'They're both dinosaurs': Concerns about age drive lack of enthusiasm for Biden and Trump

From JSOnline:

Molly BeckSam WoodwardLaura Schulte

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

SUPERIOR – Last week marked the first barnstorm of the 2024 presidential election cycle.

President Joe Biden visited Wisconsin's northwestern corner on Thursday while Vice President Kamala Harris stopped in Waukesha County on Monday and Biden's Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen capped off the week in Milwaukee while the Biden-Harris team pointedly weighed in on the Legislature's proposed 14-week abortion ban referendum.

Though the Republican presidential primary race is technically still underway, with former President Donald Trump leading former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley by double digits in polling, it's over to Biden as he and his surrogates blanketed the state with a message aimed at chipping away Trump support.

Both candidates have an uphill battle in a battleground state that each of them has won in the last two elections. Just 37% of Wisconsin voters polled by the Marquette University Law School in November said they had a favorable impression of Trump. Not many more said they had a good opinion of Biden, at 42%. In a head-to-head matchup, Biden edged Trump by three percentage points — within the margin of error.

Voters surveyed by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Thursday during a Biden trip to Superior and Duluth, Minn., signaled the candidates' ages and enthusiasm for either could be key challenges for both campaigns.

Ruth Hagenan, who works at Top Hat Tavern in Superior, is still an undecided voter. Despite her excitement over the presidential visit and being able to see Biden’s motorcade fly by the bar, she’s thinking she will likely vote Republican this fall because she’s concerned about the economy and believes it was better during the tenure of Trump.

But she has some concerns over both Biden and Trump’s cognitive abilities. As a former home care nurse, she sees symptoms of aging that alarm her.

“I’ve seen them both stumble in their thought process,” she said. “So to me, it’s like they need backup to help. Can they do this on their own? Can they do it quickly?”

Debby Strop, co-owner of Uncle Loui's Cafe in Duluth, told the Journal Sentinel she does not identify with either major party but appreciates Biden's visit. Strop's cafe was used as a backdrop in 2018 by Fox News' morning show "Fox & Friends."

"I'm glad he's here. It shows he really cares. If he didn't why would he be here?" she said, noting the cold and foggy weather. Despite this, Strop said she doesn't want either Trump or Biden to run. Their age is a major issue for the 67-year-old, saying deciding between candidates who are 77 and 81 is not ideal.

For Duluth resident and barista Afton Iliff, the 2024 election is the last thing on her mind. "I don't like either of them," she said. "Biden is way too old and Trump is a horrible person."

During the summer months, Iliff works as a heavy-equipment operator for a local construction company, working to consolidate highways and prepare for construction on the Blatnik Bridge — the replacement of which Biden visited the area Thursday to promote. She said she's happy the work is getting attention because the lack of accessible roadways affects the lives of those in the region, saying that most politicians aren't in touch with "real people's" needs. "The people in office are too old. They're not even going to see the changes they are voting for," she said. "They're older than sliced bread."

Illif said she wants to see a candidate focus on reining in spending on international conflict and instead restructure the health care and pharmaceutical industries.The 21-year-old said that even if she did like who was running, she doesn't think her voting would make a difference. She has never voted and is unsure if she will this year.

University of Minnesota Duluth senior John Leppik said the "age problem" in politics is not just an executive branch issue, downplaying it being unique to Biden.

"They're both dinosaurs, but, this is an issue with the wider political fabric, not just the presidency," he said. "We have the oldest Senate that we've ever had, the oldest house."

Leppik said he describes himself as "progressive" and voted for Biden in 2020 because he wanted "not Trump." The English and linguistics major said he was enthusiastic about Biden's pro-union policies and believes Biden has followed through with his goals on that issue. When asked if Biden can beat Trump in 2024, Leppik said "He did it already."

Kiett Takkunen, a former teacher who drove 40 minutes to wait outside of Earth Rider Brewery in Superior to see Biden, is not on the fence, however. She plans to vote for Biden in November.

Takkunen said she's worried about a redux of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol if Biden wins again. She said the issue of abortion is a motivating issue for her.

“I wonder if Trump’s people are going to go just crazy again, when he loses the next time, are we going to have another insurrection?” she said. “Some people talk about a civil war, but I think that might be a little extreme. But we’re so divided right now, it’s so sad.”

Wisconsin Republicans portrayed the Biden team's Wisconsin blitz as as an act of electoral desperation in the face of high grocery prices and disorder at the southern border. 

"Look, there's a reason we're getting all this tourism in Wisconsin from the White House," Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming told reporters Thursday. "And that is not that we all know that President Biden will lose Wisconsin in November. It's because he's lost Wisconsin already."

Molly Beck, Sam Woodward and Laura Schulte can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com, swoodward@gannett.com and leschulte@gannett.com.

