‘Real News From The Blaze’ Wisconsin Recall Postmortem
- Posted on June 6, 2012 at 8:52pm by
Christopher Santarelli
- Print »
- Email »
After nearly two years of perpetually campaigning in the Badger State, Scott Walker is still governor. Walker held on in Tuesday’s recall election, defeating Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett 53 percent to 46 percent, a wider margin of victory than Walker’s first victory in 2010.
Now that the election is over, what do the results in Wisconsin mean for larger national political issues? Bill Frezza writes in Forbes that the recall results spell doom for public sector unions:
Scott Walker ran for office promising change. The fiscal medicine he is administering may be bitter, but it looks like it is starting to work.
[...]
Best of all, the myth that union bosses represent their members’ interests has been exposed as a lie. Now that union dues are voluntary, tens of thousands of union members have stopped paying them. Membership in the Wisconsin chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME) has dropped by half. Membership in the state’s American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is down by over a third. Given unions’ influential role in most elections, the national implications of this trend are staggering.
Walker’s message is clear: The key to bringing balance back to public sector labor relations and balance state budgets is to break the iron triangle of closed-shop mandatory unionization, compulsory dues collection, and oversized campaign donations to politicians that promise to do the unions’ bidding. If other governors take his cue and take up the cause, that giant sucking sound you hear will be the air coming out of union bosses’ bloated political action budgets.
On “Real News” Wednesday the panel discussed last night’s win, what it means for national politics in the general election, and what work Walker and other governors across the country still need to do in reining in unsustainable public spending. S.E. Cupp built out on what she wrote in her New York Daily News column this morning, that no matter how Democrats want to spin it, Wisconsin’s results have serious implications for Democrats in future elections. Especially the one this November:
Here’s the unvarnished truth, though: Regardless of the polls or the fact that Wisconsin hasn’t voted for a Republican president since 1984, Walker’s win puts Wisconsin in play for 2012. And that’s because this isn’t just some one-off.
The story started in 2010, when Walker won the first time as part of a Tea Party sea change that swept the country, both the state houses and Congress. Wisconsin didn’t just elect a Republican governor: It elected a Republican governor who was serious about fiscal reform. That was strike one for business-as-usual in the reliably blue state.
In that same year, Wisconsin ousted Russ Feingold, a long-time Democratic scion of the Senate who had served his state for nearly 30 years, and replaced him with Ron Johnson, another Tea Party pick who was serious about fiscal reform. Strike two.
And last night, Wisconsin doubled down on Walker’s message of (gasp!) austerity, vindicating not just the governor, but a nation-wide movement to reign in both the spending and the size of government. Strike three.
If presidential politics is anything like a Brewers game, Wisconsin could call Obama outta here in November.
Will Cain commented Wednesday that the failed Wisconsin recall will hopefully inspire other governors to move forward in enacting policy that deals with entitlement reform. Buck Sexton noted that Walker’s convincing win confirms how weak and inconsistant the recall message really was.
Comments (21)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 580 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 406 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 405 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 372 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 357 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 405 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 406 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 357 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 150 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 405 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Itsnakemo
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 5:46amI vote to recall Bo and Michele.
Report Post »KStrong
Posted on June 10, 2012 at 8:27pmUnions join feminists in the list of groups who achieved their goals and instead of declaring victory and going home, beat a dead horse till everyone realized they were just a bunch of crazy people covered in decayed horseflesh.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on June 9, 2012 at 3:41pmWhy are houses being sold at about 5 times what they are worth and those working are unable to buy them? Why are house prices so outrageous when in reality they are not worth anything near what people have to pay for them. They have run house prices up, forclosed and bought them back, and selling these houses again for ridiclous prices. They are cheating people out of their homes and land.
Report Post »ultor-de-deus-exercitus
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 11:24amThe administration avoiding Wisconson says it all!
Report Post »“Fear not Rome for the serpent quietly sleeps in Naples.”
