Recall Elections: Waukesha County Tampering

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.

Recall Elections: Waukesha County Suspiciously Withholding Election Results

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.

Recall Elections: Two Republican Recalls Successful - Darling/Pasch Race Too Close To Call

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.

Recall Elections: At Least One Republican Recall Successful - Senate Majority In Reach

The first Republican to fall in the recall elections is Dan Kapanke as the AP called the race for Jennifer Shilling. The AP has also called 3 races for the Republicans: Robert Cowles, Sheila Harsdorf and Luther Olsen. The Democrats lead the 2 uncalled races. If the Democrats win both of those races, they will overtake the majority of the Wisconsin Senate, fulfilling the promise of the recalls (as long as there isn't another Waukesha surprise).

2nd Senate District

Robert Cowles, R - 58% (winner)

Nancy Nusbaum, D - 42%

92% reporting

8th Senate District

Sandy Pasch, D - 55%

Alberta Darling, R - 45%

43% reporting

10th Senate District

Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)

Shelly Moore, D - 42%

97% reporting

14th Senate District

Luther Olsen, R - 52% (winner)

Fred Clark, D - 48%

100% reporting

18th Senate District

Jessica King, D - 50%

Randy Hopper, R - 50%

87% reporting

32nd Senate District

Jennifer Shilling, D - 55% (winner)

Dan Kapanke, R- 45%

82% reporting

You can watch the recall elections results live on MSNBC.

Recall Elections: 3 Democrats Needed For Senate Majority Leading Results

In the recall elections for the 6 recalled Republican Senators, the Associated Press has called the races for Robert Cowles and Sheila Harsdorf, while Democrats in 3 other races are leading their recalled opponents. The Democrats need 3 wins to overtake the Senate, the only thing that can help slow down the Walker damage to Wisconsin.

2nd Senate District

Robert Cowles, R - 58% (winner)

Nancy Nusbaum, D - 42%

91% reporting

8th Senate District

Sandy Pasch, D - 56%

Alberta Darling, R - 44%

39% reporting

10th Senate District

Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)

Shelly Moore, D - 42%

82% reporting

14th Senate District

Luther Olsen, R - 54%

Fred Clark, D - 46%

96% reporting

18th Senate District

Jessica King, D - 52%

Randy Hopper, R - 48%

23% reporting

32nd Senate District

Jennifer Shilling, D - 54%

Dan Kapanke, R- 46%

82% reporting

You can watch the recall elections results live on MSNBC, continuing through 10pm.

Recall Elections: Republican Senators Cowles and Harsdorf Retain Seats

In the recall elections for the 6 recalled Republican Senators, the Associated Press has called the races for Robert Cowles and Sheila Harsdorf. The Democratic candidates Sandy Pasch and Jennifer Schilling are leading their recalled opponents with 57% and 53% of the vote respectively. The race between Randy Hopper and Jessica King is nearly tied at 50% for each with King slightly ahead. If Pasch, Schilling and King go on to win, the Democrats will take majority of the Wisconsin Senate.

You can watch the recall election results live on MSNBC.

Recall Elections: Early Results In - John Nichols Optimistic

MSNBC is live from Madison, and a few minutes ago John Nichols told Ed Schultz that some polling places were just closing at 9pm from long lines and he's optimistic about the recall elections. The very early results look good for the Republicans, with only Sen. Dan Kapanke losing. However, Nichols said that the rural Republican-leaning districts report first because they have fewer votes to count. So, fewer Democrat-leaning areas have been counted thus far.

UW Badger Poll: Majority Wisconsinites Disapprove Walker and His Budget

A new UW Badger Poll from the University of Wisconsin Survey Center is out, and it shows that Wisconsin doesn't like the direction we're being taken in. A record high for the poll of 55% are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the state. We haven't been this dissatisfied in over 20 years!

A majority of Wisconsinites believe the state is worse off since Walker took office. 55% oppose the Walker-Republican two-year budget recently signed by Walker in Green Bay, and 59% disapprove of the job that Walker is doing, much higher than the previous governor ever received.

Approval of the Democrats in the state is much higher than the Republicans, with nearly half of the state approving of the Democrats' job. Wisconsin overwhelmingly approves of the option of recalls and the recalls this summer, preferring the Democrats to win out by a wide margin.

Things are looking good for the recall elections, if you're a Democrat.

Ron Johnson Thinks The Budget Deficit Is Your Problem, Not His (Part II)

Last week, Senator from Wisconsin Ron Johnson voted against even considering raising taxes on himself and other millionaires in the future, not even a cent. Mr. Johnson would rather kill Medicare than even consider raising taxes on himself. Fortunately, a majority of Republicans voted with the Democrats to consider a non-binding resolution that says those who make $1 million or more "make a more meaningful contribution."

