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The political playbook isn't a new one for an incumbent, especially one who's facing a difficult contest.
Turn the race into a choice, not a referendum; argue that progress has been made, no matter how slowly or controversially; and link your opponent to your even more unpopular predecessor.
Of course, we're talking about President Obama's campaign playbook against Mitt Romney.
But we also could be talking about Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) -- who has followed this exact same script in his recall battle against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D) that takes place on Tuesday.
While Walker couldn't be more different ideologically and stylistically from Obama, he and his allies in this recall have:
-- tried to disqualify Barrett as a suitable replacement (just like the Obama campaign has tried to do to Romney);
-- made the case that the economy has improved, even if it's been incremental (ditto Team Obama);
-- and argued that replacing Barrett with Walker would take voters back to the days of the unpopular Gov. Jim Doyle (D) administration (hello, George W. Bush).
"There's a polarized electorate for both, with the majority of people locked in. And the swing voters need to see a choice -- that benefits the incumbent," says one Democratic official who is watching both races.
"If they only see it as a referendum on performance, then the failure to change mood alone could be devastating. If they can make it about the other guy, they're OK."
Is that playbook working for Walker? A recent Marquette Law School poll finds Walker leading Barrett by seven percentage points among likely voters, 52%-45%. But Democrats point to their own internal polls showing a much closer race.
Three big differences between Walker and Obama
To be sure, there are some importance differences between Wisconsin's gubernatorial recall and November's presidential contest.
For one thing, the nature of a recall is much different than a presidential election. (That could very well explain why Obama leads Romney, 51%-43%, in that same Marquette poll -- some Democrats and pro-Obama voters, even if they don't approve of Walker's job, might not think he should be recalled from an office he won less than two years ago.)
In addition, Barrett has had very little time between winning his primary (on May 8) and this general election (June 5). By comparison, Romney has been the presumptive GOP nominee since April, giving him seven months to run a general-election race after his primary battle.
And then there's money. Walker and his allies have a sizable ad-spending advantage over Barrett and his allies, $23 million to $8.5 million, according to NBC/SMG Delta ad-buying numbers. While the Obama campaign has more money than the Romney camp, outside conservative groups will more than make up the difference.
Mike Schrimpf, communications director at the Republican Governors Association, points to another difference. "In the Walker scenarios, his advantages on the dominate issues -- taxes, spending, role of government -- all of those issues favor Gov. Walker's policies. He has taken an approach that's clearly different than President Obama."
Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski doesn't see a comparison between the Obama and Walker playbooks. "Walker is running a campaign based on his accomplishments and reforms, talking about the economy and jobs he's created, businesses that have moved into the state. Obama doesn't have a record to run on."
Choice vs. referendum
Despite the differences, the similarities in campaign strategy are striking.
Just look at the pro-Walker TV ad campaign, which has tried to paint Barrett as an unacceptable alternative. One Walker ad portrays Barrett for being soft on crime:
This two year old spent six days in intensive care after being severely beaten, but Tom Barrett’s police department didn’t consider it a violent crime. Tom Barrett claims, “Violent crime is down 15.5 percent.” But the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found that hundreds of beatings, stabbings, and child abuse cases were never even counted. Violent crime in Milwaukee is up, and Tom Barrett isn’t telling the truth.
Another one hits him for being a big spender:
Tom Barrett wants to spend more than 100 million dollars on a trolley for Milwaukee. Now that’s the kind of reckless spending that left Wisconsin with more than a 3 billion dollar deficit.
"Things are getting better"
Walker and his allies also have pointed to signs of an improving economy -- just like Obama and his supporters have.
Consider this Walker ad, in which he looks to the camera:
I've got some bad news for Tom Barrett, but good news for Wisconsin. The government just released the new jobs numbers. And as it turns out, Wisconsin actually gained -- yes, gained -- more than 20,000 new jobs during my first year in office. Add the jobs created this office, the total goes to over 30,000.
The Republican Governors Association has aired this ad:
Since Scott Walker became governor, Wisconsin has gained over 30,000 jobs. Fact.
But Democrats have disputed those figures. And Politifact Wisconsin says, "To reach the number, he combined two data sets - one that involves unofficial (but generally more accurate) numbers that could change in the weeks after the election; the other is volatile, but still official monthly numbers. From an accounting standpoint this would be flagged as a mistake. From a political standpoint, he is mixing and matching to present the best possible view."
Tying your opponent to the old regime
And Walker and his supporters have tried to link Barrett to the previous governor, Jim Doyle (D) -- just like the Obama campaign has stressed that Romney's policies are no different than George W. Bush's.
Take this RGA ad, for example:
Where would you go if you could travel in a time machine? How about back to 2010 to Gov. Doyle’s administration? I didn’t think so. Under Jim Doyle, unemployment in Wisconsin went up 37%. Taxes went up $1.6 billion. That’s exactly what would happen if we made Tom Barrett governor.
There are additional similarities, too: Both Walker and Obama have passionate bases, and they have well-financed campaign machines.
If Walker prevails on Tuesday -- and Democrats are quick to point out that this race is far from over -- then he'll have this playbook to thank.
But then the question becomes: Will it work for Obama in November? And who is paying more attention to it? The Obama campaign or the Romney campaign?
NBC's Katherine Faulders contributed to this story.
Leave a Comment:
How dare you put President Obama in the same sentance as Scott Walker, Mark! ;o)
The cross-eyed badger from WI isn't fit to shine the President's shoes!
Bottom line is - it is going to be all about turn-out next Tuesday!
With any luck, the people will be victorious over the Koch Brothers & their corporate cronies!
Are you saying the BHO is fit to shine Walker's shoes? That would be a little Racist, would it not?
Walker has none of the positive attributes of Obama. But Walker sure does like scandals on the part of his aides. From underage boys to embezzlement to campaign finance fraud, Walker just loves surrounding himself with the criminal element. Apparently, these ties to criminality stem from his university days, where he consistently broke campaign rules.
http://www.progressive.org/scott_walker_and_stench_of_scandal.html
http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=35966
Did the article mention Walker's ever growing defense fund? Now there's a major difference, hmm? RedDevPS you beat me too it -- great minds...
i find it funny that Walker is copying Obama's campaign strategy, (Republicans will say that Obama is Copying Walker) i wonder if it will work for Walker, from what i have seen a lot of people really want him out of office.
it will all come down to who has more people show up to vote, democrats, or Republicans. either way this shall be interesting to see how it works out.
