Here & Now

Questions Amid Pres. And First Lady Positive COVID Results

Frederica Freyberg:

President Donald Trump and the First Lady test positive for COVID-19. Leaders across the world and here at home are wishing them well. Candidate Joe Biden has tested negative. And politically, what does this mean for voters in Wisconsin, now experiencing one of the sharpest spikes in the virus in the nation? We turn first to political operatives, Republican Bill McCoshen and Democrat Scot Ross. And thanks to you both for being here.

Bill McCoshen, Scot Ross:

Thanks for having us.

Frederica Freyberg:

You know, it seems to me that the president having COVID-19 feels both frightening and destabilizing, especially as the virus is running rampant all around us in Wisconsin. But is it impolitic to blame his behavior for it, Bill?

Bill McCoshen:

Yeah, I think, first of all, thoughts and prayers to the president and the first lady for their speedy recovery and frankly to anyone who has COVID. We’ve experienced it in our family. My youngest son got it on his 21st birthday at an establishment in Madison so it can happen to anybody. I think it’s a wake-up call, Frederica, for everyone that we need to continue to do certain things. Personal responsibility, you have to wash your hands. Use good hygiene. You need to social distance and you need to wear a mask. I think those three things are essential and the fact that the president of the United States and the first lady could contract it when everyone around them has to be tested before they can even get near them is somewhat frightening.

Frederica Freyberg:

Scot, what do you think about that?

Scot Ross:

I like what Bill’s saying. I hope his Republican friends are listening because the Republicans have ignored signs. They’ve mocked the wearing of masks. They’ve left workers and families on their own and they’ve sued and gone to court a second time now to prevent Governor Evers’ science-based efforts to protect us. That’s what we need. We need to let science rule the day, not partisan politics. And unfortunately, I think the president has allowed partisan politics to rule the way and to ignore science and it has been disastrous here in the state of Wisconsin. Frederica, as you pointed out, we are now, the last two weeks, third in the nation in — per capita in terms of new cases. And we’ve got eight of the top 20 cities in the entire United States, including the number one city, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the home of Senator Ron Johnson, who personally has helped blocked aid to getting to Wisconsin workers. It’s un — it should be — it’s more than a wake-up call. It’s something where we are all going to have to come together and that means Republicans have to join us in coming together.

Frederica Freyberg:

So how do you think the president and first lady testing positive will effectively change the messaging, especially when the disease itself and precautions around it have become so political? Is it possible in this divided landscape that we can do that even around this?

Scot Ross:

Well, I think yes. Because — I’m sorry. The reason I think so is because here in the state of Wisconsin, Republicans have been concerned with nothing but power. They have taken away the governor’s tools. They’ve used their power to take away the governor’s tools. I think the fact the most powerful man on planet Earth getting this coronavirus when he has every opportunity to be protected from it will change that dynamic in showing that anybody, anywhere, anytime can get this disease.

Frederica Freyberg:

Bill?

Bill McCoshen:

Yeah. I think in some respects, there may be pandemic fatigue, right? And people started to let their guard down way too soon. I mean we’re all hopeful that there will be a vaccine sooner rather than later, but we can’t lose sight of the basic fundamentals of how to avoid this, which are washing your hands, wearing the mask when necessary and social distancing. I don’t think anything’s changed on those three items.

Frederica Freyberg:

Scot, you mentioned this moment ago, but here in Wisconsin Republicans forge ahead with that lawsuit against the governor’s mask mandate. How do those arguments stack up right about now, those legal arguments?

Scot Ross:

I’m not an attorney, but I can tell you that from a public perception, the idea that Republicans have not come to work in 170 days while people have suffered and they are literally instead of doing the right — doing nothing, they’re trying to prevent Governor Evers from doing the right thing. I think that’s incredible. And I think you know, it was summed up best on Friday in an article I saw where a health professional said if the Legislature was practicing medicine, it would be charged with malpractice.

Frederica Freyberg:

Bill?

Bill McCoshen:

Yeah, it’s not Republicans. It’s the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and there’s a legal question of whether or not the governor has the authority to do this. I mean timing of the lawsuit probably is more unfortunate today than it was a few days ago for sure. So it’s not the Republicans who are challenging this. I think Republicans now understand that masks are a key criteria for battling the pandemic.

Frederica Freyberg:

Logistically, staying with you Bill, hurdling toward November 3rd, if the president is in quarantine for two weeks, in the hospital, there goes half his campaigning time, not to mention potentially the next debate. What does this do?

Bill McCoshen:

It’s tricky, especially for him, right, because he’s an energetic guy. He wanted to be on the road. He was supposed to be in Wisconsin twice this weekend in two different cities. First it was La Crosse and Green Bay, then it was Janesville and Green Bay. That’s half the campaign. There are 32 days left in this race. We all hope for his speedy recovery. But the reality is he probably won’t be back out on the trail anytime soon. I think what people on the right and in the center are looking for from him is sort of that statement, Frederica. Sometime over the weekend we want them to — you know, acknowledge that he and his wife contracted it, that it is a serious disease, and that we all need to take certain measures in order to avoid it.

Frederica Freyberg:

Scot, 15 seconds, final word.

Scot Ross:

Sure. One thing the Republicans did file a brief in favor of the lawsuit today. Second, I agree with Bill, that Donald Trump needs to come out and make a statement. It’d be good if he refuted his statement from February saying like a miracle, it’s going to go away.

Frederica Freyberg:

We leave it there. Thanks very much, gentlemen.

Scot Ross:

Thank you.

Bill McCoshen:

Good to be with you.