BREAKING: Wisconsin Voters Launch Recall Campaign Against Eight GOP State Senators

[kpete]

Source: Think Progress

BREAKING: Wisconsin Voters Launch Recall Campaign Against Eight GOP State Senators

Last month, ThinkProgress reported that Wisconsin law allows any elected official who has served at least one year of their current term to be recalled from office. Today, a group of Wisconsin voters took the first step towards invoking this recall process. According to a Wisconsin Democratic Party e-mail that was obtained by ThinkProgress:

*****This morning citizens from around the state took the first steps by filing recall papers against key Republican Senators who have stood with Scott Walker and pushed his partisan power grab that will strip thousands of middle class teachers, nurses, librarians and other workers of their right to collective bargaining. And we learned just last night that their disastrous budget that will cut millions from our schools and universities. . . .

*****Make no mistake, these Republican Senators are vulnerable to recall for their radical partisan overreach. Senator Randy Hopper won his last election by just 184 votes. And Alberta Darling won her last race by only 1,007. By recalling just three of the eight Senators (Democrats) are targeting, (Democrats) can regain control of the Senate.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/02/wisconsin-recall-2 /

---

UPDATE to add additional links:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/brea...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/wisconsin-demo...

[Bozita]

1. Put the pressure on these bastards! ... Recommended.

[Name removed]

118. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kber]

2. Good Information from the above link...

"Under Wisconsin law, supporters of this recall effort now have 60 days to collect an amount of signatures “equal to at least 25% of the vote cast for the office of governor at the last election within the same district or territory as that of the officeholder being recalled.” The amount of signatures necessary to trigger a recall will vary from district to district, but will range from about 15,000 to 21,000 signatures per recalled senator.

If the supporters succeed in collecting enough signatures, the result is an effective “do over” election. The incumbent will automatically be a candidate in the election unless they resign from office, and Democrats and members of other political parties will be allowed to nominate opponents. The winner of a recall election is seated as soon as the election result is certified."

[MsPithy]

38. Republicans use dirty tricks! Wisconsin be careful!

All Wisconsinites should make very sure the recall you are signing is for the Republican you want to recall, with his/her name on the paper you are signing. The other side has been known to cover the top of the page to trick people into signing something they don't support.

[Bozita]

50. As evidenced in Ohio today. Lawrence O'Donnell had the story tonight.

[Enthusiast]

123. Republicans are fundamentally dishonest.

They think dirty tricks are alright.

[Blue Owl]

3. TOTAL RECALL

Hosta la Vista, GOP Senators...

And WE'LL BE BACK for you in November, Scott Walker...

[savalez]

8. nice!

[AsahinaKimi]

105. Don't you just love it?

[NewJeffCT]

4. I hope this can succeed

I'm sure Fox News and others will pull out all the stops in order to discredit the recalls - i.e., having a Republican sign "Mickey Mouse" to a petition or a similar joke name.

[Birthday]

12. Exactly!

They should start with known Democrats and head to unions. I hope they are careful.

[valerief]

5. Woo hoo! nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Love it.

Anyone know Walker's vote margin last election?

[Shiver]

10. He won by 124,000 votes, give or take a few hundred.

I don't know the percentages off the top of my head.

[dixiegrrrrl]

34. surely he has pissed of at least 100,000 of them by now.

[Shiver]

36. Polls say that if the election were held again today

Walker would lose, mostly from Republican who would switch over. I'm not even sure if that counts the Progressives that didn't vote, but would now.

[Le Taz Hot]

85. Tell me,

how many progressives didn't vote? And cite your source.

[tclambert]

81. I believe he got 52%.

Ah, here we go: http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election,_2010 Wikipedia says Walker got 52%, Barrett got 46%. The margin was about 124,000 votes.

HOWEVER, a recent poll show Walker's favorable rating is only 39%. http://my.firedoglake.com/sjgulitti/2011/02/22/scott-wa... /

In other words, IF they could recall Walker, he would likely lose a rematch. But Wisconsin law says they have to wait until he's been in office a full year.

