Dan Shafer

The end of the Vos Era, finally The longest serving Assembly Speaker in state history represented the worst in our politics.

my piece is here: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-end-of...

Opinion | Good riddance, Robin Vos Dave Zweifel: In his 15 years as Assembly speaker, Robin Vos has used his pettiness, blackmail tactics and partisan vitriol to impede progress in Wisconsin.

shoutout @captimes.com for referencing my column on Robin Vos: captimes.com/opinion/dave...

An economy in trouble and a nation at war. Must be a Republican in the White House.

(that Type of Guy has been replaced by Worse Guys)

been rewatching some of Parks & Rec and I think the Tom Haverford Type of Guy has gone extinct

PODCAST: Talkin' headlines, with Angela Lang Topics include: Dan O'Donnell's recent line-crossing comments, James Talarico's win in Texas, a troubling Flock case at MPD, Black History Month, Milwaukee's "sanctuary city" designation, and more.

NEW: @angelalang8.bsky.social and I each brought three headlines to discuss on this week's podcast.

Topics include: The Dan O'Donnell controversy, James Talarico's primary win, Milwaukee as a "sanctuary city," much more.

Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/podcast-ta...

I find James Talarico to be one of the most compelling politicians to come along in while. As someone raised Christian who found myself in complete disagreement with the political movement of the Religious Right, to me, his message is unbelievably refreshing — and truly hopeful.

One of the reasons Republicans like Walker keep losing in statewide elections is they think Democratic voters only live in Milwaukee and Madison.

In reality, many mid-size cities are shifting blue. Walker lost ground in 39 of the state's 40 largest cities when he lost in '18.

Milwaukee radio host Dan O'Donnell apologizes for post about Tim Walz A conservative radio host in Milwaukee, Dan O'Donnell, apologized after making remarks calling for someone to "take out" Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

He’s also not on the air in his usual time slot right now. www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...

It's a detailed proposal, but it has a lot going for it. It's not a "nonpartisan" commission, which have failed to garner support in the past. It's something different.

Independent redistricting effort begins anew in Wisconsin Inside the effort to bring a long-term, permanent solution for redistricting reform in Wisconsin.

With gerrymandering in Wisconsin in the news today, it might be worth revisiting my feature story from last year on the grassroots effort to bring a permanent redistricting reform solution to the state. www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/independen...

A thing I strongly believe, but that was only obvious in retrospect, was that drive-time talk radio was the most valuable propaganda platform in history and a big reason we got into this mess we're in now was because conservatives dominated it in the 1990s and 2000s

My take: This shows there is room for persuasion here for Democrats. People don't know where the party stands on this issue. Make a case *for* something. The numbers are even on your side.

Two revealing questions on deportations in the new Marquette poll:

If the question is just on for/against deportations, 64% are in favor.

But if you ask about deporting people who have been living and working in the U.S. with no criminal record? Only 41% favor deportation.

Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area Dan Shafer's award-winning political opinion column and online publication on the discombobulating politics of Milwaukee and Wisconsin. The Recombobulation Area is part of the Civic Media network. Cli...

It's Friday. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area.

Free subscribers only today, tho. Spend on a subscription next week. Go have a drink today. Enjoy yourself. www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

PODCAST: All politics is national in 2026 Charles Franklin of the Marquette University Law School Poll joins to discuss the latest results and why the old adage of "all politics is local" might no longer apply.

NEW: "It used to be that all politics was local. Now, all politics are national."

@pollsandvotes.bsky.social joined The Recombobulation Area to talk about the latest Marquette poll results.

Watch/listen here: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/podcast-al...

Data center politics are shifting rapidly in Wisconsin.

In October, majorities were mildly opposed, similarly across political lines (a rarity). Just a few months later, it’s a 70-30 issue, with Democrats swinging hard against them and independents also saying costs outweigh benefits.

A testament to how right-wing the political media has gotten in Wisconsin that this has not jumped out as a top Marquette poll story.

Tom Tiffany is the only viable gubernatorial candidate for the GOP, he just got Trump’s endorsement, and yet more than 60% of Republican voters are undecided in the primary. Embarrassingly bad poll for him. www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/a-super-si...

A super-sized breakdown of the new Marquette poll of Wisconsin politics Topics for the Feb. 2026 poll include: the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the Democratic primary for governor, Tom Tiffany, Trump's approval rating, data centers, immigration, and more.

The! Full! Breakdown! www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/a-super-si...

Cmon, I paywalled that!

A super-sized breakdown of the new Marquette poll of Wisconsin politics Topics for the Feb. 2026 poll include: the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the Democratic primary for governor, Tom Tiffany, Trump's approval rating, data centers, immigration, and more.

www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/a-super-si...

I broke down the Democratic primary polling by region of the state. You'll have to subscribe for the full breakdown, but here's a sneak peek for just the city of Milwaukee.

A super-sized breakdown of the new Marquette poll of Wisconsin politics Topics for the Feb. 2026 poll include: the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the Democratic primary for governor, Tom Tiffany, Trump's approval rating, data centers, immigration, and more.

NEW: A deep dive and analysis of the new Marquette poll the likes of which you won't find anywhere else.

Breaking down polling on the SCOWIS race, the Democratic primary, a bad poll for Tom Tiffany, Trump's tumbling approval, data centers, ICE, more. www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/a-super-si...

I think people like individual Democrats like Evers and Baldwin, but are broadly down on the larger party. It's also a reflection of some internal dynamics. There are more Democrats who dislike the Democratic Party than there are Republicans who dislike the Republican Party.

Soglin 9%, what a time

downballot incumbency is gonna be a big factor in those Assembly races, where people like Todd Novak and Jessie Rodriguez tend to overperform. but there is a path to flip it, definitely.

Not an optimist about Dems chances in the Assembly and Senate then?

Bucks win! Never a doubt!