“I would be delighted to join with Republicans and pass campaign finance reform.”
That’s what Wisconsin Democratic Chair Ben Wikler told me on my show Thursday morning.
Do I believe this is a genuine effort from the Wisconsin Democrats to get money out of politics? Probably not. In all likelihood, I imagine they are banking on Wisconsin Republicans to prevent any kind of movement forward in the Legislature.
Do I believe this is an opportunity for Wisconsin Republicans to call that bluff and get the ball rolling? Yes, I do. For better or worse, this is a purple state, and the split nature of our government is what defines us politically.
Major moves cannot be made without both sides being on board.
I’m here to tell you that the only thing, THE ONLY THING, that I can get people to agree across the aisle on is our collective disdain for money in politics.
MAGA hates it, Liberals hate it, Conservatives hate it, Bernie Bros (some might say led the charge on this) hate it, Independents hate it.
This is the biggest slam dunk in the history of hoops, balls, and dunking– which is why I’m not convinced we will see it happen.
What we’ve been seeing happen in this Supreme Court election, and rightfully so, is both sides of the political spectrum are coming to grips with just how infiltrated our election process is, and only an act of Congress can correct the issue.
Back in 2023, analysts were blown away that a Wisconsin Supreme Court race would pass 45 million in spending. We’re going to more than double this number.
Republican voters were livid because a large percentage of the out of state mega donors were favoring Democrats, whereas Democrat voters believed the future of the country was at stake and these were necessary concessions.
In 2025, the Democratic voters are livid because a large percentage of the out of state mega donors were favoring Republicans, whereas Republican voters believed the future of the country was at stake and these were necessary concessions.
Hey… you guys noticing a trend here?
We aren’t surprised as a nation when we see a Presidential election with 130 billionaires heavily influencing the outcome. Seeing this in a state Supreme Court election is not only foreign, but it is outright objected in the minds of most voters.
We can’t do anything to salvage this race on Tuesday. I watched a Nazi saluting, chainsaw wielding Republican pay 2 people a million dollars for being involved politically, while saying the people protesting him are paid protestors. I watched sychophant Democrats collect larger and larger dollar donations while claiming to fight back against the oligarchy.
I’m writing this to say, hold them to their word here.
Wisconsin Democrats say they want to do campaign finance reform, but can’t, due to our Legislature’s composition. Fine.
Wisconsin GOP, the ball’s in your court then. Get a bill on the floor. Call the bluff. Make the change that just about every single American wants to see happen, and we’ll see what the process looks like on the other side.
Unless, of course, the system is already sold.
I hope that’s not right.
My conversation with Ben Wikler is available in the player at the top of the screen. It starts an hour and 4 minutes in to the show.
