June 5, 2012

Live-blogging the Wisconsin recall election.

6:40 Central Time: Hang out here.

6:42: We just drove by our polling place, and I could tell by the lack of cars in the parking lot and along the street that there were very few people inside. This morning, when we voted (at 8:15 or so), there were cars, and inside there were people but no line. We were also up at the Capitol Square, where there was an "Occupy Madison"-style group at the State Street end, but not much else. A guy was banging a drum, and someone had put an "Anonymous" mask on the "Forward!" statue. I'll have some photos and video soon.

7:00: This was the scene at the Capitol at about 6:20 this evening:

Untitled

Untitled

"Eat The Rich"... "Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!"...

7:48:



7:52: Neil Cavuto, on Fox News from Madison, Wisconsin, shows a shot of the Transit of Venus, and I say "What does this have to do with Scott Walker?" and then Cavuto actually connects it to Scott Walker, using the segue "Imagine the history being made here. Right? You have the third governor in U.S. history being recalled, Venus passing through the sun, and people in the middle of what could be a revolution in Wisconsin, dining casually outside. The great confluence of events that you only get here on Fox Business Live."

8:00: The polls are closed. There's no litigation to keep any polls open late. And Fox Business News reports that it's too close to call at this point.

8:03: CNN's exit poll has 56% of men for Walker and 56% of women for Barrett. But there are more women for Walker (44%) than there are men for Barrett (43%). Independents favored Walker 50% to 49%. By the way, if these are exit polls, they obviously don't include all the early absentee voters, but perhaps they do a calcuation to account for that. The early voting efforts seemed to be done by Barrett supporters.

8:13: No actual vote counts yet, but they will appear here.

8:31: I get the feeling the TV shows are being theatrical with their "too close to call" announcements. Looking at the HuffPo "Election Dashboard," linked in the previous update, which is an actual vote count, we've got 58.3% for Walker and 41.1% for Barrett, with 7.4% reporting. Nearly the same spread between Kleefisch and Mitchell.

8:35: Intrade has Walker at 93.7%. I guess nobody believes the TV exit polls.

8:39: 60.6% Walker. 38.8% for Barrett. 11.4% reporting.

8:42: If you click on the counties at the HuffPo link, you can compare the current percentages to the percentages in 2010, when Walker beat Barrett in the regular election. So, for example, you expect the Democrat to win by a lot in Dane County (which includes Madison), and Barrett won with 68% in 2010. But right now, with 15.5% of the vote reported, Barrett is only winning with 55.8%. That's a HUGE step down from 2010.

8:51: Intrade's spiked to 98.7%.

8:54: Here's my edited video from the Capitol Square done around 6 p.m. this evening:



9:00: "NBC is full of shit!!! Dane County and Milwaukee haven't reported their results yet, and NBC called it for Walker?!?!" The outrage at Democratic Underground.

9:02: Fox News calls it for Walker.

9:03: CNN calls it for Walker. Man, the exit polling was pathetic. I just don't believe it was ever real. It was like the cable news channels colluded for the first hour and held off until 9 to tell us what we all knew. The question is how huge the victory is. We're looking at some numbers -- actual vote counts -- that are in the 60%/40% range.

9:06: Paul Begala is emoting like mad on CNN about how the Wisconsin recall has absolutely nothing to do with what will happen to Obama this fall.

9:11: Kleefisch wins too, CNN projects.

9:21: Meade gloats at Isthmus: "I hope somedaaaay you'll join us. And the state of Wisconsin can live as one."

9:39: Here's the Wall Street Journal: "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker survived a recall election Tuesday, dealing a blow to organized labor, unsettling President Barack Obama's re-election strategy and signaling to Republican lawmakers across the nation that challenging government unions could pay political and fiscal dividends."

9:39: Larry Sabato on Fox Business says if the exit pollsters can't improve their techniques, the news shows shouldn't even use them.

9:42: Rebecca Kleefisch is giving her victory speech. She wants to thank everybody who never lost faith. A short speech, and those 2 little daughters seem to want to get off stage as quickly as possible.

9:49: Mitt Romney congratulates Walker: "Governor Walker has demonstrated over the past year what sound fiscal policies can do to turn an economy around, and I believe that in November voters across the country will demonstrate that they want the same in Washington, D.C. Tonight’s results will echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin. Governor Walker has shown that citizens and taxpayers can fight back – and prevail – against the runaway government costs imposed by labor bosses. Tonight voters said ‘no’ to the tired, liberal ideas of yesterday, and ‘yes’ to fiscal responsibility and a new direction. I look forward to working with Governor Walker to help build a better, brighter future for all Americans."

9:56: "Well, Russ Feingold said it’s not over till we win, which is kinda like the German position in Stalingrad. . . . But comparing one’s opponents to Hitler is right out. Right, Russ? Oh, never mind. . . ." 

