Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: The Truth with Lisa Boothe: The Importance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Host: Premiere Networks - Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into the critical Wisconsin Supreme Court race, featuring an in-depth interview with Judge Brad Schimmel. The discussion highlights the race's significance, the substantial financial investments involved, and the broader political implications for Wisconsin and the nation.
Overview of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
Timestamp: 03:00 - 07:40
The episode opens with Clay introducing the high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race slated for April 1. Over $40 million has already been funneled into advertising efforts, underscoring the race's prominence. Judge Brad Schimmel, the conservative candidate, shares insights into why this race has garnered such attention.
Key Points:
- Financial Stakes: A record-breaking $40 million has been spent on ad reservations, indicating the race's importance.
- Political Influence: The Wisconsin Supreme Court holds significant sway over critical issues like redistricting, election laws, and crime, making it a battleground state with national implications.
- Candidate Profiles: The liberal candidate, supported by billionaire George Soros, has a history of controversial rulings, including lenient sentences for serious crimes.
In-Depth Discussion with Judge Brad Schimmel
Timestamp: 07:40 - 22:56
Judge Schimmel elaborates on the necessity for an objective judiciary, free from political bias. He criticizes the current liberal majority, accusing them of judicial activism and undermining the rule of law. Schimmel emphasizes his commitment to upholding the Constitution and maintaining judicial impartiality.
Notable Quotes:
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On Judicial Objectivity:
"Courts need to be objective. Anybody who puts on the black robe to serve as a judge must be able to make the commitment that they're going to set their political and personal views aside and decide the case objectively."
[07:40] -
On Court Stability and Economic Impact:
"If you don't have stability in the law, if you don't know that the court is going to follow the law as it's passed by the legislature and not change it on their own, because you can influence what the legislature does by writing to them, testifying to them, lobbying, getting them thrown out of office if they're not doing the right thing."
[08:47] -
On Liberal Judicial Trends:
"Liberals are frustrated that their ideas can't win at the ballot box for legislative offices. So they figured out... if they can pump money and all their effort into getting people on the courts, they don't need to win the legislature anymore."
[22:22]
Key Points:
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Judicial Activism vs. Originalism:
- Schimmel identifies the current liberal majority on the court as activist judges who politicize their rulings.
- He positions himself as an originalist, advocating for the Constitution's foundational principles without allowing personal biases to influence decisions.
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Economic Implications:
- The stability of the judiciary is crucial for business confidence. Schimmel argues that unpredictable legal decisions deter businesses from investing or expanding in Wisconsin.
- He references historical instances, such as businesses fleeing to Illinois due to legal instability, to illustrate the consequences of a politicized judiciary.
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Case Highlight – Lenient Sentencing:
- Schimmel cites a case where the liberal judge sentenced a repeat child predator to merely four years for severe offenses, compared to the man's initial 100-year sentence.
- This decision exemplifies what Schimmel describes as the liberal court's disregard for community safety in favor of rehabilitation ideals.
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Influence of Outside Money:
- The liberal candidate has received substantial funding from George Soros, aiming to shift Wisconsin's judicial landscape to favor Democratic agendas.
- Schimmel warns that unless conservatives win, the court will perpetuate liberal policies unchecked until 2028, limiting conservative influence.
Implications for National Politics
Timestamp: 05:21 - 07:40
Christopher Allen Lynch, speaking on behalf of Judge Schimmel, underscores Wisconsin's role as a swing state pivotal to national elections. Control over the Supreme Court can influence election laws and redistricting, affecting the balance of power in Congress and presidential races.
Notable Quotes:
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On National Impact:
"Wisconsin always affects national politics because we're the ultimate swing state. So they know that the Wisconsin supreme court can impose... how they're going to use the court's power to affect the election integrity laws, how they're enforced, how they're applied."
[05:21] -
On Long-Term Conservative Influence:
"If a conservative doesn't win, if I don't win April 1, the next chance for conservatives to take back the majority is not till 2028. So the Liberals will have five years to run through their political agenda."
[07:07]
Key Points:
- Election Integrity: Control over the court allows for the shaping of election laws, potentially influencing future congressional and presidential elections.
- Long-Term Strategy: Winning the current race is crucial for conservatives to prevent a prolonged period of liberal dominance on the court.
Campaign Strategy and Public Perception
Timestamp: 16:20 - 23:22
The conversation shifts to scrutinize the liberal candidate, Susan Crawford, highlighting her past as a partisan legal counsel and her controversial rulings that favor liberal agendas. Schimmel condemns her actions as detrimental to community safety and judicial integrity.
Notable Quotes:
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On Susan Crawford's Background:
"She was a highly partisan chief legal counsel for former Democrat Governor Jim Doyle. Then she went on to private practice where she had represented some of the most far left groups in Wisconsin."
[16:26] -
On Judicial Decisions:
"She permitted him to live across the street from an elementary school... resulted in him serving less than two years after the sentencing date, before he was back in the community and now living within walking distance of a school again."
[17:47] -
On Media Influence:
"That's why someone like George Soros would want to fund her."
[19:29]
Key Points:
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Partisan History: Crawford's history as a partisan legal counsel and her representation of far-left groups raise questions about her impartiality as a Supreme Court Justice.
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Controversial Rulings: Her lenient sentencing in severe criminal cases undermines public safety and demonstrates a pattern of judicial activism.
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External Funding: Significant financial support from liberal donors like George Soros indicates an attempt to influence the court's ideological balance.
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Public Trust and Judicial Integrity: Schimmel emphasizes the importance of having judges who prioritize law and facts over personal or political agendas to maintain public trust in the judiciary.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Timestamp: 23:22 - End
As the episode wraps up, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton reiterate the importance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. They encourage listeners to support Judge Brad Schimmel through his campaign website, schimmelforjustice.com, emphasizing the need for a balanced and objective judiciary.
Key Points:
- Urgency of the Race: The April 1 election is presented as a critical juncture for Wisconsin's judicial landscape and its broader political impact.
- Support for Schimmel: Listeners are urged to visit Schimmel's campaign website to learn more and support his bid for the Supreme Court.
- Maintaining Judicial Integrity: The episode underscores the necessity of electing judges who uphold the Constitution and administer justice without political bias.
Final Thoughts
This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show provides a thorough examination of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, highlighting its significance both within the state and nationally. Through the candid insights of Judge Brad Schimmel, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the stakes involved and the pressing need for judicial objectivity to safeguard democratic principles and community safety.
For more information and to support Judge Schimmel, visit: schimmelforjustice.com
Note: This summary excludes all advertisement segments and focuses solely on the substantive content of the episode.