Why Gun Control Isn’t An Issue In Wisconsin Elections, Oneida Beaders, Traveling With Senate Candidates, How Wisconsinites Are Feeling The Day Before The Election

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On the eve of the 2016 presidential election, we find out what the general mood is of voters in Wisconsin, and what role the state could play tomorrow. We also find out why gun control may not be as large of an issue in Wisconsin elections as it is in other states.One of the six tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, members of the Oneida tribe came to Wisconsin in the early 1820’s from upstate New York. The tradition of beaded artwork remains rich and alive today. We find out more on Wisconsin Life. And we hear from two WPR reporters who spent time imbedded with the campaigns of the incumbent US Senator from Wisconsin, Republican Ron Johnson, and his Democratic opponent, Russ Feingold.

Featured in this Show

  • Is Gun Control An Issue In Wisconsin Elections?

    Despite a spate of gun violence and mass shootings, gun control appears to not be a major election issue in Wisconsin. But there may be exceptions…

  • How Wisconsin Voters Are Feeling The Day Before The Election

    The day before the election an analysis of the final pre-election Marquette Law School poll shows many Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton supporters in Wisconsin have doubts about their candidate of choice. We talk to a political reporter and a political scientist about how Wisconsinites are feeling going into this election.

  • How Are Wisconsin Voters Feeling On Election Day Eve?

    There’s going to be a lot of nose holding on Election Day in precincts across Wisconsin.

    The final Marquette University Law School poll Wednesday showed many Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton supporters in Wisconsin have doubts about their candidate of choice.

    For example, 37 percent of Clinton voters would not describe her as honest, and 32 percent of Trump voters said he does not generally show good judgment.

    “It’s well known that they’re the two most unpopular nominees in polling history. And when you look at the Wisconsin data, they both have pretty high negatives,” said Craig Gilbert, Washington Bureau Chief for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

    Throughout the presidential race, Clinton has never trailed Trump in the polls, oscillating between about a 3- and 6-point lead. Gilbert pointed out that Wisconsin voters rejected both of these candidates during the state’s primary election. In fact, it will be the first time since 1960 when the country will elect someone who didn’t win the Wisconsin primary.

    “When there’s such negativity towards the candidates, it means that it’s not enough for them just to get the votes of the people who like them,” Gilbert said. “They both need to rely on the votes of people who don’t like them in order to get anywhere near 50 percent.”

    While both candidates suffer from enthusiasm, Gilbert said all the signs show there will be a big turnout Tuesday.

    The state’s Election Commission stated Monday that Wisconsin shattered early voting records. Nearly 800,000 voters cast early ballots. The previous record was 659,444 in 2012.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Marika Suval Producer
  • Amanda Magnus Producer
  • Chuck Quirmbach Guest
  • Craig Gilbert Guest
  • Mordecai Lee Guest