10:02: Bloomberg editorial:  "Recall elections have their place: generally, in cases of serious breaches of the public faith or morality, or of extreme incompetence. The effort to recall Walker, however, stemmed from a political disagreement over his support for a law that, among other things, limited the collective-bargaining rights of public-sector employees.We have mixed feelings about the legislation...."

10:06: Walker is missing the prime time audience for his victory speech because BARRETT IS CHOOSING not to concede. Barrett, who said HE would end the "civil war" in Wisconsin. What hypocrisy!

10:09: Look at the blue-red balance on the map for last year's state supreme court battle. Now look at tonight's map.

10:12: Finally, Barrett is conceding. "Please, please, please, remain engaged, remain involved, because we will continue to fight for justice and fairness in this city and this state."

10:15: He continues with his bland banalities. Let us continue to do what is right. Tom Barrett. Epic fail. And then he — who said he'd end the "civil war" in Wisconsin — ends it with "Let's go get 'em." So... continuing the war. Ridiculous!

10:24: Walker's victory speech. "First of all,  I want to thank God for his abundant grace...." And the people in factories and farms have "sustained" him. He loves his wife, Tonette. "Tonette's just been a rock." (Women love that, being called "a rock.")  This must be so immensely rewarding to him. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. He's praising The Framers. "What has made our country unbelievable... what has made the United States arguably one of the greatest countries in the history of the world"... is that there have been men and women who have stood up. There have been "good and decent people" who had "courage." I know he's trying to say that about himself, even though he won't say "I." But: I was courageous and I made the tough decisions....

10:36: "Talking together... solutions... prosperity for all our people..." Walker is talking about ways to "bring all our people together": with brats and beer! "Now is the time for us to come together."

10:39: A very satisfying evening. I was touched to see Scott Walker, speaking in such a selfless, public-spirited way, after all the abuse he's taken for well over a year. He must feel so relieved and so vindicated, but there wasn't a shred of gloating or even basking. What a moment!

465 comments:

1 – 200 of 465   Newer›   Newest»
James said...

Stephen Hayes just tweeted:
"Two WI GOP sources say Dems/Barrett preparing lawsuit to keep polls open late in Dane & Milwaukee counties. GOP will fight it."

We could get a replay of Florida 2000.

Tom Spaulding said...

Some hopefully appropriate background music here:

http://therightbrothers.posterous.com/election-day-ditty

Peter Hoh said...

I'm "live enjoying" the transit of Venus.

ALH said...

Remember what Russ, says..."it isn't over until we win"

SteveR said...

Frankin's Trunk Busters are comin' over from Minn. Garage is waiting at the border to lead them in.

kcom said...

It's too cloudy here for Venus.

James said...

It will be lots of fun reading the Isthmus/Daily Page Forum tonight.

Jason said...

The best tweet of the night Ive read so far:

"When a crab tries to escape a crab bucket, the other crabs will fight to keep it in. Wisconsin is the escaping crab"

Wally Kalbacken said...

Go back up to the Capitol and photograph the "oh shit" look on the faces of the OWS folks. Please.

Jason said...

Just as a warning, dont be surprised to see Barrett and the Dems file a lawsuit in both Dane and Milwaukee counties to keep polls open there past 8 PM.

Anga2010 said...

Oh, I see it now. The dems will be defeated quite easily, but will claim all sorts of cheating and malfeasance is going on to disenfranchise the people.
The crying will continue until the next election in which they will be defeated quite easily and claim all sorts of cheating and malfeasance, etc.
"Let's do a recount! We have to revote! We'll keep voting and voting and voting until we win and then we won't have to vote anymore."

Michael K said...

"dont be surprised to see Barrett and the Dems "

Nothing will surprise me.

We live in two different worlds.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

No ID required? Same day registration? That's insane.

I can feel the democrat cheat machine from here.

Now the dems want to keep the polls open until they win?

Jason said...

Now the dems want to keep the polls open until they win?

Yup.

The excuse in Milwaukee will be that inner city polling places ran out of ballots.

The excuse in Dane will be...nothing. Since every judge is radical anyway, it wont matter.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

"Two WI GOP sources say Dems/Barrett preparing lawsuit to keep polls open late in Dane & Milwaukee counties. GOP will fight it."

WTF? Don't people know what the times of the polling places are and have known it for YEARS. Can't people in Wisconsin tell time. Plan ahead? Cast absentee ballots?

Why the last minute drama and brinkmanship? It isn't like the rules haven't been known and posted for quite some time? It isn't like there aren't already many different ways to vote. AND it certainly isn't like this election was some big surprise!

David said...

The woman in the middle with all the blue stuff on has already eaten her share of the rich. No fourthsies or fifthsies for her.

SteveO said...

City of Franklin, MKE County, (consistently 65% for Walker each election) is SWAMPED with voters. HUGE line at district 2 since about 2:00pm. Long lines at all the polling places in the city. Clerk said she thought this would be a record vote. Go SCOTT/Becky.

wildswan said...

To register to vote you need photo ID but you do not need it to vote because that would be a burden. Go figure.

