Thread by @benwikler

Debate night. It's on. #WISen
Live stream at MandelaBarnes.com/debate

First question: marijuana legalization. Ron Johnson says it should be decided state by state, and that states should "look seriously at the harm being done by the legalization of marijuana."

Mandela Barnes is clear—"I've long supported the full legalization of marijuana" #WIsen

Second question on bail reform. The question (accurately!) frames the choice—should pre-trail detention be based on question of whether the accused might be dangerous and/or might skip trial... or based on their ability to pay?

RoJo goes for diversion/fear, predictably.

As Mandela Barnes just pointed out, Ron Johnson compared Social Security to "candy." It's true! Johnson went on to explain that the candy is rotting the nation's teeth and causing an infection, and he's here with a drill. Watch:

Ron Johnson on the minimum wage—says maybe it's should be indexed to inflation. But then seems to come out against having one overall. "The best thing is have the marketplace take care of it rather than government set a minimum wage"

Just now, Mandela took the fight to Ron Johnson. "When we talk about respect for law enforcement, let's talk about the 140 officers that he left behind because of an insurrection that he supported."

WOW did Ron Johnson have a tough time answering the question of whether Mike Pence did the right thing by certifying the real electors on January 6

I have a question for @RonJohnsonWI: did you fire the staffer who tried to get you to pass off the fake electors?

@RonJohnsonWI Ron Johnson claims marriage equality will never be overturned. "Stare decisis is very powerful, where you're not going to disrupt millions of lives. I don't want millions of lives disrupted."

Mandela Barnes: "A lot of people thought that *Roe* wouldn't be overturned."

Ron Johnson, earlier: "I've suggested that the EPA rather than focus on CO2, focus on these pollutants that really are harmful."
Barnes: "the senator just a couple of seconds ago a couple questions ago said that co2 is not harmful. He's gone so far as to call climate change BS."

Moderator asks about how to close the racial wealth gap. Mandela says his grandfather moved to Milwaukee after World War II and got a job as a union steelworker. It's a powerful answer: to address inequality, to build the middle class for all, SUPPORT UNIONS. #WIUnion #WIsen

Johnson says he supports broadband and has gotten federal funding for broadband... but the guy voted against the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure bill—which funded two biggest investments in broadband expansion in history.

Ron Johnson is asked what misconceptions he wants to clear. He decides to defend the tax cut he forced into the Trump tax scam, saying it's not true that it ONLY benefited him and his biggest donors.

Fact check: one of the most regressive tax cuts ever.

politifact.com/factchecks/202…

Excellent debate answer by @TheOtherMandela #WISen

https://twitter.com/TheOtherMandela/status/1578548880924299264

Very clear and direct marriage equality answer from Mandela Barnes #WISen

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheOtherMandela/status/1578550215505694723

Watch and share.

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheOtherMandela/status/1578548880924299264