Podcast Summary
The Wisconsin Uprising: A Preview of Midterm Battles: The Wisconsin Uprising in 2011 showcased the power of grassroots activism and its impact on midterm elections, with unions playing a significant role in shaping the political divide in closely contested states.
The political landscape in Wisconsin, as seen during the 2011 protests over Governor Scott Walker's proposal to limit public employees' collective bargaining rights, showcases the power of grassroots activism and its potential impact on the midterm elections. This event, known as the Wisconsin Uprising, saw tens of thousands of protesters occupy the capitol building for nearly two weeks, with Democrats in the state legislature fleeing to Illinois to prevent a vote. The Republicans, led by Walker, passed the controversial bill despite the protests and the absence of the Democratic senators. This power struggle highlighted the significance of unions as a political force and their role in shaping the political divide in a closely contested state. Today, the aftermath of this 12-year-old project in Wisconsin serves as a preview of the intense battles expected in the upcoming midterms and the broader direction of American politics.
Wisconsin's Political Landscape Shifts Under Governor Walker: Governor Walker's divisive approach led to Republican control of state government and gerrymandered district lines, deepening political polarization.
The political landscape in Wisconsin shifted dramatically after Scott Walker became governor in 2010. Walker, known for his hyperpolarized us-versus-them approach, ended the era of collaboration and passed Act 10, showing his commitment to Republican and conservative values. Following this, Republicans seized control of the state government and, in secret, redrew district lines to maintain power. This led to the passage of Senate Bill 148, a gerrymandered map that was criticized as a blatant abuse of power. Democrats objected, but their objections were overruled, resulting in a deeply polarized political climate in Wisconsin.
Impact of Gerrymandering on Wisconsin Politics: Gerrymandering in Wisconsin led to an unfair advantage for Republicans, minimizing Democratic representation and reducing the level of democracy despite Democrats winning more votes statewide.
Wisconsin's gerrymandered legislative maps, drawn in 2011, have significantly impacted the state's political landscape by minimizing Democratic representation and reducing the level of democracy. This was achieved by packing Democratic voters into a minimal number of urban districts while spreading Republican voters across a larger number of rural, suburban, and exurban seats. Republicans justified this aggressive redistricting by blaming Democrats for not appealing to rural voters and suggesting that they should adopt Republican policies to win more seats. As a result, despite Democrats winning more votes statewide in 2012, they were unable to compete for majorities due to the gerrymandered maps. This gave Republicans an insurmountable edge in the state legislative chambers, allowing them to maintain control even in years when Democrats had statewide success. This situation remained unchallenged until 2017, after Barack Obama left office.
Power struggle between outgoing Republican governor and incoming Democratic governor in Wisconsin: During a power transition, a legislature can limit an incoming governor's power through lame-duck bills, leading to protests and controversy.
During the power transition from a Republican governor to a Democratic one in Wisconsin, the Republican-controlled legislature, led by Speaker Robin Voss, passed a series of lame-duck bills to limit the incoming Democratic governor's power. These bills stripped away appointment and spending powers, leaving the governor with minimal authority. Protesters opposed this move, arguing it was against the will of the people and a silencing of their votes. This power play by the legislature occurred despite the recent election results that brought the Democratic governor to office.
Republicans control Wisconsin politics, leaving Democrats powerless: Republicans control Wisconsin government, denying Democrats a voice and using their power to make decisions without democratic input, while Democrats miss opportunities to regain control and shape state policy.
The Republican control of both the Wisconsin legislature and Supreme Court has left Democrats without significant power, allowing Republicans to make decisions without regard for the concerns of democratic areas like Milwaukee. This lack of funding for basic city functions forces Milwaukee to make tough choices and allows Republicans to use crime statistics in Milwaukee to attack Democratic lawmakers. Furthermore, Republicans are able to use their control of the purse strings to their political advantage during elections, particularly on issues like abortion, where the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has returned power to the states. Democrats have missed opportunities to gain control of the state Supreme Court, leaving them without a hand in shaping state policy. This dynamic has created a self-perpetuating cycle of Republican political gain at the expense of democratic representation.
Republican control blocks Democratic initiatives: Despite voter concerns, Republican legislative control hinders Democratic efforts to address key issues like abortion rights and crime reform, potentially leading to voter apathy.
The Republican control of Wisconsin's legislature has blocked Democratic efforts to address key issues like abortion rights and crime reform through special sessions, despite these being major concerns for voters. This dynamic was exemplified after the Dobbs decision, when Governor Tony Evers called for a referendum on the state's abortion ban but faced opposition from the GOP-controlled legislature. The inability of Democrats to enact meaningful change through the legislative process could contribute to voter apathy, as their calls for action may not result in tangible policy outcomes. This situation highlights the importance of electoral victories for Democrats in order to enact the changes they seek, as their current limitations in Wisconsin illustrate.
Wisconsin Midterm Elections: A Battle for the Status Quo: The Wisconsin midterm elections are seen as a close gubernatorial race with potential consequences for state government control. The upcoming supreme court race in April 2023 is viewed as the next major battleground for both parties, with potential to flip the balance of the court and impact Wisconsin politics.
The upcoming midterm elections in Wisconsin are seen as a battle for maintaining the political status quo or preventing Republicans from expanding their power, rather than an opportunity for Democrats to gain significant ground. The gubernatorial race between Tony Evers and Tim Michaels is a close one, with potential consequences for the control of state government. If Michaels wins, Republicans could have more control over the elections apparatus, while a Evers victory would likely maintain the status quo. However, the upcoming supreme court race in April 2023 is seen as the next major battleground for both parties, with the potential to flip the balance of the court from conservative to liberal. Democrats see this as their best chance to claw back meaningful inroads in Wisconsin politics.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Implications Beyond Governor's Race: Democrats plan to use a potential win to challenge the state's map, legalize abortion, and allow cities to enact gun control laws, while a Republican governor could pass legislation altering the voting process before the April election.
The upcoming Supreme Court election in Wisconsin holds significant implications beyond the governor's race. Democrats are planning to use a potential win to challenge the state's map, legalize abortion, and allow cities to enact gun control laws. However, a Republican governor, who will be seated before the April election, could pass legislation altering the voting process. This power struggle between the parties in Wisconsin began before Trump's presidency with figures like Scott Walker and Robin Voss, who built the system that has now been taken over by the grassroots elements. Despite their efforts to maintain control, they find themselves on shaky ground within the Republican Party. The image of a fast race car with Republicans in the driver's seat, controlling the political process, but uncertain of their hold on the party, encapsulates the current situation in Wisconsin.
Republican politicians manipulating electoral maps to maintain power: Decade-old gerrymandering collides with extreme Republican base, challenging democratic processes
In several key swing states, Republican politicians have deliberately manipulated electoral maps to maintain power, creating a system that protects them against the will of the majority. This gerrymandering, which has been in place for over a decade, is now colliding with a hardened Republican base pushing the party towards extremes. The creators of this system are being overrun by their own base, and the Democrats are struggling to stop them. This situation, as described in the podcast "The Run Up," illustrates the challenges to democratic processes in the United States. Listeners will hear from voters in the next episode. The podcast is reported by Astrid Herndon, produced by Alyssa Gutierrez and Caitlin O'Keefe, and edited by Frannie Carr Toft, Larissa Anderson, and Lisa Tobin. The music is by Dan Powell, Marian Lozano, and Elishaba Etoo, mixed by Corey Schreppel, and fact-checked by Caitlin Love. Special thanks to Paula Schumann and others. To learn more, search for "The Run Up" on your favorite podcast platform and hit subscribe.
