Scott Walker keeps touting that his policies have created jobs here in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, that's a bald-faced lie. Want proof? Take a look at this chart from the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization BadgerStat.
Most of the previous Governor's policies were in place until June 2011, and most of Walker's major policies weren't yet in effect, because Walker didn't sign his budget until June 26, 2011. In the 6 months prior, 38,800 jobs were created according to BadgerStat's latest report on Jobs and Unemployment. However, in the 6 months since Walker's policies have been in place, Wisconsin has lost 35,600 jobs! That's nearly 0 net jobs gained since Walker took office, and at the current trend, we'll have a net job loss under Walker next month or two. In fact, jobs were lost immediately following the budget signing, and Wisconsin leads the nation in job losses.
This chart shows that Wisconsin was on an upward jobs trend after the housing crash when Walker took office. So, the statement that the previous governor's policies were creating jobs into Walker's inauguration and early term can be seen from the evidence.
Walker promised that he would create 250,000 jobs in his first term, and BadgerStat has tracked that progress as well. Check out this chart to see how Scott Walker's policies bucked that trend, too.
According to Bloomberg and WisPolitics, we've collected over a million signatures to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker! That's very close to the 1.1 million people who voted for Walker in 2010 and nearly double the amount required to recall Walker.
An exact count is expected to be announced at 3pm CST.
Enough signatures have also been collected for the recalls of Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Senator Scott Fitzgerald.
This is great news for everyone looking to get Wisconsin moving forward again. Oodles of thanks to everyone who helped in this effort.
Now, we'll finally get to vote for Walker based on the policies he will actually implement. The work doesn't end here, it just begins. We must continue to fight on through the recall election.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the economic trend in Wisconsin over the last 3 months has been sharply down. It's been far worse here in Wisconsin than any other state, as depicted by the stark red shaded Wisconsin in the map above.
The map comes from a report put together monthly by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia which tracks the economic trends of each state. This isn't good news for Wisconsin, which has traditionally had a much better economy than other states.
Look at Illinois, the state Walker thought people would be flocking to Wisconsin from. They sure aren't flocking here, those pesky "job creators". Let this be a lesson, Republicans suck at the economy! All the red and pink states have Republican governors.
Thanks a lot Scott "Where Are The Jobs?" Walker! That's what we get for asking a college drop-out to be career politician to lead this state. Good thing we have over 507,553 signatures to recall your butt, we'll get at least another 250,000 in the next month.
The recall of Walker starts today. Have you recalled Walker yet?
We're recalling Walker for taking rights away from our fellow Wisconsinites, making it more difficult to vote, easier to shoot someone in the Capitol than to take someone's picture, making it more difficult for renters in Wisconsin, not creating jobs, not compromising with anyone, not making the truly hard decisions required to help fix our economy, and many other things that make Wisconsin look more like Alabama without leaves.
Walker isn't progress unless we're living in a previous century.
It's time to take our Wisconsin back!
(Make sure you also sign the petition to recall Lt. Gov. Kleefisch, too, or she'll be Gov when Walker is booted!)
The people of Ohio have spoken, and they have rejected the anti-union law SB 5. The law was defeated by 61% of the vote with 83% currently reporting. That's quite a large margin. In fact, according to MSNBC, more people voted against SB 5 then who voted for Governor Kasich in 2010. The energy behind the Ohio referendum is here, it started here in Wisconsin. We start translating that energy into recalling Governor Walker and reinstating the rights of Wisconsinites next week, and the vote in Ohio will give Walker more reason to worry.
This afternoon news broke that the Walker recall unexpectedly started today, nearly two weeks before Democrats planned on beginning. The recall petitioner, David Brandt, is a Walker donor and named the committee the "Close Friends to Recall Walker." So it's the Republicans behind this preemptive start. But why would the Republicans want to start Walker's recall early?
It all comes down to fundraising for the "Close Friends of Walker." Next week, Walker will be traveling across the country to Koch brother-backed fundraising events filled by attendees with very deep pockets. Wisconsin law allows the targets of recall campaigns to raise an unlimited amount of funds to defend themselves, but normally politicians have strict fundraising limits. Since the recall has started, Walker can raise as much money as possible and come back to Wisconsin with millions. The November 15 start for the recall planned by the Democrats would take place after Walker's trip.
Now, Walker can use the millions he'll get to spam the airwaves with ads begging us to not sign the recall petition before the Democrats and the people of Wisconsin even get started. Walker and the Republicans are running scared, but they're going to make this an uphill battle. Join the Recall Walker effort at the Wisconsin Democrats RecallHQ where you can also get the latest information including news, events and how you can help.
The Recall Walker Kick Off Rally will take place in Madison at the State Capitol on Saturday, November 19th at 1pm.
Apparently J.B. Van Hollen is too busy for real AG work, because he's declined to investigate potential election fraud in Waukesha County and former Walker aides who may have violated law. Van Hollen declined to help the FBI with their secret Walker investigation after they requested his assistance. The FBI doesn't waste time, there's definitely a fishy smell emanating from the Walker camp. Yet, Van Hollen spent years investigating voter fraud when no rational mind suspects an issue of any real significance, and the results were what we expected, no significant voter fraud.