[CLANG]

69. 52-47 percent

[beac]

7. K&R! On WISCONSIN!!!!

[liberalmike27]

90. Now We're Talking

I just saw a lady who was protesting years ago. She took a toilet brush out at the protest and said "let me have my toilet bresh cause there's some stank up in this courthouse!"

Recall that "stank" right out of there like the worthless crud it is.

[toddwv]

9. Can they start collecting recall signatures for Governor Wanker now

or does that have to wait until the year is up and they actually file the papers?

Considering Walker's plummeting approval rating, a stack of signatures showing that recall isn't just a possibility but inevitable would be an excellent bargaining chip. Might get that Kochroach to back down from some of his more extreme positions.

[Botany]

15. They can start collecting recall signatures 60 days prior to 1/3/12

Which is when he will have been in office for 1 year .....



Thousands have signed up to collect signatures already.

BTW It so nice to have DU back up and running on my i-Mac!

[Bozita]

28. a group is collecting contact info now for getting the recall going quickly later this year.

Sorry, but I don't remember the name of the group.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

11. I wish them the best of luck. Also, they'd best be very careful of the signatures

There's going to be organized dirty tricks in the works to attempt to invalidate this process. I'm sure they already realize that fact though.

Good luck WI, and give them hell!

[provis99]

13. yay! Grothman is on the list.

He is definitely going down in flames, thanks to his nationally-known stupidity and viciousness.

[Iliyah]

14. Hell Yes!

When elected politicans who are paid by the tax payers of the State or Country refuses to even negotiate and try and find common ground, when politicans forget that they represent the PEOPLE, and try and take away their civil rights which is the democracy way of life here in the US, then its time for them to be called out and replaced.

[Bozita]

19. and deservedly so!

[dragonlady]

67. We'd like to think so

but he is from the reddest district in the state, so it will be tough.

[travelingtypist]

73. I might donate a few bucks for that little job.

He is just so nasty.

[myrna minx]

16. K&R n/t

[SemperEadem]

17. Excellent!! That's why I've been saying for a few weeks now

start circulating some petitions up there on the capitol. Start putting the power of the people to work. This is how government is done. By the law.

The thugs totally overplayed their hand and they have been caught out short this time. Progressives have had enough of scared, stupid people voting against their own economic interests to the detriment of everyone else around them.

The thugs need to learn that selfishness is not a cute look this year or any year.

[Uncle Joe]

18. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[kpete]

21. life is good

yes, today, for sure,
peace, kpete


i found out yesterday - i will be a gramma!
oh my UNCLE JOE!!!

[Uncle Joe]

24. Life is good, kpete

and congratulations on your upcoming grammaness!

I'm sure you will be exceptional at it.

Peace to you,
Uncle Joe

[Auntie Bush]

39. Congratulations Gramma!

My grand kids call me Gramma too. I don't like grandma. But one told me I'm spelling Grandma wrong. LOL That's a smart kid!

[CottonBear]

61. Best wishes to you, your family and the little baby!

CB

[AC_Mem]

121. Congrats kpete!

I'm a grandma (mimi) to two incredible little souls. You think you can never love greater than you do your children, but then you have grandchildren and find out that the love just multiplies!

My best to you and your family!
Annette

[pinboy3niner]

20. K&R

[Auggie]

22. K&R!

[kmac3]

30. Thanks Auggie . . . . interesting

Absolutely love it when someone has the initiative and energy to research to find answers instead of merely repeating what others tell you. Appears if anyone can be successful in this process Wisconsin shows it definitely has the smart and integrity. Proud of all of you good people.

[femrap]

23. Great move!

They kick ass up there in WI!!!!

[Courtesy Flush]

25. Wisconsin has a recent history of recalling politicians

I was wondering if recalls were just an empty threat, or if office holders have been successfully ousted, so I found this list of successful recalls on Wikipedia.

