The MeidasTouch Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Rebecca Cooke on Fighting to Defeat MAGA Congressman in WI
Date: August 30, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Guest: Rebecca Cooke (Democratic candidate, Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on the state of political affairs in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District and features Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke. The MeidasTouch hosts, known for their lively, pro-democracy banter, dissect the record of incumbent MAGA Republican Derek Van Orden—his controversial actions, his alignment with Trumpism, and his disconnect with local voters’ concerns. Rebecca Cooke joins to discuss her campaign, the needs of rural Wisconsin, and the broader momentum shift in favor of Democrats.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Derek Van Orden’s Controversial Tenure

• Party Atmosphere & Avoidance of Constituents
  • Van Orden accused of throwing “rager parties in his Congressional office” and berating Senate pages ([00:31]).
  • Hosts highlight his reliance on staged, virtual town halls with pre-selected questions to avoid real accountability ([01:00]).
• Broken Promises & Policy Betrayals
  • Despite pledging, “I will never vote for a budget bill that has Medicaid cuts, especially rural Medicaid cuts,” Van Orden supported healthcare cuts negatively impacting his district ([02:00]).
  • Further accusations: advocating for VA budget cuts and suggesting women are biologically unfit for military combat roles ([03:00]–[04:30]).
  • On Trump, Van Orden’s devotion is underscored: “God forbid we don’t have a Republican that follows up Donald Trump” ([06:00]).
• Behavior & Ethics
  • Feuding with Rep. Mark Pocan and accusations of funneling campaign funds to his own company ([06:49]–[07:45]).
  • Notable quote (Mark Pocan, to Van Orden): “I encourage you to see the mental health counselor. It’s absolutely disgusting. Derek, why don’t you debate me? Why are you so afraid to debate anyone here?” ([07:00]).

2. The Stakes for Wisconsin’s 3rd District

• Impact of Healthcare Cuts
  • Rebecca notes deep concerns: “We’ve already had two major hospitals close in this district ... repercussions from this bill are going to continue to be really great in a region that is already reeling from cuts to health care. Around 30,000 people are going to be cut from Medicaid.” ([09:12])
• Community Engagement
  • Cooke has been “talking to folks all across this district all summer, from Dairy Breakfast to county fairs, ... to ask people what’s really keeping them up at night.” ([09:12])
  • Community deeply frustrated with Van Orden and energized to engage in protest and advocacy (“people have been active since the last election … showing up in big numbers”)([10:43]).

3. Shifting Political Landscape

• Democratic Momentum
  • Hosts point to Democratic overperformance in recent special elections as evidence the “tide is shifting” ([10:10]).
  • Cooke concurs: “We’re going to see the tides turn… But it’s also important for us to have a vision of what … opportunities that exist.” ([10:43])
• Cooke’s Campaign Strategy
  • Roots in rural Wisconsin, commitment to “showing up and talking to” rural communities feels Democratic Party has “overlooked” ([10:43]).
  • “I spend a lot of time going to rural communities ... to make sure that people know that ... we’re going to be showing up and talking to them.” ([10:43])

4. Beyond Culture Wars: Real Issues Facing Wisconsin

• Voters Tiring of Distractions
  • Brett Meiselas: “Americans are sick and tired of these kind of culture war issues being spread by maga … when there are real things that are impacting America” ([11:43]).
• Cooke’s Policy Priorities
  • Expanding affordable healthcare: “Expanding Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing…” ([12:35])
  • Tackling high costs: “We’re still talking about lowering costs. … People are concerned about how they’re going to make rent, pay mortgage, get groceries.” ([12:35])
  • Fighting Big Pharma: Relates personal story about her father’s cancer drug costs and the need for reform ([13:00]).
  • Rejecting corporate PAC money: “That’s why I’ve taken the NO corporate PAC pledge” ([13:33]).
  • Representing working class: “We need more working class voices to represent us in Congress that have lived failed policy and are going to fight like hell to build back the middle class” ([15:14]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Van Orden’s Contradictions:
  • Ben: “Well, it did happen on your watch, and you actually promoted it.” ([03:00])
• On Rural Health Care Cuts:
  • Rebecca Cooke: “The repercussions from this bill are going to continue to be really great in a region that is already reeling from cuts to health care. Around 30,000 people are going to be cut from Medicaid.” ([09:12])
• On Grassroots Activism:
  • Rebecca Cooke: “…people have been active since the last election … showing up in big numbers. And … finding the extra time to really exercise their voices.” ([10:43])
• On Sticking to Kitchen Table Issues:
  • Rebecca Cooke: “We outperformed every Democrat on the ticket … because we were talking about the things that we knew were keeping people up at night…” ([12:35])
  • “My parents are retired farmers and … get their dental work done [in Mexico] because it’s cheaper … than it is in our own country.” ([13:15])
• On Need for Authentic Representation:
  • Rebecca Cooke: “We need more working class voices to represent us in Congress…” ([15:14])

Important Timestamps

• Van Orden’s record dissected: [00:31]–[07:45]
• Introduction to Rebecca Cooke: [08:11]
• Rebecca on Van Orden and rural healthcare: [09:12]
• Shifts in district sentiment: [10:10]–[10:43]
• Message priorities—healthcare, cost of living: [12:35]–[13:33]
• Rebecca’s closing message and campaign info: [15:07]–[15:45]

Resources & Call-to-Action

• Learn more or support Rebecca Cooke’s campaign:
  cookforwisconsin.com ([15:14])
• Follow the campaign on social:
  Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the trademark MeidasTouch blend of sharp criticism, humor, and heartfelt advocacy. The hosts’ energetic, irreverent style amplifies the urgency of the issues discussed, while Cooke’s grounded perspective and emphasis on everyday struggles brings authenticity and hope for change in Wisconsin’s 3rd.