It's Nail Biting Time in Wisconsin's Recall

       Everything seems to point to this being an uphill fight for Barrett, alas. And I must admit that White House's posture doesn't do much to give us confidence.

      "The White House is bracing for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to hang on in Tuesday's recall election— denying that the contest portends anything for President Obama's chances in November."

     "A race where one side is outspending the other by a ratio of at least 8 to 1 probably won't tell us much about a future race," press secretary Jay Carney said.

      "The White House is bracing for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to hang on in Tuesday's recall election— denying that the contest portends anything for President Obama's chances in November."

      "A race where one side is outspending the other by a ratio of at least 8 to 1 probably won't tell us much about a future race," press secretary Jay Carney said.

        http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/06/white-house-wisconsin-results-mean-nothing-for-november-125335.html

        Listen, I want to believe as much as the next Democrat. But would Carney be saying things like this if he thought victory is likely?

         There's been plenty not to like so much about this race. You really have to wonder why Obama couldn't have made it here even once. The only logical conclusion I can draw is he was concerned that Barrett is going to lose and there will be egg all over his face.

        It is also true that Barrett got outspent big time, likely by more than 8 to 1 and that most of that money came from out of the state. All this super pac money can have a real effect as we saw in the primary season with all Romney's outside money.

        So what about Carney's statement on the face of it? If Walker wins is the bad news for November? You don't know really. Still obviously you really want a win here. I mean what Carney said isn't totally untrue but it's not wholly true either and it's not the words of a confident man.

       Either the Obama Administration knows that this is Walker's or they have been way too pessimistic and cautious throughout this race. Neither is a great posture.

       In my opinion Obama should have campaigned in Wisconsin. Yes, I know it can lead to egg on his face if Barrett loses like when he campaigned for Coakley and she lost. You'll have Rush Limbaugh taunting that everyone he supports loses, just like everyone Clinton supports loses,

       But you certainly can't be reacting to the Rush Limbaugh Effect. The fact is that if Barrett loses Obama is going to have egg on his face either way-whether he campaigns for him or doesn't. If Barrett loses tonight the egg will be just as bitter. So there really was no loss from campaigning for Barrett and it's just possible that it could have helped.

       Even if Barrett does lose it's not quite the vindication will claim it is. They'll declare it's a mandate for open season on the unions everywhere, across the country. But not really. The fact is that since Walker's aggressive anti union bill the GOP has lost two state senators and that Walker even got on the ballot is an accomplishment as it takes hundreds of thousands of votes to get a recall.

     Already you hear whining about how it's wrong to allow voters the right to recall politicians prior to the next election. That no doubt will be the next GOP agenda-curtailing the power to recall. Never mind in many other countries elections can be called at anytime.

     The one thing about today that is satisfying is that from all accounts voter turnout is very high. This is great to see. Does this help Barrett? Usually high turnout helps the Democrats but this is not any ordinary time. Let's cross our fingers.