Btw feisty are you ready with your popcorn for the debates between Obama and Romney to begin. cause when that begins it will be great entertainment.
Oh and do you mind if i borrow some popcorn i seem to have run out.
Dee-Bob - nope - Walker would have to stretch WAY up to touch the bottom of Obama's shoes!
Feisty - I was thinking the same things. Don't disgrace the President by mentioning him in the same sentence with Walker!
hueydriver9id - so why does it not surprise me you know a gutter queen in Wisconsin? My guess is all your friends are in the gutter!
Absolutely!
You're always welcome to help yourself!
I was LMAO yesterday reading the article about Willard, by his former classmate & friend saying President Obama is going to mop the floor with Willard when the debates start!
If Mark Halperin caused Willard to sweat the way he did in a soft-ball interview can you IMAGINE him on the debate stage? lol
there is really no need to respond to your nonsense! you are stupid!
Seeking Sanity,
I mean come on, I know the MSM wants to turn this into a horse race, it just ain't gonna happen!
When you nominate a lame candidate, you have to suffer the consequences!
Cant wait to watch Mr. Ed Schultz's head explode next Tuesday.
All of his union cheer leading for nothing.
Feisty
It's kinda hard to lose a debate when your opponent is a wooden board.
A prickly wooden board when he's challenged!
True Patriot - it does beg the question - how many acts of voter fraud, election fraud, and campaign finance fraud must be committed by the Tea Party to allow Walker to keep his job. Apparently, a lot and the fraud runs all the up the chain to Priebus and the Herman Cain campaign.
http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2012/01/31/scott-walker-john-doe-investigation-now-involves-rnc-chairman-reince-preibus-herman-cain-campaign-manager-mark-block/
This so called "recall" by the Left is going to completely and totally backfire on Mr. Obama. It is going to be a domino effect against the Democratic ticket for the rest of the Presidential election and any Democratic Congressional seat.
But hey, what the heck. They asked for it.
Oh, where oh where is Mr. Obama ? He surely isn't parking Air Force 1 anywhere near Wisconsin.
All that time, money and effort by the unions - Wasted.
Don't they understand that the era of big spending government is coming to a close?
The unions and public employees are obviously mad because Walker took the cookie jar away from them. It sounds like the private sector is beginning to understand that the greatest threat to their life, librerty, and pursuit of happiness is the next public employee hired.
Yippee, skippy, another public employee hater. May they treat with an equal amount of respect when your house is on fire, your home is robbed, teach your children in classrooms, and defend your nation.
If the South East U S knew what it Was like to work under a union they would find out the value of the Unions in the North East U S.. Only the south has a closed mind. I want my job protected.
Of course the big money maker's want no union, then they can really rape the workers, cut the hourly wages, day's of work, no one to stand up for employee's.
There is another relation between Walker and Obama
Walker is a Republican who created a huge mess by victimizing labor- forcing labor to pay a price in a Bush recession
Obama has tried to fix the Bush recession
Walker created a huge mess?
He balanced the states budget (3.5 Billion deficit) as promised.
All the local governments now have budget surpluses that they are using to hire more police, firefighters and teachers
Democrat are claiming that Walker lost 6200 jobs in April, but Poltifact shows that the employed increased by 6100. As of this month Wisconsin is looking for over 700 Teachers for the 2012-2013 school year.
Spell check Fiesty, the word is sentence, not sentance.
Walker has tried to do it on the backs of the poor who have been victimized by the Bush Recession - while the real guilty for causing the recession - those rich bankers -- have never been punished and actually got bailed out on the backs of the poor again.
Please name one ethical system, foreign and american, ancient and modern, that requires the poor to sacrifice to make the rich richer - possibly only American, or maybe just Republican and some are proud of this????????????????????????
Thank you dickhead - it was only a matter of time before one of you nimrods slapped on your spelling police badge! lol
Make sure to puff up your chest - it will make your badge look bigger & Lord knows, you need all the help you can get when it comes to size!
Now go polish your bullet Barney!
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) who has followed President Obama exact same script? What Opposite blantant lie he's applying
Here, let me explain the lesson of economic 101 to be learn,
Scotus said " Corporation is People",the Idea is to screw-up the Middle-Class.This what has followed GOP. Scott Walker .
In general, public debt is needed to store the private sector's financial wealth. If the public sector holds net debt, it also means that the *financial* wealth of the private sector is positive. In other words, you can't have the public and private sector with net savings simultaneously. That is arithmetically impossible.
Most of these public funds come from the 401K,SS ,etc are being invested in Government Bond Securities,Since with GOP no regulations, these Securities are invested in private sector's financial wealth.
If the Market fails,the Public fails,but these people still with generous big pay & bonuses,while the public has to suffers twice ,as it has another obligation to bailout these fails venture,If not the country down the drain.
Simple as that, when we win, you still remain same as plan, when we lose, we still with big pay & bonuses,you lose and you lose again.
Fisting Redhead in Roselle...that may have been the most racist comment I have read on First Read. Is Roselle actually in Alabama? You calling Hussein-O a shoeshine boy (and yes, even though people who perform this valuable service are almost all men, they are referred to as boy). I bet you have lawn jockeys on your lawn (assuming you have one). What's next, referring to him by the "N" word? By the way, when Walker stays in office, what will your excuse be (and remember, hanging chads has already been beat to death).
It's a disgrace to put these two names in the same story. Walker has more accomplishments on his record in a year than Obama has over his entire life. Go Scott.
Similar tactics perhaps, the main difference is Walker is a fantastic governor who has accomplished so much in so little time it gives me hope for the future. Obama, a total, abysmal failure in every respect.
The crap posted by the left on this sight is so full of lies, inaccuracies, and hate one has to wonder if these people are sane, or anarchists. With regard to Scott Walkers ethics, he was the one who requested a special prosecutor look into the issue with his aid stealing from the vets fund. In 2 years of investigation, there is nothing pointing back to Scott Walker, he is cleaner than clean, all the left can do is lie to try smear him. Too Bad, So Sad, it ain't working. Walker wins as I've predicted from day 1. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
Why is it the nappy redheaded ho from il can call someone a dickhead totally against newsvines code of ethics but if I call her a totalBITCH I will get kicked. Walker did exactly what he said he was going to do and Wis. is better off because of it. Libs dont understand you MUST live within you means
Aside from the recall clearly being a referendum on Scott Walker's pitiful performance, not just now but his record in total, along with the lies and ALEC, and divide and conquer strategery, the people of Wisconsin need to throw Walker out if for no other reason than saying NO to outside money. Wisconsin, follow Montana and fight against money in politics!
