHITA. AND THERE ARE MANY OF THESE ACROSS THE NATION WHERE YOU PAY A SUBSCRIPTION PRICE RELATIVELY LOW. MIGHT BE $40 OR $50 A MONTH AND THAT GETS YOU DIRECT ACCESS TO A DOCTOR, ROUTINE CARE, ROUTINE LABS AND CHECKS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND THEN YOU STILL CARRY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THOSE CASES THAT ARE EMERGENCIES BUT YOU’RE NOT GOING THROUGH THE HEALTH INSURANCE PROCESS AND EXPENSE FOR THINGS THAT ARE ROUTINE. THAT’S A REFORM THAT WE NEED AND THAT OUR CORRUPT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT HEALTH INSURANCE HAND-OUT FOR A LONG TIME.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE FORMERLY UNINSURED BEFORE THE ACA?

PHIL ANDERSON:

IN THE SHORT TERM. NOW I DON’T FAVOR FUNDING PEOPLE’S HEALTH INSURANCE IN A LONG TERM. I THINK THE MARKET DOES A BETTER JOB OF THAT. IN THE SHORT TERM IF WE ARE ISSUING VOUCHERS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN USE THEM FOR THE KIND OF SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES I’M TALKING ABOUT OR USE THEM ON THE FREE MARKET, I’D BE IN FAVOR OF THAT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ON NATIONAL SECURITY YOU SAY THAT IN THE NAME OF SPREADING LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY THE U.S. HAS DESTABILIZED THE WORLD. HOW AT THIS JUNCTURE DOES THE U.S. STAY SAFE IN THE FACE OF ISIS?

PHIL ANDERSON:

WELL WE NEED TO STILL MAINTAIN A DEFENSIVE POSTURE IN REGARDING ISIS. CLEARLY THEY’VE DECLARED WAR ON THE UNITED STATES, WHATEVER THAT MEANS. BUT WE’VE CREATED THIS SITUATION WITH 100 PLUS YEARS OF BASICALLY IMPERIALISTIC ACTIVITY ACROSS THE WORLD ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE NAME OF OIL. IN THE NAME OF PROMOTING THE DOLLAR AS THE RESERVE CURRENCY OF THE WORLD. WE’VE CREATED THIS PROBLEM. SO THE CHALLENGE FOR ANY LIBERTARIAN WHO IS RUNNING FOR FEDERAL OFFICE IS, WE HAVE A SET OF IDEALS ABOUT WHAT OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND HAVING RIGHTS AND DELEGATING THOSE TO THE GOVERNMENT BUT WE CAN’T WALK AWAY FROM THE CURRENT SITUATION. SO FOR NOW WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST ISIS AND ANY OTHER FOREIGN THREATS. WE SHOULDN’T HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE SHOULD TRY TO UNINVOLVE OURSELVES OVERSEAS NOT ONLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST BUT IN EUROPE, ASIA AND EVERYWHERE ELSE. IT’S BASICALLY IMPERIALISTIC ACTIVITY THAT IN THE LONG RUN HAS MADE US A LOT LESS SAFE THAN MORE SAFE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT’S YOUR POSITION ON ALLOWING SYRIAN REFUGEES TO ENTER THE U.S. AND HOW MANY, IF ANY, SHOULD BE ALLOWED?

PHIL ANDERSON:

I THINK WE SHOULD ALLOW AS MANY AS WANT TO COME. WE DO NEED TO SCREEN TO A CERTAIN EXTENT BECAUSE WE MAY HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THEM ACTUALLY BEING TERRORISTS AND I THINK THAT’S FINE. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO DEFEND. THAT’S PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. BUT BEYOND THAT, IMMIGRANTS COME IN AND THEY WANT TO WORK GENERALLY AND AS LONG AS THEY’RE WILLING TO WORK AND SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND BE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, I DON’T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT AT ALL.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ON IMMIGRATION DO YOU BELIEVE IN A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN THIS COUNTRY?

