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Adieu, Adieu, Remember Me
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DeMint’s Defense of RomneyCare is Ignorant…And Dangerous
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McConnell Pushing Vote to Block the EPA from Regulating Carbon Emissions
March 17, 2011 | 9 comments
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More Barbour on Afghanistan
March 16, 2011 | 8 comments
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House Passes Three Week Spending Bill
March 15, 2011 | 8 comments
The Spectacle Blog
Ever since protests broke out at Wisconsin’s capital last month, there’s been a question of whether it could spark a liberal version of the Tea Party movement. That question became a bit more pronounced last night, as Republicans used a legislative tactic to overcome Democrats’ attempts to block the Senate from being able to pass the budget fix bill that also reduced public sector union’s bargaining power. The liberal outrage in response has been compared to the conservative backlash when Democrats used the reconciliation process to pass the health care law. Nate Silver has some insights about whether this can galvanize the Democratic base as health care galvanized the GOP base in 2010. Anything can happen, but there are two main reasons to think it won’t be as galvanizing. The first is that health care is a much more personal and important issue that affects everybody, whereas the issue of public sector bargaining power is mainly a motivating concern for unions and liberal activists. The second is that health care was a national issue, not just a case of a single state — say, Massachusetts — enacting things. The rallying cry in 2010 was that changing Congress was a way to start the process of repealing a law that will have a big affect on everybody in the country. Maybe a “recall” effort in 2012 would have an impact on Wisconsin — an Obama 2008 state that was a possible pickup opportunity for Republicans — but at least right now, I don’t see it as an enduring, national, rallying cry.
View all comments (62) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Philip Klein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/03/10/will-wisconsin-be-the-beginnin
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Rogue Elephant| 3.10.11 @ 11:01AM
Recalls and other political campaigns cost money. There is no real grassroots support for most public sector unions. They must use Astroturf to make the appearance that there is support. This costs money.
The Wisconsin reforms help cutoff the flow of (taxpayer) dollars to fund the Big Labor Astroturf campaign. Other states (Ohio and elsewhere) need to pass similar reforms so that Big Labor can't focus its efforts on making an example of WI.
At the end of the day, the Tea Party has been successful because it is genuine grassroots arising out of genuine economic concerns over reckless government spending. Big Labor and the public sector unions are the root cause of much reckless government spending. It's hard to get support from actual "working families" when you are reaching into their pockets so that you can enjoy pay and benefits better than that enjoyed by taxpayers.
MikeD| 3.10.11 @ 1:36PM
I wonder how much general support will be engendered by their breaking into the Capitol offices today and threatening the Senators in their offices. If this violence and thuggery does not turn into more disgust on the part of Americans, then this Country is too far gone to be self governing.
The dems and their willing lackies in the unions and media have overplayed their hand; demonstrating their contempt for the rule of law for all to see. Throw them out of the Capitol and throw them in jail!
Wayne | 3.10.11 @ 1:48PM
Imagine if this turns violent. It well could beyond what we have already seen as some nut could carry out a death threat. This is not Martin Luther Kings peaceful sit-in or even comparable to the anti-Vietnam war sit-ins. Nor is the cause noble. This will eventually fizzle out as the US situation will turn into anger with Obama.
uncle curmudgeon| 3.10.11 @ 11:07AM
Just so, Rogue. In a fair election the smart money bet is not on the "galvanized" 20%. Keep your powder dry, y'all.
All American American| 3.10.11 @ 11:13AM
I'd like to think that the pinko-commie, dope-smoking, long-haired hippies crying in Madison are not typical "Joe Sixpack" Democrats like my truck-driver grandfather was.
But if not, where are the "moderate" democrats? Are they a myth, like the "moderate" muslim? Where are the normal, everyday Amercian democrats and why aren't they reigning in these kooks?
Personally I hope what we're seeing in a "last hurrah" for these kooks. End of the democrat party anyone?
