Tammy Baldwin, a United States Senator from Wisconsin and champion of healthcare and LGBTQ+ rights, joins the conversation with Jon Lovett. They delve into Donald Trump's claims about abortion, focusing on his support for extreme bans and implications for states. Baldwin shares insights on her tough re-election campaign, discusses the quirky topic of what counts as milk, and highlights the importance of engaging with voters on complex issues. The dialogue combines politics, personal anecdotes, and a dash of humor to explore timely issues.
Roe v. Wade's potential reversal by Trump, extreme abortion bans at state level discussed.
Senator Baldwin advocates for conditions on U.S. aid aligning with American values.
Challenges faced by Senator Baldwin in tough re-election campaign and need for effective communication strategies.
Deep dives
Challenges in US Aid to Allies Under Netanyahu's Leadership
United States Senator Tammy Baldwin expressed concerns over the U.S. aid to allies, emphasizing that it must align with American values, particularly in light of Netanyahu's indiscriminate bombing. While she acknowledges Israel's right to self-defense, she highlights the need for accountability and conditions in aiding allies.
Evaluation of Military Aid to Israel Amid Conflict
Senator Baldwin's stance on conditioning military aid to Israel is guided by recent events, specifically Netanyahu's actions in Gaza. She emphasizes that aid provisions already have embedded conditions and supports a course of action limiting offensive weaponry due to the indiscriminate bombing and lack of humanitarian aid flow in Gaza.
Trump's Endorsement of Opposition in Senator Baldwin's Race
In the midst of her re-election campaign, Senator Baldwin faces opposition endorsed by former President Trump. Despite criticisms from her opponent, she remains focused on her candidacy and the upcoming election, determined to contrast her platform effectively to secure victory.
Response to Primary Uninstructed Vote in Wisconsin
Addressing the recent un-instructed vote percentage in the Wisconsin Democratic primary, Senator Baldwin views it as a message from dissatisfied voters. While acknowledging their concerns, she underscores the critical choice and contrasts in the upcoming presidential election, urging voters to consider the potential ramifications of their decision on the country's future.
Challenges in Wisconsin Race Against Handpicked Republican Opponent
Running in a highly competitive Wisconsin race, the speaker faces challenges with a handpicked Republican opponent who has significant financial resources. The opponent, Eric Hovte, has poured millions into TV and digital ads, posing a tough competition. Despite the evenly divided state and decreasing ticket splitting, the opponent's substantial funding has boosted his support, making the race a dead heat according to polling.
Engaging Rural Voters and Addressing Miscommunication Challenges
The speaker highlights the need to redefine communication strategies with rural voters, emphasizing the impact of gerrymandered maps on Democratic representation in Wisconsin. By fostering diversity in districts and engaging rural voters effectively, a fundamental shift in addressing misconceptions and stereotypes about Democrats can occur. The importance of listening, understanding local issues, and taking tangible actions to bridge political divides is emphasized to win the support of independent or ticket-splitting voters.
Donald Trump once again takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade and promises to allow states to enact even the most extreme abortion bans. He also promises billionaire donors more tax cuts and whiter immigrants. Joe Biden announces a new student debt relief plan for another 23 million people and finally gives Benjamin Netanyahu an ultimatum. Then, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin stops by the studio to talk to Jon Lovett about her tough re-election campaign, TikTok, and what actually counts as milk.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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