105 episodes

They're the "Click and Clack" of Wisconsin politics. Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and Phil Hands, the newspaper's political cartoonist, analyze the most important issues and debates from the Badger State with political independence and a sense of humor. Instead of tedious talking points from the left and the right, "Center Stage" broadcasts from the sensible center with audio clips from the Wisconsin Capitol, from State Journal editorial board meetings, and from political events across the state.

Center Stage, with Milfred and Hands Wisconsin State Journal

    • News
    • 4.5 • 20 Ratings

They're the "Click and Clack" of Wisconsin politics. Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and Phil Hands, the newspaper's political cartoonist, analyze the most important issues and debates from the Badger State with political independence and a sense of humor. Instead of tedious talking points from the left and the right, "Center Stage" broadcasts from the sensible center with audio clips from the Wisconsin Capitol, from State Journal editorial board meetings, and from political events across the state.

    How secure are Wisconsin's elections?

    How secure are Wisconsin's elections?

    Milfred and Hands tackle the integrity of Wisconsin's elections with top municipal clerks from Kohler and Sun Prairie. The two clerks rank the security of your vote on a scale of 1 to 10.

    • 26 min
    Yoga in the middle of State Street? That's just one idea for a pedestrian mall in the heart of Madison this summer

    Yoga in the middle of State Street? That's just one idea for a pedestrian mall in the heart of Madison this summer

    Milfred and Hands highlight last week's discussion at the Edgewater Hotel about the future of State Street. Prominent landscape architect Ed Freer and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway offer their visions as the city plans to test the concept of a true pedestrian mall on the bottom half of State Street this summer. Buses no longer roll down and crowd the three blocks closest to the UW-Madison campus. So the possibilities are ripe for a grand promenade and urban park similar to Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. Milfred and Hands play clips from and react to the Edgewater forum, including Freer's playful suggestion for yoga in the middle of the street.

    • 24 min
    Wisconsin's Ron Johnson tag teams with Elon Musk

    Wisconsin's Ron Johnson tag teams with Elon Musk

    Milfred and Hands react to U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's social media event with Elon Musk on Musk's digital platform X. They sought to undermine the U.S. Senate's bipartisan support for military aid to Ukraine against Russian aggression. Hear clips from Johnson and Musk, who insist Ukraine can't win and Russian President Vladimir Putin can't lose. Milfred and Hands aren't buying it.

    • 22 min
    The case for more condos, especially in Madison

    The case for more condos, especially in Madison

    Milfred and Hands 'go condo' by urging state and federal officials to encourage more condo development, rather than favoring endless apartment buildings. Despite Madison's rapid growth, virtually no condominiums have gone up in the capital city in recent years. And that's true across much of the country. Regulatory and legal rules favor rentals -- especially following the Great Recession. Nobody wants another financial crisis like 15 yeas ago. But it's time to update our laws and let more people buy and build equity in their homes. Condos generally cost less than single-family homes. Our political podcasters highlight a recent Madison resolution proposed and steered through the City Council by Ald. Derek Field. Milfred and Hands play and comment on audio clips from Field and a Keller Williams real estate specialist. They also speculate on where Hands might live once he's an empty nester.

    • 19 min
    Biden is old, and that's not ageism

    Biden is old, and that's not ageism

    Milfred and Hands respond to criticism that a recent political cartoon was ageist. It depicted Joe Biden's presidential lectern as a walker. Our political podcasters agree that making assumptions about older people is wrong. But when it comes to the president of the United States, lots of evidence from public appearances suggest he's lost a step, they contend. And Donald Trump isn't getting any younger, either. Age is a legitimate issue in this campaign, and Biden isn't helping his case to voters by avoiding press conferences that could prove his vigor. Our podcasters also address feedback on recent Wisconsin State Journal editorials about the Monona police and renaming Madison's airport.

    • 26 min
    Songs of holiday jeer target Biden, Trump, Ozempic

    Songs of holiday jeer target Biden, Trump, Ozempic

    Milfred and Hands sing political lyrics set to holiday songs. This year's jingles, written by Rick Horowitz, target Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Bob Menendez, Mike Johnson and more. Hands finds Santa leading the North Pole's curling team at a bonspiel in Madison. Hands tries to convince the jolly old elf Hands deserves to be on the nice list. Milfred plays guitar and tries to harmonize. The year in politics never sounded so cheery yet jeery. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
20 Ratings

20 Ratings

debh ,

Making Wisconsin politics as fun as it can be

Entertaining, informative political coverage of Wisconsin politics. Opinionated, but praise and criticism reasonably balanced across parties and politicians.

Hey224456 ,

Great

Great podcast

SuzanneLikesPodcasts ,

5/30 episode a disappointment

Harris is angry, Warren is negative, but Buttigieg is getting attention because he has a nice personality.... These are gendered observations (and you do realize Harris and Warren are polling above Buttigieg nationally, correct?). I've enjoyed your podcast in the past, but it's very disappointing to hear this coming from the Wisconsin State Journal. I've unsubscribed.

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