The Wisconsin Recall Elections: A Glimpse into the Future?

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.

Sean Duffy, Flustered and Frustrated

If you can’t stand the heat, don’t hold a townhall. Or be a politician, for that matter.

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Sean Duffy Loses His Cool After Being Challenge…, posted with vodpod

Sean Duffy Talks to Constituents Who Live in the Real World

Representative Sean Duffy was a cast member in Real World Boston, when that show was still interesting. Back then, Sean was the Midwestern boy who could beat any one of his roommates in competitive log rolling. Now, he’s GOP Representative Duffy of Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district.

But Sean still doesn’t live in the Real World. He got flak for bitching about his $174K/year salary. He can barely get by, you know. He is still paying off student loan debt, driving a used minivan, and is the sole breadwinner. Sorry, I misplaced my tiny violin.

He ran into people who live in the Real World at a Town Hall in Shell Lake, WI. Here is one exchange between Sean and a constituent:

CONSTITUENT: They count the cost to seniors if it goes into a voucher program, it’s going to be trillions of dollars for those young men like this guy in front.

DUFFY: It’s a premium support it’s not a voucher. The bottom line is if we do nothing, if we do nothing, you can all say this is all fine and dandy, you can get it and I know any young people here you can all get this program.

CONSTITUENT: I agree that if we do nothing we’re in trouble, that’s why we have to raise taxes on the rich, and raise taxes on the corporations who have never been richer than they have now. And you guys just cut their taxes again.

Watch Sean talk to real Real World people, not his GOP buddies in Congress. Enjoy! 🙂

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Town Hall Constituents Face Off With Sean Duffy…, posted with vodpod

SpinShady™ Award: Kathy Nickolaus of Wisconsin

Wis. Corrects Vote Count, Gives Incumbent Big Lead

Tonight, Kathy Nickolaus, a Waukesha County clerk, just won the very first SpinShady™ Award.

The Wisconsin State Supreme Court race between Conservative incumbent Justice David Prosser and Liberal Assistant State Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg has been so tight that it looked like it was headed for a recount. Suddenly, out of nowhere, comes Kathy:

…more than 14,000 votes weren’t reported to The Associated Press on Tuesday due to “human error.” … “This is not a case of extra votes or extra ballots being found,” Nickolaus said. “This is human error, which I apologize for.”

After correcting the totals, Prosser has a 7500 vote lead. Mistakes happen, right? We’re only human. Kathy Nickolaus worked on a GOP Caucus that was under the control of Justice Prosser when he was speaker of the Assembly. I know. That doesn’t prove anything. Check this out:

Nickolaus was given immunity from prosecution in a 2002 criminal investigation into illegal activity by members of the Republican Assembly caucus where she worked as a data analyst and computer specialist. Prosser, who as speaker of the Assembly in 1995 and 1996 controlled the same caucus, was not part of the investigation. Nickolaus resigned from her state job in 2002 just before launching her county clerk campaign. The corruption probe took down five legislative leaders, all of whom reached plea deals.

By ratting, exactly what charge did she avoid? She doesn’t seem to be on the up and up. Not only that, in 2010, her systems and backup procedures had to be formally audited because she was uncooperative when the county wanted to review them.

Something smells, and it isn’t that yummy Wisconsin Blue Cheese.

This whole thing begs the question, “Whatcha hiding?” Because of that, Kathy Nickolaus, you are the first winner of the SpinShady™ Award!!

You may retrieve your award after the calls for a recount, but before the investigation. The award, while prestigious, makes for a wonderful good luck charm as well.

Congratulations!!!

Wisconsin Recall: Told Ya it Wasn’t Over

Wis. Dems File 1st Petition to Recall GOP Senator

In order to recall Republican Senator Dan Kapanke, Democrats needed 15,600 signatures to force a recall election. They turned in 21,700. The people of Wisconsin are pissed off, and they have every right to be. They are pounding the pavement to recall eight GOP senators. They believe they can get six:

The chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin is confident that at least six of the eight recall elections of state Senators that the party is seeking will be successful, leading to an unprecedented set of recall elections in the summer or fall.

I’m not surprised at all. Check out one of the ads the Progressive Change Campaign Committee has been running:

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Recall Momentum! (Green Bay), posted with vodpod

Psst. I donated a little to keep it going. You can too.

This is just the beginning.

A Wisconsin Woman Scorned

Wisconsin State Sen. Randy Hopper Isn’t Living in District, Complaint Alleges

Don’t you just hate it when your almost-ex wife joins the recall effort against you? Alysia Hopper let everyone know that he doesn’t live with her anymore. This is important because he’s not living in the district he represents. He is now in Madison with his mistress, who is rumored to be 25-year-old Valerie Cass, a campaign consultant.

I’m sure Alysia Hopper wants to castrate her almost-ex husband. You know, for trading her in for a newer model and all. Well, if you can’t do it literally, financially and politically are your next best bets.

Can’t Catch a Break

I was thinking about President Obama this morning. I love the guy, even though there are things he’s done as POTUS that I don’t agree with. After pondering what’s been going on, especially the last few months, I feel bad for him. Dude can’t seem to catch a break. In reverse chronological order (more or less):

• Japan

Earthquake, tsunami, nuclear power plant, devastation

• Middle East

From Egypt to Yemen, the entire region has revolted. A country with an ally-dictator unseated and a country with an enemy-dictator who is hanging on to his until it’s taken from his cold, dead hands.

• Labor

The working class is starting our own revolt

• Gas Prices

See Middle East

• Tuscon Shooting

Memorial and miraculous recovery (Thank God)

• START Treaty

It just had to expire during his presidency

• Bush Era Tax Cuts

They just had to expire during his presidency

• Midterm Shellacking

Congressmen, Senators, and Governors whose sole purpose in office/life is to make sure he doesn’t win in 2012

• Terrorism

Oregon teenager, Fort Hood psychiatrist, Yemeni toner cartridges, Detroit underwear

• Iraq & Afghanistan

Insurgents and Insurgents

• Gulf Oil Spill

BP, compensation, regulation, moratorium

• Health Care

Repeal attempt, lawsuits

• Haiti

Earthquake, homelessness, cholera, devastation

• Economy

He inherited the US’ and the world’s tanked economies

It seems like a larger-than-normal presidential crapload has happened/is happening in his term. I would have been curled up in a ball, in a corner, inconsolably crying by now. No, actually, I would have probably killed myself long before. That’s why I could never be POTUS. And why I wonder why anyone would want to be POTUS.

I don’t see it getting better anytime soon. Good luck Mr. President.

Over? Try Just Begun

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Aerial View, posted with vodpod

Based on the 85K – 100K people who descended on to Madison, the fight has just begun. It’s not just about the unions anymore. The GOP’s held their illegal/tricky vote on Thursday. Scotty signed the half-a-bill into law on Friday. The people showed their anger on Saturday. This isn’t about unions anymore. Farmers circled in tractors showed their support. People who never protested before did so because of their disgust with the GOP and the Walker.

Wisconsin Labor Protesters Say Next Fight at the Polls

The Daily Show: Crisis in Dairyland: Apocalypse Cow

Man, do those teachers live large!!! Enjoy! 🙂

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Daily Show: MTV Cribs, Teacher Style, posted with vodpod

Rachel Maddow: Wisconsin GOP Votes to Strip Union Rights

My head was near spinning off last night. I had so many questions. Rachel Maddow did an excellent job, as usual, of explaining what went on. There is even footage of what happened moments before the vote in the chamber.

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Watch: Incredible Videos as Wisconsin GOP Strip…, posted with vodpod