Successful recalls

1911 recall of Hiram Gill, mayor of Seattle, Washington<4>
1916 recall of J. W. Robinson, mayor of Boise, Idaho<5>
1921 recall of Lynn Frazier, governor of North Dakota
1983 recall of Michigan state senators Phil Mastin and David Serotkin due to their support for a state income tax hike. Loss of these two Democratic lawmakers, along with two special elections won by Republicans, flipped the state senate to GOP control, where it has remained ever since (as of January 2010.)<6>
1987 recall of Mike Boyle, mayor of Omaha, Nebraska.
1987 recall of James Holley, mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia
1994 recall of officials in River Vale, New Jersey: Mayor Walter Jones, Councilwoman Patricia Geier, and Councilman Bernard Salmon<7>
1995 recall of California State Assemblyman Paul Horcher
1995 recall of California State Assembly Speaker Doris Allen
1996 recall of Wisconsin State Senator George Petak<8>
2002 recall of Woodrow Stanley, mayor of Flint, Michigan.
2002 recall of multiple Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, elected county officials including Executive F. Thomas Ament (resigned before election); Board Chair Karen Ordinans; and Board Supervisors Penny Podell, LeAnn Launstein, David Jasenski, Kathy Arciszewski, James McGuigan, and Linda Ryan. All were recalled due to a retirement pension controversy.<9>
2003 recall of Gray Davis, governor of California
2003 recall of Wisconsin State Senator Gary George<8>
2005 recall of James E. West, mayor of Spokane, Washington.
2006 recall of Neil Marko, mayor of Roosevelt, New Jersey.
2010 recall of James Holley, mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recall_election#Successful...

Since 1996, most successful recalls have been in Wisconsin. So hopefully it will resonate with them more than it does in other parts of the country.

[xchrom]

26. very good. nt

[Plucketeer]

27. HOT DAMN!

I'm gonna make Mac and CHEESE for dinner tonight!

[Eyerish]

29. K&R

[Jmaxfie1]

31. Great news!!! n/t

[revolutionnow45]

32. Walker should be immediately arrested

He is breaking the law by closing the capitol.

The police should arrest the real criminal Walker and those supporting this coup.

[tcaudilllg]

72. Walker belongs in an asylum, but a camp will do, too.

After all, a nut like Walker can't be easily cracked, even with meds.

[Melissa G]

33. Proud K&R # 100! n/t

[Kingofalldems]

35. Recall all republicans.

[Auntie Bush]

41. If wanting democracy can spread over the Middle East...wanting

Republicans recalled can spread all over the United States. Let's get started!

[jwirr]

37. This is wonderful. I do have one question: While we are going to

win in WIS don't we also have to win in OH? and the other states?

[Shaman Omaha]

40. An Opportunity for Humanity to Rise

Citizens of Wisconsin,

Use this opportunity to elect people who will support a reorientation of priorities from business to Life! Happiness is the benchmark of successful government, not the Dow Jones Index. Fund more day care, more teachers,more doctors, more hospitals, and more leisure time. Manufacture for yourselves, grow food for yourselves, and tax the corporations and the wealthy who have enriched themselves at your expense.

Rise Humanity!

[proud patriot]

42. wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[stubtoe]

43. Note to Tea Party: THIS is what democracy looks like!

This is real people power, NOT funded by the Koch Bros.

[Pharaoh]

44. Can we get a DU fundraising drive for this Skinner?

Or one to send cash to the Wisconsin 14 who are stuck in Illinois?

[white_wolf]

111. We need to be careful about the last one.

I'm not totally sure, but I've heard a few people here mention that giving money to the 14 might be illegal.

[Pharaoh]

120. Why?

This is uncharted territory, what do you base this on?

[elocs]

45. Now Democrats this time need to get out and VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! remembering:

Also remember that not all union members are Democrats. There are Republican union members who are very pissed about this.

