MORE Things Helping Walker in Wisconsin

Well, looks like I posted a list a bit too soon. There have been some interesting developments in just the 24 hours since we last visited the race, and these are making Walker's survival even more likely:

1- Major Endorsements
Yesterday, the largest newspaper in the state, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, came out and endorsed Governor Walker in the recall fight, bringing the focus back to square one on recall/not recall. The newspaper did endorse him in 2010, but has grown increasingly critical of his policy positions, and was not expected to even endorse this time. Their argument in backing Walker in the recall will probably evolve into the biggest excuse by liberals and Democrats when (as it looks likely) Walker survives the recall itself. It is a fair point though: you don't recall someone because you hate their policies. We have elections for that. Recalls should be held when a gross violation of the responsibilities of an elected office have occurred. The fight to successfully recall an official is always an uphill battle, regardless what polling might say at its onset. Eventually, people have to decide if the process is being used wisely, regardless the personal popularity of the recall-ee. The MJS endorsement is a rare instance of actual impartiality, asking its readers to look at the recall itself, it's intents and reasoning, as opposed to personal opinion on the Governor. When the straight facts are looked at, the recall looks like an expensive temper tantrum by those out of power.

Also, the Milwaukee Police Association endorsed Governor Walker as well, rebuking Mayor Tom Barrett in the process and setting up an example of the second thing in today's list:

2- Tom Barrett Being Himself

As you may have heard, a ceremony honoring fallen heroes was held Tuesday.
Governor Walker attended. The mayor did not. Why? He was busy sucking up to unions for a last minute cash flush. What makes this worse was his on-the-record explanation for where he had been, obviously in conflict with the truth:

Newsradio 620 WTMJ's John Mercure caught up with the Mayor Thursday and asked where he had been during the events. The Mayor and his staff couldn't remember where they were at the time. "I was working. I was… I'll have to get back to you about the specifics," the mayor told John.

The Mayor's campaign never got back with specifics. But we've now learned about his appearance in Oshkosh.

Video proof of him being at the union meeting here, h/t to Moe Lane at Redstate.

Beyond the terrible optics this generates, it destroys a tired lefty meme about Walker. "He's never in the state, always campaigning for himself elsewhere." Well, Mayor Barrett one-upped the Governor here by passing an expected showing at an honorable ceremony in a desperate bid for cash.

Walker's defenders can kick off this news week with another credible attack on the mayor, putting Barrett yet again on the defensive when he desperately needs the Governor to be on the hot seat.
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Don't let the growing sense of Walker surviving make you complacent. He still needs help, he still needs your financial support, and he still needs your vote. The media is starting to spin the shift and the presumed result already to minimize any further electoral implications of a Walker victory. The larger his win, the harder it will be for most to believe the Blue Wall isn't cracking.

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posted by CAC at 01:35 PM

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