Did the Republican's make a mistake in Wisconsin?

My hubby | 3/9/2011 | MsLady

[MsLady]

My hubby said he thinks the republican's screwed up in Wisconsin. He said he thought public opinion would turn against them now. He thought they should have just waited the democrats out and let them sweat it out in IL. Comments and keep in nice :) it's late and I don't feel like getting yelled at.

[Billthedrill]

9 seconds. There are no ties on the Internets.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Like there is anything state-run media is going to like that the GOP does?

It's time for the rubber to hit the road, or to surrender.

Those are the choices.

[BobSimons]

I’m not saying they did anything wrong. In fact I think they showed great restraint. But, how will the public overall see it?

The Public likes to see "issues resolved" a leader and a winner and in this case the Republicans WON and won looking like the adults, unlike how Democrats "won" with Obamacare.(see the difference)

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Like there is anything state-run media is going to like that the GOP does?

It's time for the rubber to hit the road, or to surrender.

Those are the choices.

[MsLady]

If that is true and public opinion was already turning against Walker, then they had nothing to lose then.

[jongaltsr]

Walker done good.
Demoncrats lose.
THAT is all that matters.
THAT is all that Demoncrats understand.

[FlingWingFlyer]

By not doing what they did, the commie unions would have won and America would have lost. The people in Wisconsin now have a chance to see what the union thugs are really like as they destroy the capitol building. There is no place for unions in the public sector.

[Billthedrill]

This is no longer a fight for poll numbers. The unions have seen to that. This is just a fight, and if they don’t back off somebody is going to get hurt, badly.

[Revolting cat!]

Damn, that’s why Watson won on Jeopardy!

[Army Air Corps]

Wait until the unionized teachers no longer have their dues automatically deducted and have to write the checks for the dues.

[MsLady]

Me too!!!

[ICE-FLYER]

The only problem with what they did is that the renal mob of socialist, marxist and communists masquerading as Pro-Union folks will now be free to show up in Ohio or Indiana.

[RegulatorCountry]

Woohoo!

[MsLady]

I was thrilled beyond words when this was first announced. Then after talking to my hubby, and after he said what he said. My heart sunk. I thought dang it, doesn’t the public know the public unions are sucking the very life out of many states?

[RichInOC]

In the real world, when somebody takes off from their jobs, leaves the state and shows no evidence of coming back anytime soon to do the work they’re paid to do, they get fired. That’s the only thing I would have changed.

[MsLady]

ROFLOL!!! Yea, that’ll go over real well.

[comebacknewt]

That concerns me, but I am hopeful we did our research and made sure this was completely done by the book.

As long as we did, this is a huge win for the good guys.

[I still care]

People are invested in this in WI. Despite the press, they will figure out what they want.

Next election, they will either rectify their mistake or double down. Do they want to be CA or regain their financial health? It’s up to them.

I know looking at the student protesters making a mess with their vuvuzela horns, acting like a bunch of children, which side I would come down on. But I’m not from WI.

[Nonstatist]

2 months from now, unless youre in the public unions, youre not going to care one whit. The average joe is not going to care about that which does not affect his daily life.

[rabidralph]

I disagree.

[muawiyah]

This falls within the "collective bargaining" exception in that same law.

If that's involved the rules don't apply. In any case, if the legislature already had a different "rule" in place (like a "rule" for a specific bill), none of that stuff applies.

Anytime somebody tells you that a regulation or law supersedes the constitutional rules governing Congress or state legislature they are making a NULL CASE argument. The Constitution always takes precedence over laws and rules. Only members vote. Judges have no vote in the legislature.

[Longbow1969]

My hubby said he thinks the republican's screwed up in Wisconsin. He said he thought public opinion would turn against them now. He thought they should have just waited the democrats out and let them sweat it out in IL. Comments and keep in nice :) it's late and I don't feel like getting yelled at.

I think your hubby is right, I'd bet the polls for Walker and the Republicans are going to be extremely ugly in the short term. This was allowed to go on too long. The media has turned the 14 Democrats Senators who were subverting democracy into folk hero's and the public union (and student) protesters into "ordinary working people like us".