Chip S. said...

Apparently those buses full of new voters got stuck in Chicago traffic.

David said...

Close election results coming up. Among other things Wisconsin is schitzo.

Jason said...

WTF? Don't people know what the times of the polling places are and have known it for YEARS. Can't people in Wisconsin tell time. Plan ahead? Cast absentee ballots?

Why the last minute drama and brinkmanship? It isn't like the rules haven't been known and posted for quite some time? It isn't like there aren't already many different ways to vote. AND it certainly isn't like this election was some big surprise!


It has nothing to do with rules for voters. It has to do with Democrats trying to steal votes after the polls are officially supposed to be closed.

Milwaukee police used to patrol each polling place at closing time to make sure each place was locked up, but they dont do that anymore. Thus, the fraud that ensues.

And before anyone poo-poos it off, a few hundred votes could literally decide this election. If Milwaukee and Dane polling places are open even a half hour longer than they need to be, it could swing the election.

Michael K said...

"Why the last minute drama and brinkmanship?"

Well, the Democrats certainly weren't at work.

Unknown said...

I grew up in Franklin. We cling, bitterly, to our guns and our religion down there. Also, GET OFF OUR LAWNS!

edutcher said...

FWIW, Fox News is saying Walker's 5 points will hold.

52 - 47.

And, Madame, instead of the broad in blue, next time let Meade take a rearview of your lovely self.

Much more pleasing.

Peter Hoh said...

I'm "live enjoying" the transit of Venus.

5 minutes before it was supposed to start, huge rain cloud appears and has yet to leave.

Damn!

James said...

"Christian Schneider ‏@Schneider_CM

According to a member of the GOP legal team, there will be no Dem lawsuit filed to keep polls open in Milwaukee."

Brian Brown said...

Exit polling: 25% of voters say recall is appropriate "for any reason"

yashu said...

Please god, don't let vote fraud win this election.

Jason said...

According to a member of the GOP legal team, there will be no Dem lawsuit filed to keep polls open in Milwaukee."

That's as good as a concession right there.

If this election was within a point or two, Dems would do it.

Jason said...

Im hearing from various places that Waukesha County's numbers are ridiculously crazy. As in crazy good for Walker.

Early indications are that while Madison has delivered, so has Waukesha County.

Brian Brown said...


If this election was within a point or two, Dems would do it.


I tend to agree.

David said...

Jay said...
Exit polling: 25% of voters say recall is appropriate "for any reason"


They are correct. Wisconsin law does not require a reason, just as a reason need not be stated for a vote. A recall is a political act, an exercise in collective will. No matter how this turns out, nearly half of Wisconsin voters are going to say that the reasons for this particular recall were sufficient.

I hope Wisconsin avoids the temptation to eliminate the recalls or place limits on the reasons. This is a rate even, and will probably remain rare, especially if Walker wins. But leave it up to the people. They won't do this again for a while, I predict.

David said...

"rate even" = "rare event"

Petunia said...

I just saw on guy on the median at University Avenue when I went to a restaurant. Holding a couple of useful-idiot signs and wearing a recall t-shirt. Traffic was pretty heavy.

One, count it one, car honked in support.

Unknown said...

I'm disconcerted by the reports of voter turnout being over 100%. anyone else?

James said...

"Christian Schneider ‏@Schneider_CM

RT @RickEsenberg: @Schneider_CM If they DON"T sue, it's a bad sign for Barrett. Suggests its beyond the margin of litigation."

Blue@9 said...

Eat the rich?

What, the middle class was just an appetizer?

rhhardin said...

Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité! Backbité!

Michael K said...

"I'm disconcerted by the reports of voter turnout being over 100%. anyone else?"

What are you? An atheist ? Haven't you heard of the resurrection? Every four years in Chicago.

Jason said...

I'm disconcerted by the reports of voter turnout being over 100%. anyone else?

The funny thing is...if Waukesha County clerk announced their turnout would be over 100%, every Dem in the state would want an investigation by the federal government.

But since its Madison, Dems throw up their hands and say, "Whats the big deal?"

Dems can say what they want. Dane turnout isnt going to be close to that.

Jeff in Oklahoma said...

C'Mon Cheese-heads. As it was said in the Waterboy: You can do it!

James said...

Wisconsin Jobs Now is claiming the have "dozens of people" who haven't voted yet and they are asking for the polls to stay open after 8 p.m.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

I'm disconcerted by the reports of voter turnout being over 100%. anyone else?

Probably all those people that Allie Oop is busing in from Detroit and taking to multiple polling places. (JK I don't think that SHE is actually doing this, so no need for her to tell me to FUCK OFF once again, as if I even care. But I'm sure that some one she knows probably has done so or is contemplating it)

THIS IS WHY WE MUST HAVE VOTER ID LAWS IN THIS COUNTRY.

Brian Brown said...

50% of Wisconsin voters approved of the collective bargainging law. 48% disapproved.

