As I've commented before, the activism that the budget repair bill has sparked may provide Democrats and progressives in Wisconsin a unique opportunity to make big gains in spring elections across the state, including in races that were long dismissed as safe wins for conservatives.
Just look at this press release from the College Dems:
The Young Progressives, Organizing for America, and College Democrats are proud to present Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Kelda Helen Roys, and progressive Supreme Court candidate JoAnn Kloppenberg at Activism 101: Taking Back Wisconsin. Both mayoral candidates will also be in attendance and you will have a chance to talk to them as well as the other political figures. Activism 101 will be a celebration of community involvement and activism which will serve to unite Wisconsinites in the plan to fight Gov. Walker's agenda while giving them the tools to do so more effectively...
In Madison, joining the fight against Walker is the best way to get attention and respect. In fact, the official actions the city government has taken to repudiate the governor's policies on collective bargaining including the unanimous approval of union contracts the other week may serve to boost the mayor's credibility with left-of-center Madisonians, especially ones who do not generally keep up with city issues. Similarly, it is an absolute must for Soglin to show his solidarity with public employees as well, as this video I shot of him demonstrates.
And the backlash against Walker over collective bargaining may be the only chance JoAnn Kloppenburg has of winning the race against incumbent Justice David Prosser. The conservative Prosser is a heavy favorite going into the general election, after winning the primary with over 50 percent of the vote. However, if the interest in state politics that the protests have motivated on the left can translate into a high turnout in spring elections, Prosser could become the first incumbent conservative justice to lose since...does anybody know?