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.10.11 @ 11:26AM
They're all republicans now. All the moderates left the party. The only ones left in the democrat party is the hard-left and the people who don't pay attention.
All American American| 3.10.11 @ 4:04PM
The people who don't pay attention? Is that a nice way of saying "minorities?" :)
Dems still have unions, blacks, hispanics, and felons.
J.C.Eaton| 3.10.11 @ 11:39AM
Where are the moderate Democrats you ask? They, like I was, were told we weren't wanted or needed any more. When I was a young lawyer, ambitious and eager to rise, I hustled an appointment as county district attorney from the Demo governor. I actually believed in the bullshit JFK, HHH, and yes, even LBJ were speilling. Heck, I even served during the Vietnam war and thought these guys had my back. At one Demo party meeting I was told that the public schools and their unions were just jake and the savior of the nation. I allowed as how the private schools kept them honest and was told "the Catholic kids were stupid." I said totalitarianism is evil no matter where it comes from, I was told Stalin was a humanitarian. I said abortion was murder, I was stared at. And I told them that before one single parasite got jack-shit, every honorably discharged American vet should have his prosthetic device and his school loan, and the respect of his country. And I was told....nothing. THAT is the contemporary Demo party, and it was that way as early as 1974. Best,
JRGierlach| 3.10.11 @ 12:04PM
Too right. and it's gone waaaaaaay left since then. The majority prolly think Unca Joe Stalin was too conservative (see Billy Ayres and Bernie Dohrn.)
Tom Poole| 3.11.11 @ 12:46PM
In watching this I was reminded of when I was a boy and there was an organization called the "international Workers of the World" AKA 'Wobblies'. The speeches that were given by union leaders the last two weeks could have been published then, they were the same. Wobblies were considered an arm of the Communist Party, I suppose one could assume the Democrats wear that hat too, but that would be a slander on a few good democrats of the Harry Truman school.
Immortal 600| 3.11.11 @ 10:43AM
I have always thought of myself as a moderate Democrat. I have been a registered D for over 40 years. I haven't voted that way in almost 20. When Hillary came out of the woodwork that changed me. My last primary vote as a Democrat was last year to get rid of Arlen Spector. However, I voted for Toomey in the general election. I am moving to Florida this summer. I will register there as either an Independent or Republican (I haven't made up my mind yet). I look forward to casting a vote down there against Bill Nelson (in the Senate) and (President) for Rin Tin Tin if he runs against Obama!!!!
Flyaway| 3.11.11 @ 11:30AM
Yeah, and I am one of those moderate democrat defectors. They lost me kin the Clinton administration althoough I was sorely tried by Carter. Looking back I was guilty of a naivete about the inate goodness of people....even congressmen. No longer, we are so perverse and self-centered now that we seem to be collecting at one end of the political spectrum or the other, leaving the middle in the same the middle income people are now. Since November, 2010, the conservatives have spoken, and the slogan is: "Hold on to your lug nuts - it's time for an overhaul".
Warrior | 3.10.11 @ 11:15AM
How well has their liberal activism worked for them up to now in Madison? They are a vocal minority and remind me of Saddam Hussein prior to Desert Storm promising us the "Mother of all Battles." All words and little substance. We should let them realize their largest fear, as Reagan did to the air traffic controllers, and show them how replaceable they really are.
Pete| 3.10.11 @ 11:37AM
When can the newly emancipated public union workers begin to exercise free will (concerning dues/union certification) and how closely can we track their defections?
Al Adab| 3.10.11 @ 12:19PM
Perhaps the union kneecap breakers and the Tea Party will face off in the streets. The Conservative Movement could suffer a worse fate that to die, like Cato, opposing rather than agreeing to live under tyranny.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.10.11 @ 12:36PM
Al Adab,
I am reminded of General Patton's words concerning "dieing for ones country". (heh)
Al Adab| 3.10.11 @ 3:16PM
Hard to disagree with Genl George, but then again, it worked at the Alamo.
