Recalling Walker – A Fool’s Errand at This Time!

The more I look at the conditions and environment for recalling Governor Walker, the more I am convinced that now is not the right time for such an action.

Polls show the state is split down the middle with the Walker supporters currently holding a slight edge, 49 percent supporters and 48 percent non-supporters. At this point to gain even a slight majority in a state wide election would be very difficult if not impossible. Although, I think the non-supporters can garner enough signatures to force a recall — but that is not winning the election.

Currently the Democrats do not have a powerful enough candidate to run against the governor. The potential candidates with the greatest statewide name recognition have already declined to run. Who do the Democrats have that can make a credible run? At this point I would say no one and to create a candidate starting at ground zero is expensive and risky.

Another issue that impacts the likelihood of mounting a successful recall is that the governor’s policies have, pretty much, only had minimal impact on the day-to-day lives of the citizenry. The stories of doom and gloom put forth by his opponents have largely yet to materialize. The average citizen has not yet seen their schools shut down, class sizes blossom, a drop off in public services, or any other noticeable negative impact. The only fly in the ointment for the governor is that the state is still under performing in job creation and he has been successfully able to pass that on as a problem at the federal level and not at the level of the state.

In addition to the other issues so far raised is the money the governor has attracted to fend off a recall. Money has been flowing into his coffers like water flowing over Niagara Falls. His local supporters are opening their wallets in record numbers. Also , the size of the contributions is not limited for the 60-day period while collecting signatures. If and when a recall finally occurs, the governor will have accumulated an unprecedented war chest. The Democrats will have a difficult time matching it during a presidential election year and a major run for the open .

As many of you that have followed my positions will attest, I am no supporter of Governor Walker. I would like nothing better than to see him kicked out of office. I find his philosophical and ideological positions to be a plutocratic and oligarchy focused. For me, his election was achieved under dubious conditions; whereas, he did not fully disclose his plans for breaking the public employee unions or the vilification of public sector workers. I still feel that if he had been open and honest with his plans that Tom Barrett would now be governor. Although he claims his actions are for the welfare of the state, it is obvious that his actions were in fact, political maneuvers to enhance his power and the likelihood that the Republican Party would continue to hold onto power in the state.

My approach to neutralizing the governor would employ the following strategy: I would go ahead and collect the signatures necessary to command a recall. However, the last day of signature collection I would not submit the signatures to the Government Accountability Board. I would forgo the recall election at this time. What will have happened is that the governor would have accumulated all this money with nowhere to spend it. I, in turn, would concentrate all my cash and effort into winning back control of the State Legislature and retaining the U.S. Senate seat. Also, by waiting to recall the governor it will buy time for the governor’s policies to finally fail or show no progress. It is pretty certain that the problems with his plans will begin to crop up before the general election a year from now. After the general election, if it so warrants, he can then be recalled and it will have a higher likelihood of unseating him.