Excellent point TP. Will WI be able to stop the money machine from outside Wisconsin that is defending Walker? Over 60% of the monies raised by Walker to defend his recall have come from out of state supporters courtesy of the likes of the Koch bros. And the old saying that if you keep repeating something often enough, people will start believing it - even if its a lie, really reflects Walker's ads. And Walker has already spent over $25 million to his opponent's $1 million.
And in other news, it was disclosed that Walker's billionaire business-gal donor, to whom he gave his YouTube divide and conquer speech to, paid no state income taxes. What a guy and gal.
RECALL WALKER WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The entire recall was paid for by crooked radical leftist public employee unions, against Gov Walker's gutsy decision to take on the unions, for the people.
Now, since the union issue is not popular, the Democrats have the gall to run a campaign based on.... other issues! "Jobs", they say...LOL
How hypocritical can one get? Why not mention the public employee unions??? Because Walker has uncovered and publicized the radical unions...they are now toxic.
More lies posted by Bob from the vagina probing homophobic state. Of course, you can't possibly support your claim with a citation.
How to unseat an incumbent:
Make the case that the bus driver does not know the road, is driving too fast, will run off a cliff and will run out of gas.
Make the case that the challenger has a better map, is a safer driver and will lower fares.
Since the recall effort began, 28,000 of the 52,000 public union members dropped out of the Union.
DB...oh oh, now the unions will have to go strong arm the remaining zombies for more money to cover the cost of their lifestyles! Hopefully we can see Walker as President one day!
one big differance ... Walker answers to the top 1% and has no loyalty to anyone except the Koch brothers .. Obama answers to the 99% and his loyalty is to all Americans
Of course more than 54% have left the crooked radical leftist public employee unions.....what does that tell you Red. The people are fed up with union b.s.
-------
RedDevPS
More lies posted by Bob from the vagina probing homophobic state. Of course, you can't possibly support your claim with a citation.
DB, here is the EXACT quote from the Wall Street Journal,,,,,,,,"
Public-employee unions in Wisconsin have experienced a dramatic drop in membership—by more than half for the second-biggest union—since a law championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker sharply curtailed their ability to bargain over wages and working conditions [...]
Wisconsin membership in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees—the state’s second-largest public-sector union after the National Education Association, which represents teachers—fell to 28,745 in February from 62,818 in March 2011, according to a person who has viewed Afscme’s figures. A spokesman for Afscme declined to comment.
Much of that decline came from Afscme Council 24, which represents Wisconsin state workers, whose membership plunged by two-thirds to 7,100 from 22,300 last year [...]
Membership declines could be self-perpetuating, said Mr. Chaison of Clark University. With diminished dues, unions deliver fewer services, making membership less appealing and hampering recruiting."
DB are you a troll for Walker, if not how could you mis-represent the facts of the story? You amaze others at your lack of knowledge and the fear mongering it assumes, as stated by the comment below yours. Again, post a link if you can..................NOT. LOL.
Read up and learn,,,,,,,,http://www.peoplesworld.org/unions-help-towns-in-tornado-aftermath/
http://www.ibew.org/articles/12daily/1204/indianatornado120416_.htm
http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/In-The-States/Unions-Reach-a-Helping-Hand-to-Joplin-Tornado-Victims
Yah, those strong armed union people .......LOL.
Bob-1920561 - Hey Moron what is your point...Your statistics are worse than DB's you made his point exactly. You are hanging on the word "could"? I hope you don't drive a car or operate machinery.
Hey moron, read it again then ask your sister to explain the differance to you........... Second largest union,,,,,,,,not ALL union members in public. There are many more than 52,000 public workers in Wis. unions,,,,,,,,, are you going to retract.LOL.
"28,000 of the 52,000 public union members dropped out of the Union." DB's quote, not anyone elses's, and where did he get that garbage from except his or your head????????? LOL.
I stated no statistics , only the Wall Street Journal,,,,,,,,, care to explain or ask your sister to type. You are afraid of facts and intelligence ,so sad,,,,,,,,and LOL.
Oh right, the fact that this statistic applies to the SECOND biggest union, must mean that the other unions are adding members, right Einstein.
http://www.carpdc.org/News/Article.aspx?id=558884c3-93cf-4ce8-b4da-c67c365fac64,
Don't try to dummy me down to your level,,,like DB stating something that is wrong, and not based on any link or fact, just his hear-say,,,,,,, like you. Good DAY, Baby.
What statistic did DB add, except his own, that is not a statistic, but opinion. You are wrong, and can't prove it,,go ask your sister........ Good Night.
This is a big election in Wisconsin. Obama will be in 2 neighboring states right around the election but won't go to Wisconsin to help out. Wonder why?
Wis. new law takes the power to negotiate labor terms and rates away from the local school board, the board that was elected by the voters of that district............talk about your big government agenda, Walker has it now and his State Representatives and Senators. Each district can not set their wages or benefits, but are directed by the State Legislature......... So much for the conservative call for smaller more efficient local government. So much for keeping the State and Federal Government out of your schools,,,,,,,, Ah, the new conservative value is well below that of yesterday.
The actions by Walker are well beyond the unions and paying for benefits,,,,,,,They want the power to tell your school district what they can do. You have lost the war, but believe you have won a battle.
Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, once two of the most powerful men in this country, are now suffering from Balzheimer's disease.Its now spreading to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and all other GOPers, Why didn't I see it before?
Balzheimer's is a terrible illness that attacks the memory and gives its victims the balls to attack others for things they themselves made a career of,out of Balzheimer's disease. The best part,there is no known cure.
Talk about a failed Presidency, W. Bush has no equal, not even Nixon!!
The public sector union employees in WI had already agreed to benefit cuts and to contribute more toward their retirement funds and health benefits. But Walker would not even talk to them as he was instead out to destroy the unions as part of the bigger GOP ideology to suppress democratic votes. Walker eliminated collective bargaining and also legislated for voter suppression via voter id laws designed to disenfranchise minority, student, and elderly voters - which fortunately has since been stifled by WI courts, and Walker also oversaw redistricting to favor GOP lines for voting.