Jason said...

Wisconsin Jobs Now is claiming the have "dozens of people" who haven't voted yet and they are asking for the polls to stay open after 8 p.m.

They could have early-voted, you know.

Polls are open until 8. Fuck em. They've had forever to get their vote in.

Have Waukesha County ask for more time, and watch then lefties squeal to high heaven.

Brian Brown said...

woman tells the election official here that she has an Ohio driver's license but an electric bill from WI. Registers and votes in Ward 177.

Isn't that nice?

James said...

Charlie Sykes reports:
"GOP base votes in Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha Counties are off the charts... Offset some of Dem turnout machine."

Jeff in Oklahoma said...

Charlie Sykes tweet: GOP base votes in Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha Counties are off the charts... Offset some of Dem turnout machine.

James said...

Fortunately Voter ID will be law by the November elections.

Jason said...

50% of Wisconsin voters approved of the collective bargainging law. 48% disapproved.

If that exit poll is accurate and a snapshot of the state, Walker wont lose. I doubt very many, if any at all, who oppose Act 10 will vote for Walker.

Alex said...

Don't pay attention to tweets. The final count is the only thing that matters.

Jason said...

Don't pay attention to tweets. The final count is the only thing that matters.

Very true. Hard to sometimes not get caught up in them though, especially from reputable people.

Lets not forget the state Senate recalls tonight, either. Fitzgerald will win easy, but I believe the other 3 will be very close from what Ive read elsewhere.

One can assume that if Walker holds serve tonight, all the GOP senators will as well. But Racine County can be a funny bunch of squirrels. Im hoping Wangaard holds on.

Brian Brown said...

119% turnout in Madison was a lie. As of 4 PM turnout was 43%.

Petunia said...

If the voters are in line at 8 p.m., they are allowed to vote. If the Wisconsin Jobs Now people really had people who hadn't voted yet, all they had to do was get them there by 8 p.m. No need to keep the polls open late.

Just another attempt to cheat.

rhhardin said...

Imus wondered, interviewing Cavuto this morning, whether Cavuto left his jacket open because it could no longer be buttoned.

Jason said...

It is now 8:00 PM.

Do you know if your local polling place is closed? :)

Ken Mitchell said...

Transit of Venus; www.transitofvenus.org. The great thing about the Web is that I get to use enormous telescopes that would be way too expensive for me to build or maintain, and I don't have to worry about maintenance. :-) I almost sound like a Democrat writing that. I recommend the view from Prescott, AZ.

Jason said...

Although Im looking forward to a Walker victory tonight, its still going to be kind of an eerie feeling knowing that (well, hopefully) this bullshit is over.

Its hard to believe Walker has been in office only 17 months. Seems like 17 years.

Fen said...

And Fox Business News reports that it's too close to call at this point.

Uhm..at 8pm with 0% reporting. Yes, too close to call...

Jason said...

Barrett will likely get an early lead as Dane County usually reports early. I will be interested to see what the spread is there, considering they had 119% turnout, :)

David said...

It's 8:07. Do you know where your union thugs are?

Mark said...

I'm hoping for two things:

Walker wins.

Citizens Media has lots of video documenting voter fraud.

SpinningStar said...

The comment about the amount raised and then it's a cash bar...

If I give money for a campaign, I expect it to be for the campaign things like air time, mailers, signs, wages and benefits, etc.

I do not want to give for a party! let a specific donor do that and advertise it as such. To do otherwise, gives a big hint as to how that person will govern.

So, to have a cash bar to me is a VERY GOOD THING!

AmPowerBlog said...

Got you linked up again, and quoted commenter James for the headline: "'We Could Get a Replay of Florida 2000'".

Jeff in Oklahoma said...

The JS blog says the exit polls so not look promising for Walker: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/157360035.html#!page=1&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst

Fen said...

8:03 CNN's exit poll has 56% of men for Walker and 56% of women for Barrett. But there are more women for Walker (44%) than there are men for Barrett (43%). Independents favored Walker 50% to 49%. By the way, if these are exit polls, they obviously don't include all the early absentee voters, but perhaps they do a calcuation to account for that

Many conservatives won't talk to CNN. So I think CNN's exit poll means Walker by 3%

Fen said...

Jeff, I pasted your link, nothing..."did not match any docs"

Daniel Chapman said...

Where's the best precinct by precinct live results?

David said...

Barrent Upset In Making!

Obama Prepares For Victory Lap.

Freeman Hunt said...

All of these people will be dead before another transit of Venus.

Transit of Venus > Nutty Wisconsin

MadisonMan said...

I don't understand why people are so heavily invested in this election that they'd gather at the Capitol (I was up there on my evening bike ride). Well, I guess this has been their life for the past year. What will they do tomorrow either way, I wonder?

Re: Polls. My understanding is that if you're in line at 8, you get to vote. So the polls don't necessarily close then.

Jeff in Oklahoma said...

