Walker to mend political divide with brats, beer
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Gov. Scott Walker talks to employees at Steelwind Industries in Oak Creek, Wis. on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Walker won a contentious recall election against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. The recall capped a bitter fight between Walker supporters and public sector unions and labor groups angered by cuts to collective bargaining that the governor advanced.
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MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker, fresh from becoming the nation's first governor to survive a recall election, wants to go about mending Wisconsin's political divide in an egalitarian way: over brats and beer.
Walker defeated Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Tuesday for the second time in year and a half, turning back a recall effort that began with the collection of more than 900,000 signatures seeking his ouster. It was only the third gubernatorial recall in U.S. history.
Now the rising Republican star is focusing his message on what lies ahead. His term runs through 2014 in a state that is still bitterly divided over his move to end collective bargaining rights for most public employees.
"It's time to put our differences aside and find ways to work together to move Wisconsin forward," Walker said in an interview minutes after his victory. "I think it's important to fix things, but it's also important to make sure we talk about it and involve people in the process."
Walker planned to invite all members of the Legislature to meet as soon as next week over burgers, brats and "maybe a little bit of good Wisconsin beer."
"The first step is just bringing people together and figuring out some way if we can thaw the ice," he said.
Democrats, including Barrett, pledged to work together too. But the wounds are deep following the rancor of the recall, which was spurred by Walker's surprise proposal to go after public employee unions.
"It is up to all of us, their side and our side, to listen. To listen to each other," Barrett said.
State Rep. Peter Barca, Democratic minority leader in the Assembly, said healing Wisconsin won't be easy.
"I hope Gov. Walker understands and stays true to his pledge to build consensus and be more inclusive going forward," Barca said.
With nearly all precincts reporting, Walker had 53 percent of the vote, compared with 46 percent for Barrett. The margin of victory was wider than many expected and slightly better than Walker's 5.8 percentage-point victory over Barrett in the 2010 race. Some 2.5 million voters cast their ballots.
Democrats and organized labor spent millions to remove Walker, but found themselves hopelessly outspent by Republicans from across the country who donated record-setting sums to the governor's campaign.
Walker's win sets the stage for what is expected to be a hard-fought presidential battle.
Both sides in the presidential contest warned against reading too much into Tuesday's results, but Walker's solid victory is a warning for President Barack Obama in a state he comfortably carried in 2008 and that Democrats have won in six straight presidential elections. Romney has reason to be optimistic, given Walker's own vigorous ground game, the framework of which he will inherit.
Still, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate showed no remorse for pursuing the recall, which was pushed by powerful union leaders and citizens with little or no political experience.
"This is a fight worth having," Tate said. "Some things are worth losing over."
Walker entered the national spotlight last year when he unveiled plans to plug a $3.6 billion budget shortfall in part by taking away the union rights of most public workers and requiring them to pay more for their health insurance and pension benefits. It was one of his first moves in office, and it was explosive.
Democrats and labor leaders saw it as a political tactic designed to gut the power of his opposition. State Senate Democrats left Wisconsin for three weeks to avoid a vote on the measure, as tens of thousands of teachers, state workers and others rallied at the Capitol in protest.
But the tea-party-supported fiscal conservative remained steadfast. Walker believed his plan would help him control the state budget, and his opponents could not stop Republicans who control the state Legislature from approving his plans.
Walker went on to sign into law several other measures that fueled the recall; he repealed a law giving discrimination victims more ways to sue for damages, made deep cuts to public schools and higher education, and required voters to show photo identification at the polls.
Both sides mobilized thousands of people and millions of dollars to influence voters, whom polls showed were more divided than ever. Signs calling for Walker's removal and those supporting the 44-year-old son of a minister dotted the state's landscape all spring at a time normally devoid of political contests.
More than $66 million was spent on the race as of May 21, making it easily the most expensive in Wisconsin history. That money was spent on an all-out barrage of television ads, direct mail, automated calls and other advertising that permeated the state for months.
Also Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and at least three Republicans in state Senate races survived recalls. Unofficial results showed the Democrat ahead in the other Senate race, the outcome of which will determine which party controls the Senate at least through the end of the year.
Walker avoided gloating in his speech and offered his adversaries a fresh start.
"Now it is time to move on and move forward in Wisconsin," Walker said in his speech. "Tomorrow is the day after the election, and tomorrow we are no longer opponents."
Jun 8, 2012 at 6:07 a.m.
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YKM is your name really mouse or was that just a rumor?
Jun 7, 2012 at 10:02 p.m.
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o'loco, just because Walker won does not suddenly make him trustworthy or any different than he was the day before the election.