Walker is a puppet of the Koch brothers TPer ideology. RECALL WALKER WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't see how this comparison can possibly be made? I believe the article is intended to excuse all the negative ads that Obama is running, not to actually compare the two elections. Walker is way ahead in the polls because the policies he enacted have had time to work and he has turned a failing state government around, putting things on the right track in Wisconsin, and the people there see it.
Obama on the other hand took the opposite approach, wasting billions of tax dollars in a failed attempt to prop up the economy and it didn't work. Instead of making things better the influx of cash has caused the price of food and energy to soar creating extreme hardship on average Americans. There is a strong "ABO" effect coming in November...."Anybody But Obama"!
You have no common sense, you follow!!!! Hey Bob thats what mirrors are for look into it and see the MORON!
The public sector union employees in WI had already agreed to benefit cuts and to contribute more toward their retirement funds and health benefits
Just....., this is bull @!$%# too. Attempts were made in prior years to get concessions from the public service unions, they'd have none of it. The public unions were screwing us to no end, they got exactly what they deserved. I live in WI. You obviously don't know the facts or are just plain lying, much like you did about the WI voter ID law the other day, virtually everyone has an ID, and if you didn't, the state would get one FREE of charge for the 10 or so people who don't have one. As for redistricting, tough luck, it sucks to be you. This is what happens when you lose elections. by the way, the Democrats do and did exactly the same thing, this is standard procedure in every state.
Boy the B.O. lovers just can't take it when anybody points out the president is just as slimy as the Republicans.
Wait. A Governor being recalled is an equivalent to a President in a re election campaign? Really?
You folks maybe want to re think this article? I think you are pretty far out on a limb.
This comparison is really disgusting!...SHAME on FR!
Hey guys -- I was just pointing out some of the same strategies that both are employing in their races -- not about their ideology or the issues they stand for. Thanks for the feedback, as always.
Then you will ever so sad to know that President Bill Clinton is heading to Wisconsin. But, haters are good at one thing. Hate.
Right, huey?
Mark: You know we are big fans of FR. Just seemed an odd comparison.
You got it, Mark.....
........we always got feedback (good and/or bad).
Mark: Ditto what NDD said!
Not to obvious we're wading deep into campaign season! ☺
Gosh - I remember the heat you guys took from both sides in 2008!
Huey - what is wrong with disliking a candidate wrapped in fraud and scandal? Seems we should be working to rid politics of the Scott Walker ilk, not putting a stamp of approval on their heinous activities.
The only hate I see here, huey is YOU.
As to Wisconsin..very hard to recall a governor. To have polling show the race as an even split is a testament to what the citizens of Wisconsin were willing to do. You ought to admire those who worked for the recall. Poor Scotty had to go begging out of state to get money to fight the recall. That offend you at all?
But the full story isn't written yet, about that election or your President's.
This is PRICELESS - anyone reading this board who is in possession of two firing neurons, knows who the haters are...
It ain't the liberals throwing around racist terms like Buckwheat - Watemelon One & the NIC!
Let's not forget, those who practically wet themselves with glee anytime some bad economic news is reported...
Aint that right penguinboy?
Really, Feisty! Makes perfect sense.
And all the liberals are running around the boards patting themselves on each others backs. I did like the boasting about the president being so high that Governor Walker would only see the bottom of his shoes.
Mark you did miss the one comparison between Governor Walker and the president - Walker is running on HIS record while Obama is running from his record. Change the discussion from unemployment rates to discussions of labor participation rates!
Bitter... party of one... your table is now ready!
What is it with you right wing whacks & the concept of friendship?
Lonely & bitter is NO way to go through life Gomer!
Fisting Redhead..."gosh"? Don't forget "shucks" and "golly". If Walker isn't fit to shine Hussein-O's shoes, that would imply the opposite. "Dang" that was not nice to say coming from a lady. Oh, wait, never mind.
Boob - slap your tooth in and bite me... @!$%#!
Huey, it's different for Fisting Redhead..her philposohy is that it's only ok for her and her trolls to write hateful posts. If anyone else does, it's shame on them. Just wait to see her posts after Walker stays in office. She will have more excuses than Hussein does for the failure of his policies.
Oh, I get it. Whatever anyone says to Feisty is fine, okey dokey and not hate speech. But if she defends herself...lord have mercy, do something about that uppity woman!
Grow up, huey boy.
I think the proper term you meant to use is "uppity b***h
Huey - what is wrong with disliking a candidate wrapped in fraud and scandal? Seems we should be working to rid politics of the Scott Walker ilk, not putting a stamp of approval on their heinous activities.
RedDevPS, I agree with you 100%, but what does that have to do with Scott Walker? In case you didn't know, the whole investigation was started at Scott Walkers request. After 2 years, they have found nothing that goes back to Scott Walker. With the exception of the aid who took money from a vets funds, the other charges against Walker aids are very minor, sending political email from state computers on state time. Oddly enough, the very same type of charge recently filed against Tom Barrett's wife. In short, the entire "Scott Walker is a crook" is a total red Herring, the guy is perhaps one of the cleanest politicians in the country. If there were anything they could nail him on, it would have come out as the DA in charge has a recall Walker sign in his own yard, but nothing, not 1 thing. Get out of the echo chamber Red and get informed.
Felony charges are 'minor'? Only 10 people in WI without a driver's license? And if all the public sector unions were screwing you, why didn't you man-up and scream about the police and fire unions? Glad you got a handle on deciding which laws are important in WI, and your definition of clean is dirty to everyone else.
Look in the mirror for the definition of liar and BS.
Here's a funny fact: Since new WI law makes "Union dues" voluntary, and not automatically deducted for Pub Serv. Emply Unions, Pub Serv. Union membership is down in WI over 50% in last year--Just 12 months, 50% said "Thanks, but No Thanks."
This must have some type of meaning? Any thoughts? Anyone?
And, "Yes," I am baiting all of you.
Oopsie .. another bulb with a broken filament. Could it possibly be that union membership is down because Walker negated the negotiation powers of the unions? Gee, I dunno .. just a thought.
I can only hope you are right. Thanks for the insightful response.
RedDevPS
So, all that means is that the Public Sector workers can choose whether or not to stay a Union Member and pay their dues.....or not....It's no longer a requirement to get or keep their jobs.....60% of Wisconsin AFSCME chose NOT.
THAT'S why the Union Bosses were so furious....no more gravy train for them....The remaining Union Members will soon be getting a letter, doubling their Union Dues so Union Bosses can keep living in the style they have become accustomed to.....