@Fen,

Sorry, operator error, try this:

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/wisconsinvoter.html

The Grey Man said...

I'm watching MSNBC, just to see if heads explode. And I'm trying it without Scotch....

Freeman Hunt said...

I got a picture of the transit of Venus using a cheapish point and shoot camera with some disposable "Eclipse Shades" held over the end. How cool is that?

James said...

I don't put much stock in the exit polls; lots of older Walker supporters voted via absentee ballot.

Jason said...

I don't put much stock in the exit polls; lots of older Walker supporters voted via absentee ballot.

This. Upwards of 10-12% ive seen estimated.

David said...

The Hari Trividi protest vote may become crucial.

Jason said...

The worst part about tonight is there will be a few thousand fools who voted for this Hari Trivedi guy.

wildswan said...

Precinct by precinct is at
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/152346265.html

PT said...

They ran out of same day registration forms in Milwaukee.

How.....interesting.

James said...

Whoa...Intrade just made a huge jump from 89.6% to 95.7%.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

BARRETT 45%
WALKER 54%
[2% IN]

My baseball streaming has failed for the first time in 3 years..

Is it too late to blame Walker?

Lipperman said...

Wisconsin gubernatorial recall results by county, updating every 5-7 minutes.:
Wisconsin gubernatorial recall results

Fen said...

4% reporting

57 Walker
42 Barrett

Jason said...

Dunno where the Dane votes are coming from, but almost 20% of the Dane vote is in and Barrett only has a 12 point lead. Interesting.

MadisonMan said...

Even if Walker loses, I don't expect much to change re: Union Rules in the state. The Assembly is not flipping to Democratic hands any time soon.

I do hope Sen Fitzgerald is recalled tonight. His hubris rubs me the wrong way -- especially for someone who is just a state Senator, for God's sake.

Jason said...

The spread between Walker-Barrett and Kleefisch-Mitchell is pretty much identical. Good news so far for those who worried over the past few days that Kleefisch may be vulnerable, by those simply forgetting she has a race too.

Fen said...

6% reporting

58 Walker
41 Barrett

Jason said...

I do hope Sen Fitzgerald is recalled tonight. His hubris rubs me the wrong way -- especially for someone who is just a state Senator, for God's sake.

He's Senate Majority Leader. How's he supposed to act, especially with a sharply divided chamber?

He's exactly the type of person the GOP wants in charge of that chamber.

Peter Hoh said...

I borrowed a sunspotter from work, set it up on the sidewalk next to my house, and soon had a small gathering of neighbor kids. Sun hid behind some trees, so I had to move to my neighbors' house, where we started drawing a bigger crowd. I lost count of the number of people who stopped by. Must have been at least 50, including several people I had never met before. It was quite the party.

Freeman Hunt said...

Everyone who voted in Wisconsin today will be dead by the time there's another transit of Venus.

Freeman Hunt said...

That's neat, Peter.

James said...

The Trivedi votes will only hurt Barrett; Walker supporters wouldn't protest vote.

A. Shmendrik said...

Not much of the vote is in, but Hari Trivedi is taking it in the chin! Who the hell is Hari Trivedi?

Anonymous said...

Over at Ace of Spades they're saying that all the Dane vote so far is from outside Madison. Nothing at all from the city of Milwaukee yet either.

John Cunningham said...

Zounds!! if that wideload in the blue outfit had to haul ass, it would take 4 or 5 trips.

Unknown said...

"Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!"

The original phrase concluded with "au mort" -- "or death." Guess the left doesn't want to tell us that part.

Jason said...

Nearly half the vote is in in Fitzgerald's district, and he has roughly a 25 point lead.

Nothing yet from the other senate districts that Ive seen.

James said...

Fitzgerald allowed the 14 fleabaggers to escape any punishment...he even waived the fines that were assessed for their absenses claiming he wanted to improve comity.

What did he get as a reward? A recall. I don't understand the need to be "friends" with the Dems who are dedicated to your defeat.

Fen said...

8% reporting

59 Walker
41 Barrett

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Nothing at all from the city of Milwaukee yet either.

They want to know how big the trunk has to be before they release their numbers.

kcom said...

"The original phrase concluded with "au mort" -- "or death." Guess the left doesn't want to tell us that part."

Yes, and when push came to shove the actual sequence of events was "Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!" and then the guillotine.

MadisonMan said...

Everytime I see the #wirecall hashtag on twitter I read it as wire call.

This Queen Jennie Whiskey I'm drinking is absolutely fabulous. And they're all out 'til July! (Whine)

gadfly said...

8:40 - Ace-O-Spades Totals

Walker 122782
Barrett - 85041
9%

geokstr said...

I hope that Waukesha County reports last again.

kcom said...

Yes, it would be smart for the Republicans to hold some back. It makes the cheating that much harder. Remember the consternation when they realized last time they hadn't left enough room to cover that.

James said...

Senate Republicans, Democrats say it's time to move forward


MADISON (WKOW) -- After weeks of political stalemate, there are signs of reconciliation among state senators.

