After a 14-year career as an Emmy-winning reporter, Scott Klug upset a 32-year Democratic members of Congress from Wisconsin. Despite winning his four elections by an average of 63 percent. he stayed true to his term limit pledge and retired.
During his time in Congress, Klug had the third most independent voting record of any Wisconsin lawmaker in the last 50 years. In September 2023, he launched a podcast, “Lost in the Middle,” to shine a spotlight on the oft ignored political center.
The Fulcrum has covered several of Klug’s podcasts about America’s “political orphans,” highlighting what he describes as 71 million bewildered, frustrated voters.
“The podcast was born,” Klug told Madison Magazine, “out of the sentiment that a wide swath of the American public, myself included, can’t figure out how in the hell we got to this place. And more importantly, is there a way for us out of it.”
And now with the election only a few weeks away, Klug and The Fulcrum present a series of podcasts titled “Election Countdown.”
Today we offer the first episode as political podcaster and comedian Andrew Heaton files his observations from a phone booth in Edinburgh. He’s the host of “The Orphanage” podcast, where some of Klug’s political orphans happily live.
Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter
The mission of “Lost in the Middle” is serious — finding a way to something resembling common ground as a country — but it’s not solemn.
“I’m having fun,” Klug said. “I spent 14 years on TV. It’s telling stories. Getting out there and talking to people. Aside from my personal commitment to the issue, it’s just a lot of fun. I enjoy listening to people and telling stories.”
From left to right: Gabriel Cardona-Fox, Bud Branch, Joe Concienne
A string of mules walk past Mexican restaurants during the annual Mule Days parade in Bishop, CA.Robin Linse
Murals decorate the kindergarten hall where Ana Whitmore teaches.Robin Linse