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(This recall strategy was adopted by the AFL-CIO bureaucracy and
the DP as an alternative to direct action. Its failure will
probably have no impact on entrenched reformist thinking.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/polls-close-in-wisconsins-recall-elections/2011/08/09/gIQA7h0S5I_story.html
Wisconsin GOP holds off Democrats in recall elections
By Michael A. Fletcher, Published: August 9 | Updated: Wednesday,
August 10, 1:47 AM
Republicans held onto control of the Wisconsin Senate on Tuesday
night, beating four Democratic challengers in a recall election
viewed as a referendum on Republican policies in that state and
beyond.
The Associated Press declared Republican Sens. Alberta Darling of
River Hills, Robert Cowles of Allouez, Sheila Harsdorf of River
Falls and Luther Olsen of Ripon winners. The AP also declared
Democratic challengers Jennifer Shilling of LaCrosse and Jessica
King of Oshkosh victors.
Two Democratic incumbents face recalls next week, but even if they
win those seats, the GOP will retain control of the state Senate.
That marks a major victory for Republican Gov. Scott Walker and a
crushing defeat for Democrats and organized labor, which poured
millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours into the recall
effort.
Republicans now hold the majority in both chambers of the state
legislature, a status that allowed Walker to quickly put his
policy plans into action when he took office in January.
The recalls were triggered by outrage over Walker’s move to
sharply curtail collective-bargaining rights for public employees.
But the races have become a national referendum on the competing
views of government held by Republicans and Democrats.
Outside groups — led by national unions on the Democratic side and
limited-government groups such as Club for Growth Wisconsin on the
Republican side — have poured more than $28 million into the
recall campaigns, shattering all records for state Senate contests
in Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, the candidates in the nine recall elections around the
state between mid-July and mid-August have raised more than $5
million. Much of the money has gone to buy television ads focused
on Walker’s policy agenda and the lock-step support he received
from the GOP senators who are facing recall challenges.
After taking office, Walker moved aggressively to curb
collective-bargaining rights and have public employees contribute
more to their pensions, igniting huge protests at the state
capitol in Madison.
The governor also has championed a new law requiring voters to
show identification at the polls, slashed state education aid and
cut Medicaid — all while lowering some business taxes and ruling
out any tax increases to balance the state budget.
Walker has explained that his budget policies are aimed at
allowing Wisconsin to live within its means while creating a
better atmosphere for job creation.
Republicans have pushed similar policies in Florida, Ohio, New
Jersey, Minnesota and other states. The battle over Walker’s
agenda echoes the debate in Washington, where congressional
Republicans have refused to raise taxes — or even close tax
loopholes — to shrink the budget deficit.
That issue is likely to be at the center of the 2012 presidential
race, and the recall elections offer an early test of whether the
hard line taken by Republicans in Congress and the states is seen
as an overreach or in line with voter sentiment.
Democratic activists have said that if they are successful in
Wisconsin’s recall elections, Walker would be their next target
when he becomes eligible for recall in January. They also are
aiming to capitalize on the energy from the recall battles to help
carry them to victory in the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by
Herb Kohl (D), who is retiring.
They also hope the momentum will give a boost to President Obama
in a state that he carried easily in 2008, but where Democrats
have since struggled, losing both the governorship and a U.S.
Senate seat in 2010.
But if the Republicans fend off a Democratic takeover of the state
Senate, analysts say, that momentum could evaporate.
“If the Republicans hold the Senate, I think they can see that as
a ratification of the policies they adopted,” said Charles
Franklin, a University of Wisconsin political science professor.
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