EPISODE · Apr 23, 2026 · 46 MIN
Electability Trap
from Battleground Wisconsin · host Brian Wooldridge
We discuss the death of long-time Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel political reporter Daniel Bice and reflect on his unique combination of skilled writing, muckraking journalism, and even-handedness, and the respect he engendered from the politicians and political actors he exposed. Dan's passing also forces us to take stock on the dying newspaper industry that was once so central to Wisconsin politics. The inevitable debate over “electability” emerged this week in the Democratic governor primary election when candidate Sara Rodriguez questioned the electability of the other Democratic candidates who are polling well ahead of her. We dive into the debate and its perils. We lament the dissolution of the Hustisford school district after another failed referendum to make up for inadequate state funding and expose new research revealing among the highest racial disparities in the U.S. in Wisconsin's incarceration rates. We blast news that UnitedHealth boosted their 2026 earnings after increasing prices, proving monopolized health insurance is doing well denying care and overcharing for coverage, all made possible and encouraged by bi-partisan policy choices. Wisconsin toothless regulators, the Public Service Commission, to decide on We Energies' data center electric rates and workers at two Rogers mental health clinics elect union by large majorities, despite a sleazy union busting campaign from the employer.
What this episode covers
We discuss the death of long-time Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel political reporter Daniel Bice and reflect on his unique combination of skilled writing, muckraking journalism, and even-handedness, and the respect he engendered from the politicians and political actors he exposed. Dan's passing also forces us to take stock on the dying newspaper industry that was once so central to Wisconsin politics. The inevitable debate over “electability” emerged this week in the Democratic governor primary election when candidate Sara Rodriguez questioned the electability of the other Democratic candidates who are polling well ahead of her. We dive into the debate and its perils. We lament the dissolution of the Hustisford school district after another failed referendum to make up for inadequate state funding and expose new research revealing among the highest racial disparities in the U.S. in Wisconsin's incarceration rates. We blast news that UnitedHealth boosted their 2026 earnings after increasing prices, proving monopolized health insurance is doing well denying care and overcharing for coverage, all made possible and encouraged by bi-partisan policy choices. Wisconsin toothless regulators, the Public Service Commission, to decide on We Energies' data center electric rates and workers at two Rogers mental health clinics elect union by large majorities, despite a sleazy union busting campaign from the employer.
NOW PLAYING
Electability Trap
No transcript for this episode yet