Today, the resolution was considered, but Mr. Johnson and the rest of the Republicans voted against bringing the resolution to a vote. Mr. Johnson and the Republicans didn't want to have to vote against the actual bill, because it's such a ridiculous stance, but most of them have signed onto Rover Norquist's no-tax pledge and can't raise revenue in any way.

Why would Ron Johnson vote against even considering the bill when so many Wisconsin families are struggling and all Johnson can talk about is holding up the Senate in order to reduce the deficit?

Here's the content of the very short bill (S. 1323):

(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:

1. The Wall Street Journal reports that median pay for chief financial officers of S&P 500 companies increased 19 percent to $2,900,000 last year.
2. Over the past 10 years, the median family income has declined by more than $2,500.
3. Twenty percent of all income earned in the United States is earned by the top 1 percent of individuals.
4. Over the past quarter century, four-fifths of the income gains accrued to the top 1 percent of individuals.

(b) Sense of the Senate- It is the sense of the Senate that any agreement to reduce the budget deficit should require that those earning $1,000,000 or more per year make a more meaningful contribution to the deficit reduction effort.

One may remember that Mr. Johnson received ten million dollars in compensation from his company, Pacur, earlier this year. If Mr. Johnson voted for this bill, later he would have to vote to increase his own taxes (unless he flip-flops) since the bill says those making at least a million dollars should pay more taxes.

Ron Johnson is perfectly happy to vote to eliminate Medicare, but he won't even vote to agree on a motion to consider a non-binding resolution that says at some later time he'll vote to increase his own taxes. Mr. Johnson thinks the budget deficit is a big enough problem to halt all other Senate business, but he doesn't think it's a big enough problem to require a little bit more of his $10,000,000.00. He'd rather take money from the poor, elderly, disabled and from the programs every middle-class American pays for and counts on.

It's your big problem, not his.

All Real Democrats Defeat Fake Candidates in Recall Election Primaries

All of the real Democrats have defeated the fake candidates planted by the Republicans in the primaries for the recalls of the 6 Republicans set for August 9th.

The Republicans admitted to planting the fake Democrats in order to stall the recall elections for the 6 Republicans, giving more time to collect out-of-state money and run junk ads, as well as draining Democrat funds. This political stunt costs us taxpayers nearly half a million dollars, and it borders on election fraud. It may not be illegal, but it sure isn't ethical.

2nd Senate District

Nancy Nusbaum, D-De Pere - 65% (winner)

Republican fake - Otto Junkermann, D-Green Bay - 35%

100% reporting

8th Senate District

Rep. Sandy Pasch, D-Whitefish Bay - 64% (winner)

Republican fake - Gladys Huber, D-Mequon - 36%

97% reporting

10th Senate District

Shelly Moore, D-River Falls - 54% (winner)

Republican fake - Isaac Weix, D-Menomonie - 46%

97% reporting

14th Senate District

Rep. Fred Clark, D-Baraboo - 67% (winner)

Republican fake - Rol Church, D-Wautoma - 33%

98% reporting

18th Senate District

Jessica King, D-Oshkosh - 69% (winner)

Republican fake - John Buckstaff, D-Oshkosh - 31%

100% reporting

32nd Senate District

Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse - 70% (winner)

Republican fake - James Smith, D-La Crosse - 30%

100% reporting

The Republicans and tea party activists ran ads and sent out flyers and emails to aggressively Get Out The Vote for the fake Democrats, trying to defeat the real Democrats through voter confusion before the recall elections. So, in effect, these elections are test-runs of the recall elections on August 9th. These numbers should make the Republicans very scared, and I'm sure their internal polling reflects these results, which is why they're rushing to pass so many radical laws including the new redistricting plan (which redistricts-out Democrat recall candidates Fred Clark and Nancy Nusbaum - making it easier for the Republicans to win back their seats in 2012).

In fact, they've resorted to even more voter suppression with at least one conservative group caught calling registered Democratic voters to tell them they don't have to go and vote today (originally posted by WI Voices Heidi Herron).

Remember, you'll be asked to show your ID during the recall elections, but you don't have to. Don't show your ID during the recall elections in support of those who will find it difficult or impossible to vote in 2012 when IDs are required.

Updated: (10:35pm) Updated results.

All Real Democrats Ahead of Fake in Recall Election Primaries

The polls are closed in the Democratic primary for the recall of 6 Republicans, and the latest results from WisPolitics have all of the real Democrats ahead of the fake Democrats. The AP has called the races for real Democratic candidates Nancy Nusbaum in Senate District 2, Jennifer Shilling in Senate District 32, and Fred Clark in Senate District 14.

