Center Stage, With Milfred And Hands

Wisconsin's former governor just landed a new job as the GOP's national spokesman for gerrymandering. Milfred and Hands critique Scott Walker's spin on Fox this week, where Walker touted rigged redistricting by partisans in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Milfred and Hands tout Iowa's nonpartisan model for drawing fair maps as the obvious solution to endless and costly court battles over voting district maps. But Walker hopes to raise millions of dollars to keep fighting legal battles, rather than embracing reform.

Milfred and Hands play clips from and comment on the president's rally in Green Bay last weekend, debunking his bluster while assessing his chances against the Democrats in 2020.

Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney talks about his three trips to the Oval Office to discuss immigration with President Donald Trump in this week's podcast. He also rejects the 'sanctuary sheriff' label, though he doesn't cater to ICE at his jail.

With the documentary "Screwball" playing this month at the Wisconsin Film Festival in Madison, Milfred and Hands ask and answer the question: Would you buy your kid a Ryan Braun jersey, knowing his connection to baseball's doping scandal? The film reminds Milwaukee Brewers fans that their hero was a cheater and liar. But he's come clean and remains a clutch and durable hitter at age 35 as the Crew makes another run at the playoffs.

Milfred and Hands dissect the spring election, including conservative Judge Brian Hagedorn's unexpected if narrow vote advantage for high court, and Madison Mayor-elect Satya Rhodes-Conway's huge victory over Paul Soglin. Our editorial board members play clips from the post-election speeches and look ahead to a possible recount.

Milfred and Hands play clips from and react to the State Journal editorial board's endorsement meeting this week with Madison's "Mayor For Life" Paul Soglin, who is seeking yet another term in the April 2 election versus Satya Rhodes-Conway.

Milfred and Hands play clips and comment on Satya Rhodes-Conway's endorsement meeting with the State Journal editorial board this week. Our board members were more impressed than they thought they would be with the wonky, progressive, think-tank manager who hopes to unseat "Mayor For Life" Paul Soglin, who is scheduled to meet with our editorial board next week.

Milfred and Hands climb to the peak of Wisconsin's $80 billion state budget and squeak like a mole on the ground after their descent, in this week's political podcast from the sensible center of Wisconsin politics. Gov. Tony Evers unveiled the state's two-year spending plan this week, which competes for public attention against many distracting and much less consequential issues.

Milfred and Hands assess the finalists for mayor, and play clips from their primary night victory speeches. Satya Rhodes-Conway survived a crowded field of candidates by drawing the sharpest contrast with Madison's "mayor for life." Incumbent Paul Soglin is still the favorite. But Rhodes-Conway could benefit from outrage over a conservative Supreme Court candidate.

Milfred and Hands vow only to say nice things about the nation's and state's leaders on the holiday devoted to love, which wasn't easy. President Trump is entertaining and has great hair. Gov. Evers plays a mean game of Euchre. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald sat in Uecker seats. Let's get this love fest over with.

Milfred and Hands dissect the State of the Union, including its references to Wisconsin. You also can view more than a dozen of cartoonist Phil Hands' sketches, which he drew during the speech, at go.madison.com/slideshow.

With the mercury at more than 20 below zero in Wisconsin this week, Milfred and Hands recall the coldest state leaders and legislation, from the modern era back to 1842.

Milfred and Hands sift through the liberal buzzwords and big ideas to declare a winner of this week's debate among six candidates for Madison mayor in the Feb. 19 primary.

Milfred and Hands gaze into their crystal ball to see the future of local, state and national politics.

Milfred and Hands sing columnist Rick Hororwitz's political carols and enjoy a visit from Santa Claus. The silly sounds of the season proclaim Trump's legal troubles, Russian trolling and a very white While House. Joining our podcast team this week is Koffi Amuzu-Gassou, the "Bing Crosby" crooner and courier for Capital Newspapers.

Milfred and Hands aren't buying the Assembly speaker's lame excuses for a post-election heist of trump cards that voters dealt to euchre-loving Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers.

Mayor-for-life Paul Soglin is the guy to beat now that he's back in the race. But some strong challengers to the left of #GrumpyStache are hoping for an upset. Milfred and Hands assess the field of seven candidates in the February primary for Madison mayor, and look ahead to the April election. Mitch Henck crashes the podcast, claiming Soglin could be in trouble.

Milfred and Hands talk turkey about good things happening in Wisconsin politics.

Milfred and Hands break down the Democratic governor-elect's big win Tuesday by the smallest of margins. He outperformed Hillary Clinton in Dane County, but he also shows why turnout in Milwaukee County will be key if Democrats want to beat Donald Trump in 2020.

Milfred and Hands parse the final Marquette poll, share anecdotes from State Journal endorsement meetings, and predict who will win the races for Wisconsin governor, attorney general and U.S. Senate.