Now that we've gone through the summer, fall, winter, spring of our discontent, the question is, "Where do we go from here?" I am, of course, referring to the aftermath of Tuesday's recall election. Being journalists, we offer up not so much our opinions, but those of a collection of local interested parties, most dedicated to the recall movement, but not all, and some who say "You should have read the writing on the wall and spared us the trouble and expense."
These reactions are collected in our cover story "Him Again…" acknowledging Gov. Scott Walker's successful defense of his office. Former Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz offers the perspective of someone who has experienced losing: "It's not the end of the world." Vikki Kratz, former Isthmus reporter and now a teacher, feels rejected. Larry Kaufmann, Isthmus columnist from the conservative side and an economic consultant (hey Larry, Greece is on the line), is one of those who say we should have seen it coming - conservatives are ascendant.
David Poklinkoski, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 2304, recalls the progressive labor history of Wisconsin. There is a lot to be learned in studying labor history. What do the names Haymarket, Homestead and Pullman mean to you? If the answer is nothing, then you are deficient in your labor history, whether right or left.
Eileen Bruskewitz, a former county supervisor from the moderate conservative side, says Madison truly is "surrounded by reality," to which it was introduced on Tuesday. Bill Kraus, longtime Republican stalwart, of the type in danger of being branded RINO (Republican in Name Only - the epithet/rallying cry of a particularly virulent strain of that political party), counsels that we all should just get on with business.
There are a bunch of other folks consulted. You can read what they have to say inside. But the ground has been prepared for a long, long slog to the November elections. I haven't run into any Wisconsinites who aren't glad this process is over. And in the enduring words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"
