On The Wisconsin Recall

A quite interesting analysis from Talking Points Memo on the chances Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will face a recall:

Is it still possible for Wisconsin Democrats to recall Gov. Scott Walker, following their narrow failure last week to take control of the state Senate via recall elections? New survey numbers from Public Policy Polling (D) suggests that the answer is unclear -- and a lot would seemingly depend on whether they can recruit a top candidate, such as former Sen. Russ Feingold.

Walker's approval rating is still underwater, with 45% approval to 53% disapproval. However, a later question asked: "Would you support or oppose recalling Scott Walker from office before his term is up?" The answer was 47% support, to 50% oppose -- down slightly from a 50%-47% support margin in a PPP survey from late May, though both are within the margin of error.

Lots of factors at play, here of course. The narrow failure of – and very high expectations associated with – the Democrats to take control of the State Senate last week via that particular recall process. Failed expectations, of sorts. And of course, as noted in the article, the sizable number of people in the state who are generally opposed to the concept of recall elections regardless of the state-of-the-state. I am somewhat sympathetic to that argument, myself.

Folks may simply be suffering from recall-related burnout – the State Senate recall process was intense, by anyone’s definition. Sentiment may change as the ramifications of Gov. Walker’s budget implementation become obvious, and the effort may pick up steam. Or the opposite may happen, even if things get worse.

I am hopeful the good people of Wisconsin won’t fall into the collective depression that seems to be sweeping the country, and stick to the notion that change is possible. However they define change, and whatever they want that change to be.

Today From Wisconsin

As lots of folks are telling us, today is D-Day in Wisconsin. Six Republican state senators are facing a recall, largely because they supported Republican Gov. Scott Walker in his drive to limit the collective bargaining rights of public employees. Two Democratic senators face their own recall next week. If the Democrats can come out ahead with a net of three seats, they will take control of the state Senate.

From the Madison-based, Progressive Magazine:

If the Democrats win, they will be able to put the brakes on Walker’s runaway train. And they’ll set the stage for a huge confrontation with Walker six months from now, when he may have to face a recall himself, probably against none other than Russ Feingold.

And a Democratic win would send a signal to other Republican governors that they’ll pay a price if they follow Walker’s lead and try to destroy the right to organize or decimate public education, which Walker has also done.

And it’ll send the message that resistance works.

If the Democrats prevail, the voters of Wisconsin will be sending a message to every other Governor who has been trying to use corporate dollars to crush the power of labor. And budget cuts, of course. Ohio, here. Michigan, here. Indiana, here.

Not so much of course, if the Republicans prevail. And Gov. Scott Walter could be the new darling of the Republican party.

Ed Schultz broadcast his MSNBC television show last night from Madison, and will do the same today. His segments were great.

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We should all watch the results tonight. They will be a test of today’s political mood.  And from the looks of it this morning, the jury is still out.