Pride goeth before the fall, again

Something tells me that this Wisconsin situation is not going to pan out well for Gov. Scott Walker.  Oh, he may wind up getting the legislation he wants--his side has the numbers right now--but it's hard to see Walker coming out of this with his head held high.

For one thing, Wisconsin-ites generally don't get this riled up--80,000 people at a protest, in winter, day after day, is definitely an indication that something is amiss.  The only real poll we have--admittedly commissioned by the AFL-CIO--shows the public largely with the protesters.

Several things don't sit too well with the public here, and that's aside from Gov. Walker ducking questions, or riding around with a big security detail.  One is that Gov. Walker recently appointed the father of Scott and Jeff Fitzgerald to the position of Chief of Wisconsin State Troopers.  Scott is the majority leader in the State Senate and Jeff is the majority leader in the State House.  

The position pays $107,000.  Currently, the new Chief's job involves chasing after Senate Democrats who have fled the state in order to prevent the State Senate from having a quorum.  

Plus, it can't sit too well with folks that Gov. Walker just gave a $117 million tax break to the wealthy and now wants to hang the $137 million budget shortfall on the state's workers.

Wisconsin has been known for its generally clean politics and government, and has had a strong progressive streak since the 19th century, exemplified by Senator "Fighting Bob" La Follette.  Wisconsin-ites won't appreciate the Koch Brothers hiring their own goons as counter-protesters.  ("Walker's a pink, naked purse dog for the Kochs!" says one protester.) 

Walker looks like a poor bet for re-election.  In fact, eight Republican State Senators are sweating out recall efforts already.  His political future dimming in Wisconsin, Walker is going to be looking increasingly toward the national ticket in 2012, but he can't get there if he doesn't deliver on unions.  In for a penny, in for a pound.

Comments

[Heather]

The really scary part is that if he's successful in WI, then Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, ... are doomed. If the public sector unions are dismantled, the Democrats lose one of their best sources of money as well as their best volunteers to get-out-the-vote.

It's hard to see how the Koch brothers and Citizens United groups can ever be pulled back in.

But, on the plus side, being in the rotunda is invigorating. Going to the local Teamsters building and standing side by side with Teamsters, K-12 teachers, and UW-L faculty members with their kids gives me a glimmer of hope.

[John Petty]

Thanks for your report, Heather. Solidarity forever!