Ben Wikler – “This Is The Plan” & Taking On Elon Musk In Wisconsin | The Daily Show
Former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Ben Wikler, sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss his new book, “This Is The Plan: How to End America’s Meltdown and Save Democracy.” Together, they unravel the story of how Democrats flipped Wisconsin from the gerrymandered Republican stronghold to a state with a Democratic governor, pro-democracy state Supreme Court, and fairer legislative maps. They talk about the strategy behind Wisconsin’s political turnaround, beating Elon Musk’s record-breaking spending in a state Supreme Court race, the importance of WI Democratic Party leaders letting the voters decide the gubernatorial primary race, and what it will take to rebuild the Democratic Party’s power nationally. #DailyShow #Wisconsin #Gerrymandering #ElonMusk #BenWikler
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@joannehansen4799
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Why, why, why didn't the DNC make Ben Wikler the chairperson? I was disappointed when they didn't but am glad to know he's still working hard to make democracy thrive.
@mistym.8480
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Wow! I didn't know we had this guy. Will definitely go to the library and get the book.
@chadwibpc
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Guys hot garbage and the WISDEMS talk a bunch of hope and in the end cant debate or sway anything in this state.
Wickler stay away please this Wisconsin voter had enough of your inept endless hot air.
@chuckhadley
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
We did this in PA. Started about five years before WI in a state twice its size. Have to focus on States! GOP is a minority party that controls the country by controlling the states. We have a chance to win our Senate in November. We now hold Gov, House and Supreme Court. In 2014, GOP controlled everything in PA. Please contribute to state House and Senate candidates in close districts.
@Sherry1928
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Perfect guest for the moment!
@k9mutttraining
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
He sounds a lot like our head of the democratic party here in Texas Kendall Scudder many of the things that wickler says Kendall is making happen here
@hg0606
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
That's right call the establishment Democrats out (also known as the treasonous candidates in bed with Israel). We want actual change, not just this tiny step in the right direction. We know what can be done bc of Mamdani and now we demand that change for ALL and not just a few!
@chrisconvissor367
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Less interruptions, Jon, please. Allow the guest to speak, please.
@mistym.8480
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
David versus Goliath
@audrasweeten6479
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
This is why they want to erase history, so we can't learn from it to get a foothold in the battle for our democracy
@Zr0din
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
@12:00, maaan – I don't know. Sure – let the republicans do what they want – the general populace will see it and turn against it. I don't like that idea. Basically, you are ignoring the people that are already hurting. Because they are really going to get thrown to the machine.
@YellowOniNick
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
It'd be awesome if the American people could vote to decide on laws, instead of a bunch of money hungry liars.
@ranjeettunes
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
All politics is local. 💪🏼🇺🇲
@yellowhammerwolley
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Ben Wikler for DNC chair!
@eddiewilling
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
He needs to stop using the same language as Donald Trump, the system isn’t “rigged” in Wisconsin. Statewide elections swinging the other direction are a very typical Wisconsin tradition. People split votes here all the time. I have, and so has almost everyone I know.
This entire interview was full of insights, and blatant mistruths unfortunately, only an observant, and objective Wisconsinite can parse one from the other
Wisconsin has a very progressive senator, and a very far right wing senator. It has a very moderate democrat, and in the last 10 years has had large majorities of both progressive and conservative candidates on the Supreme Court.
The system isn’t rigged. The progressive folks have proven it. So you don’t need to win it to unrig it, because you would’ve never been able to win it to begin with if it was truly rigged.
Anyway, stay away from Donald Trump’s language, Democrats. Or your pendulum will only swing back for a short time.
@jimmyholloway8527
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
I kept thinking, "John Hodgman has certainly come a long way."
@Mobamba1055
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Oh boy, still playing the old democracy theater …
@SeaKeithRUn
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Ken Martin the Chair of the Democratic National Committee needs to read this book or give up his post to Ben Wikler and let him do the job so we can fix our democracy!
@SeaKeithRUn
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
⚖️
@HSchneider-t3i
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Listen also to Dr. Dillard and his initiative "Standards not Force". He follows almost the same strategy, starting with neighbourhoods.
@archangel807
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
PENTAGON HIDES THE NUMBERS WOUNDED OR DEAD IN IRAN WAR. WAR IS ESCALATED. OVER 600 WOUNDED OR GONE
@Sparklepuppy34
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Let’s roll
@jakejonesy9275
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
As soon as this guy starts talking about rigging elections
Until he agrees with Trump…. He’s a hypocrite and a little guy without a real job…
@jackierobichaud7467
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
I love how John still plays with the guests and is funny and having fun even when its so serious of a subject ❤😂😂
@salonika50
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Ben Wikler should be the chairman of the Democratic Party!!!
@ChrisSmith-lo2kp
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
there are no longer forever jobs in america, so the forever jobs of u.s. supreme court justices should be term-limited too
@Tangoes2
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
not to undermine the efforts of these great people, but it does seem like we really just have to wait for these various bad actors to old age out of power or office
@babbityrabbity3526
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
I wanted Ben to be the DNC chair over Ken Martin. Too bad he didn't get the job. Great guy!
Now can you help unfuck Tennessee? Lol
@racheroni0541
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Thank you, Jon for bringing up how the governor in Wisconsin is putting his finger on the scale by endorsing one candidate prior to the primary instead of letting the voters decide. They’re afraid of the momentum Francesca Hong (the democratic socialist) has.
@anneboleyn1905
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
At last somebody with a plan that may actually work!
@racheroni0541
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Every election matters especially the local and state elections.
@JohnJones-fg1dd
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Dems often deliver but are horrible at messaging.
@KarinYoung-y5s
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
That was the first glimmering ray of hope that I have experienced in so, so, grindingly long. Thank you!
@alumpyhorse
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
between this guy and Brian Tyler Cohen’s book about taking back power, dare I say I feel a little spark of hope?
@murkantilism
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 pm
This man is a hero. Him and thousands of others truly embodied the phrase "Rebellions are built on hope".