In this case Naples is in NY at a place called the UN.
RayOne
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 1:26pmAs the residence of the United Nations, NYC should ask them to be a good neighbor or leave.
Report Post »RayOne
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:08amBe Aware
Report Post »the WH & the wWing Boys Club will not take the WISCONSIN RECALL attempt like good soldiers, This failure will first get a name change that separates it from the Administration and the national organized labor bank account.
The flag with a green fist on the red background looks International Agenda to me.
RebelPatriot
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:50pmNow if we can just get the Federal Employees in line with the private sector we can close off another sucking hole that taxpayers continue to try to fill with their hard earned money.
Government is not meant to take care of us. It is supposed to protect our borders and citizens. It is not supposed to tell us how to live our lives. Our Republic is a direct reflection of the people, we need to continue to send fiscal responsible people to Congress and it won‘t matter who the president may be he or she won’t be able to run our debt up and grow government larger than it should be.
When laws are passed to stop Churches from feeding the homeless, then the government is overstepping their responsibilities. Government is not God, government does not have to provide for those who don’t work. It is the responsibility of the individual citizen to get a job and take care of their families. Government can continue to entitle people to grow their voting block for re election.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 12:44amGet Federal Employees in line? In line to be shot maybe as traitors maybe! They need to immediately cut 50% of non-military jobs. That will end the senseless regulations that are choking the free markets. We need less Government now, not later!
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:41pm“After nearly two years of perpetually campaigning in the Badger State, Scott Walker is still governor.”
Report Post »Walker and Wisconsin–good for you two, you deserve each other.
lukerw
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 12:20amDon’t worry the Loser Comrads will initiate another Recall to be held before Election Day!
Report Post »forthepeople
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 11:31am3rd : In what world do you live in where everyone wins and no one is told NO ?
Report Post »Respect ? the decision of the majority thats how our country works .
Rd1hunter
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:15pmMy husband has worked for a major tire company for 38 years…..every contract there has been concession’s; he has had to pay more out of pocket each time;do we complain…..no…..it is still cheaper than what most others pay for a single benefit package.
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:57pmIt looks like municipalities aren’t going to wait for the Governors…at least San Diego and San Jose didn’t with 70% voting to cut public union bennies. Brown is a train wreck for that state and I would have liked to seen Carly Fiorina run for Gov as opposed to senate. Would have fared better than Whitman I think.
Report Post »dadadadio
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:55pmThe modern Union’s power comes from two things: 1) Closed or Union Shop requirements (i.e. everyone must join and pay dues) and 2) dues ‘check-off’, where dues are mandated to be deducted like taxes. In my industry (Railroad), in the days before check-off, I remember having to fire a guy for the sole reason he was behind on his union dues. As Scott Walker’s reforms showed, make membership optional, and make members pay directly to the union, and see all the people leaving that ship!
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:22amWe, as tax payers, don’t have that CHOICE to negotiate contracts or decide who we hire or make any of the work rules. These people teach OUR kids? We’re the BOSS here. We have been working our butts off at two and three jobs to keep our homes and pay these outrageous property taxes! Not fair, period! Unions are obsolete and they KNOW IT. Time for merit pay, school choice or vouchers and a little wiggle room in contract negotiations.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:40pmScott Walker for VP 2012
Report Post »Fubared
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:57pmSi, cojones grande. Where is the post recall attempt interview with Trumpka? I need another good laugh.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:06pmA 6% difference in population… between Two Major Polls… is Actually a Disaster waiting to happen: a House Divided against itself cannot Survive!!
Report Post »gsplgtr
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:03pmHey now that union workers will no longer have to pay their dues, they will get a raise that they can use however they want! “Kills” two birds with one stone!
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 8:59pmboy the last two days have been a blast
been over at the huff in puff handing out scotts tissues
Report Post »Fubared
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:58pmNow that is funny. I would have opted for doling out sand paper, but whatever works for you.
Report Post »