In Final Wisconsin Recall, Signs of a National Tea Party Backlash?
Last week, Republicans fought to keep 6 of their seats. They lost 2. Tonight Democrats fought to keep 2 of their seats. They succeeded at keeping them both. Wisconsin had nine recall elections. I’m sure they’re super tired of these elections, but it could be a glimpse into 2012.
If both Democrats prevail, however, the election could offer further evidence that the country’s broad political middle is swinging back left after the tea party triumphs of last November…Fundamentally, Wisconsin is a purple state – neither red nor blue – “and that makes it important,” says John McAdams, a political scientist at Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Both Democrats kept their seats. The Republicans still have the majority, but they would be more “comfortable” if they picked up one more. Apparently, Wisconsites aren’t making them comfortable.
Is this a great sign for Democrats in 2012? It’s too early. There is a lot more time for both sides to mess up (and do well, to be fair) in voters eyes.
For an election outcome I would like, Obama and other Democrats need to step it up. And the GOP needs to keep making mistakes. Like letting the fringe of their party take over.
The results of the Wisconsin recall effort tell me one thing. No one is happy politically. Just like the other 49 states.
Spinny Liberal 
August 17th, 2011 at 12:37 AM
I still find it amazing that a state like Wisconsin with all the industrial base that has disappeared, still would want a Repub in office…..is it the rational ignorance effect?
August 17th, 2011 at 11:36 AM
I’m not sure. I know some voters are all about a single issue, so maybe that influences their vote.
August 17th, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Hey Spinny, great post. You’re right, too early. But here’s the thing. Labor unions spent tens of millions of dollars to retake the Wisconsin Senate, and they didn’t. Good thing. In the last year, Wisconsin went from being at the bottom of the business-friendly list to near the top. I know “business-friendly” is not a happy phrase for you, but it means lots more jobs and many businesses relocating to Wisconsin. In fact, it’s now the opposite — vis-a-vis Illinois — of what it used to be. Businesses used to flee from Wisconsin to Illinois, and now do the opposite. Creating a good environment for business turns out to matter. Wisconsin is very purple, but thinking in red terms economically. Do you think that’s a bad thing?
August 17th, 2011 at 5:43 AM
A lot of other factors are responsible for Wisconsin’s business climate throughout the years, Kendrick – many of which have nothing to do with what color the state is or the existence of labor unions. Whether it’s the lack of adequate infrastructure investments, “including lack of regional rail, regional and racial fragmentation and overinvestment in production activities like convention centers and sports stadiums.”
It’s easy to draw the conclusion that the smack down of labor has turned things around for WI, but Wisconsin has been bobbing up and down in the water for quite a while. I read an insightful article about it’s economy and the workforce here: http://www.wpri.org/WIInterest/Vol18No2/Hefty-Torinus18.2.html
Glad to see you visiting us, Kendrick! You’ve had a busy summer.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Hey Kendrick. Great to see you – haven’t run into you in a while. 🙂 So I had to think about your question a bit. Business friendly. I think it’s great that they’re getting businesses back and attracting new ones. My biggest problem with “business” are the corporations that are using loopholes to get around tax laws. And they’re getting refunds. To me, that’s a WTH? It never fails to raise my blood pressure.
Leaning red economically. Cutting programs for the poor and taking away collective bargaining rights are not my thing, but easing on some regulations and going back to the bargaining table with unions are OK with me. Even our ultra liberal city of San Francisco to the north are thinking of ways to attract businesses – with payroll tax holidays, etc. I think I like the idea of being purple economically too. 😀
August 19th, 2011 at 2:47 PM
Bush was business friendly, too, Kendrick, my dear friend. Yet, amazingly, there was NO sustained growth during his eight-years. And that’s pretty pathetic considering we were fighting two wars.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:58 AM
The all important vote now is the moderate R, Dale Schultz..he holds all the power and Walker can’t bully him it appears on some issues.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Schultz will definitely have all eyes on him when it comes to voting.
August 17th, 2011 at 2:14 AM
there were actually 9 recall elections. dem dave hansen won his seat in july. he was the first. the rethugs thought he was vulnerable, and he won with 66% of the vote. so the dems won more than half the time. 😀
August 17th, 2011 at 1:48 PM
That’s right. July. It seems like ages ago. 🙂 And I dig the percentage positivity. 😉
August 17th, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Possibly. I think most Americans are pretty much in the middle, and don’t go for extremes on either side. We’ll see how Mr Perry does as people get to know him and his record.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:46 PM
It’s trippy that people are saying “Perry” now instead of “Romney.” Looks like Governor Goodhair might be the one.
August 17th, 2011 at 4:41 PM
I think Gov. Goodhair is going to have some trouble on the national stage. I’m not sure people in the rest of the country are used to his “rootin’ tootin’ political clobbertalk” the way Texas is. He’s as crazy as Bachmann (only that doesn’t seem to be hurting her any) and the rest of the US may not want a bully/whack-a-do/religious prophet as a leader. 10 to 1 his mouth gets him tossed from the nomination before voters do.
The El Paso Times had an article today that’s headline was “Perry’s colorful rhetoric hits national stage” – I am not sure if Texas likes their loud little secret getting out.
For Wisconsin – I hope this is a sign that we are regaining our senses and coming back toward the middle.
August 18th, 2011 at 8:44 AM
You know, I remember hearing some callers on the Mark Levin show say that a lot of Conservatives and Tea Party people don’t like him either. Do you find that to be true?
I hope so too!
August 19th, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Spinny,
When the Wisconsin thing happened, I was still in a state of delusion. I never really support what Walker was doing, but I tried to. And then eventually, I couldn’t anymore.
I played off the phone call between Walker and Kock because nothing incriminating was said. But then if you think about it, I can’t call up my governor and get a conversation with him. Can you call up Brown, or whoever it is out in California? No.
So, that’s what pissed me off the most. It really goes to show you how fucked up our political system is. You can pay to play.
August 19th, 2011 at 9:53 PM
No way I could call up Governor Brown. You’re right – once the caller said he was one of the Koch brothers, he got right through.