Conservative View| 3.10.11 @ 12:46PM
This bit in WI has far reaching implications. The Democratic Party has thrown it's lot in with Unions, which worked for them, worked quite well. Now the American public is aware of just what that cost, and not in just dollars. We were rapidly becomming the United Unions of Socialist States of America.
Now the Democrats, and liberals in general, are in a tight spot. Their power base is erroding right from under them. Expect them to fight back with everything they can possibly find. That includes base ball bats. If the MSM won't report a few broken legs and heads, what's to keep them from being total thugs?
Now, more than ever we need the Tea Party, a group to stand up to the liberal idea that they, the anoited ones should rule our lives. Thank heavens for the internet. As yet the libs have been unable to control it, and throuh it the truth comes out. For you see, with the internet we don't need bats, we have the truth, and the net is mightier than the bat any day.
I'll be damned if I wish to live in the UUSSA
Thomas| 3.10.11 @ 12:49PM
The Democrat party has no significant base to speak of anymore. So, there is really nothing to galvanize. The Republican party is in the same boat. They no longer have a significant base, either. There are a lot of union and retired union members out there, many of whom are Republicans. Considering the outcome of the 2008 Presidential elections, when alienating the Conservative Republican voters resulted in loss of support at the polls and the election of Barack Obama, I don't think it is overly wise to alienate another segment of your potential voter pool.
Remember the "teaparty"/Conservative block is not homogeneous. Within that block are groups that have other needs and desires. Some of those are union people who don't see union members as akin to members of the Communist Party in the 1950s.
The Republicans will just have to see how much support they lose over these union busting actions and how much money the Dems realize from union coffers. Stay tuned.
pete2| 3.10.11 @ 1:03PM
What you are witnessing is the opening battle between those who believe in the Law and it's orderly process and those who feel mob rule will get them what they want. The response by Gov Walker to this anarchy will determine just how far these thugs will be able to go. These people are hired activists( brown shirts) and they will do what they can to stop the process of government. It's time to "take Back America" and this is the test of how well we, on the right, will stand up th these thugs. Call out the Guard to take out the trash.
jamie w.| 3.10.11 @ 2:18PM
The now-battle blooded Guard has now see true poverty and deprivation in the Middle East - where we could wind up if things do not improve. They have seen the face of the real enemy and how he hates us. As a result, it has been conservatized. The Guard, if called upon, will be happy to oblige, and they will do it in a swift, professional, efficient, and humane way, precisely as they did in Afghanistan and Iraq when allowed to do their jobs.
Which is why Obama wanted a national police force. He knows the Guard is no longer the Democrat's friend.
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 3:14PM
Interesting comment.
martin j smith| 3.10.11 @ 1:21PM
Do the people of WisconsIn want MOB RULE ?
DO THEY WANT TO SEE THEIR STATE GO DOWN ?
ARE THEY WILLING TO PAY THE MOB --WHAT THE MOB WANTS ?
DO THEY NOT SEE THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF THE UNION MOB ?
IF THEY DO NOT SEE THESE THINGS THEN THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN WISCONSIN WILL BE CREATING ANOTHER MICHIGAN.
DO THEY WANT THAT ?
CalMark| 3.10.11 @ 2:14PM
Enough of this stuff.
This isn't just mob rule; it's not even anarchy: it's insurrection. That's right, REVOLUTION.
Call out the guard, declare martial law, and lower the hammer. Polls and P.R. be blasted. This is about rule of law vs. Marxist thuggery.
Lest you forget, this is how Marxist revolutions always begin: storming the gates at some semi-important spot. Don't say, "It can't happen here." They've got the media on their side, and they (along with the media) are desperate.