2nd Senate District
Nancy Nusbaum, D-De Pere - 65% (winner)
Republican fake - Otto Junkermann, D-Green Bay - 35%
72% reporting

8th Senate District
Rep. Sandy Pasch, D-Whitefish Bay - 65%
Republican fake - Gladys Huber, D-Mequon - 35%
70% reporting

10th Senate District
Shelly Moore, D-River Falls - 54%
Republican fake - Isaac Weix, D-Menomonie - 46%
84% reporting

14th Senate District
Rep. Fred Clark, D-Baraboo - 67% (winner)
Republican fake - Rol Church, D-Wautoma - 33%
93% reporting

18th Senate District
Jessica King, D-Oshkosh - 67%
Republican fake - John Buckstaff, D-Oshkosh - 33%
71% reporting

32nd Senate District
Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse - 70% (winner)
Republican fake - James Smith, D-La Crosse - 30%
83% reporting

The Republicans admitted to planting the fake Democrats in order to stall the recall elections for the 6 Republicans until August 9th, giving more time to collect out-of-state money and to run junk ads. This political stunt costs us taxpayers nearly half a million dollars, and it borders on election fraud. It may not be illegal, but it sure isn't ethical.

The Republicans and conservatives ran many ads and sent out emails to Get Out The Vote for the fake Democrats, trying to defeat the real Democrats through voter confusion before the real recall election. So, in effect, this election is a test-run of the real recall election in August 9th. These numbers should make the Republicans very scared, and I'm sure their internally polling reflects these results, which is why they're rushing to pass so many radical laws including the new redistricting plan.

In fact, one conservative group has been caught calling registered voters to tell them they don't have to go and vote today (originally posted by WI Voices Heidi Herron).

Updated: (9:26pm) Updated results with the call for Rep. Jennifer Shilling.

Updated: (9:35pm) Updated results with the call for Rep. Fred Clark.

Update: All of the real Democrats have defeated the fake candidates.

Last Space Shuttle Launch Ever: STS-135

Space shuttles have captivated the nation for 30 years, but today is the last day one of these space shuttles launch out of Earth's atmosphere. The STS-135 crew lifted off in space shuttle Atlantis from the Kennedy Space Center at 11:29 EDT.

MSNBC has a great time-lapse video of Atlantis' preparation for launch as well as other great videos of the flight.


The mission summary includes the flight timeline and information on the crew members.

NASA has a flight blog.

NASA TV has several videos and a live stream of the flight.

Ron Johnson Thinks The Budget Deficit Is Your Problem, Not His

Today, the U.S. Senate voted to consider a non-binding resolution (a bill that says something but does nothing) to say that the budget deficit should be fixed through shared sacrifice, not just on the backs of the poor and middle-class. The motion was agreed to with 74 yes votes, but Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin voted no.

Why would Ron Johnson vote against even considering the bill when so many Wisconsin families are struggling and all Johnson can talk about is holding up the Senate in order to reduce the deficit*? Even a majority of Republicans voted to consider the resolution. So why not Mr. Johnson?

A read of the very short bill (S. 1323) may provide some insight.

(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:

1. The Wall Street Journal reports that median pay for chief financial officers of S&P 500 companies increased 19 percent to $2,900,000 last year.
2. Over the past 10 years, the median family income has declined by more than $2,500.
3. Twenty percent of all income earned in the United States is earned by the top 1 percent of individuals.
4. Over the past quarter century, four-fifths of the income gains accrued to the top 1 percent of individuals.

(b) Sense of the Senate- It is the sense of the Senate that any agreement to reduce the budget deficit should require that those earning $1,000,000 or more per year make a more meaningful contribution to the deficit reduction effort.

This appears to be the critical sentence - "It is the sense of the Senate that any agreement to reduce the budget deficit should require that those earning $1,000,000 or more per year make a more meaningful contribution to the deficit reduction effort."

One may remember that Mr. Johnson received ten million dollars in compensation from his company, Pacur, earlier this year. If Mr. Johnson voted for this bill, later he would have to vote to increase his own taxes (unless he flip-flops) since the bill says those making at least a million dollars should pay more taxes.

Ron Johnson is perfectly happy to vote to eliminate Medicare, but he won't even vote to agree on a motion to consider a non-binding resolution that says at some later time he'll vote to increase his own taxes. Mr. Johnson thinks the budget deficit is a big enough problem to halt all other Senate business, but he doesn't think it's a big enough problem to require a little bit more of his $10,000,000.00. He'd rather take money from the poor, elderly, disabled and from the programs every middle-class American pays for and counts on.

It's your big problem, not his.

*The first effort Johnson's put forth is to further slow a Senate which is on track to be one of the least productive Senates in decades.