Jun 7, 2012 at 8:39 a.m.
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yada....you are so clueless......"King Walker"? You just fail to grasp the simplest concept. This was more about legislation and policy that any one politician. You could have put any politician in Walker's position, promoted the agenda as forcibly as he did, and the Republican base would have responded. For the Democrats and the unions to come in and say, "we don't agree with what you're doing and we're going to remove you from power and nullify the votes of your constituents in the process", was a huge overreach that did nothing but compound problems for the Democrats. The "sleeping giant" the Democrats spoke of wasn't complacent members of their party who supported unionized labor, it was a previously uninvolved segment of the Republican party who when pushed, pushed back......hard........
Jun 7, 2012 at 8:29 a.m.
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Mr. FAR RIGHT Walker now thinks some brats and beer are going to make everyone buddies? Wait for all the hard truths to come out this summer about slick scotty.
Jun 7, 2012 at 7:46 a.m.
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916WI, you now have the ball... let's see where ol' Scooter ends up with it. The end zone or the big house...
Jun 7, 2012 at 7:15 a.m.
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The "healing" must also come from the democratic side.
Jun 7, 2012 at 7:04 a.m.
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The big winners is the newspaper, TV, post office and paid workers on both sides. The 60 million went to the above and what does the tax payers get. Yes we did get a man who is not afraid of the union. Yes it did cost but was well worth it. In the long run workers are not committed to pay high union dues and that is money in there pocket. this is a win in my eyes all around.
Jun 7, 2012 at 6:56 a.m.
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helge, there is one governor at 138k/year. ish. there are at least 60k teachers at 50k/year ish for a total of $3,012,500,000. so who's salary has a bigger effect on the budget?
if you're gonna grasp for straws, at least try to get the bigger ones.
Jun 7, 2012 at 6:50 a.m.
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When will walkers wage & benifits be cut along with all those elected to office?
Do pepole not see these are all way over paid tax sucking people & some worry about the teachers getting to much
Jun 7, 2012 at 6:48 a.m.
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"Closest Aide Turns On Walker And Cooperates With John Doe Investigation"
http://thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot....
Slowly - they all turn on Walker in John Doe
http://freakoutnation.com/2012/06/04/slo...
"Will Scott Walker Get A Pink Suit..."
http://truth-out.org/news/item/9578-will...
Jun 7, 2012 at 6:39 a.m.
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916 - There are MANY foolish people that voted for Walker. I am not surprised that you are willing to serve King Walker. To be a servant to the rich and have no voice in what will become a RED STATE where the rich get richer & you have NO VOICE whatsoever!(Walker REFUSED to answer the red state bill signing question in the debate) The people that voted for him won't get it until their house falls on them or all hell breaks out. Walker is even worse than Nixon was. People don't always learn from the past and sadly you have not.
http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/ma...
Nixon..."He Was A Crook"
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arch...
"Scott Walker Meet Rchard Nixon"
http://thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot....
Jun 7, 2012 at 6:25 a.m.
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With Brats & beer --> the man is a moron! Good to hear that Walker's aide in the FBI JOHN DOE probe is now the source of information that is hurting and will eventually bring him down.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/06/04/...
http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/2...
(Same guy Walker hired that took the vets money. Walker even knew that he had been fired from hs state job before he hired him.)
http://www.politicususa.com/recall-bombs...
Jun 7, 2012 at 5:44 a.m.
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4bears.....You ask, "Why should the left talk about mending fences..."
because all along their battle cry has been that if Wisconsinites had known Walker's intentions, he would never have been elected in the first place. We now know that while the state's residents might not have known, they definitely approve of the path that Walker is leading the state down. This recall was a referendum on Walker's policies and legislation, the state passed it and gave Walker the green light to run with it. Now, despite all of the bitterness and divisiveness revolving around the left's claim that a majority of the state was against Walker, Walker extends an olive branch and the first thing you want to do is slap it away. You need to grow up. You're coming off as a kid who was picked last, and now want's to take their ball, run home and cry and whine to your mommy.......
Jun 7, 2012 at 5:10 a.m.
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Dems can either work with us or we can work without you. You're choice. After winning a second election within two years, you're ranting and raving is falling on deaf ears.
Jun 7, 2012 at 3:02 a.m.
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Well, looks like everything is solved now..Few beers, brats, and and now everyone who was up at the capital protesting is all honkey dorey, and on board the Walker train now! So good to hear!
Jun 7, 2012 at 1:48 a.m.
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Yada do you still believe the garbage you keep posting. If they had anything yes anything on Walker it would have come out before the election. Walker would not have gotten probably half the votes he did if charges were brought. Give it up and move on.