PHIL ANDERSON:

YES, I DO. I THINK THAT WE’RE AT FAULT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT FOR THE RIDICULOUSLY, POORLY-RUN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE. THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO AND HAVE IMMIGRATED HERE SUCCESSFULLY WHO PROVIDE VALUE AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP TO OUR SOCIETY AND OUR ECONOMY. AND THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME HERE ILLEGALLY HAVE DONE SO TO WORK OUT OF DESPERATION. AND EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE HERE TECHNICALLY ILLEGALLY WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO INCORPORATE THEM INTO OUR ECONOMY IN A LEGAL WAY BECAUSE THEY’RE ALREADY WORKING AND PROVIDING VALUE AND BEING GOOD CITIZENS. THOSE WHO AREN’T, THEY SHOULD LEAVE AND I DON’T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT. BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE ACTUALLY CAUSING PROBLEMS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ON THE NATIONAL DEBT, YOU’VE DESCRIBED THIS AS AMERICA’S BIGGEST SECURITY ISSUE. HOW SO?

PHIL ANDERSON:

WELL IT PUTS THE DOLLAR AT RISK. IT PUTS OUR ECONOMY AT RISK. AND RIGHT NOW WE’VE SPENT A LOT OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY OVER THE LAST DECADES PROMOTING THE DOLLAR WORLDWIDE. BUT IF THAT FAILS, IF OUR DOLLAR BECOMES WORTHLESS, IF WE TRY TO MANIPULATE THE CURRENCY ANY MORE TO THE POINT WHERE THINGS ARE UNSTABLE AND RIGHT NOW WE’RE AT ROCK BOTTOM INTEREST RATES THROUGH THE FED, ALL OF THAT COMES DOWN. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT THEN IS AFFECTING ALL THE ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD. AND WHAT WE SEE IS PEACEFUL COUNTRIES ARE ONES THAT TEND TO BE PROSPEROUS AND ONES WHERE PEOPLE ARE EATING AND BEING ENTERTAINED. AND IN ANY SITUATION WHERE OUR ECONOMY DOES POORLY BECAUSE OF THE DEBT, WHERE THE DOLLAR GETS DEVALUED BECAUSE WE’RE PRINTING SO MUCH MONEY TO TRY AND COVER THIS DEBT AND TRYING TO KEEP THE ECONOMY RUNNING, THAT ONCE PEOPLE GET HUNGRY THERE WILL BE UNREST ALL OVER THE WORLD.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

IT’S A COMPETITIVE RACE FOR CONGRESS IN NORTHEAST WISCONSIN. THE 8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT IS UP FOR GRABS FOLLOWING REID RIDDLE’S DECISION TO NOT RUN FOR REELECTION. TOM NELSON, THE OUTAGAMIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR IS THE DEMOCRAT IN THE RACE. MIKE GALLAGHER, A FORMER U.S. MARINE AND CONGRESSIONAL AID WANTS TO THE SEAT AS A REPUBLICAN. THE ISSUE OF SOCIAL SECURITY IS FIGURING PROMINENTLY IN THE 8th CONGRESSIONAL RACE. A CHECK OF SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION’S STATISTICS SHOWS NEARLY 151,000 PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT RECEIVE THE BENEFIT. SO THE POLITIFACT WISCONSIN JOURNALISTS DUG INTO SOME RECENT BACK AND FORTH CANDIDATE CLAIMS RELATING TO SOCIAL SECURITY AND PUT THEM TO THE TEST. TONIGHT POLITIFACT WISCONSIN EDITOR GREG BOROWSKI TAKES US THROUGH THEM. GREG, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

GREG BOROWSKI:

HAPPY TO DO IT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

SO YOUR FACT CHECKS LOOK AT TV ADS THE CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING ON THIS ISSUE. LET’S FIRST LOOK AT THE TOM NELSON AD THAT WENT UP EARLIER THIS MONTH.

ANNOUNCER:

SOCIAL SECURITY IS A PROMISE BUT MIKE GALLAGHER WOULD BREAK THAT PROMISE. MIKE GALLAGHER SUPPORTS A PLAN TO REDUCE ALL SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TO THE POVERTY LINE.

MIKE GALLAGHER:

IT’S A FLAT UNIVERSAL PAYMENT TO EVERYONE AT THE POVERTY LINE.

