Republican says he expected Senate Democrats back

[FBaggins]

MADISON — Wisconsin Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he was told by one of the 14 Democrats who fled the state that five or six of them planned to return on Wednesday.

Fitzgerald says Democratic Sen. Tim Cullen told him on Tuesday that some of the Democrats intended to break their boycott and return to the Capitol. But Fitzgerald says Cullen then told him just before the session started that they would not be returning.

Cullen did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Fitzgerald held a news conference with 16 other Republicans to show they are behind the bill Democrats are protesting that would take away bargaining rights from public workers. Republicans are increasing the pressure on Democrats to return, including fining them $100 for each day they miss.

http://wclo.com/news/2011/mar/02/republican-says-he-expected-senate-democrats-back/

[gratuitous]

1. It's called having principles, Scotty

I know, Democrats haven't shown much evidence of that lately, but you've finally crossed a line in the class war. The proles are a little up in arms, seeing how much they've already lost and watching you and your cronies coming back even for the rags and the crumbs.

Maybe if you backed off? Or is this the existential fight you've been spoiling for? We might be a little readier than you thought.

[Tansy_Gold]

2. Oh, how I hope you're correct, gratuitous.

I may often be a doom-and-gloomer here, but there is an enormous core of hope in me.



TG

[FBaggins]

3. What's the benefit to him if he "backs off"?

I feel as if real progress has been made in the realm of public opinion, but what's to encourage him to back off? Many of the people who elected him would turn on him and it isn't as if the people who are protesting now would suddenly respect him.

The part that concerns me in this report is that it really does look like a number of the "WI 14" are close to returning.