Personal observations following the Walker win: [View all]

[boxman15]

On its impact on unions and workers:

This flat-out sucks. No way around it. Not only will Walker be emboldened by this and double down in Wisconsin, but his recall victory will give confidence to the Republican Party to attack unions like they haven't before, especially in Republican-governed states (like my home state of Michigan ). Already, the Republican Party is claiming this is an indictment against unions "thugs" across the country. A Romney aide just attacked them tonight. Expect that to continue. I am not a member of a union, but my father is and plenty of people around here and around the country are. This is terrible news for them, and by extension, all of us.

On President Obama and November:

This is being overplayed so fucking much. President Obama made a smart decision by not going into Wisconsin and rallying there. It would've become his race then, not Wisconsin's. He would've owned the loss, and the loss would've been bigger most likely had he shown up (Republicans would be extra motivated). This loss had everything to do with Citizens United and unlimited corporate cash, not Obama

As for its impact in November: There will be no impact. Wisconsin will be Obama's state to lose. He'll probably win there by about 7-10 points, I predict. This should serve as a reminder to all Democrats, though, that this will be a very tough fight. The influence of unlimited money in politics has now been proven to be a force to be reckoned with. This will not be easy. However, the idea that Obama will lose because Barrett lost is asinine and has no basis in reality. Exit polls show Obama with a healthy lead in the state and, I hate to say it, but Joe Six-Pack in True Swing State, USA will not remember this come November.

ETA: This should serve as motivation to re-elect the president. He'd prevent a further rightward lurch in the Supreme Court and prevent asinine Republican legislation from passing. At the very least, he'd buy us another 4 years to reverse the country off the path of Citizens United created.

On the efforts of Wisconsin Democrats:

THANK YOU SO MUCH! You all should be extremely proud of all you've done over the past several months. You have served as an inspiration for people all across the country and all throughout the world. We would all be wise to learn from your example in Wisconsin. This was a grassroots effort through and through. I am so proud of the work all of you did, and I know you will keep up the fight heading through November and beyond, at the local, state, and national levels. All Democrats, progressives/liberals, union members, etc. should look toward Wisconsin as an example. They did it right. Those of you trolls/pessimists that blamed this on Wisconsin Democrats are kidding yourselves and should be ashamed.

Just needed to get all that off my chest. It's been a long night.