Tension builds in Wisconsin recall elections
Today, Wisconsin is holding the greatest recall election in U.S. history.
Jul 31, 20201.3K Shares1.3M Views
Today, Wisconsin is holding the greatest recall election in U.S. history. Six Republican senators are on the block, a result of Governor Scott Walker’s sweeping anti-worker’s rights proposals and the legislative maneuvering he engineered to pass them, which managed to offend Democrat and Republican lawmakers. Amid a deep jobless recession, the brief Wisconsin campaigns have reportedly drawn roughly $40 million in spending. The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza describes them as “special elections on steroids,”but adds that it’s hard to draw any conclusions about what the unique showdown means. Coming on the heels of the debt-ceiling clash that ended with a first-ever downgrade of the country’s credit rating and a dizzying stock market plunge, however, the showdown at the very least demonstrates that a significant number of citizens in the state agree with credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s that the acrimonious ideologically driven non-compromising politics that has characterized the post-Citizens UnitedObama-Tea Party era must end.
Democrats need to win three of the six recall seats to gain a majority in the senate. Strategists and pollsters agree that two seats seem winnable and that a third will likely come down to the wire.
As a referendum on Walker and his agenda, the elections have already made a statement. None of the six Republicans facing recall have included Walker in their campaign ads, and one, Senator Randy Hopper, has run ads in which he appears standing beside former Republican governor Tommy Thompson.
If the Wisconsin supreme court election that pitted Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg against Supreme Court Justice David Prosser in April is any measure, vote tallies today will be very close and they will be difficult or impossible to verify, as ace elections watcher Brad Freidman has reported in excruciating detail at the Brad Blog. Read more about the elections there as well as in-depth reporting on the dirty tricks that have already marked the campaigns.
Progressive Wisconsin bloggers are collecting tweets on the recall here. Folllow the general #WiRecall hashtagfor realtime updates and links.
Got a tip? Story pitch? Send us an e-mail to tips@washingtonindependent.com
Camilo Wood
Reviewer
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing.
Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers.
Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles