Well, that was extremely disappointing. I was convinced that we would win in Wisconsin and that Walker would be recalled. However, we lost too many of our voters and too many independents. I am incredulous that 17% of Obama voters voted for Walker. Those 17 % and the others who oppose Walker and Walker's policies but voted for him in the recall anyway have a very warped and strange view of ethics.
More below the fold:
First off, hats off to everyone who worked so hard in Wisconsin ! Bravo to you - and It was assuredly not in vain !!! We saw again that the moral arc of the universe is long. The good part is that it does bend towards justice. Kudos to those who worked so hard to recall Walker. Hopefully, he ends up in a jail cell. Thank you guys for all of your hard work !!!
There are two reasons that we lost last night. First, is the ethical confusion of some who agree with us politically. I fail to see why it is unethical to recall a sitting governor when (1) he governs in a radical manner like Walker has - completely contrary to how he ran and (2) the laws in Wisconsin allow for such a recall. Isn't it even more democratic and doesn't it put even more pressure upon elected officials to be responsive to the views of their constituents ? If so, then a recall election is a positive event. One ought to vote one's principles, in any event. Voting against what one believes in is evidence of moral and mental confusion. Nevertheless, we apparently lost 10% of the people who oppose Walker and his policies because of this very confusion. It's absurd.
The second reason that we lost tonight is very simple: It is all about the money.
The Koch brothers and their partners in crime basically bought this election. They spent aproximately $30 million on Walker's behalf. Our side put up $4 million. We were outspent 7 to 1. And as our candidate was just defeated in 2010, it was difficult to move voters who supported Walker in 2010 to our side in this recall election. The dollars with all of the advertising, especially negative ads, kept many people who voted for Walker originally but were not happy with his governance from switching to Barrett. There originally was something that these voters did not like about Barrett or they would have voted for him the first time. So, the Republican money machine simply had to remind voters why they did not back Barrett the first time.
Money won this election for Walker.
Based upon the exit polling, I believe that had President Obama been on the ballot, he would have won this election with this electorate. Nevertheless, this election does show us the power of money. The Koch Brothers and others are going to spend up to $1 Billion trying to defeat our President. We are all going to have to keep him competitive financially for him to win. If he is on essentially a level playing field financially, then I believe he will win because (1) he has the better policies (2) he has the facts on his side (3) he is more ethical (4) he has the better campaign organization and (5) he is the better candidate.
Unfortunately, our last couple of months have seen very meager job creation - 100 K and less. This will mean that the election will be more competitive than it had looked to me a few months ago (although on a state by state basis we are in a very strong position ). People hurting in an economy do not always vote rationally or with wisdom or on the basis of policy. Often, they simply lash out. Romney and company will try to tap into that. They will go negative and blatantly lie (ie Romney's ad taking President Obama's words out of context). President Obama will need to be able to set the record straight. And money will be an important part of that.
So, I ask you, will you please, if you are able consider donating to President Obama's reelection campaign ? Thank you so very much !!!