DEE: But all those people who do not join the union are more than happy to share in the benefits that the unions fights and wins for them. Right buddy??? They don't say "Oh, it wouldn't be ethical to take part in these newly won benefits" now do they?
And why people like you on the Right take such glee in destroying unions is absolutely beyond me. Unions created the middle class in this nation. They fought for safe working conditions, fair pay and benefits, things that ALL AMERICANS NOW TAKE FOR GRANTED. You may wish to see a return to the days of Sweat Shops and Child Labor but I'll pass on that, thank you very much.
You place your faith in corporate American and the nearly unbridled power and influence of people like the Koch Brothers, as is these organizations had your best interests at heart. I'll stick with the average American working person. And apparently you have never studied the history of labor in this country and the appalling working conditions and lack of rights workers had, not that many decades ago. If you don't know the "Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire" I suggest you google it. It brought about the ascendancy of the labor movement in this country, but way too many people had to die before these hardfought rights were one. Like the mining disaster 2 years ago in West Virginia. The mine owner was a major union busters an fired anyone even thinking of unionizing at his mine. This enabled him to run the most blatantly unsafe operation in the state and directly led to the deaths of 29 mine, one of the worst disasters in many decades. And yes, he was big time contributor to the GOP. Now he's under criminal investigation for manslaughter but it's a day late and a dollar short. That's what happens when employers are able to keep their bootheel on the neck of it's workers. You would do well to get an education on this and reassess your position.
MIKE: Please tell me, what is it with this "Union Boss" crap? Do you refer that way to corporate CEO's or other high ranking business people? I tend to doubt it. No, you use it cause it's term straight from the GOP playbook, and implies a kind of dark, sinister almost criminal intent.
Oh, and next time, don't forget also use the canard of "Thug". That also works well when discussing unions. And why all this vitriole for people who run unions and the money they make? I thought you were a Capitalist. Don't go and tell me that your a Socialist, or even worse, a Marxist Mike. I thought the Right reveled in people who make money, the more, the better. Isnt' that your philosophy? So why would you begrudge a Union leader if they did make a lot of money? And BTW, a lot of them don't but that's besides the point.
Intrepid: I am glad you got that off your chest. We will have to agree to disagree. FTR: Private unions, many decades ago, did WONDERS for the worker regarding pay, job safety, hours, etc--They were a must. However, in the last 50 years, Local, State and Fed Labor laws have codified every imaginable worker protection, and more labor laws are added every year.
Pub. Serv unions should never have existed: Even FDR made this statement, as he recognized the collusion between elected officials, spend taxpayer dollars, determining the benefits of pub employees, who spend union dues to elect those same officials. It's like having the N.Y Yankees responsible for the pay checks of all the Major League umpires.
Thanks
dmb
DEE: That is the argument that the Right uses every time. "They once served a purpose but no more". Go tell that to the familier of the 29 dead miners lost at the Upper Big Branch mine disaster. The fact is when unions disappear, workers rights and safetly regulations start to vanish. And if you don't have the muscle to back up the existing regulations, they are next to meaningless.
And yes, I know all about FDR's thoughts on government unions. He is one of my all time great heros but on this subject I must differ from him. The GOP has demonized unions for decades now and has done a very effective job of killing them off. Only 12% of workers are unionized so why all this paranoia? Yes, there are bad union leaders and bad unions just as there is anywhere. We don't shut down are entire defense department and industry because there is waste and graft and some people in the Pentagon are taking kick backs do we? Go and ask arch Conservative, former Congressman Duke Cunningham about it if you doubt me.
Without unions, Christmas would be just another 14 hour workday. No overtime, no comp time, just show up or loose your job. And if you need more than one rest room break during your shift, crap your pants.
Wireman,
unions have done some good in the past, but also have ruined many American industries.
It is absurd to claim that prosperity of individual Americans is due to unions today. Quite the contrary.
The benefits one gets from an employee , like an 8 hour day, are based on the value the individual employee gives to the company. It is in the employer's best interests to treat employees well, especially those who contribute to the company. You are not helpless and dependent if you contribute to the success of the company.
You do not need the binky of a featherbedding union to protect you, if you do your job right.
Bob, I really do wish that unions were not a necessary, sadly, this is not the case. I have worked both union and non-union and I prefer union. If you ask for a raise when you are non-union, you have two choices; take what they offer (or don't offer) or walk. Forget about how hard you have worked for a company or for how long. You are one guy against a college educated human resource department. If you don't work union in some industries, you might as well have your own business. What a mess when too many people have their own business. In the long run, everybody suffers. I went union after my 51 year old co-worker was replaced by a 23 year old for 1/3 the pay after his 2nd heart attack. My co-worker had worked for the company over 25 years. He had moved his entire family three times while his kids were school age.
And Bob, if you don't contribute to the success of the company you work for when you are union, YOU ARE HISTORY.
Wow: This is a rarity on this site: Thanks to all above who actually had adult conversations, actually addressing the issues without name calling. No, we'll probably never agree on everything, but discussing the issues is the only way any agreement will ever happen.
dmb
DEE: Yes, I concur completely. It is refreshing to have intelligent discussions on here though they are all too infrequent. I enjoyed our chat and look forward to more. And forgive me for getting partisan and saying so, but it is more often than not, semi illiterate, far Right goons who make repeated inane, hateful, bigoted posts and get down in the mud because they are incapable of expressing a coherant thought in a reasoned argument.
So anytime you would like to spar, I would be more than happy to carry on an intelligent dialogue. I look forward to it.
Big difference. Walker's policies have been in action for only a year while Obama has had over three years to improve things. While that tactic might work for Walker, and appears to be working based on the latest poll, voters are running out of patience on hope and change to affect their lives. If Walker wins, Wisconsin will most likely go red in November and you can kiss Obama goodbye, especially with the millions poured into defeating Walker from unions all over and the DNC.
In the span of less than 12 hours, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Shultz went from.....The DNC is All In for Wisconsin Recall to saying it was a Local State Issue and has No Implications on National Politics....After her trip to Wisconsin....she spoke to a crowd of 75 Barrett supporters.