Desperate authoritarians do desperate things. End it now.
simon templar| 3.10.11 @ 2:23PM
There are two facts being ignored here. Fact number one: Wisconsin just had an election and the MAJORITY swept in the Republicans..a state that has traditionally been left leaning. Number two: the public sector unions are the money machine for the Socialist Democrats and they are scared to death that this gravy train is coming to a stop. Shut the money off..you shut them up..they are a small fraction of the total population. The voting block of the socialist demo party is huge indeed but largely located in the major cities of the minority, unemployed, and non-union populations. They are not and never been an easily mobilized group, a group that pays much taxes, nor gives much to political movements nor political campaigns. This is why they are completely freeking out, beating their chests and drums, and trying every low down and dirty trick they can come up with to stop this effort to limit their money machine and power grip over the majority of tax payers.
Frisbee| 3.10.11 @ 6:28PM
simon templar wrote: "Wisconsin just had an election. "
Good point. Does the Wisconsin constitution require some delay between an election and a recall?
Frisbee| 3.10.11 @ 6:35PM
Sorry to answer my own question. Here is Art XIII, Sec 12 of the Wisconsin Constitution:
"The qualified electors of the state, of any congressional, judicial or legislative district or of
any county may petition for the recall of any incumbent elective officer after the first year of the term for which the incumbent was elected..."
So there is a 1 year delay for recall of any of the newly elected, whether Rep or Dem.
martin j smith| 3.10.11 @ 2:30PM
QUESTION: SHOULD WALKER CALL OUT THE NATIONAL GUARD ? THERE APPEARS TO BE A BREAKDOWN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND A DANGER TO LAWFUL GOVERNMENT. WHAT GIVES ?
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 2:34PM
In a word--YES!
simon templar| 3.10.11 @ 2:37PM
No. This is what the left would love to see and their media to spin. The police need to slowly remove the offensive, post a sign stating that the building needs to be cleaned for business, and police posted that actually stop people from entering.
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 3:12PM
If the poice are unable or unwilling to do their job, Walker should call out the National Guard.
The Republican legislators are receiving vicious death threats and must be protected from the union mobs. The rule of law must prevail.
Time to man up, Simon.
simon templar| 3.10.11 @ 4:59PM
There is a time and place for everything. Rule number one when dealing with lefties: Do not let them play you. Rule number two: do not let them control the message or image. This is not a question of manning up but rather of being as wise as a serpent. Let them make the next move after being warned first and dealt with very reasonably. Then hit them with the hammer. I think we agree...
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 6:20PM
If you agree with me that the rule of law must prevail, we agree.
We cannot allow violent union mobs to intimidate our legislators, regardless of the LameStream Media BS.
simon templar| 3.10.11 @ 6:35PM
Yes, it must and it will. If it does not, we are sunk.
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 6:52PM
Exactly.
flipside| 3.10.11 @ 4:33PM
Yes. The state house should be cleared. Why are these unwashed freaks being allowed in the building and threatening lawmakers. The fleebaggers should be hunted down and frogmarched across the state lines into patty wagons.
simon templar| 3.10.11 @ 2:33PM
Klein..maybe this will be something big for the citizens of this country and a victory for conservatives, independents, and true democrats that want their Republic back and desire limited government? Is this some kind of intellectual game for you? We have just seen something quite historical, uplifting, and glorious and the first thing you write is this pile of crap? Maybe jharp is right..some of us may be stupid.
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 2:36PM
Klein's a squish; he always looks for the one storm cloud in a perfectly bright, shiny sky.
Jharp's a stupid troll.
MikeN| 3.10.11 @ 2:46PM
Which states are Republicans planning to take from Obama to take the presidency? Let's assume Indiana, Nebraska's last electoral vote, North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio. Throw in Virginia, and you still need a state that McCain lost by 10 points.
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 8:40PM
Obama can't win without Ohio.
Besides, the Independents have fled the democrat party in droves.
Brad| 3.10.11 @ 3:03PM
This will not create a lib version of the Tea Party because the backlash against Obamacare was a result of fighting against a wrong. The unions, Obama, et al are fighting against a right. (That's a small "r" not a capitol "R.") The Tea Party sprung up in its various groups because of indignation and being fed-up with oppression. For a lib version to emerge, there has to be a large group of people fed-up with not enough oppression. IOW, the lib version of the Tea Party already exists--those maniac protesters and the union. It's not going to grow.