[eridani]

46. So, where is the Act Blue page? n/t

[Cieran_WI]

55. Act Blue Recall the Republican 8 donation page:

https://secure.actblue.com/page/recallrepublican8

The Democratic 14 have already gotten money bombed, time to money bomb the recall effort of the 8 most vulnerable WI state GOP senators. We have 60 days to get enough signatures in each district to trigger a new election.

[Babel_17]

47. Ditto to what the first reply said! K&R

[beyurslf]

48. Can they recall that disaster of a Governor?

[Cieran_WI]

56. Yes, 1 year after he took office. Watch for Gov Feingold in Jan 2012! :)

[aquart]

49. I've been wondering when they'd get to it.

[pansypoo53219]

51. i would LOVE to see DARLING

who is NOT darling go!

[quakerboy]

52. That is how its going to be done

Waiting on them to come to their senses and listen to people was never a realistic option.

Lets just hope that de-elections have consequences.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

53. K&R Are there any fundraising efforts for the recall? I'm in if there are. Thanks for the info.

[sonias]

54. Please, please let this be successful

I wish my brothers and sisters in WI the best of luck. We are with you!

[DirkGently]

57. Burn them all (politically) to the ground. Bet all-or-nothing. Get ... nothing.

[myrna minx]

58. K& R n/t

[neverforget]

59. Good luck Wisconsin!!!

[PatrynXX]

60. tourism will be way down

in in Wisconsin tourism is the lifeblood of that state. IL also has some of that. Never could see alot of tourism in IA except along the river

[Canuckistanian]

62. I hope Grothman is on that list

He's eligible for recall and a scumbag.

[eridani]

74. And his voicemail box is full

What a shame! I wonder why?

[rasputin1952]

122. He is...

[sofa king]

63. GOP's next move will be to try to change the law.

Can a simple majority repeal an election law in Wisconsin? I'm sure some barely competent Republican legislative assistant has to stay up late tonight finding out.

The Wisconsin Democrats had better be ready for it, if it can be done.

[totodeinhere]

64. This is a two way street. Recall efforts have also been launched against Democratic senators in WI.

[No Elephants]

75. Used to be one way? Glad it's two way now.

If the law provides for recall, and the people truly speak (not Diebold), so be it.

[juajen]

65. My very loved, very liberal brother taught mathematics at the University of

Wisconsin Madison and loved that state dearly. In his name, I want to say how proud I am of the wonderful people of Wisconsin. He would have been so proud. He died in 2009 and it broke my heart. He was a wonderful man and adored Madison, Wisconsin.

[Bozita]

68. To your brother, Juajen, and his memory ...

[efhmc]

100. Bless his memory. I see why he loved the place.

[Politicub]

107. Here's to your bother

He sounds like he was a wonderful person. May he RIP.

[txlibdem]

66. Elect a Republican and this is what you get: bad government, unrepresentative of the peoples wishes

I'd like to see the recall of Repuke politicos take off like wildfire all across the nation.

[plumbob]

70. Excellent! More like this, please!

Now we're gettin' somewhere.

[yurbud]

71. don't just cheer DONATE! LINK:

http://www.recalltherepublican8.com/

[No Elephants]

76. Great news. Thanks for this thread, kpete.

[indimuse]

77. I LOVE IT! HA!

KNR!

[Enthusiast]

78. K&R! nt

[barbtries]

79. this could be the straw

that breaks walker's back. i hope so.

[Vidar]

80. Go Wisconsin! Fighting Bob LaFolette would be proud!

[SpiralHawk]

82. Use democracy to unseat the Totalitarian RepubliCorp ass kissers

America don't need not billionaire ass-kissing flunkeys...

[liberal N proud]

83. We need to do this in every state

In Ohio the bill already passed the Senate and is headed for the Legislature. We should threaten the state reps with this if they vote for it.