ROAD: You apparently are laboring under the delusion that "Union Bosses" have far more money to spend then corporate America and people like the Koch Brothers. That is absolutely absurd. The Koch's alone have nearly 50 BILLION DOLLARS. 50 Billion, got that? Now you tell me what union has anywhere near that kind of money or how many corporations for that matter. These are people driven by shameless greed. Given their way, they would turn back the clock a century on social and worker's progress. And what astounds me is that people like you carry water for them and direct all your wrath towards the common working man. You don't actually think that the Kochs have your best interests at heart, or do you? And the same can be said for corporate America. Without unions and regulations to police them, we will ultimately windup in the same situation we experienced at the start of the 20th Century. And it was Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, a REAL Republican who broke up the monopolies run by Robber Barons who practially owned this nation at the time. I see nothing anti capitalistic about winning rights for working people.
Actually Intreprid, that has already started as union membership has declined over the years. While worker productivity has increased, wages have decreased, benefits have been reduced, pensions eliminated. That is the thanks American workers get for working harder. On top of that, companies now own employee 'off time' by dictating how employees act and behave away from the workplace. Fun stuff, eh, you basically work 24 hours a day, get paid for 8 or less, make less than workers did a decade ago, with almost non-existent benefits.
Please - as an American. Google Mitt Romney Solyndra speach today. MSN and CNN will not show - I'm sure! Clear distinction between Capitalism vs Croony Socialism. You decide - please - as an American!
Not - since we don't have anyone touting Croony Socialism what exactly is your point? I assume you think you have one?
The corrupt Republican political puppet SCOTT WALKER is facing a difficult time because of his corruption! Walker deserves exactly what he's getting and that getting IS GETTING GONE!
Our illustrious President Obama IS NOT FACING A DIFFICULT TIME! That's just Republican bull$hit talking because they need all the votes they can get, and that still won't help Exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH! He doesn't stand a chance, he's out of touch with the 99% American People, he doesn't understand that we, the 99% Americans don't want to fight the wars being fought for his corrupt Republican OIL corporates, he doesn't give a damn about the poor, which his corrupt party has brought on the American People AND MOST OF ALL HE HAS NO IDEA OF WHAT THE 99% American People WANT OR NEED! He doesn't even realize that the SUPERPAC TV ADS are FLAT OUT LIES and that it was the PREVIOUS 8 years of failed corrupt Republican Rule that has caused ours & GLOBAL ECONOMIC COLLAPSE! All because of their CAPITALISTIC GREED with ZERO GOVERNMENT CONTROL!
HE'S NOTHING MORE THAN A POLITICAL PUPPET for his corrupt Republican corporate MONARCHY that has MADE SLAVES OF THE 99% American People!
99% American People, vote 100% STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC, AND RID OURSELVES OF THIS CORRUPTION!
No one will ever take you seriously with such meaningless and far-fetched statements.
Okay, I can understand someone saying something to the effect of: "Take a look at the candidates and make an educated decision." But to say that someone should vote straight democrat is simply irresponsible. I live in Illinois and I don't care to mention how many of our Democratic governors are currently serving time in prison for corruption. If Walker is as corrupt as everyone says he is, he will get his dues. Granted, it may not be immediately, but it will catch up to him. Just give it time. However, on the flip side, if he is merely being a politician and working different angles than those that some people like, then he is simply a politician... Either way I see it, I have to make up my mind on who I think is going to best serve the country. No, not me, the country... I have a family to watch out for and the best way that I can think of is to help them to live in a stable county in a stable state in a stable country by electing a stable representative. Long story short, don't sell yourself short by choosing a political party.
Is any politician really in touch with Americans and what we want? They live a completely different lifestyle, most but not all had a education from a prestigious college and make enough money in investments and other dealings that would be the envy of any American. Unfortunately most had a completely different upbringing than the average American and have no idea how much gas even is. I'm sure the limo driver doesn't keep them informed about it. They cant relate to us no matter how many times they say they like grits or change their accent to fit the part of the country they are in. They tell us what they think we want to hear and when the polling shows something different they change the message.
Barrett is not loved by the left wing of the Democratic party. He was also not the first choice of organized labor. However, unlike Walker, he does believe people have the right to collectively bargain for wages and benefits. Barret has convinced union members to PAY MORE for their benefit packages because he has the ability to negotiate with people. Barrett is a centrist who will make an excellent Governor. Walker has received far more money than Barrett from Repub factions outside of Wisconsin. He will have to RE-PAY his donors on the backs of working class Wisconsinites. The only way Wisconsin won't pay, is if they elect Barrett.
Walker has claimed to be a job creator, no doubt, this is greatly exaggerated, however, some credit must go to President Obama for any job creation. My Repub carpenter friend and I see more and more tower cranes all over the mid-west. He even says that the reason why we hear nothing but bad news on some news outlets is to make the president look bad. Democrats don't put up tower cranes, Repub business people do. That is how it works, and tower cranes are not put up by people who expect to loose money.
In theory, the main difference between obama and walker is that walker is 'owned.' That he has received 98% of his campaign funds from out of state and hardly knows any of his contributors. He out spends his opponent 50 to 1 but in theory, he has a lot of promises to keep. A lot of paybacks to make.
Obama will be in an opposite position with romney receiving 98% of his money from people he had never met. Romney will get a most of his money from countries such as china (remember how the bushman sent factory after factory to china) and saudi arabia & russia (the #2 & #1 oil countries in the world today).
Meanwhile mr grover, the gop, & the rushbo will concentrate on the ditto head hatred campaign. Like the pastor who wants the govt to kill all gay people. And like the donald who will not listen to his lawyers r cnn's latest video about how obama was actually born in this country. Lawyers have told him that putting birth announcement into local newspapers will have nothing to do with becoming a naturalized citizen. No. No. With the donald, it's pure hatred of black people.
This is discusting. Don't even put the President in the same sentence as that lying, worthless crook Walker. How disrespectful and obnoxious!!
Obama is pro-worker Walker is pro-corporation a slap in the face to Obama and his agenda.
Jeff King...Obama has never worked a day in his life..your point?
Bob where do you come up with this sh**. Do you call looking out your window yelling at people to stay off your lawn "work"
Apparently not many people working in the south has ever been employed under a union. No Union, no job security. Lower pay, less hour's.
No, that's not it at all. Union equals death threats, physical violence, and extortion. Don't think so? Well, my husband was threatened with being "picked off from the top of that hill" when he was working for a company and the union threatened to strike and he didn't walk off the job with them. Didn't matter that he worked for the company directly, and was not sent out by the union steward, the death threat was made.
He was threatened with beatings if he did not join the union, even though he had been with the company for over a year before ONE single union member was ever sent on to the job site to work.