Original story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/01/29/age-questions-hang-over-both-biden-and-trump-in-wisconsin-swing-region/72339800007/

I'm 72 and I also consider both candidates to be inept, old fools.  Come November, pick your poison. 

TMJ4 faces backlash for asking Black business owners to pay to appear on air during Black History Month

From JSOnline:

Drake Bentley

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee's NBC affiliate TV station stirred up some ill feelings after marketing an opportunity to local Black-owned businesses to appear on a morning program during Black History Month, but only if they were willing to pay $1,000.

WTMJ-TV sent marketing emails to several Black business owners in the area offering an opportunity to appear on "The Morning Blend," TMJ4's daily lifestyle program, which airs weekdays at 9 a.m.

The email included an attachment with a Black History Month graphic that noted how important it is for the program to highlight Black-owned businesses during February.

"It is important to The Morning Blend to highlight black-owned businesses during Black History Month to celebrate their contributions, promote diversity, amplify voices, tell their story, and foster inclusivity and understanding in the community," the attachment read.

Business owners who pay will get a copy of the segment. "This is a great opportunity to tell your story and reach the members in your community," the attachment read.

It offered that a business' "investment" would be $1,000, which the email said was a discounted price.

“If you're going to invite us to celebrate Black History Month then we shouldn't be charged to come in to celebrate Black History Month,” said Tomira White, owner of Delicious Bites on Wauwatosa's east side.

TMJ4's station manager, Gregg Schraufnagel, told the Journal Sentinel that "The Morning Blend" is a lifestyle program, not part of the news division, and that it is common for content to be sponsored on the program. "That’s always been the format of the show," he said.

"The Morning Blend" has been on the air for 18 years.

Schraufnagel declined to get into the specific details of show's makeup, how many of its segments are sponsored, its typical practices for reaching out to possible guests, or whether the program has charged for Black History Month segments in the past. "Things are evolving all the time," he said.

"We will all learn from this."

But he noted that "we absolutely do not charge for anyone to be on the news or for any news coverage, ever."

It's widely considered unethical for a news organization to pay sources for information or access, a practice advised against by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Kimberly Adams, owner of Signature Sweets, has appeared in multiple forms of media including on Food Network. She posted to Facebook on Wednesday about the emails, spurring many other Black business owners to come forward to express that they'd also received the email and felt insulted by it. Her post was shared dozens of times and had received almost 100 comments as of Friday evening.

"You know, typically when someone's celebrating or honored they're not paying to be celebrated or honored," White said.

Schraufnagel called White Friday afternoon to apologize for the marketing efforts, White said. "I did really appreciate that," she said.

"I reached out to members of our community who voiced an opinion about it, to explain the nature of the show, that it's paid content, and to express that we regretted the tie-in to Black History Month," he told the Journal Sentinel. "Everyone I spoke with was understanding."

Drake Bentley can be reached at DBentley1@gannett.com or 414-391-5647.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2024/01/27/tmj-morning-blend-invites-black-businesses-on-air-for-a-price/72373364007/

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Another round: George’s Encore opening Feb. 20 in Racine

From The Journal Times.com:

RACINE — After George’s Tavern, a staple in Racine’s music community for nearly 80 years, closed Dec. 24, it was clear that the people wanted more — an encore, perhaps.

Caleb Robinson says he plans to deliver just that with George’s Encore, opening Feb. 20 at 1201 N. Main St.

George the Penguin, a 6-foot-tall, 30-pound metal sculpture, will greet patrons again when George's Encore opens Feb. 20 at the former George’s Tavern.

Clarissa Garza

Robinson said he wants to embrace the history of George’s Tavern and build upon the established community atmosphere.

A Racine native, Robinson was a patron of George’s Tavern and has known the previous proprietors, Gary, Sherry and Michael from the Gibson family, for years.

A long-time entrepreneur, Robinson has unique experience in both the live music and restaurant industries.

He celebrated his 12th season at Smoke’d On the Water, 3 Fifth St., this past summer.

The seasonal restaurant, open Memorial Day through Labor Day near the Pershing Park Boat Launch, features live music with karaoke on Thursdays, Open Jams on Fridays, two bands on Saturdays and one band on Sundays.

Before Smoke’d On the Water, Robinson ran Top Dog Hot Dogs, a mobile food stand usually set up on Monument Square.

George's Tavern, at the corner of Main and Hamilton streets, closed in December, but the Racine staple is set to reopen Feb. 20 as George's Encore under the ownership of Caleb Robinson.Clarissa Garza

Honoring George’s Tavern

The well-loved events from George’s Tavern like Open Jam Nights, Evening of Storytelling and Tom & Jerry cocktails on Thanksgiving morning will live on at George’s Encore, Robinson said.

