So, a lot of people want to blame the money, except the outcome was pretty much the same as in 2010, without the money. Does that mean Barack Obama is toast in Wisconsin? Doesn't seem like it, especially since the Tea Party doesn't like Romney either.
So how did the left blow this so totally? First off, they dismissed the 2010 outcome as an outlier that would be easy to reverse. Then they dismissed the real anger people have at government—and its employees—whether or not this is deserved. Then they dismissed Walker as a nut that anybody would be happy to get rid of.
All of this ignored one glaring reality: recalls ask the electorate to go back to the polls and essentially certify the fact they fucked up the vote the first time. People don't like being told they're wrong—even if they are. That is why we don't have a lot of gubernatorial recalls (or haven't till now).
Nope, there was no mystery in last night's vote. Most people in Wisconsin want Walker to gut the unions, to slash spending, to do all the things he's been doing. Either that, or they REALLY don't like Tom Barrett. Or course, both could be true.
Now, the question is, what will Dems do about it? And if history is any guide, the answer is: turn gutlessly even more to the right.