Free Republic

Playing a game of political chicken, Democratic senators who fled Wisconsin to stymie restrictions on public-employee unions said Sunday they planned to come back from exile soon, betting that even though their return will allow the bill to pass, the curbs are so unpopular they'll taint the state's Republican governor and legislators. The Republicans rejected the idea that the legislation would hurt the GOP. "If you think this is a bad bill for Republicans, why didn't you stand up in the chamber and debate us about it three weeks ago?" said Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. "People think it's absolutely...

MADISON -- The 14 missing Senate Democrats have until 4 p.m. today to return to the Capitol or face apprehension tantamount to arrest “with or without force." GOP Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) ordered the apprehension of the senators who fled the state two weeks ago to Illinois to avoid a vote on Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill. Republicans voted 19-0 to give the Democrats until 4 p.m. Thursday to appear before the Senate. "They have pushed us to the edge of a constitutional crisis," Fitzgerald said. "We simply cannot have democracy be held hostage because the minority wants...