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:35 p.m.
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huh TCB I thought Act 10 was all about all state employees union cb rights? That was ed reform? I guess I missed the part where there was ed reform in Act 10 care to cite it for me? Other than cutting and slashing pay and benefits, what was reformed? I know it excites so many that teaching and education will continue to take hits under this gov is viewed as ed reform? Act 10 was an ideological shot at opponents of Walker PLAIN and simple.
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:33 p.m.
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Why should the left talk about mending fences... they are just following the right's playbook. After all, this is just a big game, right? Scooter sure didn't want to listen to anyone before, and he will not now. The right sets such an example nationally,it's not like they block everything the pres wants to do there. Now, we are supposed to believe the lies? Even Ryan spewed of reaching across the aisle so not to lose his cush seat when the left had the mojo, and did he?
Jun 6, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.
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I think I found the perfect "Mouse" trap! :)
Jun 6, 2012 at 9:48 p.m.
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I think Barrett was classy on his concession speech and so was Walker on his victory speech. Mitchell on the other hand was very mean spirited in his speech. Did anyone hear of the capital being stormed by recall protesters today and school children on their last day of school had to be evacuated from the Capitol on a field trip?
Jun 6, 2012 at 9:01 p.m.
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Walker's talking being nice, but just like he said to the fake Koch brother it's only a trick.
Jun 6, 2012 at 7:41 p.m.
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About the only time a democrat wants to reach out and get along is when they are defeated in an election.
Jun 6, 2012 at 6:02 p.m.
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The AP, Walker and local news agencies should disclose whether these articles are part of walker's campaign. These articles are just too phony to believe.
Jun 6, 2012 at 6 p.m.
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WOODY - GREAT COMMENT--> ON WALKER...
Anyone notice that Walker KEEPS TELLING us that HE HAS INTEGRITY. A true leader would not ever have to tell people that he has integrity, but Walker is not a true leader. It will be fun to see his downfall when the FBI JOHN DOE comes after him. No political mending for many of us, not sore losers - we are and will always be against Walker policies.
Go get 'em JOHN DOE>>>>
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/20...
Jun 6, 2012 at 5:47 p.m.
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Youk,
Walker won. The left and barrett lost. Wlaker promised to reform education-and he did with ACt10. The left went ballistic, demanded a recall, and still lost.
The recall began with anger over Walker’s stance on collective bargaining, but Democrats quickly changed the subject when it became clear that collective bargaining wasn’t a winning issue with voters, who had begun to see the positive results of reform. Voters are smart-the democrats think that only democrats are smart. A big difference.
Walker ultimately has given the unions a gift. The union bosses believed that they were popular and that the public agree with them. They are completely out of touch and tone deaf to reality. Membership in the american municipal union has dropped by half now that employees are not forced to give union dues-and forced to join. This is good news for the union-now they can focus on reestablishing trust with the public and work on growing their union.
Jun 6, 2012 at 5:36 p.m.
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Wow... get over it! It is what it is!
This says it all, "...Mike Tate showed no remorse for pursuing the recall, which was pushed by powerful union leaders..."
Jun 6, 2012 at 5:34 p.m.
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This is what we can expect from the corporate media over the next few weeks. A relentless barrage of phony articles about Walker's suddenly found wish to compromise and be buddies. The people are having their teeth kicked out them everyday and oh well ...it's like nothing happened.
Jun 6, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
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Who will pay for the beer & brats ?
Jun 6, 2012 at 5:21 p.m.
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I'm still feeling the effects of Walkers first brat offering with our lowered income and higher taxes. I'm sure more brats are on their way.
Jun 6, 2012 at 4:44 p.m.
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There was. They were totally ignored. Walker said "there's nothing to negotiate" nothing to compromise. There were thousands of people in Madison begging to be heard. Wher was Walker? Yesterday showed everyone Walker's dishonesty and divisive strategy works. Forward!
Jun 6, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.
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Youk,
Notice there is no talk of mending fences and divides from the left. I wonder why?
Because they're too smart to argue with the stupid. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Jun 6, 2012 at 4:36 p.m.
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Youk,
Notice there is no talk of mending fences and divides from the left. I wonder why?
Jun 6, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
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All this talk about mending fences and political divides. Walker's not wimping out on us - is he? I just got used to dropping bombs and thinking about planting troublemakers among people just yesterday. Walker showed everyone and led the way forward. This sounds like he's going backwards. Come on - let's not be a sore winner here. We're just learning dividing and conquering just now.
Jun 6, 2012 at 4:28 p.m.
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I think he should substitute the beer and brats with some cheese and crackers.
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