Isthmus' first-ever food cart fest, otherwise known as Isthmus a la Carts, was an unqualified success, helped by the sold-out attendance, scrumptious food samples provided by the 17 participating carts, and the glorious weather of a perfect Wisconsin spring evening at the Olin Park site last Friday. It was a great way to kick off a weekend. We will repeat it.
Savoring that pleasant memory, we turn now to harsh reality. In less than three weeks the citizens of Wisconsin will go to the polls to decide the resolution of the big squabble. We've got to get this one out of the way before we can contemplate the national election process that follows. It used to be that Labor Day was considered the kickoff of the presidential campaigns, but they seem to be well under way already, even though the party conventions are themselves well in the future.
But first, all things recall. This week is the first of two consecutive covers we'll be doing on the topic. Alan Talaga and Jon Lyons get first crack at recall humor with their cartoon primer sizing up the advantages and disadvantages of the contenders, Scott Walker and Tom Barrett. There's other stuff inside, including a report on the efforts of both sides to mobilize their constituents (call centers - got to have them), the effects of the new student voting regulations, and an opinion piece by Ruth Conniff noting the national Democratic Party's reluctance to get involved in our supposedly domestic dispute.
In the ensuing two issues we will not abandon the biggest story to emanate from Wisconsin since the infamous days of Sen. Joe McCarthy. Next week staff writer Joe Tarr has the cover with a story that describes what Wisconsin government might be like post-election depending on whether Walker or Barrett prevails. In addition, there are articles in the works that examine other aspects of the recall phenomenon. It's time to begin writing the conclusion to this chapter of Wisconsin history.