ANNOUNCER:

MIKE GALLAGHER’S PLAN WOULD CUT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR 2/3 OF SENIORS. TOM NELSON SAYS MIKE GALLAGHER IS WRONG. IN CONGRESS TOM NELSON WILL WORK TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY, NOT CUT IT.

TOM NELSON:

I’M TOM NELSON AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

SO CUTTING TO THE CHASE ON THIS ONE HOW DID YOUR STAFF RATE THE MESSAGE IN THIS AD?

GREG BOROWSKI:

WELL THE PART THAT WE LOOKED AT SPECIFICALLY WAS THAT THE CLAIM THAT HE SUPPORTS A 2/3 CUT FOR BENEFITS IN THE FUTURE. WE RATED THAT HALF TRUE. IT’S NOT A DIRECT CONNECTION BUT MR. GALLAGHER SUPPORTS — MR. NELSON SUPPORTS A PLAN THAT WOULD DO THAT THAT SOME OTHER PERSON HAS PROPOSED. HE DOESN’T HAVE HIS OWN PLAN TO DO THAT. HE SPOKEN VERY HIGHLY OF THIS ECONOMIST WHO PUT THE PLAN TOGETHER. SO IT’S NOT A DIRECT CONNECTION BUT WE DECIDED THERE’S SOME TRUTH THERE AND WE RATED IT HALF TRUE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND SO YOUR REPORTING SHOWS THAT MIKE GALLAGHER LIKES THE IDEA BUT IT IS NOT HIS OWN.

GREG BOROWSKI:

RIGHT. THAT’S SORT OF THE ESSENCE OF WHAT WE CAME TO IS THAT YES, HE SUPPORTS IN CONCEPT THIS PLAN THAT HAS BEEN PUT OUT THERE AND FLOATED BY AN INDEPENDENT ECONOMIST. HE HASN’T ENDORSED HIS OWN PLAN BUT HE DOES SAY THIS IS THE KIND OF THINKING I LIKE ON SOCIAL SECURITY. SO WE FELT LIKE THERE’S SOME PARTIAL TRUTH THERE WHICH IS WHY WE GAVE IT A HALF TRUE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

HAD THE AD WRITER’S COPY SAID THAT MIKE GALLAGHER PRAISES A PLAN, WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN RATED TRUE?

GREG BOROWSKI:

IT MAY HAVE BEEN. HARD TO SAY UNTIL WE WOULD ANALYZE THAT. THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS ON A LOT OF THESE IS YOU GET — THE AD WRITER MAYBE GOES A LITTLE TOO FAR TO MAKE A POINT WITH THE VOTERS AND THAT’S WHERE WE TRY TO STEP IN AND CLARIFY IT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ALL RIGHT. WELL WE’VE GOT ANOTHER AD TO LOOK AT. THAT IS A MIKE GALLAGHER AD THAT HIT THE AIRWAVES TWO WEEKS LATER.

MIKE GALLAGHER:

I’M MIKE GALLAGHER AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE I’LL ALWAYS PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY FOR OUR SENIORS.

ANNOUNCER:

CAREER POLITICIAN TOM NELSON IS DESPERATE. CALLED OUT BY INDEPENDENT FACT CHECKERS FOR FALSELY ATTACKING MARINE MIKE GALLAGHER. THE TRUTH, NELSON BACKED HIGHER TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY COSTING WISCONSIN SENIORS $95 MILLION BUT TOOK TAXPAYER-FUNDED PAY RAISES FOR HIMSELF. WE LOSE. NELSON WINS. AND HE WILL SAY ANYTHING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. TOM NELSON, JUST ANOTHER CAREER POLITICIAN.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

OKAY, THE CENTRAL POINT OF THIS AD IS GALLAGHER SAYING THAT NELSON BACKED HIGHER TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY COSTING WISCONSIN SENIORS $95 MILLION. HOW DID YOU RATE THIS?