Less than 24 hours after deciding Senate Democrats votes in committee won't count, the senate majority leader backs down rescinding that decision, among other orders.

Republicans and Democrats in the Senate agree it's time to move forward; an idea that seemed far fetched just yesterday.

Monday, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald announced Senate Democrats remain in contempt and any votes cast in committee would not count, but Tuesday he changed his mind.

For the first time in more than a month, the Wisconsin State Senate appears to be putting the past behind them and making moves to work together.

Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) says, "What we want to do is move the senate forward."

Sen. Fitzgerald announced he is rescinding the orders of contempt against the 14 Senate Democrats thus allowing their votes to count in committee.

Fellow Republican and Senate President Michael Ellis also says he will not enforce the $100 fines put in place each day Democrats miss session. He says it's time to, "stop bickering" and, "cool off."

Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah) says, "Inside the Senate Chambers we need to have civility. We need to maintain decorum, we have to put people's agenda ahead of any animosity which may exist on either side."

James said...

Lefty heads just exploded...

"Craig at @WisVoter says latest adjustments in exit polls put it at 52%-48% for @GovWalker #wirecall"

Danno said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
gadfly said...

8:44 - Ace-O-Spades Totals

Walker - 164716
Barrett - 106703
12%

Jason said...

61-39 Walker with 14% in.

Most of Milwaukee and a good part of Dane have yet to report, but for Walker to have been staked to a lead like this early on is good news. Especially since 80% of Waukesha Cty is still out.

James said...

Not much of the vote is in, but Hari Trivedi is taking it in the chin! Who the hell is Hari Trivedi?

His website: http://www.trivgov.com/

Xmas said...

It looks like Dane county is going to go 55-45 for Barrett. With the supposed high voter turnout for that county, that's is crushing news for Barrett. He needed to take Dane 80-20 in order to have any hope of winning.

Jason said...

Still 61-39, with 20% in.

Wow. Barrett has to really clean up Milwaukee Cty to even have a chance. He's already down 85K votes.

Still 80% of Waukesha Cty. yet to report.

David said...

Freeman Hunt said...
Everyone who voted in Wisconsin today will be dead by the time there's another transit of Venus.


"Sic Transit Gloria Tuesday"

(Maybe Obama will build a high speed transit. That could change things.)

John Bragg said...

Very good sign for WAlker: HuffPo "Compare to 2010" tab. In counties above the diagonal, Walker is doing better than in 2010. Go look for yourself.

http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/wisconsin-recall-results?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008#graph

Jeff in Oklahoma said...

Via Ace of Spades, Fox will call the race within minutes.

And this: philipaklein: RT @Redistrict: Actual results much better for Walker than exits...beating 2010 margins consistently. How is this "too close to call?" [via Twitter]

James said...

LMAO...Rachel Maddow just announced that NBC projects Walker as the winner.

The look on her face is priceless.

The Grey Man said...

MSNBC projecting Walker WIN!!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

BARRETT 39%
WALKER 61%
[19% IN]

We are going to need a bigger trunk.

James said...

Ed Schultz looks like he just had a heart attack.

Unknown said...

@TheFix (my college buddy Chris Cillizza) has already conceded Walker's victory.

https://twitter.com/TheFix/status/210186145810747392

The Advertising Guy said...

The professor is right about the drama. The CNN/NBC exit polls which showed a "coin flip" an hour ago now say Walker by 4. They must of revised them to cover their backsides and claim later on they got the exits right.

wildswan said...

If the whole state is red by large margins and then two cities overrule everyone else (and cheating to do it) - then how could the Democrats govern?

Jason said...

And this: philipaklein: RT @Redistrict: Actual results much better for Walker than exits...beating 2010 margins consistently. How is this "too close to call?" [via Twitter]

Exit polls dont take into account absentee/early vote. Lots of folks, especially on GOP side, voted early.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

BARRETT 39%
WALKER 61%
[21% IN]

JohnJ said...

Why all the talk of exit polls? I can think of a dozen reasons they’d be even more unreliable this election than usual.

(Wish I’d prepared something for that Venus thing.)

Michael Haz said...

Hari Trivedi has 16 votes in Bayfield County. There is no way to explain that.

James said...

Tweet of the night...

"LMFAO!! "@SooperMexican: WALKER IS EATING BARRET'S FACE! #BATHSALTELECTION" #tcot #WAR #WIrecall"

Jason said...

NBC has already called it.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

Unknown said...

Walker wins Milwaukee County, it's over.

Toad Trend said...

Recall fail.

Hat tip to all the idiot leftists out there for wasting more money.

Because it is easier to utilize others' money rather than grow up and pay your own freight.

Idiots.

Michael Haz said...

Don't get too invested in the numbers until Milwaukee, Dane and Waukesha counties have reported.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

EPIC BUTT HURT!!!

Brian Brown said...

UNIONS ARE MAKING A GIANT COMEBACK!!!!

