WIll Democrats’ Loss in the Wisconsin Union Battle Be ‘Galvinizing’? DRAFT

They point to polls showing that the same level of intensity that helped Republicans campaigning against health care is now behind Democrats on the issue of collective bargaining. Gov. Scott Walker’s refusal to compromise with Democrats has given them a vivid way to demonstrate the point they tried unsuccessfully to make during the midterms: that Republicans are motivated by ideology, not just budget balancing.

“This is one of the uglier examples of the tyranny of a temporary majority, and I think it’s going to backfire badly,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland, the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.

“Democratic governors are facing some of the same budget challenges, and we’re asking for some of the same concessions, but we’re staying at the table and working with our work force and their union representatives,” he said. “The Republicans are taking advantage of the economic downturn to sharpen their ideological axes and settle old scores.”