Tens of thousands of Wisconsinites and several high-profile people asked Van Hollen to investigate the glaring election issues in Waukesha County after the Supreme Court election in which David Prosser won by a very small margin, where significant election fraud may have occurred. However, J.B. Van Hollen declined to make any effort to investigate. Instead, the Government Accountability Board appointed a special investigator, Timothy Verhoff. Verhoff has now completed his investigation, only a few months later. Was the office of J.B. Van Hollen really so busy that they couldn't investigate?
Now, the FBI has asked J.B. Van Hollen to assist in their previously secret investigation of former Walker aides. What could possibly make Van Hollen believe the FBI is wrong in investigating these aides? If the FBI is wrong, shouldn't Van Hollen assist the FBI in coming to that conclusion?
Putting this all together what picture do we paint? Van Hollen has a very selective bias when it comes to what he chooses to investigate, but a very simple threshold. Will the investigation help Republicans? Yes, then investigate. No, then keep as quiet as possible. The investigations into voter fraud created a buzz around the words "voter fraud," most likely enabling the passage of the Voter Suppression Bill, which helps Republicans win more elections by suppressing votes for Democrats. Investigating election fraud in Waukesha County during the Supreme Court election could have resulted in a win for Kloppenburg, hurting Republicans, but keeping quiet left the status quo. Assisting the investigation of former Walker aides could potentially bring light to areas the FBI is dark on, potentially incriminating more aides and Walker himself. That would for sure hurt the Republicans, but keeping quiet can only help.
I'm sorry Mr. Van Hollen, but the people of Wisconsin, your employer, want you to do your job! You don't get a big fat paycheck to investigate only the things you're interested in. J.B. Van Hollen, you are a disgrace to your position and the State of Wisconsin. I think it's time for an investigation of J.B. Van Hollen's office, if there isn't already an ongoing secret FBI investigation. Tell Wisconsin why you won't investigate these very serious allegations when you'll investigate frivolous claims for years.
Want more reason to suspect politicizing by Van Hollen, check this out:
After seeing the Democrats in Wisconsin taking Governor Scott Walker's working majority away from him, Ohio Governor Kasich has backpedaled from Ohio Senate Bill 5 (Ohio's equivalent to Walker's collective bargaining rights-stripping bill), asking to work with opponents to amend the law instead of continue a voter referendum effort to repeal the entire law. The most recent poll in Ohio showed that Ohio voters favor repealing the law 56% to 32% against. The law was passed essentially the same as ours, without negotiation or any real debate, but now, just like Walker, Kasich is trying to look like he can be bipartisan.
We Are Ohio (Ohio's equivalent to We Are Wisconsin) told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC tonight that Kasich's backpedal is due directly to the success of the recall efforts in Wisconsin, and We Are Wisconsin told Rachel that they agree. The momentum is with the rights of workers and the middle class, no longer the Tea Party, and it's spreading beyond Wisconsin.
The AP has called both of today's recall elections for the Democrats, making all three Republican attempts failures. Democratic Senator Dave Hansen retained his seat in the first recall election on July 19. Senators Bob Wirch and Jim Holperin retained their seats following their big wins in today's elections in Senate Districts 12 and 22.
The Democrats were able to remove two Republicans from office in the August 9th recall elections. The Republicans maintain majority in the State Senate, but only by one, leaving Republican Senator Dale Schultz (who voted against Walker's collective bargaining rights-stripping bill) as the "king-maker" for many situations in the future. This should make Walker's anti-worker and anti-middle class policies more difficult to pass from now on, which is exactly what we wanted.
Earlier, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Mike Tate said Waukesha County Kathy Nicholaus was sitting on and tampering with votes. Waukesha County had told reporters that they would withhold their results until tomorrow without reason. However, within an hour after the announcement by Tate, Waukesha County has now fully reported, and the AP has called the race for Albert Darling. The Wisconsin Democrats have since issued another statement.
"On Tuesday night, Wisconsin spoke loud and clear with the recall of two entrenched Republicans. This is an accomplishment of historic proportions that I do not wish to be overshadowed by statements regarding results in the 8th Senate District.
Though we believe that Sandy Pasch was able to battle Alberta Darling to a virtual tie, on her turf, we will not pursue questions of irregularities. Those heat-of-the-moment statements came in light of the uncertainties that arose from a recent election, known too well.
The fact of the matter remains, that, fighting on Republican turf, we have begun the work of stopping the Scott Walker agenda."
If there are issues with our elections, they should be investigated whether the results change the election or not, and I believe the Wisconsin Democrats should pursue any questions, not to try to change the election, but to ensure our elections are truly fair and secure. If there are no longer any questions, the Democrats should be clear. The Wisconsin Wave is calling for people to be ready to mobilize Wednesday for possible issues in Waukesha County.