He also plans to continue previous fundraising partnerships, such as working with Thoughts for Food.

George’s Encore will offer its venue space for the fundraiser benefitting Racine County Food Bank at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2.

When Gary Gibson ran the kitchen at George’s Tavern, patrons valued his home-cooked meals, like the chili and soups. Robinson said George’s Encore will share this same commitment to home-cooked food.

Robinson said Jeremy Gibson, who will be running the kitchen and is not related to the tavern’s original Gibson family, and Jenni Sailor, who will run the bar, will help make the “Food, Fun & Friends” values the tavern was built on possible at the next installment of George’s.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/business/georges-encore-to-continue-racine-staple-bars-legacy/article_aa2ef84c-b55f-11ee-9b43-ab9482369653.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage

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Racine County man launches bid to recall Speaker Robin Vos over Trump, election issues

From JSOnline:

Molly Beck

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON – A Racine County man plans to gather thousands of signatures to trigger an election to recall the most powerful Republican in the state Legislature over his opposition to Donald Trump and unwillingness to impeach the state's top election official over the 2020 election.

Matthew Snorek of Burlington on Wednesday filed paperwork with the Wisconsin Elections Commission notifying the agency of his intent to circulate a recall petition against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester.

Vos, who has been speaker for 10 years and has represented the 63rd Assembly District since 2005, is the most effective Republican in the GOP-controlled state Legislature but has faced fierce criticism from members of his own party in recent years over his rejection of calls to decertify the 2020 election, which has been impossible as long as supporters of Trump have called for the idea.

The move to try to recall Vos comes two months after a Racine County-based group focused on the 2020 election ran television ads threatening to unseat Vos if he did not advance articles of impeachment against Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe — an effort Vos has blocked.

Snorek told the commission he was launching a recall effort of Vos, in part, because of Vos' past statements promising to work to keep Trump from becoming the GOP presidential nominee in 2024. Trump has targeted Vos since 2020 after the Assembly Speaker repeatedly refused to entertain the illegal idea of undoing the results of Trump's loss in 2020 in Wisconsin to President Joe Biden.

Vos in a statement called the effort "a waste of time, resources and effort."

"The effort today is no surprise since the people involved cannot seem to get over any election in which their preferred candidate doesn’t win," Vos said.

Vos also come under criticism from Republicans who believe the 2020 election was improperly decided, despite court rulings, audits and studies confirming Biden's win, for not doing more to remove Wolfe. Wolfe has become a top target of Trump supporters since the 2020 election.

In his notice to the commission, Snorek wrote, "Vos is blocking fair elections in WI. Vos misled the WI Assembly in the impeachment of Megan (sic) Wolfe. Vos said he will 'try as hard as I can to make sure Donald Trump is not the nominee in 2024. Vos supported the unlawful drop boxes. Wisconsin must move 'forward' without Robin Vos in power."

"While the backers of this recall effort want to focus on the past, I am going to keep my eyes focused on the future. We have elections to win in the fall," Vos said. "I am confident that my friends, neighbors and supporters from Racine County will stand with me and ensure this effort fails to gain any real traction."Snorek did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Wispolitics.com first reported Snorek's plans.

By filing the paperwork Wednesday, Vos is now allowed under state law to begin fundraising unlimited amounts of money.

A failed effort to gather signatures to recall Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in 2020 allowed him to raise unlimited campaign cash. Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker also used that ability to raise unprecedented sums during the recall campaign against him in 2012.

State law allows an elected official's constituents to launch a recall effort after that official has been serving in his or her term for one year. The first week of January meets that requirement for Vos, who began a new term in the Assembly last January.

To trigger a recall election, Snorek must gather 25% of the total number of votes for governor in 2022 in Vos' district, or about 7,000 signatures, over the next two months.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/01/10/racine-county-man-launches-bid-to-recall-speaker-robin-vos/72177921007/

Assembly GOP proposes medical marijuana bill that would create state-run dispensaries

From JSOnline:

Hope Karnopp

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

SOUTH MILWAUKEE – Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Monday announced a bill creating a medical marijuana program and state-run dispensaries in Wisconsin, marking the first time an effort to legalize cannabis has been pushed by at least one leader of the Republican-controlled state Legislature.

But it doesn't appear to have the backing of key members of the Senate yet, including the leader of Republicans in that chamber and the senator that has introduced a less restrictive medical marijuana bill in the past.

Wisconsin is one of 12 states where recreational or medical marijuana is not available. Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers have for years called for the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use but have been blocked so far by GOP legislative leaders.

Now, Republican lawmakers — at least on the Assembly side — are growing warmer to the idea of allowing marijuana use for medicinal purposes, but the bill released Monday would not allow users to smoke cannabis, nor would it pave the way for private dispensaries in Wisconsin.

