TPM: END RUN! Wisconsin Republicans Advance Anti-Union Bill Without Dems

[flpoljunkie]

JUST LIKE THAT

In a brief meeting that lasted barely five minutes, Wisconsin Republicans appear to have jammed through the union-busting, anti-collective-bargaining provision that has been the focus of the protests and political turmoil in the state for the past month.

Here, as best we understand it, is what just happened:

The Republican leadership convened a special conference committee late in the day to take up the collective bargaining provision only, separate and apart from the budget bill it was a part of. By a vote of 4-2, the conference committee just approved sending the union-related provisions alone to the floor of each chamber.

And here's the key part: Because it's no longer part of a budget bill, the collective bargaining provision can now get a final vote in the Senate with or without the Senate Democrats who fled the state to deny Republicans a quorum. It renders their protest-by-absence moot.

It also throws gas on the political fire Gov. Walker has set. Much more on this tomorrow and as developments warrant.

--David Kurtz

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/03/just_like_that.php?ref=fpblg

[tridim]

1. March 9th 2012, the date Democracy died in Wisconsin.

Which state is next?

[DrToast]

2. The recall stuff spooked them

They're trying to put this behind them now. Let's hope it doesn't work.

[annabanana]

3. And they think doing THIS is going to help??

What are they drinking?

[Armstead]

13. If anything will fuel the recall drives this will

[Countdown_3_2_1]

4. Its a trap to get the Democratic Senators to come back (nt)

[flpoljunkie]

5. The don't need them now. They passed the anti-collective bargaining provisions.

Of course, they still have to pass the budget.

Time to recall the lot of them!

[Countdown_3_2_1]

7. Thats the trap! Its not legal! And the Senators will come back...poof! quorum, instant vote

Listen to Admiral Akbar

[slay]

9. You could well be right

I would NOT come back yet if I were them. This is fucked up. Lawsuit - strike - whatever it takes at this point!!! :mad: :grr:

[Canuckistanian]

16. Hmm, that's a possibility

If the Dem Senators were smart, they'd be consulting lawyers to see just HOW LEGAL this is and the probability that it can be fought in court successfully.

[Generic Brad]

15. Agreed

Walker thinks he is playing chess. He thinks we are stupid and has forced a check mate. He is a transparent moron. King me.

[slay]

6. WILL OBAMA STAND UP FOR WORKER RIGHTS NOW?

I'm fucking sick of this shit. We have a Dem president why????

[Countdown_3_2_1]

8. Not likely. This might call for another round of golf...

[Kdillard]

10. So you think Obama could have stopped this how?

The people of Wisconsin need to deal with these jokers by recalling them and continuing the protests and organizing a strike. Obama has no power in this matter and I would like to know how you think he can control or xhange the vote in what is a state issue without getting rebuffed and making things worse. Do something by working to toss out every Republican in 2012 especially in the local and state level. That is what will make a difference not some useless blaming of Obama. If you don't want to do that well if you think it was bad in 2010 well it can get worse. Again Obama is federal this is a state issue.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

11. He could have shown solidarity with the protestors and walked among them

He could threaten to move military bases out of the state.
He could have met with the 14 senators and planned a strategy.

Maybe he's not a panacea. But he could have acted Presidential at least.

[Kdillard]

12. Again how would any of that have stopped Republicans from voting for this bill and

the accusation of Obama meddling in a State issue? They would have used any threat of removing military bases as further evidence of how corrupt Obama is and that he has the unions in his pocket. That they are too powerful etc. They would have used it to turn public opinion against Obama and unions which is the last thing needed especially when public opinion is against Walker. It makes no sense to do that. It shows no long term thinking or strategy except to make sure that Walker looks like a hero. Right now the focus should be on getting those signatures needed for a recall, protesting and not doing a circle jerk on people who are on our side. Those 14 Dems need to stay where they are and force the media to continue exposing the Republicans so that by the time this gets resolved they are seen for the Koch brother toads they are and will never hold public office. Obama is federal and has stated his support of those protesting and should not get involved further unless the issue becomes federal. Dems in Wisconsin seem to be doing fine on their own and shouldn't let the right use Obama to muddy the issue. Dems need to stop doing firing quads at each other and get busy for 2012 working to toss out Republicans. That is what matters if you don't want to continue seeing the unrelenting attacks on teachers, police, firefighters, women, etc. We are not even 3 months in and the attacks have been mind blowing. The Dems in the Senate and President Obama have been the only thing stopping a complete nightmare on the federal level.

[MadBadger]

14. NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT OBAMA

My god, some of you are OBSESSED

[Kdillard]

17. This seems to be far from over. The 14 Dems are not coming back, they

are looking at legal steps to take and still protesting. We will see what happens.