Ben Wikler, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair, in studio, right before he sent his kids off to either go door knocking or trick-or-treating.

On the show with Wikler (3:15), we took a top-down approach to the fall elections, starting with Kamala Harris v. Donald Trump and then moving on to the US Senate race and then state Legislature battles. 

We also discussed some of the policies each race features, like Harris' proposals for first-time homebuyers, first-time parents and new small business owners. And what it would take in Congress to get those passed.

We also hit on Wisconsin's $4 billion budget surplus and what should be done with that funding. Republicans have been sitting on it for nearly two years with no negotiations between them and Democrats as to how to move that money.  

Began the show talking quick about Halloween. what politicians might be the most popular this season, and if it was possible for someone to put on more bronzer than Trump.

Ben Wikler, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair, in studio, right before he sent his kids off to either go door knocking or trick-or-treating.
On the show with Wikler (3:15), we took a top-down approach to the fall elections, starting with Kamala Harris v. Donald Trump and then moving on to the US Senate race and then state Legislature battles. 
We also discussed some of the policies each race features, like Harris' proposals for first-time homebuyers, first-time parents and new small business owners. And what it would take in Congress to get those passed.
We also hit on Wisconsin's $4 billion budget surplus and what should be done with that funding. Republicans have been sitting on it for nearly two years with no negotiations between them and Democrats as to how to move that money.  
Began the show talking quick about Halloween. what politicians might be the most popular this season, and if it was possible for someone to put on more bronzer than Trump.

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Party chair, on elections, Wisconsin's $4 billion budget surplus, Halloween

Just hours after she left La Crosse with her husband, Gwen Walz called back into La Crosse Talk PM. The wife of Tim Walz joined to talk about education, her husband and his advocacy for women and the underprivileged. And, we did ask her if Tim's getting anxious — not because of the election stuff — but because there's no deer hunting in Washington, DC., despite the deer population thriving and the need to reduce that population. 

Just hours after she left La Crosse with her husband, Gwen Walz called back into La Crosse Talk PM. The wife of Tim Walz joined to talk about education, her husband and his advocacy for women and the underprivileged. And, we did ask her if Tim's getting anxious — not because of the election stuff — but because there's no deer hunting in Washington, DC., despite the deer population thriving and the need to reduce that population.

Gwen Walz on education and her husband, VP candidate Tim Walz

Two prominent Republicans, fed up with Donald Trump, stop in the WIZM studio Friday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss why they’re touring the country to campaign for Kamala Harris. 

Ex-Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan of Georgia and former Mike Pence national security advisor Olivia Troye deep dive into why they feel this is such a crucial time for democracy, and the Republican Party, to vote for Harris and end Trump’s run in politics.

Adding to the discussion, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, who helps analyze the political spectrum of this election

Before starting that deep dive, though, we, of course, had to hit on Duncan’s baseball past — a standout pitcher at Georgia Tech and drafted by the Florida Marlins. We talked how he played around the same time Alex Rodriguez was with the Appleton Foxes. And we unlocked a core memory for Duncan, who used to be called “The Vulture” — as he somehow amassed 10 wins and 13 saves one season — and may now be called Vulture again, come the end of this election.

Politically, we discussed Trump flooding the media with outrageous rhetoric, and brought up two things he said just this week, including in Green Bay. At a rally there Trump said he’s going to protect all women and “I’m going to do it whether the women like it or not.”

We also discussed the “whisper caucus,” which is a group of conservatives done with the Republican Party under Trump and what that means for the future of the GOP.

In terms of National Security, we got into Trump sidling up to dictators and how the rest of the world is watching and worrying about the potential outcome of the election with a second Trump term. 

And we got into empathy, one the themes from Duncan’s book, “GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for America's Conservative Party.

To wrap up (33:20), Chergosky gave his takes on the unique position that Duncan and Troye have put themselves in, going to multiple swing states, campaigning for Republicans to make that choice of Harris this election.