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 3:13PM
I agree. This is typical democrat astro-turf BS.
Boston12GS| 3.10.11 @ 3:09PM
The rich irony is that it is the BETTER COMPENSATED minority of public union workers who are protesting the legislature elected by the LESSER COMPENSATED majority of taxpayers that pay those union salaries.
Aarradin| 3.10.11 @ 3:47PM
I can't see how a "rallying cry" that boils down to:
"I WANT MY PORK"
will ever play well with the >85% of America that busts hump to provide the pork, only to see it taken away and given to someone else
solidground| 3.10.11 @ 3:53PM
If the Wisconsin situation galvanizes Democrats to form let's say, an "Alinsky Party" revolt, will we have the charter to speak truthfully and honestly about their bad behavior? Nah, probably not.
Lenny| 3.10.11 @ 4:08PM
We'd better grow a pair now or we'll lose our freedom.
We're already nearly there.
Edward Ferrer| 3.10.11 @ 4:23PM
The beginning of something big for the
Democrats? Whose side are you on? You have anything that will be PART of the
solution and NOT the problem? Defeatism
and Pesimism are NO OPTIONS? There is a
solution that we MUST consider against Obama and his Den of Vipers, and that is
IMPEACHMENT,NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, NO ifs and
buts, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. We have many solutions within our grasp, and we don't
BOTHER to acknowledge them! Civil Rights
are MORE important than politics and/or
parties! They are God-Given and PRECIOUS!
Should we throw in the towel and go like
sheeple to the Slaughter! NO WAY! Enough
is REALLY Enough! NO MORE!! Keep the Faith! God Reigns and He is ABLE!
Maranatha!!
Carole| 3.10.11 @ 4:29PM
To those wondering where all the moderate Democrats went, I would pose a similar question: What happened to all the moderate Republicans?
We moderates are still out here, desperately seeking representation that doesn't take its marching orders from one extreme or the other. We believe in fiscal responsibility, but not at the expense of destroying working American families or gutting our educational system. We understand the concept of individual responsibility and consequences but cringe as we watch both political parties fight to ensure that those at the opposite ends of the economic spectrum are spared any responsibility or consequences for their actions or decisions. We understand the principles of capitalism but wonder what happened to concepts like fairness and protection of citizen's rights.
We moderates get up every day, go to work, pay our taxes, obey the laws and pray to God that Social Security will be there for us at retirement, we'll be able to afford college for our kids and our kids will have the freedoms and opportunities we used to take for granted. We understand that unions did much for this country. But, like government, unions became bloated and, like business, they became unreasonable and greedy. Yet, for everything that is wrong with unions, we moderates still believe that working Americans should have the right to bargain in good faith with employers and a place at the table when decisions impacting them and their livelihood are made. We believe that too much power in the hands of just a few is a recipe for disaster that leads down the path to oligarchy. But most of all, we moderates wonder why we, once proud members of America's middle class, have been tossed to the curb like yesterday's garbage.
Lenny| 3.10.11 @ 4:34PM
Middle of the roaders end up as road kill. Better pick a side.