Waiting out the Dems wasn't an option. Public opinion was already largely against Walker. The Democrats simply weren't going to come back at all and we were losing the PR war anyway.

Walker and the Republicans were simply out of options. This had to end as it was only going to get worse.

This was the right move, now conservatives need to do a better job of communicating why this was so important.

And, wow, it is going to be a zoo in the capitol tomorrow. Republicans better be ready for a real knock down, drag out fight tomorrow in the Assembly.

Lastly, I do believe there is a Wisconsin Supreme Court election in April. It will be important to support the conservative (Prosser I believe) to keep the court conservative. The Democrats are going to try to have all Walker's work undone on technicalities, and you can be SURE the Democrat/liberal judges will find a reason to throw this law out.

[Dragonspirit]

A great victory for Walker, Republicans and America. Eat it Democrats, eat it all! Your silly games failed!! MUAHAHAHA!!!

[Ron C.]

"He said he thought public opinion would turn against them now."

The public opinion that counted with the GOP in WI was that of the majority of conservatives who elected that GOP majority. Many voiced their opinion that the elected majority was 'wimping out' in not doing more to deal with the problem - i.e., exercising their majority decisively.

In just the few hours since they passed the legislation (which was done 'by the book') they have greatly redeemed themselves in the eyes of most conservatives across the country - including most of those right on this website.

Of course in doing so, they have enraged the entire left, all leftist media, and the heat will be turned up as high as they can possibly make it.

Our collective job on this website is to do what we can to support their action today. Mail letters in support, send email, and make as many phone calls as we can afford, expressing that support.

We can all sit here and type about how much we like what was done, but that in no way helps the members of the legislature that battles the massive media blitz that has already began.

[MsLady]

I agree with the childishness with the dems and the protesters. The protesters are behaving like very large 2 year olds.

I hope the vast majority of American's haven't devolved into, it's all about me, it's all about me. I think your right, time will tell. And it would appear sooner rather than later.

[peeps36]

The unhappy Wisconsin residents should come to CT to see what they’re missing. The CT democrats are taxing everything that moves and raising taxes on everything else. We are one of the worst states to live in because our government is owned by AFSCME.

[the_daug]

Many thought Reagan made a mistake when he fired the Air Traffic Controllers who struck illegally. It turned out to be one of his most notable victories.

Is that why the postal strike that was threaten never materialized?

[MsLady]

The whole nation gets to see what the union thugs are all about. And that is a great thing.

[libertarian27]

He said he thought public opinion would turn against them now

The general public is more concerned with Charlie Sheen - they actually should have done this 2 days ago and it wouldn't have even hit the 'general public' radar.

We're also about due for the next installment of "As NPR Turns"

[The Bronze Titan]

The only “PUBLIC OPINION” that counts is the one taken every NOVEMBER. Guess who won the last one in WI when it was taken last November? Case closed!

[Delta Dawn]

No.

[MNlurker]

You are correct. We won this battle in WI, but the next one will be that election in April and will be an even bigger knock down drag out since it means the majority balance on the State Supreme Court (4 VS.3).

Prosser gets elected and Walkers reforms will withstand lawsuits.

Prosser loses and it reasonable to assume that many laws are rules against by the court.

You outsiders ain’t seen nothing yet... :)

[Ron C.]

"And, wow, it is going to be a zoo in the capitol tomorrow."

You're right about that! See my post (74) about lending the GOP in WI some support - best we can. Email is cheap, letters are slow, phone calls count a great deal but can be costly - but if every FReeper tried just a bit to support the good guys, they would be in much better stead.

[CharacterCounts]

The Wisconsin Open Meetings Act requires 24 hours notice before a public meeting (including a legislative committee meeting),

Where did you get that requirement from? Please cite a source!

I just reviewed the statute as well as the state provided Compliance Guide provided by the state's attorney general and could find no such requirement.

