Protesters in Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda, Photo from Jessia Arp
Wisconsin Public Radio has some reassuring news:
@WPR Wisc. Public Radio
"Democratic 14" not coming back this weekend, Mike Simonson reports. http://wpr.org/...
There were well-founded worries the 14 might come home this weekend, but now Democratic resolve appears as strong as ever. Rumors of wavering Republicans, even if unconfirmed, might be bolstering the Dems. Greg Sargent:
I don't know if these reports are true or not, and we should treat them with caution. But we now have two news outlets, one local and one national, claiming GOP defections from Governor Scott Walker may be in the works. The Wall Street Journal reports:
Conservatives in Wisconsin are getting nervous that three Republican state senators may defect on the collective-bargaining reform vote. It's still anyone's guess as to when that vote will take place because Democrats remain in exile to prevent the necessary quorum. But Republicans in the Senate hold a 19-14 majority, so GOP Gov. Scott Walker can afford to lose no more than two Republican senators on this pivotal vote.
On Wednesday, Republicans held a "unity" press conference that was attended by all but one senator, Dale Schultz. But a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showing that 62% of respondents oppose curtailing collective-bargaining rights for public-sector workers over health care, pensions or other benefits suggests that the GOP position may be losing some support among independent voters.
Separately, WEAU, an NBC affiliate in Wisconsin, reports. that "four moderate Republicans are wavering and could break with the GOP and vote against Walker's budget repair bill."
These reports are just rumors, and we should treat them as such.
Still, Wisconsin Senate Republicans are under intense pressure. As both David and Jed have discussed, polling unequivocally shows that public opinion in Wisconsin is turning against Republicans. The grassroots energy is also overwhelmingly on the side of the unions, demonstrated both by the size of the crowds and the wave of small online donors contributing to the fight. Plummeting approval ratings and massive grassroots opposition are exactly what you don't need when heading into an imminent recall election.
Several Republican Senators are in serious danger of losing their jobs over the summer. For many people, a credible threat of losing your job--and losing it soon--is often a catalyst for modifying behavior. It's not far-fetched to think that could happen in this fight.