Scott Klug was a 32-year Democratic member 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 we present a series of podcasts entitled “Election Countdown”
Today, enjoy the second episode of our “Election Countdown” with guest Justin Young, host of the podcast “Politics, Politics, Politics.” Young is a comedian, magic aficionado and the inventor of the card game “The Contender” about how to run a presidential campaign. In this episode, we arm wrestle over the presidential debate, discuss which is the key state to watch on election night and ponder the eerie echoes of 2016.
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