And yes he did make a "lower" pay, but the "lower pay" that he made was actually MORE after the union members paid their dues to the unions on the job. While he made a "whole" 40 cents an hour less than the union members, the union members were paying out over 60 cents an hour in dues. And unlike my husband, who worked directly for the company, NO ONE could look for a job on that site unless they went through the union. Sounds like extortion to me. Pay the union or you DON'T WORK.
The claims you make are bogus and have no actual basis in fact in THIS day and age. If you're talking about 60-70-80 years ago, then fine. Unions WERE good then. Now they are nothing more than thieves that use the dues of the members to buy political power. They bankrupt companies and then blame the companies for going bankrupt. They put state governments into massive deficits and continue to back the politicians that will keep the states going closer and closer to bankruptcy, as long as they get "theirs" of course.
Unions today are beyond useless, they're inept.
I received a text message" that I have no more work for me" at my job of 15 years. They hired younger people at lower rate of pay. If I had a Union this would have never happened. Florida the state of Repubilican crooks.
Cheryl, I sure would like to hear your story as told by the other side. Unions are needed more and more everyday in this country. God bless union labor!
Now that is desperation on a gigantic scale.
They are actually attempting to compare Obama, a "social justice", union backing, borrow, tax, and spend spend spend idiot with a governor who in ONE YEAR has actually created a surplus for his state and has actually brought jobs IN instead of driving them out.
While we have to listen to the same old filth from the left how Walker wants to "break the unions", instead of how he wants to actually have a functioning, out of debt, government, in the end the VOTERS of Wisconsin are siding with Walker.
And not only that, the union members are dropping OUT of the unions in droves, as they realize that the unions are actually taking MORE from them than they are going to have to pay out for their Cadillac health insurance plans and pensions.
So, while Wisconsin shows some fiscal RESPONSIBILITY, and even the union members in Wisconsin realize that the cost to them is less than the dues they were FORCED to pay, Obama and the left keep up their fiscal IRRESPONSIBILITY and nanny state mentality where a minority of the people are FORCED to pay for the "entitlements" of a majority.
Cheryl honey...
The village has called... they're concerned & looking for their resident IDIOT!
Good Gawd woman - take your meds - I'm tired of wiping your spittle of my monitor!
You sound like one classy lady. I can only guess what type of guys you attract. Try some manners: People may actually listen to you.
Dee..Who said she attracts guys...after all her name is Fisting Redhead. She has probably finished her 1st box of wine and is starting to get a little Fiesty....LOL
Wow how creative Bob 1136191 Grow up!
Republican candidates exposed Romney the liar well before the Obama campaign reiterated his his core incompetencies. Walker is the same as Romney, a liar with concealed agendas who is sold out to billionaire right wingers. Why strain for an incongruent story while overlooking the disgusting facts?
Too bad you can't handle the truth like Buckwheat. Even with all the accomplishments walker has made you just can't handle success other then a demo. failure and incompetence.
half of the jobs Walker created are jobs in the tourism and hospitality businesses that are often temporary positions with low pay and few or no benefits. So He counts them as jobs but their truly not full time year round positions that are going to contribute much. So is it really a win for Wisconsin? or just number skewing and politics as usual?
What an absolutely stupid article. Walker has reduced unemployment, worked towards a balanced budget and isn't sucking Big Labor's unit.
Obama, on the other hand, is doing the exact opposite.
OBAMA 2012!
Since each and every liberal democrap is walking around with rose colored glasses on, I am waiting for Odumbo to tell ALL the liberals to go to edge and jump... This president is out of his league. He should have stayed in chicago and the mrs. would still have her $400000 a year gig at the hospital. No favors there, right??? We have a community organizer trying to run the greatest country in the world. Honestly ask yourself, are you better off today than you were 3 1/2 years ago? If you answer yes Feisty, you're full of #&$@.
TIME: Actually fella, I am substantially better off from 4 years ago.
Allow me to refresh your memory. 4 years ago our nation was teetering on the brink of a full blown Depression, kind of like the one the GOP created for us in 1929 after a straight dozen years of complete GOP control of our federal goverment. Much the same as after 8 years of Bush, with the first 6 having total GOP control of Congress not to mention a conservatively controlled Supreme Court that handed us the abomination that is the Citizens United case, opening the floodgates of dirty money.
Four years ago the stock market had crashed, it's now well over 12,000. Our domestic auto industry was teetering on the virge of complete and utter extinction and experts say that had GM failed they would have dragged down Ford with them. Now Willard is trying to credit himself for saving it!!! He claims Obama "finally took his advice" and that's why GM is back on top. The housing market had totally imploded and forclosures were at record highs. While hardly vibrant today, it is vastly superior to how it was 4 years ago and appears to be on the upswing. Our entire banking system was overstretched and bank failures were rampant. Both Bush and Obama salavaged the banking system though I may not agree with how they went about it. Bush gave them money without any restrictions or guide lines that banks had to follow. Obama gave them more money with some but not enough guidelines.
And spare me your tired Chicago and community organizer comments. The difference between Obama and Willard is that they both received a world class education but Mittens went out in the world to make as much money as he possibly could, not create jobs, whereas Obama who could have gone to any fancy law firm of his choosing and make a ton of money right out of the box, chosed to work in the inner city and give something back to his hometown. So you tell me, which is more noble? Yea, I know in the eyes of the Right, all that matters is money, the more, the better, no matter how you go about getting it.
The Right would have you believe that making money somehow qualifies you to run this country. Herbert Hoover was a very successful businessman and he gave us the Great Depresson. Dubya was called our "first MBA/Corporate president and that worked out well, now didn't it?
So yea, I'm far better than I was back then and have far more optimism for the future with Obama have ended one stupid war and the second one winding down. Perhaps we can spend a few of those billions not going to bombing third world countries but rather, actually help the citizens of this nation. Hope I've answered your question.
Let me simplify your long winded excuse for Obama.
Obama is the only President to not have a net gain in jobs in his presidency
Obama is the only President ever to have the US credit down graded.
Obama is the only President ever to spend 5 Trillion dollars in one term
Real unemployment is over 15% when you count those who just stopped looking.
There are over one million less people in the work force since Obama took office.
With all this Obama continues to ask to spend more, do less to create jobs, and instructs Harry Reid to dead lock the congress.