Jeff in Oklahoma said...

NBC just called it for Walker!!

sane_voter said...

MSNBC cryin. LOVE IT!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Barret is fading faster than facebook... as he cries foul.

Peter Hoh said...

Freeman @8:33: more than one person made a similar observation.

Transit of Venus photoset.

David said...

Whatever is going on seems to have crashed the Journal-Sentinel's already lame interactive election results map.

But their banner telling me that I have to buy a subscription if I want to read more than 15 articles a month still works.

Jason said...

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

WHEN I SAY UNION, YOU SAY POWER

James said...

Becky Kleefisch wins.

Jeff in Oklahoma said...

I Love you Cheese-Heads. Congratulations on a helluva win.

The Advertising Guy said...

We should put this in our memory bank on how the BM (big media) report on election night in November.

Voltimand said...

8:55

FOX has just called for Walker.

bagoh20 said...

It's surreal watching Maddow ask Ed Shultz what he thinks. That's like Stevie Wonder asking Helen Keller to drive him home.

KB said...

Ace of Spades is running a much better results map than any of the news agencies.

http://www.aoshqdd.com/

Blue@9 said...

Anyone got a screen cap of a sad Maddow?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

People are not telling the pollsters the whole truth..

I love it!

I Callahan said...

Fox News Calls it for Walker!!!!

Chip S. said...

Walker now at 99.8 on Intrade.

If garage mahal put his money where his mouth is, he's about to lose a bundle.

But somehow I doubt it.

Danno said...

Governor - Special General
June 05, 2012 - 08:52PM CT
Wisconsin - 831 of 3424 Precincts Reporting - 24%
Name Party Votes Vote %
Walker , Scott (i) GOP 297,626 61%
Barrett , Tom Dem 185,706 38%
Trivedi , Hari Ind 2,857 1%

Anonymous said...

"in Dane County (which includes Madison), with 15.5% of the vote reported, Barrett is only winning with 55.8%. That's a HUGE step down from 2010."

Step down? Wait till all 110% of votes in Madison are counted, Barrett will win by at least 100% to Walker's 10. Better than Saddam.

Napalm in the Morning said...

It's over. Walker and Kleefish both win easily. Has yet to be confirmed whether Graeme Zielinski will throw a hissy fit. Stay tuned....

I Callahan said...

Voltimand beats me to it...

Oh well.

Brian Brown said...

Watching Maddow, et, al whine about "big money" is just hilarious.

The unions didn't spend tens of millions on this or anything.

Losers.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Fox now calling it for Kleefisch

David said...

The interesting question is the county by county comparison with 2010. Journal Sentinel does not seem to be providing that information.

Journal Sentinel is ready for hospice care. Relieve the suffering in their last days. God, be merciful please.

The Grey Man said...

MSNBC is saying it's all because Walker outspent Barrett. But they don't draw a correlation with Obama's epic fundraisers. And no discussion of message. They'll never learn.

Michael Haz said...

Kleefisch wins!!!!!

James said...

Its not over yet...I'm waiting for Van Wanggaard's results; I worked hard for him.

The Advertising Guy said...

I also love you Cheeseheads. Now the question will be how decisive the victory will be. John Ellis was talking the other day about a margin of 6% being significant. Hopefully we can sustain a double digit victory when the D counties come in.

Robert McLean MD PhD said...

Huffington Post has called it for Walker with 25% of the votes in.

Scott Walker (R) 338,518 59.8%
Tom Barrett (D) 224,650 39.7%

http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/wisconsin-recall-results

Hooray for Walker! Hooray for Ann Althouse. (Just had to throw that last one in there.)

Chip S. said...

iowahawk tweets: When the union thugs stormed the WI capitol, that was Pearl Harbor. Tonight is Hiroshima.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Speaking of garage.. did you people forget to post someone at the bridges like we agreed ;)

Martin L. Shoemaker said...

Just remember... This is in no way an indicator of what to expect in November. The Obama Administration made sure to remind us of that over the past week. The two elections are completely unrelated.

(Just trying to get ahead of the game, since we're going to hear that from the talking heads for the next month or more.)

David said...

Kleefish wins?!

The deems thought she would be a guppy sucking air.

Now Kleefish is a free fish.

Swim, baby, swim.

JohnJ said...

Forget the %#&* exit polls! There are more functional adults in Wisconsin than the media know.

DADvocate said...

Can you say "LANDSLIDE"?

If this election does reflect national sentiment, the Dems are sweating.

Phil 314 said...

So can someone now explain the recall petitions ?

Anonymous said...

Didn't think we'd be hearink zuh lamentations of zair vimmen this early.

dreams said...

Fox news has called the race for Walker and the LT governor.

The Grey Man said...

Lawrence O'Donnel tonight's winner is: Obama! May I have two of whatever he's having?

Jason said...

But...but..but...ONE MILLION SIGNATURES!

TOTWTYTR said...

Freeman Hunt said...

