

Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey
620 WTMJ
Hosted by Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey, Point Taken is for the politically curious and self described political junkie. Steve & Kristin explore, debate, & offer insight into the world of Wisconsin & national politics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2024 • 8min
Transparency with School Budget Referendums with Jeffrey Walters
Steve Scaffidi is joined in-studio by Hartford Union High School District Superintendent Jeffrey Walters to talk about the rise of school budget referendums on Wisconsin ballots on November 5th, transparency, how much of them he think will pass and more.

Oct 29, 2024 • 31min
Chaos Across Milwaukee and the U.S. - Full Show
Steve Scaffidi is joined on the phone by writer James Wigderson and they begin by talking about Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden and the insensitive remarks made by Tony Hinchcliffe, Tucker Carlson and Trump himself. Steve also asks James if Trump is actually aiming to lose this presidential election, what to expect from litigation in next week's election and election readiness for poll workers.
-Steve next asks James for his election predictions in terms of reactions from both sides and his thoughts on polling that suggests that Eric Hovde has a lead over Tammy Baldwin in the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin. Steve also asks James for thoughts on some of the congressional races.
Steve Scaffidi is next joined in-studio by Urban Milwaukee President and Reporter Jeramey Jannene to briefly discuss the initial IT issues with early voting in Wisconsin.
-Next, Jeramey and Steve discuss the budget chaos going on in city hall
-Steve asks Jeramey about the new cruise ship port planned for Milwaukee and if it truly is good economic news for the city.
Steve Scaffidi is next joined by Spanning the State Host Kristin Brey to discuss if people even care what presidential candidates say, especially this close to the election.

Oct 29, 2024 • 6min
Are We Even Listening to Candidates Anymore? with Kristin Brey
Steve Scaffidi is next joined by Spanning the State Host Kristin Brey to discuss if people even care what presidential candidates say, especially this close to the election.

Oct 29, 2024 • 10min
Previewing Milwaukee's Cruise Ship Port with Jeramey Jannene
Steve Scaffidi is next joined in-studio by Urban Milwaukee President and Reporter Jeramey Jannene to briefly discuss the initial IT issues with early voting in Wisconsin.
Next, Jeramey and Steve discuss the budget chaos going on in city hall
Steve asks Jeramey about the new cruise ship port planned for Milwaukee and if it truly is good economic news for the city.

Oct 29, 2024 • 13min
Potential Election Day Problems with James Wigderson
Steve Scaffidi is joined on the phone by writer James Wigderson and they begin by talking about Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden and the insensitive remarks made by Tony Hinchcliffe, Tucker Carlson and Trump himself. Steve also asks James if Trump is actually aiming to lose this presidential election, what to expect from litigation in next week's election and election readiness for poll workers.
Steve next asks James for his election predictions in terms of reactions from both sides and his thoughts on polling that suggests that Eric Hovde has a lead over Tammy Baldwin in the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin. Steve also asks James for thoughts on some of the congressional races.

Oct 28, 2024 • 33min
What the Heck was that Trump Rally on Sunday? - Full Show
Steve opens up the show recapping the wild audio from the Trump rally at Madison Square Garden. We got Tony Hinchcliffe bits, bites from Tucker Carlson, and of course a mention of a ‘little secret’ from Trump. What is happening?
WISN Political Director Matt Smith joins the program and we recap the campaign as it lies. We also get into Matt’s conversation on UPFRONT with each Wisconsin Senat Candidate both Tammy Baldwin as well as Eric Hovde. Record money being poured into these campaigns in the final stretch as Election Day is just over a week away.
We talk voter turnout. Since there are record numbers of early in-person absentee ballots – is this indicative of a record number of voters? Or is this just recency bias? Matt & Steve break down why the emphasis of early voting has been taking on more this election cycle than any in the past.
Steve & Matt deserve a vacation

Oct 25, 2024 • 2min
Decision Wisconsin Tease: Professor Philip Rocco on the Electoral College
Steve’s Decision Wisconsin conversation with Marquette Associate Professor of Political Science Philip Rocco on the electoral college and what it means for a presidential election

Oct 25, 2024 • 32min
Do You Talk About Politics with Others? - Full Show
A different sort of show: Tracy Johnson joins Steve Scaffidi, and they talk about some general politics, RNC, presidential visits and go into their first main topic for listeners: are you avoiding talking about politics in general conversation?
Pivoting to in-person early voting: There’s been problems with it but Steve argues that it really shows voter enthusiasm and Tracy agrees.
We play a brief clip and tease of Steve’s Decision Wisconsin conversation with Marquette Associate Professor of Political Science Philip Rocco on the electoral college and what it means for a presidential election; Steve and Tracy discuss afterwards.
Political Junkie PowerPoint: Tracy is ditching election distrust and keeping the townhall format of presidential appearances.
GRAB BAGS: Tracy is optimistic on the office market especially with Amazon’s recent 5-day back-to-office mandate.

Oct 25, 2024 • 5min
Ditching Political Distrust - Political Junkie PowerPoint
Political Junkie PowerPoint: Tracy is ditching election distrust and keeping the townhall format of presidential appearances.

Oct 24, 2024 • 32min
Local Politicians Prepare for Election Day - Full Show
Steve Scaffidi is joined on the phone by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to talk about his enthusiasm for this year’s election, what he’s doing to prepare for it, when he thinks Wisconsin’s votes will finish being counted, his work so far as Governor, the new legislative maps in play.
Steve briefly looks over some early voting statistics and headlines like in West Bend
Steve comments on Vice President Kamala Harris’s CNN townhall last night.
Steve Scaffidi is joined on the phone by Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly to talk about why he as a former Republican elected official voting for Kamala Harris as president and if moves like this reflects other voters to move the needle on the election.
Steve is sick of hyper-partisanship in the media, and we play a clip from Bill Maher on Morning Joe that reflects that sentiment.
Closing thoughts...