The choice is easy ROMNEY 2012
Romneys an idiot who can't even speak to people without whining. He reminds me of the idiot we have for Gov. in Florida another billlionare who is out of touch with the real america. What a bunch of crooks this guy Rick Scott gives the go ahead to build a University on some buddies of his' property that just quadrupled in value. GO FIGURE
Time For CHANGE 2012
You another herd,
I can forgive your Tea-Party and you,for the igorance on ECONOMIC facts,since both of you are illiterates on economy factors.
I'm very sure your Tea-Party and you'll understand it much better ,If Im going to illustrate the Oncology of Sexuality. SINCE Your Tea-Party and you do have an Expertise on women's reproductives
If G.W.Bush do has any Sexual activity with any woman on 2008 ,the effects of "The Miracle of Pregancy" will not happen till the 9th months later,all the expenses bill and burden tab shall only occurred on 2009. "This theory will only apply "IF" ,in which I persummed that all his 2008 actvities were between a man & a woman without any contraception".
Its unfortunate the "Daddy is not around in 2009" to pick- all the "Responsibility Burden Tab".
Lucky to all Americans to have the Foster Daddy, that's "The Responsible Family Man" picking all those Burden Tab in 2009.
PS...To the TEA-PARTY nuts ,If You're are going to re"POST" again the lie on "DEFICIT" on our Present President, I'll Cut and Paste this Anology, as your "REPLY".
Anyone on this blog backing this corrupt radical moronic governor deserves to have a governor just like him in their state. Once again another right wing nut came into office in 2010 and gave the rich a tax break then right after that came after all our fellow citizens (police fire fighters nurses town and state workers and asked them to sacrifice. Well that's bull#@^!! The unions will be the demise of the nut and he will be recalled. If the race is a dead heat 6 days out with all the money form the Kock's and Karl Rove then you have a big problem not having him removed! Remember you get what you vote for and this guy is going out on June 5th thanks to all the great people of WI that came out last year in the freezing cold to let him know he has got to go and that will happen very soon!!!
Rich - I hope you are not an alcoholic, because you will have a big hangover on June 6th. You failed once and now everyone knows how the unions are milking the taxpayers through ridiculous wages and pensions. On June 6th they will need to work under the same conditions most Americans do. Remind me again about what happened the Day these leeches went out in the freezing cold? Last I looked, he was still in office.
Walker`s going to win this one.
People are tired of the public service unions and tired of accumulating public debt in their name.
Heck, WI will probably go for Romney after this and after the SCOTUS gets done with Obamacare.
We have a high unemployment rate, with 50% of the servicemen that got out after iraq unemployed. People on unemployment are losing their benefits. A national health care has been instituted that nobody can afford. Most of us are scraping by now and the govt is going to take $200 or more a month outa our checks. We have an army thats in a wasted war that the current pres said he would get out of. now they are going to stay there till what 2014 so he can reelected and then the second half of the depression is going to hit. There will not be a recovery till gas drops and to $1.50 a gallon. And i am tired of all the "ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT" WELL OBAMA AINT LEFT EITHER, so try calling it like it is.
the US is going down, when the troops come home, there will be massive troop cutbacks. its already in the mill, 7 brigades gone, and no more need for all the tank, artillery, and rounds so the defense contractors get the loss of govt money first, then they layoff workers and it will bloom out into the economy.
Nobody in washington has a clue they are just hoping it will go away. And it wont.
the trouble is we have no leaders anywhere that have a clue.
The problem with this spin is that Obama can not argue he was a success. Obama can not stand up and say look what I have done
Scott Walker can show improvement and that his policies have worked.
Ummm no he cant. Half the jobs he claims he created here are jobs in the tourism and hospitality businesses and are often temporary positions with low pay and few or no benefits. That does us no good. He cut 800 million from our education budget while eliminating collective bargaining. All that did was force teachers into early retirement and have the graduating classes with education degrees go somewhere where the pay, and benefits will be better and they will have a voice at the table. So in the long run we will start to lose teachers to our bordering states. So at some point we will have a shortage of teachers in a state that prides its self on its education system. SUPER. That's a positive outlook for our state. Smaller schools now have to think about merging to keep enrollment high enough to qualify for federal grants now that they no longer get state aid due to budget cuts. That means bigger classes. Programs will need to be cut. Not just sports but band and after school programs. Programs that stimulate a child's mind and help them grow and teach them to balance their work load. In the long run this could have a very adverse effect on Wisconsin as a whole.
Do your homework to find out what Obama has done. Don't confuse your ignorance with facts.
Wisconsin membership in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees-the state's second-largest public-sector union after the National
Education Association, which represents teachers-fell to 28,745 in February from
62,818 in March 2011, according to a person who has viewed Afscme's figures. A
spokesman for Afscme declined to comment.
Seems like the cat`s out of the bag on this one...
Walker`s going to win next week, the public doesn`t support the reasons for the recall and apparently neither do the ex-rank and file.
there is no union law that makes you pay dues now. So if the power of the union has diminished and they don't have collective bargaining to fight for your rights why would anyone continue to pay dues??? Thus the decline in membership. It has nothing to do with supporting Walker. If you were paying for a service and now that service can't be provided why would you keep paying for it? You can if you want too. But a lot of people prefer to pocket the money since they took a pretty good hit to their paycheck.
Clinton is in the HOUSE! WI that is, to drop the bomb on soon to be felony charged Scott Walker for illegal campaigning while working for the county taxpayers! Whoop - Whoop, your former Republican Aids have dobbed you in Scotty!
Clinton, wow the big guns....a little to little a little to late.
Dev, Bill heard there were some strippers waiting for him...
Walker will win this by near double digits. And for once I agree with Ed Schultz who says this is a dry run for the 2012 Presidential election.
Romney wins in the same fashion.
Haven't you heard, Scott Walker is under investigation in the John Doe felony case - 13 of his GOP cohorts have received immunity for their testimony. Try reading WI news sometime, instead of the Republican propaganda bought & paid for by the 1%.
Clinton has his work cut out for him I`m afraid.
And not much time either...
Underneath it all, Clinton thinks Obama is a clown. You can take that to the bank.
EVER: Sure pal, your word is good enough for me. We all realize you're in the inner circle and get the straight dope.
And now you're elevating Clinton to a higher plain? How nice of you, especially after the Right spent 8 futile years trying to destroy Clinton. And look at him now, far and away the most highly respected and most popular of living ex-presidents. And that includes internationally. Dubya was quite correctly detested around the world, including our allies. They saw him for the bumbling, strutting cowboy he is. Both Clinton and Obama are vastly better thought of around the world.
You are right...there are a lot of strip clubs in Wisconsin