GREG BOROWSKI:

WE RATED THAT CLAIM FALSE. THE CRUX OF IT GOES BACK TO A VOTE SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY ON A BUDGET MEASURE AND THE VOTE WAS AGAINST THE BUDGET WHICH INCLUDED THESE REDUCTIONS IN SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES AT THE STATE LEVEL BUT TWO THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND. ONE, A STATE BUDGET HAS ANY NUMBER IN THE DOZENS, HUNDREDS OF ISSUES IN THERE SO THERE BE LOTS OF REASONS TO OPPOSE IT. WHEN THIS MATTER CAME UP AS A SPECIFIC AMENDMENT, IT WAS SUPPORTED BY TOM NELSON. BEYOND THAT THERE WAS NO PLAN TO RAISE SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES, SO IT IS LIKE SAYING THAT IF I DIDN’T GIVE YOU A PAY RAISE, THEREFORE I CUT YOUR SALARY. IT DOESN’T FOLLOW THAT WAY. SO WE RATED IT FALSE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND SO AGAIN, WHAT IS KIND OF THE MESSAGE TO PEOPLE AT HOME WATCHING THESE ADS ON TELEVISION FLYING FAST AND FURIOUS, PARTICULARLY AT THIS TIME IN THE ELECTION STAGE? WHAT CAN YOU TELL PEOPLE ABOUT HOW TO WATCH THESE?

GREG BOROWSKI:

I GUESS I WOULD SAY ALWAYS TAKE IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT BECAUSE A CLAIM THAT MAY HAVE SOME ELEMENT OF TRUTH TO IT, THEY ARE LIABLE TO PUSH IT A LITTLE BIT BEYOND THAT OR STRETCH IT OR TAKE IT A LITTLE BIT OUT OF CONTEXT. THERE’S NO SURPRISE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY IS ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES THERE ‘CAUSE SENIOR CITIZENS VOTE. AND ONE SIDE WILL VIEW IT AS A WEAKNESS AND AN ADVANTAGE ON THE OTHER. AND IF ONE ATTACKS, THE OTHER WANTS TO RESPOND. SO THAT’S WHY THIS ISSUE I THINK KEEPS COMING UP IN THAT RACE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

THERE WAS A CLAIM IN THAT AD TOO THAT NELSON TOOK A PAY RAISE. NELSON HAS SINCE THEN SAID THAT HE GAVE THAT RAISE TO CHARITY. WHILE SOME LAWMAKERS RETURNED THAT RAISE TO STATE COFFERS. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS THINK YOU WILL LOOK AT IN A FUTURE POLITIFACT?

GREG BOROWSKI:

WE MIGHT. WE DON’T REALLY HAVE IT ON OUR RADAR SCREEN. THAT WOULD EVOLVE ON THE NUANCES OF DID YOU TAKE THE RAISE, ACCEPT IT FOR YOURSELF, DID YOU GIVE IT TO CHARITY? IT’S SORT OF IN THE VEIN OF WHEN SCOTT WALKER WAS COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND GAVE SOME OF HIS SALARY BACK AND THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT WE HAVEN’T LOOKED AT THAT YET BUT WE CERTAINLY COULD IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND HOW IS THIS ELECTION CYCLE SHAPING UP FOR FACT CHECKERS? IS IT STANDING OUT AT ALL?

GREG BOROWSKI:

IT’S KIND OF THE FULL EMPLOYMENT ACT FOR FACT CHECKERS WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THE TOP OF THE TICKET ON DOWN IN PARTICULAR. I MEAN THAT DEBATE ON MONDAY NIGHT THERE WERE JUST DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF STATEMENTS THAT COULD BE CHECKED. EVERY TIME WE FEEL LIKE ON THE STUMP SPEECHES THEY’RE JUST SAYING THE SAME OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WE FIND NEW STATEMENTS THAT ARE COMING UP THAT DESERVE A CHECK. SO IT’S KEEPING US BUSY AT LEAST THROUGH NOVEMBER 8th.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

GREG BOROWSKI, THANKS A LOT FOR JOINING US.