[AD from SpringBay]

If the Wisconsin democrats return to the capitol tomorrow then the republicans should vote to undo what they did today and then put the original legislation up for a vote - after they lock the doors so no one can run away before the votes are taken.

[train]

Total Population of WI is approximately 5.6 million for the State.

The majority of residents are Conservative. They FIRED Russ Feingold in November. Russ Feingold.... remember him, all his so called power in Washington? People of Wisconsin fired him just 4 months ago letting him know that Russ Feingold and his ilk don't represent them.

Folks like Scott Walker represent Wisconsin. Not Russ Feingold who was all chummy with labor leaders.

Wisconsin is right on track with the direction they want the state to go in. And it was anti-thug union and pro-hard working tax paying Americans. Wisconsin isn't like Illinois thugs like it's neighbor Obama.

Russ Feingold and his bff Obama. Remember, hanging out with Obama will get you fired.

[MsLady]

I hope and pray too. I think Walker and the other Reps did all they could do. They did the right thing and thank God they did. I pray for Walker and the others, for there safety. I can’t imagine the pressure they are under. Makes my stomach turn to just think about it. I hope and pray that the people of WI have enough sense to know that what the Republican’s did today will save WI and possibly the nation. God bless them, they are truly a brave bunch.

[Rockingham]

In controversies of this type, when an issue seems stalemated, it helps to move forward even if doing so is imperfect and incomplete. If budget measures can be addressed without the missing Democratic Senators, then on this issue and all others, the legislature and governor should do so and secure every possible advantage. Once that is done, most of the damage in the polls will quickly begin to heal.

[smoothsailing]

Show hubby this...

Protestors Storm Capitol

[Mygirlsmom]

I think they could have and should have done what they did today as soon as the Dems fled.

So much has come out over the past few weeks that wouldn't have been known. Now there are soundbites, videos, and irrefutable evidence of Commie Dem bad behavior galore.

Had they acted too quickly, it would have been "Walker is a dictator" and we would have not had much ammunition to defend him

[MsLady]

That is what concerns me too. They are a mob and an ugly mob at that. Someone is going to get hurt. I pray for the Republican’s, Gov. Walker and the others that stood for the right things tonight. God bless them all and keep them and their families safe.

[headless_thompson_gunner]

The only way I'll be worried is if a respectable, venerable opponent shows up from the other side in protest...

[MsLady]

Thank you for that. I was so happy when I first heard about this. And then my wonderful hubby, he really is wonderful, said what he said about public opinion....nothing like throwing cold water on someone :(

[Big E]

The Governor did exactly what he was elected to do, and will be rewarded. By the time he runs for re-election, all the voters will remember is they’ve got a balanced budget, no tax increases, and more jobs, than when Walker took office. He let the Democrats thrash about for 3 weeks... and they would have done so until the next elections. He let me have their say, more than their say, and finally did his job.

As for polls? The only polls that count are called elections. They took one in November, and the GOP won the House, Senate, and the Governorship. Good for Governor Walker.

[MissH]

I completely agree with you - I am so glad he finally did this but wish he would have done it right off the bat so we wouldn’t have had to put up with three weeks of jibberish from the left.

[Castigar]

Why can’t they vote out the collective bargining rights without the quorum?

As I understand it that wouldn’t be a budget issue so they only need a simple majority.

Do they have the votes?

[Last Dakotan]

I'm from Wisconsin. The left there is loud and in your face, hence the media coverage, but in numbers actually quite small. You'd see the same 12 people chained to the Reuss Federal building in Milwaukee on any given weekend for an assortment of issues.

Most of the state's population is much more taciturn, and views Madison as an island of idiocy.

[MsLady]

I think your right. He should have given the dems 24 hours to get back and then did what he just did. Then we wouldn’t have been subjected to all this garbage for weeks. Giving the left time to demonize even more.

[J Edgar]

Your observations are impeccable indeed!
Thanks for the ground-zero perspective!

[The Citizen Soldier]

Your husband is wrong, but he’s now qualified to host a show on MSNBC...