Wisconsin stalemate could drag on for months

[steve2470]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iW-FtCWTT57Bwz2_OhfK2aur8bIw?docId=61dc19ea8618421b8ca4617c14da9ff7

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's budget stalemate over union bargaining rights shows no sign of resolution — and it could be a long wait.

The governor isn't budging. AWOL Democrats aren't planning to come back. And, despite talk of deadlines and threats of mass layoffs, the state doesn't really have to pass a budget to pay its bills until at least May. Even then, there may be other options that could extend the standoff for months.

"This is a battle to the death," said Mordecai Lee, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "Unless one party can come up with a compromise that the other party will buy, which I doubt, this really could go on indefinitely. I could see this going on until the summer."

The confrontation began Feb. 11, when Republican Gov. Scott Walker proposed legislation that would strip most public workers of their collective bargaining rights as part of a plan to fix a budget deficit projected to be $137 million by July.

[Cieran_WI]

1. It's just going to get easier as the days get warmer.

The 60 day timer has started for GOp state senators in 8 vulnerable districts (http://www.recalltherepublican8.com/), so this will be at least a two month drama. If we're successful in recalling one or more GOP senators, then Walker's days are numbered as people will be even more emboldened to recall him. I foresee a Gov. Feingold or Gov. Barrett come Jan 2012.

As long as the Democrats don't cave like usual...

[Merlot]

3. Do you know what the recall process is?

I just read the link and it doesn't say what they need to do to succeed. Is it a matter of getting enough signatures on a petition? In CA, after the petitions were filed, there was an election to either keep them in office, or replace them with someone else.

That's how we lost Gov. Grey and I'm glad to see the recall procedure used against politicians who are actually deserving of recall.

[reformist2]

2. Democrats shouldn't come back until Walker resigns.

[Jokinomx]

4. Well... hopefully it doesn't go this long... but dickhead can be recalled after one year...

But if that is what it takes ..that is what it takes.

Peace

[Skip_In_Boulder]

5. I'm pretty certain the Republicans are going to turn this

into a waiting game. It's going to come down to how strong the American people can be.

On Edit:

And while they are doing that the other states, which are getting as much attention, will fall.

[customerserviceguy]

6. I have a feeling

that the longer it goes on, the worse it gets for our side. The only thing I have to base that on is the stalemate seen in the previous legislative session here in NY, those who did not reach compromise were eventually blamed, and some lost their seats at the election.

The AWOL Democrats, as this article calls them, are eventually going to get some heat for a do-nothing government. I had hopes that decent poll numbers for our side would make some Rethugs waver, and bring an end to this, but the longer it's drawn out, the greater chance that Scotty will win this.