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."

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&rsquo;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&rsquo;s an assumption that we&rsquo;ve got to have judges in our pockets," Geske says. "They&rsquo;ve got to be deciding for us. And if they&rsquo;re not, they&rsquo;re bad guys. I&rsquo;ll tell ya, I was disappointed when Obama did it. I certainly didn&rsquo;t like it when Trump did it. And I think Schumer went way over the line."

They're the "Click and Clack" of Wisconsin politics. Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and Phil Hands, the newspaper's political cartoonist, analyze the most important issues and debates from the Badger State with political independence and a sense of humor. Instead of tedious talking points from the left and the right, "Center Stage" broadcasts from the sensible center with audio clips from the Wisconsin Capitol, from State Journal editorial board meetings, and from political events across the state.

They're the "Click and Clack" of Wisconsin politics. <a href="https://madison.com/users/profile/scott%20milfred/">Scott Milfred</a>, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and&nbsp;<a href="https://madison.com/users/profile/phil%20hands/">Phil Hands</a>, the newspaper's political cartoonist, analyze the most important issues and debates from the Badger State with political independence and a sense of humor. Instead of tedious talking points from the left and the right, "Center Stage" broadcasts from the sensible center with audio clips from the Wisconsin Capitol, from State Journal editorial board meetings, and from political events across the state.

Political talk from the sensible center of Wisconsin politics.

Center Stage, with Milfred and Hands

Political talk from the sensible center of Wisconsin politics, hosted by Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and Phil Hands, the newspaper's political cartoonist.

Political talk from the sensible center of Wisconsin politics, hosted by Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and Phil Hands, the newspaper's political cartoonist.

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