With the midterms. Just a month away. Control of the U. S. Senate
hangs in the balance. Republicans only need one seat in the Senate
to regain control for the remainder of President Biden's term. Wisconsin's
Senate race is one of the most closely watched, and that's where
Judy Woodruff has spent the last few days she joins us now from medicine.
It's great to see you. Thanks for being with us. So Judy, as you
Well know, Wisconsin is a state known for close elections. So how
is this? How is this one shaping up?
That's right, Jeff. The last few presidential elections here in Wisconsin
have been razor close and this race this year between the Democratic
challenger 35 year old Mandela Barnes, the lieutenant governor who's
going against the incumbent Republican Senator Ron Johnson, looking
no different of the polls we've seen in the last few days. In fact,
one out just today by CBS shows them just appoint apart.
So effectively tied in the airwaves here in the Badger state filled
with negative ads, each side aiming at the other, reflecting record
amounts of money that are being spent in this campaign, more than
half of it coming from outside the state, which reflects the stakes
this year, with the Senate evenly split.
For his part, Ron Johnson has been seen as vulnerable because he
is a big supporter of former President Trump. He has defended the
former president's actions on January the sixth. He's called the
insurrectionists who attacked the capital that day, quote largely
peaceful. He's also been strongly pro life He's been for tightening
abortion.
Restrictions and in in a year when women voters in particular are
energized by the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade,
it was felt by many that this would be a good year for Democrats
to turn out their vote. However, as we get closer to this election,
there are other issues that are coming to the fore that have Republicans
feeling more confident.
Yeah, And we know nationally that Republicans are stressing the issues
of crime and public safety. How is that playing out there in Wisconsin?
Well, Johnson and the outside groups who are supporting him are zeroing
in in particular on what Mandela, Barnes said, and his social media
postings in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in 2020,
focusing on what he said about defunding or reducing funding.
For the police and for abolishing ice, which, of course, is a federal
agency charged with policing the border. Barnes has pushed back.
He has tried to put what he said in context, and he's tried to turn
the attention back to Ron Johnson and talking about his actions in
support of the insurrection of stone. January 6th.
But Barnes has also had to deal with relentless advertising by Republicans
framing him as dangerous, someone who would take the state in a direction
where voters wouldn't be safe. I caught up with Mandela Barnes yesterday
in Milwaukee and asked him about it, and here's part of what he said.
Rod Johnson is always using fear tactics because he can't run on
his own record. From day one. We set out to build a broad coalition
that encompassed the whole, not just the whole of the party, but
the whole of this state. Our coalition includes family farmers are
working people right in the inner city independence, you name it.
Even Republicans who are frustrated by Ron Johnson, like this is
a broad coalition that truly represents Wisconsin. The issues we're
taking on, they're not even left or right, Red or blue is about people
have been at the top like Ron Johnson, the people he leaves behind.
And Jeff. We have tried to, of course to talk with Ron Johnson, but
his campaign has not responded, and they have not shared his campaign
schedule. So Judy what kinds of things are you hearing from voters
As you travel across Wisconsin? You do hear both voters and the experts
we've spoken with, say they believe this is turning increasingly
into a campaign based on
Fear that both campaigns are are relentlessly talking about how the
other side the other party would take the state in a different direction
and would change their daily lives in a way that would not be what
voters want. Of course. You hear these refrains and adds, you hear
the candidates.
Talking about it how radical. The other side is. But I will also
tell you, Jeff, that we've spoken with voters, some of whom say they'd
like to see the parties work together. They'd like to see more unity
in American politics. One voter we spoke with said, you know, he
said. Right now we only have three or four senators out of 100 who
are even willing to work with the other party,
which is crucial in getting in getting legislation tasked and he
said.
I'd like to see that at 20, or 25, members of the Senate.
Judy Woodruff reporting tonight in Madison, Wisconsin. Thank you,