The liberal left decided to take a stand in Wisconsin.  With wide media support they organized massive demonstrations against the Republican Governor for cancelling union contracts.  Many of us remember the pictures of all those teachers, calling in sick, so they could try and shut down Madison.  Additional progressive activists were bused in and the pressure on the Republicans was enormous.  Some even feared for their life.  But they did not flinch.  They stood their ground and they took on the dreaded public sector unions.  Few politicians in this country have shown such courage and determination.

 The liberal left was outraged.  They immediately began a campaign to recall six Republican Senators.  It has been reported that they spent more than 30 million on these elections in an all-out effort.  If they could win three of the six seats, they would regain control of the Senate.

 If the Democrats had won, it would have returned control of the Wisconsin legislature to the Unions.  But they didn’t win.  The importance of this victory cannot be overstated.  The Ed Show on MSNBC ran live election results from what they expected to be a big Democratic victory party.  They really thought they had won and they were gearing up for a celebration.  They were gloating about the assumed victory of Sandra Pasch over Alberta Darling, because that is Paul Ryan territory.  Although Pasch was leading in the early results, Darling ended up winning 54 to 46.  Euphoria morphed into weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

 The days of Democrats automatically winning elections with massive union spending and smear campaigns are gone.  Voter turnout was at record levels, yet it was the conservative Republicans who prevailed.  It was a difficult fight and Republicans lost two Senate seats.  But the liberal left gave it their best shot and they came up short.

 In the past, high turnout almost always meant a Democratic victory.  That is why smart Republicans pray for a snow storm every November.  This election took place in the middle of the summer when a lot of people with jobs are on vacation.  The conventional wisdom was that Democrats would carry the day under these circumstances.  But, there was record turnout and the Democrats still lost. 

 Wisconsin destroyed the myth of the all-powerful liberal left voter coalition.  Obama, Pelosi and Reid have reminded people of why it is a mistake to put liberals in positions of power.  In every democracy where liberals have gained complete political power, they have mucked things up to a fare-thee-well and desperate citizens vote conservatives back into office.  Every time it happens, liberals stand there slack jawed in astonishment because they always think they are right and they disregard any factual evidence to the contrary.

 On Wisconsin.  Smile and say “cheese.”

TDM