Reason 1: The Election. Wisconsin shifted to the right more radically than any other state in the country last November, switching what was a state government entirely controlled by Democrats into one entirely controlled by the GOP. In a state in which Barack Obama won all but 14 of the 72 counties two years ago, the Democratic leaders of the both the Assembly and the Senate were ousted, and their majorities were diminished to pathetic minorities in both chambers.
Reason 2: The Protests. The demonstrations in Madison were the largest anybody in the area could remember since at least Vietnam. They became a harbinger for the future of the U.S. labor movement by displaying the power of protest in shifting public opinion against elected leaders. The recently-triumphant Republicans are now feeble and unpopular.
Reason 3: The Recalls. Most states don't even allow them. Here in Wisconsin, they are a remnant of the Progressive era, during which leaders like Bob La Follette saw the recall as an essential check on the power of elected officials. In the states that do allow them, they've only been successful 13 times in history. This year, it's still anybody's guess, but it's likely we will see four or five recall elections. If those are successful, it will only further mobilize a movement to recall Walker next year.
Successful recalls will not only be an incredible political event in the near future, but they will forever influence state and perhaps national politics. From now on, recall may no longer be a far-flung option reserved for the flagrantly corrupt or for those who raise taxes. It might in fact become a natural part of political opposition.
You may not agree with my conclusions, but you have to agree with the premise: When it comes to politics worth watching, Wisconsin is number one.
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