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maxomaiTHE GOOD: It looks like labor and Democrats came away with a modest win out of Wisconsin. With 60 out of 60 precincts reporting in SD-21:
LEHMAN (D) - 36,225 (51%)
WANGGAARD (R, inc) - 35,476 (49%)
Source: AP
Assuming this result holds, the recall election netted one seat in the State Senate for the Democrats and for their union allies. As it turns out, one is all it takes for the Democrats to assume control of the Senate. This is an undeniable win for labor and for Democrats, even if it wasn't the big prize, and it severely inhibits Scott Walker's ability to do further harm to the State of Wisconsin.
Which brings us to:
THE BAD: With 99% of precincts reporting:
WALKER 53%
BARRETT 46%
TRIVEDI 1%
Meaning, Scott Walker is still Governor. In fact, even after a massive increase in turnout, his margin of victory, percentage wise, is close to where it was after 2010.
THE UGLY: The forces defending Scott Walker outspent unions and their allies by ten to one. Make no mistake about this, kids. This was a gross and blatant demonstration of power by the hyper-wealthy, a signal of what they are willing to do in a post-Citizens United world to have their way.
The DC establishment of the Democratic party has a tin ear when it comes to listening to their progressive constituents, but they understand power. They are going to heed this lesson and act on it, and that will put the Democrats further in the pockets of Wall Street and other huge corporate interests. They will, in other words, find a few more wealthy buyers and act to assure the ones they currently have that they still stay bought. They will do this because the alternative right now is for the hyper-wealthy to back the Republicans exclusively. With the kind of money they have, the hyper-wealthy can assemble and buy a more effective get-out-the-vote machine than any political party anywhere on Earth has, and they can turn the United States into a one-party state in less than a decade. It's worse than the situation of the 1990s: not only are the Democrats going to be in the pockets of big business, but a non-corporate, non-oligarch-run alternative by way of a third party is even less viable now than it used to be. Nor do I see this situation changing without the Supreme Court somehow overturning Citizens United.
This is not a good situation, and I'm anxious for this nation's future because of it.
LEHMAN (D) - 36,225 (51%)
WANGGAARD (R, inc) - 35,476 (49%)
Source: AP
Assuming this result holds, the recall election netted one seat in the State Senate for the Democrats and for their union allies. As it turns out, one is all it takes for the Democrats to assume control of the Senate. This is an undeniable win for labor and for Democrats, even if it wasn't the big prize, and it severely inhibits Scott Walker's ability to do further harm to the State of Wisconsin.
Which brings us to:
THE BAD: With 99% of precincts reporting:
WALKER 53%
BARRETT 46%
TRIVEDI 1%
Meaning, Scott Walker is still Governor. In fact, even after a massive increase in turnout, his margin of victory, percentage wise, is close to where it was after 2010.
THE UGLY: The forces defending Scott Walker outspent unions and their allies by ten to one. Make no mistake about this, kids. This was a gross and blatant demonstration of power by the hyper-wealthy, a signal of what they are willing to do in a post-Citizens United world to have their way.
The DC establishment of the Democratic party has a tin ear when it comes to listening to their progressive constituents, but they understand power. They are going to heed this lesson and act on it, and that will put the Democrats further in the pockets of Wall Street and other huge corporate interests. They will, in other words, find a few more wealthy buyers and act to assure the ones they currently have that they still stay bought. They will do this because the alternative right now is for the hyper-wealthy to back the Republicans exclusively. With the kind of money they have, the hyper-wealthy can assemble and buy a more effective get-out-the-vote machine than any political party anywhere on Earth has, and they can turn the United States into a one-party state in less than a decade. It's worse than the situation of the 1990s: not only are the Democrats going to be in the pockets of big business, but a non-corporate, non-oligarch-run alternative by way of a third party is even less viable now than it used to be. Nor do I see this situation changing without the Supreme Court somehow overturning Citizens United.
This is not a good situation, and I'm anxious for this nation's future because of it.
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It was an apple not an oragne
Date: 2012-06-06 04:38 pm (UTC)So while the Dems lost and the GOP dumped buckets of money into the fight, fundamentally this wasn't a normal election and as such you can't (although everyone will) spin it as a test for November.
Personally I think the Dems need to find out why the younger voters stayed away and work on that problem. Sure money talks but with the GOP seemingly going out of its way to irritate younger voters, women voters, Latino voters...well actually any voter which isn't white and rich and older, then that's where opportunity is because no amount of money in the world (except maybe direct bribes) is going to win you elections when the bulk of the electorate who can vote, will vote and then votes against you.
Thus keeping people voting is the key. That's something where the GOP money machine is already working at. Voter Suppression anyone?
Re: It was an apple not an oragne
Date: 2012-06-06 10:24 pm (UTC)I think they'd have a clue if they'd simply fire their dumber consultants for once, and start engaging in some actual marketing research.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-06 06:04 pm (UTC)Actually, it has more to do with WI law which allows sitting officials facing recall elections to receive larger donations than the campaign finance laws normally allow.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-06 10:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-06 11:25 pm (UTC)Also, NOR's coverage:
http://www.npr.org/2012/06/05/154368815/in-fundraising-walker-had-a-governors-advantage
Don't get me wrong - I wish it hadn't happened, but, more importantly, I wish the DNC had done some work on this thing.