Two prominent Republicans, fed up with Donald Trump, stop in the WIZM studio Friday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss why they’re touring the country to campaign for Kamala Harris. 
Ex-Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan of Georgia and former Mike Pence national security advisor Olivia Troye deep dive into why they feel this is such a crucial time for democracy, and the Republican Party, to vote for Harris and end Trump’s run in politics.
Adding to the discussion, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, who helps analyze the political spectrum of this election
Before starting that deep dive, though, we, of course, had to hit on Duncan’s baseball past — a standout pitcher at Georgia Tech and drafted by the Florida Marlins. We talked how he played around the same time Alex Rodriguez was with the Appleton Foxes. And we unlocked a core memory for Duncan, who used to be called “The Vulture” — as he somehow amassed 10 wins and 13 saves one season — and may now be called Vulture again, come the end of this election.
Politically, we discussed Trump flooding the media with outrageous rhetoric, and brought up two things he said just this week, including in Green Bay. At a <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/1851778142580384209">rally there Trump said </a>he’s going to protect all women and “I’m going to do it whether the women like it or not.”
We also discussed the “whisper caucus,” which is a group of conservatives done with the Republican Party under Trump and what that means for the future of the GOP.
In terms of National Security, we got into Trump sidling up to dictators and how the rest of the world is watching and worrying about the potential outcome of the election with a second Trump term. 
And we got into empathy, one the themes from Duncan’s book, “GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for America's Conservative Party.
To wrap up (33:20), Chergosky gave his takes on the unique position that Duncan and Troye have put themselves in, going to multiple swing states, campaigning for Republicans to make that choice of Harris this election.

Ex-Georgia GOP Lt. Gov. Duncan and Mike Pence security advisor Troye in WIZM studio on Harris over Trump

Three guests and three different topics including the Mid-West Family, Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Radiothon raising $118,000. Plus, the La Crosse County clerk predicts a huge turnout, but now who or when we’ll have a president. And, the La Crosse teachers union co-president says more awareness is needed for the $53.5 million referendum.

Started things off with Abby Ryan, a specialist with the  Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, talking about the Mid-West Family team-up Radiothon seeing the community bring in so much in donations, and what that money — which stays local — will go toward.

After that (5:50), Ginny Dankmeyer is the La Crosse County clerk, and she discussed what their office will be doing on election night, the matter of election security and some predictions on voter turnout and on the presidential race.

Lastly (18:35), Jesse Martinez, the La Crosse Education Association co-president, discusses the referendum to building a new elementary school at the Hogan Administrative site, and update State Road Elementary, while consolidating three other schools in the district. But, we also discussed La Crosse requesting from the state that school start earlier, and what kind of input teachers had in that school board decision.

La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

Three guests and three different topics including the Mid-West Family, Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Radiothon raising $118,000. Plus, the La Crosse County clerk predicts a huge turnout, but now who or when we’ll have a president. And, the La Crosse teachers union co-president says more awareness is needed for the $53.5 million referendum.
Started things off with Abby Ryan, a specialist with the  Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, talking about the Mid-West Family team-up Radiothon seeing the community bring in so much in donations, and what that money — which stays local — will go toward.
After that (5:50), Ginny Dankmeyer is the La Crosse County clerk, and she discussed what their office will be doing on election night, the matter of election security and some predictions on voter turnout and on the presidential race.
Lastly (18:35), Jesse Martinez, the La Crosse Education Association co-president, discusses the referendum to building a new elementary school at the Hogan Administrative site, and update State Road Elementary, while consolidating three other schools in the district. But, we also discussed La Crosse requesting from the state that school start earlier, and what kind of input teachers had in that school board decision.
La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, <a href="https://www.lightningstream.com/Player.aspx?call=WIZM-AM">online here</a>, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/la-crosse-talk-pm-with-rick-solem/">podcasts here</a> or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Party chair, on elections, Wisconsin's $4 billion budget surplus, Halloween

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