[Shining Jack]

84. K&R

Alberta Darling won her last race... OK, stupid joke: What a weird phrase, sounds like news from a horse race. /end stupid joke

[Name removed]

86. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hubert Flottz]

87. It worked for Arnold!

[Overseas]

88. K&R and Many Thanks ! //nt

[madmax]

89. K&R Go Wisonsin!!! nt

[fascisthunter]

91. right wingers=little Musolinis

[deacon]

92. Total Recall!

[Action]

93. Buyers Remorse

This is what you get when folks vote for someone and have no clue as to what they are really going to do. Walker never told the voters that he was going to destroy the unions and hurt folks.
In Michigan, the voters are feeling the same thing. MI Gov. Synder never told the voters that he was going to raise taxes on seniors (tax their pensions)while giving cuts to businesses. How did he fool them? Synder ran slick ads with no substance, he had hand picked town hall meetings with no hard questions, he did not take questions from reporters, and he only debated once with the Dem candidate. Here in Michigan the repubs have all the votes and there is nothing anyone can do to stop them. Let's hope voters have learned a big lesson and remember in 2012 (presidential race) and 2014 (the next governor's race for many states).

Anyone who is not rich (billionaire) and votes for the repubs,is a total fool!

[global1]

101. I Call It Voters Remorse And I Asked The Question The Day After The Nov Elections......

How soon will the people of this country have 'voters remorse'. Didn't take long - did it? And I'm sure this is going on all over the country. The Repugs are going to be sorry in 2012.

[spooky3]

94. That's change I can believe in!

[RKP5637]

95. Yea!!! Dump them and get in politicians that care about "we the people." n/t

[suffragette]

96. K&R

[meow2u3]

97. K&R

WTG, Wisconsin!

[goforit]

98. Cheers!!!.....Great idea!!! May we all take note everywhere.

Thank you Wisconsin Voters!!!
Y'all can save America.

[Iggo]

99. Overthrow the government...

...at the ballot box.

Love it.

[mackerel]

102. Let it be so

[Politicub]

109. The fire in the liberal belly for 2012 was lit in Madison

It's up to all of us to quash the malaise that allowed conservative radicals to assume power.

[GreenStormCloud]

103. Recall attempts are also being made against five Democratic State Senators. N/T

[Iliyah]

106. By yours truly

the Koch Brothers and the rest of the elite who want to disrepect the people and trash this beautiful state. They lie, steal, cheat, and destroy everything in their path.

What would Jesus do? Simple answer, be with the people, y'know, what a liberal or a progressive would do.

[GreenStormCloud]

126. Only 3 of the 8 Republican can be considered vunerable.

The other 5 are from solid red districts.

[Optimistic]

104. Just a matter of time till the GOP Nationwide is Recalled

[WillyT]

108. HUGE K & R !!!

[jsgindc]

110. I live in DC....

and I'm willing to donate to the cause!

[craigmatic]

112. Good let's Gray Davis those bastards.

[AllyCat]

113. I've already agreed to volunteer in their districts collecting signatures.

Hang on Wisconsin 14! We'll bail you out sooner or later.

[L. Coyote]

114. Send Scott "He's No Hosni" Walker a Thank You for his lame dictatorship galvenizing the populace vs.

the corporate party.

[shellgame26]

115. YES!

[jwirr]

116. Is a recall effective immediately or what will happen next?

[glinda]

124. Looks like 60 days. They don't have 60 days! Need charges brought against Walker or something.

[jwirr]

125. That is what I was afraid of. I do not know if our Unions can hold out

that long.

[bluestateboomer]

117. Recall Website

This was just on Thom Hartmann

http://www.recalltherepublican8.com/

[AC_Mem]

119. It's time to ORGANIZE

Get the Democratic party leaders involved to make sure all "i"s are dotted and "t"'s are crossed. Find the best candidates for the PEOPLE and do this in an organized, timely manner to be ahead of all deadlines and with backup information so that the R's cannot go all squirrel (trying to find the "acorn") on us.

This is when we need Wisconsin's to take their incredible ability to unite and focus them on quickly gathering what they need to make this happen.

Our time is NOW. I hope someone sets up a fund raising site for the volunteers who work on the recall, I will donate to make sure they have money for gas, food, day care - whatever it takes.

Shine ON Wisconsin!
Annette