GREG BOROWSKI:

THANK YOU.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

FLOODING IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE IS DYING DOWN BUT NOT AFTER CLOSE TO $20 MILLION IN DAMAGE AND TWO FATALITIES FROM HEAVY RAINFALLS ACCORDING TO WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS. DAMAGE TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES HAVE REACHED MORE THAN $7 MILLION. GOVERNOR WALKER DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN 13 OF THE MOST AFFECTED COUNTIES LAST WEEK. OFFICIALS SAY GROUND SATURATED AT HISTORIC LEVELS CREATED CONDITIONS FOR DANGEROUS LANDSLIDES THAT DESTROYED MANY OF THOSE ROADS AND BUILDINGS. WISCONTEXT COVERAGE OF THE SEPTEMBER FLOODS IN WESTERN WISCONSIN CAN BE FOUND AT WPT.ORG/HERE AND NOW INCLUDING REPORTS ON THE EFFECTS OF FLOODING ON DRINKING WATER AND TIPS ON HOW TO SAFELY USE PRODUCE FROM FLOODED GARDENS. THE STATE OF WISCONSIN THIS WEEK ISSUED A PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY ON THE OPIOID CRISIS. CITING THE FACT THAT OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS EXCEEDED 600 IN 2015. A HUGE ESCALATION SINCE 2003 WHEN THEY NUMBERED FEWER THAN 200. JOINING US TONIGHT WITH DETAILS ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY STATE HEALTH OFFICER KAREN MCKEOWN. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

KAREN MCKEOWN:

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND FOR SHINING A LIGHT ON THIS CRISIS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

HOW UNUSUAL IS IT TO ISSUE A PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

VERY UNUSUAL. I’VE BEEN HERE FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE’VE ISSUED A PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

IT WENT OUT TO LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE TO WHAT AFFECT? WHAT ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS ADVISORY?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

THIS IS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND IT’S A CALL TO ACTION. WE AND MANY OF OUR PARTNERS HAVE BEEN MONITORING THIS PROBLEM AND WORKING TOWARD IT AROUND THE STATE BUT THIS IS A SORT OF A CALL TO REDOUBLED ACTION AND TO COORDINATED EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS REALLY A SPOTLIGHT SHINED ON THIS CRISIS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

DESCRIBE FOR US THE OPIOID CRISIS IN WISCONSIN AND HOW IT HAS GROWN?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

IF I COULD BE SHOWING YOU A GRAPH RIGHT NOW, WHAT YOU WOULD SEE IS THE ARROW JUST GOING UP, UP, UP. AS YOU SAID, IN 2003 FEWER THAN 200 PEOPLE DIED FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES. AND IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THAT’S BEEN MORE THAN 600. AND THE GRAPH JUST KEEPS GOING UP. SO WE KNOW THAT IF WE DON’T TAKE ACTION NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE WORSE AND THE YEAR AFTER IT WILL BE STILL WORSE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED ABOUT WHY THIS HAS ESCALATED TO THIS EXTENT?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

IT’S A PROBLEM NATIONWIDE AND IT’S MULTI-FACTORIAL. THERE’S CERTAINLY A LOT OF OPIOIDS AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE. SO PEOPLE MAY BE PRESCRIBED OPIODS FOR THEMSELVES OR THEY MAY HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED SOME AND LEFT THEM IN THE MEDICINE CABINET AND THEN KIDS IN THEIR FAMILY MAY BE ACCESSING THEM THAT WAY. THOSE ARE A COUPLE OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING ACCESS TO OPIOIDS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

HAVEN’T WE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT FOR MANY YEARS, THOUGH?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

WE HAVE BEEN. SO THAT’S WHY WE’RE SEEING THIS PROBLEM ESCALATING AND IT IS TIME TO MOVE PAST TALKING ABOUT IT AND TAKE ACTION.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHY DON’T YOU THINK WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO STEM ITS GROWTH?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

IT TAKES SOME SYSTEMIC CHANGES AND WE’RE REALLY WORKING WITH PARTNERS AT THIS POINT TO MAKE THOSE SYSTEMIC CHANGES. SO FOR EXAMPLE, WORKING WITH PROVIDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PRESCRIBING APPROPRIATELY. AND THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY HAS DEVELOPED GUIDELINES FOR PROVIDERS. WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC SO THAT YOU DON’T LEAVE THOSE MEDICINES IN YOUR CABINET AFTERWARDS. AND A LOT OF PARTNERS ARE NOW MAKING IT EASIER TO TURN THOSE MEDICINES IN WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED WITH THEM. WORKING WITH THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM SO THAT WHEN A PROVIDER GETS READY TO PRESCRIBE THEY CAN SEE WHAT OTHER MEDICINE SOMEBODY MAY BE TAKING. AND MAKE SURE THEY’RE NOT ADDING ANY DANGER TO THAT PERSON.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

