Walker Recall Effort Under Way

Grandmothers protest  Scott Walker

     The effort to recall Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin was off and running on Saturday at the State Capitol in Madison. A crowd comprised of student, labor, and citizens groups from every corner of Wisconsin chanted and marched in opposition to Governor Walker's policies. Signs sported by demonstrators read “recall the weasel” and “raging grannies against Walker.” Over 400 volunteers were deployed through out the crowd with the requisite recall petitions. Organizers later announced that well over 100,000 signatures had been gathered in under a week to the delight of the crowd. Speakers encouraged participants to gather more signatures in their local communities, which was met with a roar of approval.

     About 100 Walker supporters made a brief appearance to chants of “shame” from the thousands gathered. The crowd surged toward the counter demonstrators although there were no reported incidents of violence. In the days following Saturday's rally there have been several reports of death threats and violence against signature gatherers through out Wisconsin. In some cases petitions have been destroyed, which carries a prison sentence and a hefty fine if a suspect is convicted.

     Wisconsin has a colorful history of populist decent leading all the way back to Governor Bob La Follette and his battles with the railroad barons and other monied interests of the day. In more recent times, Russ Feingold has carried on “Fighting” Bob's tradition of progressive activism in Wisconsin. Although defeated in his most recent bid for re-election, Feingold continues to be a progressive voice in Wisconsin politics.

     Wisconsin Democrats are confident that they will gather the necessary 540 thousand signatures to force a recall of Governor Scott Walker. The question that looms is who will step forward to challenge Walker should the recall be successful. Russ Feingold has removed himself from consideration and Tom Barrett, who lost to Walker in the race for governor, has not declared his intentions. With January looming, it is certainly getting close to decision time for Democrats.