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GOP Holds Senate After Wisconsin Recall Vote

Four GOP senators retain seats; two ousted

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2011 1:40 AM CDT | Updated Aug 10, 2011 7:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – The results of Wisconsin's closely watched recall elections are in and the Democrats have failed to win control of the state Senate. Four of the six targeted Republican lawmakers have successfully defended their seats, while two seats have been picked up by Democrats, the AP reports. The Democrats needed to flip one more seat—and win two recall votes next week targeting their own lawmakers—to win a majority.

The recall move against Republicans was sparked by a backlash following Gov. Scott Walker's move to strip public employees of many union rights. But some voters complained that the movement lost focus as groups from across the country poured money into the races. "This was all supposed to be about the workers' rights. But that has not been brought up one time. It's all been misleading, the attack ads, things like that," complained a voter who decided to stick with his Republican senator. "The one reason they started this recall, they didn't bring up once."

A  teacher from Lodi, Wisconsin, reacts to the news that Democratic candidates were losing ground to Republican candidates Tuesday night.
A teacher from Lodi, Wisconsin, reacts to the news that Democratic candidates were losing ground to Republican candidates Tuesday night.   (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, Steve Apps)
Wisconsin Sens. Luther Olsen  Sheila Harsdorf, and Terry Moulton,  leave the Senate chambers after a vote in March, Olsen and Harsdorf have retained their seats.
Wisconsin Sens. Luther Olsen Sheila Harsdorf, and Terry Moulton, leave the Senate chambers after a vote in March, Olsen and Harsdorf have retained their seats.   (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 218 comments
JackNelsonSteward
Aug 11, 2011 7:11 AM CDT
The amazing thing is that the voters of Wisconsin forced these runoffs in the first place.  These are HEAVILY Republican districts, often places that haven't elected a Democrat in decades ... or even generations.  Regardless of that fact, the people there mustered enough popular support to force recalls and TWO of them succeeded. It would have been nice if there would have been a sweep but you can be sure the Republicans, behind all the preening and strutting and crowing, if they're smart, are wiping the sweat from their brows and realizing just how powerfully they've been dragged.
gilgordan
Aug 10, 2011 2:21 PM CDT
The Civil ity War is upon us. Voter's on both side are confused and seem to switch with the Wind and Spin. The recall was about abuse of Power by a polarized group of so called 'Patriots" wanting to go back in time to the early 1800's where many a men were lost and died, and many a Fortune made without Government oversight. Obviously this continued, until employer abuse became so common place that the Progressive movement began with hindsight to the Nation's Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. The people being abused far outnumbered the abusers, and it was an easy ride to make change necessary to preserve a truly American Culture and Civilization. Now the pendulum is shifting, only this time not in America but in the 175 Sovereign Countries where worker abuse and economic slavery are the keywords of commerce
Coolface
Aug 10, 2011 11:31 AM CDT
While I can't say I am entirely for this party, what I can say is that things are looking when it comes to getting Obama out of office now. A 53-47% split? Good god man. That's landslide territory. The people of Wisconsin have spoken. Let it go, move on. Bickering about the issue makes you a child. If it makes you feel less insecure to realize you're currently in the minority, then figure out a way to discuss this without ragefully insulting anyone who doesn't conform to your opinion.
 

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