WI: "Walker raises $2.5 million in first half of year"

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http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_043f5126-b25b-11e0-b8ce-001cc4c002e0.html

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Scott Walker raked in the cash during the first six months of the year.

A report filed Tuesday shows he raised $2.5 million during that time, which included massive protests and national attention over his anti-union proposal. Democrats have also said recalling him from office next year will be a priority.

Petitions to force a recall election against Walker can't be turned in until Jan. 3, 2012, a year after he's been in office.

The state Republican Party touted Walker's fundraising figures, saying he received more than 30,000 donations during the time with 80 percent of them being for $50 or less.

Successfully recalling and defeating Walker is not going to be a slam dunk but will require hard, hard work. We haven't even got through the recall elections yet and if we do not gain the 3 net seats to take the Senate here that will only make the recall of Walker that much harder.

He will start out with a big financial war chest and we don't even have a candidate yet. Yes, people here have been fired up, but will it be possible to maintain that passion for another 6 months?

Also, no matter who the Democrats get to run against Walker expect a primary candidate against them beforehand. Don't be surprised when it happens and don't whine and cry about it. Just deal with it.

But Walker having all that money will be a big hurdle to overcome. His approval ratings are dismal now, but in 6 months that could change. I think this is a case where if we had a well known name and candidate like Feingold who is well respected it would help a lot. This time Democrats need to put their votes where their mouths are and show up at the polls. There should certainly be enough motivation to do that.

[Scuba]

1. Jon Erpenbach would make a GREAT governor. n/t

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3. Most people would say "who?" Could he match Walker's war chest in a short time?

I think without a candidate who has strong name recognition statewide this is going to be even more of a hard battle. It's easy to talk tough now, but we haven't even gotten through the recalls yet.

God, or the spaghetti monster help us all here if we do not succeed because Walker and the Republicans will see our failure as a mandate and there will be hell to pay in comparison to what has already happened, as impossible as that might seem.

[PeaceNikki]

2. Very true. This is the most polarized place in the country right now.

Walker's approval rating is EIGHTY-SEVEN PERCENT with Republicans and NINE PERCENT with Democrats.

And those assholes show up at the polls. We need to, too.

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4. Turnout is going to be vital in all of these elections. You would reckon that Democrats

and those independents and even Republicans who agree with us would be heavily motivated to show up at the polls and cast their votes.

Yes, those assholes did show up at the polls last November because Walker received 90% of the total votes that went to McCain and I have to admit that's a great turnout in an off year election.

[PeaceNikki]

5. I am actually rather happy to see how DPW wants this to go down in November 2012

While I'd like to get him out yesterday, I think it's prudent to try to get a recall election in November.