"The people of Wisconsin have said they want us to try to find solutions for the problems that vex our society," Vos said. "There are very few Republicans that I know, and I would say most employers and even an awful lot of citizens, that do not want to see this become an end-around to get us toward recreational marijuana."

In a statement, Evers' spokeswoman Britt Cudaback did not say whether Evers would sign the bill released Monday. He told reporters last week that he would approve a restrictive medical marijuana bill, unless Republicans include a "poison pill" like cuts to taxes or diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that he opposes.

"The governor will be reviewing Assembly Republicans’ proposal, and he looks forward to hearing from Wisconsinites and other stakeholders as the bill moves through the legislative process," Cudaback said.

Vos said the bill has the support of at least 50 Republicans in the Assembly, which would be enough to pass the proposal without Democratic votes. Vos said there would be hearings in the next few weeks and the Assembly would pass it before it adjourns in February.

"We wanted to focus on putting a program together that would get the votes in the Assembly to show that we actually were serious about getting this done," Vos said.

Democrats have previously accused Republicans of promoting their medical marijuana bill during an election year, despite knowing it doesn't have the votes to become law.

Sen. Melissa Agard of Madison, who has been a key Democratic supporter of full legalization, said "putting forward an overly restrictive medical cannabis bill does not move our state in the right direction."

"It is disappointing to see that yet again, Wisconsin’s Republican Legislators are acting as health professionals when they are not. I firmly believe we must trust doctors, patients, and caretakers to make these personal, medical decisions," Agard said in a statement.

Using marijuana for medical purposes with a doctor's approval is a popular idea among Wisconsin voters — 83% supported it in 2019, the only time the Marquette University Law School poll asked the question.

Senate Republicans have not supported legalization in the past

GOP leaders have previously said support was building in their caucuses for the idea, but previous iterations of the bill haven't gotten far in the Legislature, beyond getting a public hearing in 2022.

In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, did not say whether he supported the Assembly GOP's plan, but said "specific details of the proposal are important and need to be thoroughly vetted before the Senate decides how to proceed."

"The Assembly’s medical marijuana proposal will move through the normal legislative process, including committee action, before being considered by the full Senate," LeMahieu said.

Several Senate Republicans have not supported legalizing marijuana in the past. Rep. Jon Plumer, R-Lodi, told reporters at a separate press conference at the state Capitol that he hopes to get them on board this time but did not name another Senate Republican aside from Sen. Mary Felzkowski of Irma.

"We've had conversations with the Senate. I know that Mary Felzkowski had the last two sessions a bill. So I'm hopeful that we can get something done but with both houses," Plumer said.

But Felzkowski, who has led the bill in the past, said in a statement that she saw the bill for the first time on Monday and had been consulted about the proposal "at a ten-thousand foot view."

"While some concepts in the bill sound incredibly well thought out, my concerns with several provisions, most notably the choice to require the state to directly dispense medical marijuana, instead of going the route of a proven, private-sector model of delivering this care, led to my decision to remain un-involved in this particular legislation," Felzkowski said.

State would run dispensaries, provide smokeless options

Republicans had already indicated their proposal would be more restrictive than the 38 states that currently allow medical use.

The plan calls for five dispensaries managed by the state Department of Health Services in each Medicaid region, which Republicans said would mark the first time a state has run dispensaries.

When asked why Republicans supported government-run businesses in this scenario, Vos said marijuana is still illegal under federal law. 

"We want to guarantee that law enforcement knows that it's well-controlled and well-documented," Vos said. 

Felzkowski said she believed that "private entities, run by those with expertise in this area of medicine, are more efficient and more effective than any government agency."

Participants would get their doctor's confirmation of their medical condition, pay a $100 registration fee per year and visit a pharmacist at the dispensary to get the prescription.

Unlike previous versions of the bill, Vos said most forms of cannabis would be allowed, including concentrates, oils, tinctures, edibles, pills, topical creams and vapors, among others. Participants would not be able to smoke marijuana.

The bill lays out nine medical conditions that would qualify for the program, including cancer, glaucoma, severe chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and terminal illness with life expectancy of less than a year. Vos said additional conditions could be added through legislation, but authors looked at other states to create a list.

Minnesota's medical marijuana program, for example, includes about 20 medical conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, obsessive-compulsive disorder, HIV/AIDS and autism spectrum disorder. Patients ages 21 and older can use dried flower, which is consumed by smoking.

About 40,000 people participate in Minnesota's program, which Vos said lawmakers used as an estimate of how many would participate in Wisconsin. If the bill passed both chambers and was signed by Evers, the program could be implemented this year.

Molly Beck of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this story.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/01/08/gop-medical-marijuana-bill-would-create-state-run-dispensaries/72125411007/

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