Following are the latest results:
2nd Senate District
Robert Cowles, R - 60% (winner)
Nancy Nusbaum, D - 40%
100% reporting
8th Senate District
Alberta Darling, R - 54% (winner)
Sandy Pasch, D - 46%
99% reporting
10th Senate District
Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)
Shelly Moore, D - 42%
100% reporting
14th Senate District
Luther Olsen, R - 52% (winner)
Fred Clark, D - 48%
100% reporting
18th Senate District
Jessica King, D - 51% (winner)
Randy Hopper, R - 49%
100% reporting
32nd Senate District
Jennifer Shilling, D - 55% (winner)
Dan Kapanke, R - 45%
100% reporting
Democrat winners will take their seat immediately, removing Senators Randy Hopper and Dan Kapanke. The next battle is to recall Scott Walker so that we can begin restoring and improving Wisconsin.
Following is the statement of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate following evidence of election tampering in the 8th State Senate District race.
"The race to determine control of the Wisconsin Senate has fallen in the hands of the Waukesha County clerk, who has already distinguished herself as incompetent, if not worse. She is once more tampering with the results of a consequential election and in the next hours we will determine our next course of action. For now, Wisconsin should know that a dark cloud hangs over these important results."
As reported earlier, Waukesha County is delaying the reporting of their vote counts until tomorrow for no given reason. 100% of all of the other 5 districts have reported their results. You may remember Waukesha County and Kathy Nicholaus who just happened to lose and then later find enough votes to give the election to the Republican-backed David Prosser in the April Wisconsin Supreme Court race. State Senator Jon Erpenbach told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC tonight that "Waukesha County should have been one of the first counties reporting."
A video of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Spokesman Graeme Zielinski accusing Kathy Nicholaus of tampering with the election has been posted to YouTube.
"This contest has been tampered with by Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nicholaus. We believe that we were up. The Associated Press had us up. She is sitting on votes. We believe right now there are severe irregularities in Waukesha County. Once again, we believe that the very fate of the Wisconsin Senate right now hangs in the balance and is in the hands of a woman who has already shown extreme incompetence and maybe more. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin believes that Kathy Nicholaus is tampering with this election. She is sitting on votes. Our models, our returns, our results show us ahead in this election, this important election, the election that will determine control of the Wisconsin Senate, and we believe that Kathy Nicholaus, a Waukesha Republican and former staffer to Assembly Republicans, who has shown gross incompetence and maybe more in the Supreme Court election is at it again. We believe there are dirty tricks at foot. We believe an investigation is needed, or at least a very good explanation for what looks like she's doing to this election. We'll wait and we'll see what transpires the rest of the night. We might not have any more statements right now. Of course our legal team is exploring all of our legal options right now. We're getting as best information as we can, but right now I can say that it's our belief that the election that will determine control of the Senate is being tampered with."
Update: (12:51pm) Waukesha County has now fully reported, shortly after telling the press they wouldn't fully report results tonight, and the AP has called the race for Alberta "Walker's" Darling. The events late this evening are quite mysterious, but from the Dems latest statement, they won't be pursing an investigation. The Wisconsin Wave is calling for people to be ready to mobilize Wednesday for possible issues in Waukesha County.
Ed Schultz on MSNBC is reporting that Waukesha County has told reporters that they are withholding their election results until tomorrow. Waukesha County is part of the heated district race between Sandy Pasch and Alberta Darling. John Nichols told Ed that there is no reason for such a delay and that Waukesha County should be able to report as quickly as everyone else.
You may remember Waukesha County and Kathy Nicholaus who just happened to lose and then later find enough votes to give the election to the Republican-backed David Prosser in the April Wisconsin Supreme Court race. This BS was supposed to be resolved after that election, but apparently Wisconsin and the GAB are happy to have a flaky and untrustworthy County Clerk in Kathy Nicholaus. State Senator Jon Erpenbach told Rachel Maddow tonight that "Waukesha County should have been one of the first counties reporting" and is now an issue.
Ed said that several sources have told him this may lead to an investigation to protect the integrity of our elections, and I hope it does. Ed also reported that Democrat Chair Mike Tate has issued a statement saying that Kathy Nicholaus "is tampering with our elections," and they will plan their response in the next hour.
Updated: (11:23pm) Ed Schultz reported that Waukesha County is now telling reporters they won't provide results until some time tomorrow. The delay was originally reported to be one hour. More info here.
The AP has called 2 recall elections for the Democrats and 3 Republicans have retained their seats thus far. Democrat Sandy Pasch is leading Alberta Darling in the only race remaining with 52%. If Pasch wins the race, the Democrats will have a majority in the Senate. However, part of the troubled Waukesha County is in that district and is reported behind in counting by John Nichols on MSNBC.
2nd Senate District
Robert Cowles, R - 58% (winner)
Nancy Nusbaum, D - 42%
93% reporting
8th Senate District
Sandy Pasch, D - 52%
Alberta Darling, R - 48%
67% reporting
10th Senate District
Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)
Shelly Moore, D - 42%
98% reporting
14th Senate District
Luther Olsen, R - 52% (winner)
Fred Clark, D - 48%
100% reporting
18th Senate District
Jessica King, D - 51% (winner)
Randy Hopper, R - 49%
100% reporting
32nd Senate District
Jennifer Shilling, D - 56% (winner)
Dan Kapanke, R- 44%
87% reporting
You can watch the recall elections results live on MSNBC.
