Wisconsin Democrats Have Republicans On The Run

As of late there are so many stories brewing in Wisconsin that I find it best to let some of them fester a while to see where things are heading.

One of the story themes I have been watching is the reaction from the Republicans to the growing level of political anger fromWisconsin voters relating to the collective bargaining chaos.

This past week there was news that Wisconsin Manufactures and Commerce, (anything is fine when making money group)  came out with a statement concerning the many boycotts underway around the state.  Buyers are not purchasing from businesses that have contributed to Governor Walker.

WMC president James Haney said trade groups and local chambers of commerce have deluged his office with calls about the boycotts. Haney said he was especially concerned that law enforcement groups are among those pushing them.

In his words, “When police and fire organizations write and say we don’t like the way you think, it’s a little chilling.”

Not as chilling to businesses perhaps than the success of the boycott efforts which forced Haney do a pole dance for his members in the form of a statement.

I would call that the political play of the week in Wisconsin.   

Well done for those who are making the boycott a success.

Haney’s statement, in and of itself, makes the point that the boycott in Wisconsin is working, while making some people sit and pay attention.

Good.

The second story that made me aware that power and energy is behind Wisconsin Democrats deals with the recall efforts now under way in Wisconsin to oust Republican State Senators.

There is tension building within the GOP about the hole they dug, and how to emerge from it without the walls of dirt piling in on them.    They might have pondered all this before following Governor Walker head-first into the unknown.

“It’s clear that Democrats and liberal organizations are engaging in an attempt to make recall more than a mere hypothetical possibility for some Wisconsin Republicans,” said Liz Mair, Vice President of Hynes Communications and former RNC Online Communications Director, who has followed closely the work of conservative groups in Wisconsin. “Even though Governor Walker acted to end the impasse, Republicans and conservatives should not be acting like this is done and dusted.”

A conservative activist working inside the state on recall efforts was even more explicitly distraught. The Wisconsin Republican Party, the operative said, was not lending resources to the recall campaign groups had launched against Democratic Senators, in turn causing those groups to narrow their target list down from eight lawmakers to just three.

“It would be nice if the Republican Party, operatives, etc, would step in with a little money,” said the activist, who asked to remain nameless lest he draw the GOP even further away from the recall effort. “But they are talking about doing radio and I’m not sure that gets you signatures.” 

It appears from these stories that a real political tide has switched from the glee that surrounded the Republicans as they took power back in Wisconsin following the last elections, to the wrath they now feel from voters.

Little did Republicans know at the time another set of elections loomed so close, and they would be playing defense to a wave of outrage over policy and process.