simon templar| 3.10.11 @ 5:30PM
Wow. You sound like the millions of the Tea Party. You are essentially a conservative and you do not know it. Carole, the major error, however, in your thinking is the false notion you have bought that there are no moderate republicans and that there is this extreme right wing group of conservatives that want to destroy collective bargaining, all government, and return the country to some pre 1900 America of robber barons. This whole paradygm is an illusion and false dichotomy cooked up by the elitist statist and progressives. What we have in this country are essentially three groups of people. The first is an establishment elite that is essentially progressive. These are your moderate progressive big government republicans and their freinds the new progressive Statist Democrat. The next group is the millions of useful idiots and entitlement oriented Americans who are manipulated and buffeted around by the first group. Then there is the rest of us. Hard working people like yourself who pay the bills and all the taxes. It is that simple. The Tea Party, the conservative movement, and most of the people blogging here are not against collective bargaining, workers rights, fairness, and good schools. Stop listening to the MSM and start listening closely to what conservatives are actually saying and have been saying for nearly a century. The statist, elitist belief that federal government can solve our problems as a society is not only a myth but anti-American and dangerous to the very idea of a self governing Republic. The twentieth century was a testimony to the failure of this experiment. Does it have a role? Yes, but in the confines of the constitution. Lenny is right..you will have to think this through and at one point you will need to decide what you believe in and who you will stand with.
Conservative View| 3.10.11 @ 5:38PM
Some sage once said, "He who sits on the fence gets shot at from both sides." To the "moderates", I recomend that you trade moderation for passion, temperence for profound belief. In short, grow a pair, take a stand, and assume responsibility for your position. You are either for the all powerful government, or you are for the freedom of the individual, you can't be for both.
Frisbee| 3.10.11 @ 9:53PM
She said "working... families" and "educational system" - she is already on a side.
flipside| 3.10.11 @ 4:30PM
Time for the TParty to confront the peepeeParty this weekend. They'll piss their pants.
Frisbee| 3.10.11 @ 9:52PM
Hey, "PP Party", Planned Parenthood Party, maybe you're onto something. Kermitt Gosnell can be their poster boy: "Uncle Kermitt Wants You!".
Ellis Wyatt| 3.10.11 @ 4:38PM
I don't think this helps the democrats. The protests are more or less made up of naive college students, which ironically are protesting against their own best interests, and the relatively small group of government employees. This is a revolt of the middle class against the political class, not the old middle class versus the rich from the democrat playbook which I think has them confused and in a state of shock. I don't think the democrats can turn that around and spark a grassroots movement of the political class rising up against the middle class which is essentially would we are talking about by comparing this to the tea party movement.
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 3.10.11 @ 6:58PM
Don't they already have their own grassroots movement, it was call the Coffee Party (Not to be confused with the Tea Party by the way), or was it the NoLabels movement, or was it the GiveMeMoreOfTheTaxpayer'sMoneyOrI'llThrowAFit movement? I forget sometimes!! Or was it just the Communism Movement? Damn my memory!!
TruthSpeakerTn| 3.10.11 @ 7:52PM
there is a HUGE difference between Tea Parties and liberal/union mobs. No Tea Party would rush a capitol building and leave it damaged, no Tea Party would threaten the lives of the senators as well as their families. They are vastly different.
NoLib| 3.10.11 @ 8:43PM
Of course Tea Partiers are different from the union thugs. Tea Partiers clean up after themselves, unlike the liberal pigs.
Nite| 3.10.11 @ 9:33PM
It is one thing to have unions involved in private sector with hazardous jobs, it is quite another to have unions funded by government taxes. The unions take tax payer monies and give to Liberal Democrats. The Unions do NOT give any money to conservative candidates. The threats, vicious behavior of the union protestors, have turned me against unions in general.
Bert| 3.10.11 @ 9:52PM
Phil, why do promote Nate Silver the former crank /Daily KOZ push pollster and now the NY Slimes chief push pollster ? Really Phil lets considered the source , a DAILY KOZ left wing crackpot ! Who are you trying to fool here?
Tom Poole| 3.11.11 @ 12:39PM
Strange, I dont recall that anyone from the TeaParty, or any other conservative group invaded the Capitol when Obamacare was passed. Sure we demonstrated, yelled things etc; but nothing like the hate and bile that has been spewed in Wisconsin and Ohio. And also, why was there no mention of the lack of people of color? Are there no blacks and hispanics there? I didn't see a one in all the footage Meade shot until they trotted out Jesse Jackson Wednesday. Well the MSM abrogates it's responsibility again, no surprise.