Everyone who voted in Wisconsin today will be dead by the time there's another transit of Venus.


Chances are many of them already are.

Chip S. said...

Allie Oop said last night, "He who laughs last..."

To which I will add, ... "not only laughs best, but adds a victory dance".

bagoh20 said...

TOTWTYTR,

Hahahahahhaha!

I'm Full of Soup said...

I think the state and the people of Wisconsin won tonight too!

Jason said...

For James-

Wanggaard is up 63-37 with 10% in.

Sloanasaurus said...

According to the results as they are coming in, it looks like Walker may do better than 2010. he is bringing in hinger margins in counties that are mostly in.

James said...

"David Axelrod ‏@davidaxelrod

Bad night in Boston...WI raises big questions for Mitt. http://trib.in/KdZpQk"

bagoh20 said...

Lawrence O'Donnell blames Citizens United.

ALH said...

I haven't had cable TV for a few years. Just got it back last week.

Just in time to watch the MSNBC talking heads try to hide their venomous anger. Music. Sweet, sweet music.

They have 18 months of outrage and chanting. I had one day to vote and let my voice be heard. Damn does it feel good.

Brian Brown said...

ONE MILLION SIGNATURES!!!!

ONE
MILLION
SIGNATURES!!!!

Translates into 41% of the vote.

Mel said...

AP calls it!

edutcher said...

At about 25% in, both Walker and Becky lead by about 20 points each.

Could all of those new registrants have been for Walker?

And can we be looking at one of the great blowouts of all time?

A quick video of the dancing at Meadhouse, mayhap? Because ANN and New Meadia Meade helped make this possible by telling the truth about what was going on here.

If there is a swearing-in or something, you two deserve seats right up front (and I don't give a damn who calls me a syncophant). This is your victory, too, over the creeps who tried to intimidate you.

Kiss your wife, Mr Meade, that is one gutsy lady.

vbspurs said...

What I absolutely adored on Twitter, were all the progressive surrogates tweeting madly for those in the precincts to stay there, if they had arrived prior to 8 PM.

As if to suggest that the high turnout was for no other reason, than a disproportionately high Democrat turnout salivating to cast their Barrett votes.

HAH.

I said, I said, HAH. /Foghorn Leghorn

Cheers,
Victoria

Blue@9 said...

Bizarre how those DU folks are screaming about NBC. It's like conservatives crying that Fox is too liberal.

sane_voter said...

CNN is using their shitty exit poll data to say obama will have no problem winning in November. What a joke

gadfly said...

http://www.aoshqdd.com/

Walker 443932

Barrett 292589

Reporting 34%

Martin L. Shoemaker said...

9:02 PM Just remember... This is in no way an indicator of what to expect in November. The Obama Administration made sure to remind us of that over the past week. The two elections are completely unrelated.

(Just trying to get ahead of the game, since we're going to hear that from the talking heads for the next month or more.)


9:06 PM Paul Begala is emoting like mad on CNN about how the Wisconsin recall has absolutely nothing to do with what will happen to Obama this fall.

Not that it was a hard prediction to make, but I'll still take credit for predicting it within 4 minutes of it starting.

vbspurs said...

Bagoh20 wrote:

Lawrence O'Donnell blames Citizens United.

Did you hear O'Donnell's lead in? "The real winner of the Wisconsin recall is...President Obama".

Yes. I guffawed.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Watch the media spin this as a "temper tantrum".. when the reality is that it was the union and the democrats that threw a "temper tantrum" and this is the adults restoring the will of the people as reflected via the vote 2010.

Congratulations Wisconsin!

Let them think twice before trying it again.

David said...

Door County has gone for Walker 56-43% with 95% of precincts in. Good old Wisconsin common sense prevails.

glenn said...

All those MSNBC folks look like they swallowed live frogs.

Mark said...

"David Axelrod ‏@davidaxelrod

Bad night in Boston...WI raises big questions for Mitt. http://trib.in/KdZpQk"


If you're going to lie, lie big.

granmary said...

I knew at 8 o'clock that Walker had won big. How? I turned on CNN and saw the hangdog look on Paul Begala's face. I always look for the most liberal person I can find on TV and watch their expression. Remember the 2000 election when the CBS crowd had to find a chair for Cokie Roberts to collapse in when Bush was called the winner? I laughed til I cried that night. I still recall it fondly. Go Walker!

Unknown said...

What's up with you Cheese Heads? The guy takes you to a budget surplus, lowers unemployment, lowers property taxes, and has fake love children.

vbspurs said...

"Just goes to show that hopey-changey stuff was fake, hypocritical and [mushy?]."

Governor Palin just now.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Woo Hoo!! Not as close as I feared it was going to be.

Legal Insurrection has some really great John Philips Souza music and fireworks on their screen.

Uplifting. Nothing like great marching band music!!!! After the victory.

Sweeeeet.

Brian Brown said...

GOP State Sen. Fitzgerald up 60-39 w/54% reporting

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