IT DOES SEEM AS THOUGH EVEN FOR KIND OF OUT PATIENT PROCEDURES, PEOPLE GET PRESCRIBED THESE MEDICATIONS. PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS. ARE THEY THE FIRST LINE OF PAIN MANAGEMENT?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

IT’S A VERY — PAIN MANAGEMENT IS VERY COMPLEX. AND WE’RE TRYING TO WALK A GOOD BALANCE HERE TO MAKE SURE WE DO STILL TREAT PAIN APPROPRIATELY AND DON’T CREATE ADDICTION. AND SO FOR SOME PROCEDURES AND FOR SOME CONDITIONS, OPIOIDS ARE EXCELLENT TREATMENT. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO REMAIN AVAILABLE IN THOSE SITUATIONS. BUT THEY’RE NOT THE FIRST LINE FOR EVERY TYPE OF PAIN OR FOR EVERY TYPE OF PROCEDURE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ARE THEY ALWAYS ADDICTIVE?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

OPIOIDS ARE FREQUENTLY ADDICTIVE. THERE ARE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO TAKE OPIOIDS FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT THEY NEED TO AND STOP. BUT THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO ARE PRESCRIBED THEM FOR SOME SIMPLE PROCEDURE AND HAVE A HARD TIME STOPPING AT THE END. AND IT’S DIFFICULT TO PREDICT EXACTLY WHO IS GOING TO HAVE THAT TROUBLE. SO WE WANT TO REALLY BE CAUTIOUS IN ALL SITUATIONS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

BECAUSE IT’S THE STEP FROM THE PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS TO THEN HEROIN.

KAREN MCKEOWN:

MANY PEOPLE DO MOVE FROM PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS TO HEROIN. ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE TROUBLE ACCESSING THE PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICINE. THEN HEROIN MAY BE AN EASIER, CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND WHAT ABOUT ACCESSING HEROIN? I MEAN IS THAT JUST UBIQUITOUS?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

HEROIN IS PRETTY EASY TO ACCESS THESE DAYS. AND SO LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ANOTHER CRITICAL PARTNER TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REDUCE ACCESS. AND THEN ALSO MAKING SURE ANOTHER PIECE OF THIS IS WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO SUCCESSFULLY ENTER RECOVERY FROM THAT ADDICTION.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND WHAT IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL METHOD OF GETTING AT THE ADDICTION?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

THERE ARE SEVERAL METHODS. BUT ONE IS CERTAINLY MEDICATION-ASSISTED THERAPY WHERE YOU’RE ABLE TO MOVE THEM INTO MEDICINES THAT ARE NOT AS ADDICTIVE AS THESE OPIOIDS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

IS THERE A PARTICULAR DEMOGRAPHIC THAT IS HIT MOST WITH THIS CRISIS?

KAREN MCKEOWN:

SO MALES MORE THAN FEMALES. AND INTERESTINGLY THE RATE IS HIGHER AMONG WORKING AGE ADULTS. SO AGE 25 TO 64 IS WHERE WE SEE THE HIGHEST RATES OF OPIOID ADDICTION AND OPIOID ABUSE. BUT CERTAINLY ALL AGE GROUPS AND ALL DEMOGRAPHICS ARE AFFECTED.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ALL RIGHT. KAREN MCKEOWN, STATE HEALTH OFFICER, THANKS VERY MUCH.

KAREN MCKEOWN:

THANK YOU.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

THAT IS ALL FOR TONIGHT’S PROGRAM. NEXT WEEK A “HERE AND NOW” U.S. SENATE RACE SPECIAL. I

I’LL HAVE IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT CANDIDATE RON JOHNSON AND CHALLENGER DEMOCRAT RUSS FEINGOLD. THAT’S NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT ON “HERE AND NOW.” 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” 2016 ELECTION COVERAGE GO TO WISCONSINVOTE.ORG.