Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is now a conservative hero after he both pushed his government union collective bargaining reform legislation through the Wisconsin Senate and then helped Republicans repel Democrat efforts to retake the Senate in recall elections. But when Walker first released his budget bill, many conservatives criticized Walker for exempting police and firefighters from his collective bargaining reforms. The concessions looked like a clear sacrifice of principle for the sake of political expediency. But Walker prevailed and few criticize him on those grounds today.
In Ohio last night, voters repealed Gov. John Kasich’s government union collective bargaining law by referendum before it could ever go into effect. Now a referendum on a single measure is different than state senate recall elections, but Kasich’s bill was clearly hurt by the overwhelming opposition from police and firefighter unions. Could the law have been saved if Kasich had exempted police and firefighters like Walker did? Probably not. But it at least would have been closer. The electorate that showed up in Ohio was not a liberal one. The same voters who rejected the government union reform bill also passed a referendum rejecting Obamacare’s individual mandate. This is a state looking for a moderate alternative to President Obama.
Campaign 2011
The Examiner‘s Michael Barone: “It looks to me like the political balance, which swung wildly between 2008 and 2010—the 9% Republican gain and Democratic loss in percentage of the popular vote for the U.S. House between those two elections was the largest such percentage change since the elections of 1946 and 1948—has stayed pretty much the same.”
The Examiner‘s David Freddoso: “The November 2011 election was a mixed bag that leans, on the whole, toward the Democrats. It reinforces the remaining power of public-sector labor unions to spend and shape key debates in swing states like Ohio.”
Townhall‘s Guy Benson: What a bloodbath in the [Virginia] House of Delegates. Republicans will emerge from tonight with at least a 2/3 majority, having picked up a minimum of 6 seats, if not 7 or 8. … A very solid night for Bob McDonnell’s muscular Republican Machine in Virginia. This is going to be a tough state for President Obama to win again.”
The Washington Post‘s Karen Tumulty: “Tuesday’s legislative elections in Virginia appeared likely to add more evidence — as if national Democrats needed it — that the terrain of the political map will be significantly more rugged for President Obama next year.”
Around the Bigs
Reuters, Fannie Mae taps $7.8 billion from Treasury, loss widens: Fannie Mae asked the Treasury Department for another $7.8 billion in taxpayer money as the firm/agency continued to take heavy losses on mortgages made before the financial crisis.
The Wall Street Journal, State Department Weighing Change to Pipeline Route: The State Department will soon decide whether or not to recommend a different route for the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska. The change will not convince any environmental activists to drop their support for the project, but it will allow President Obama to delay final decision on the pipeline till after the 2012 election.
The Washington Post, Republicans offer tax deal to break debt impasse; Democrats dismiss it: Congressional Republicans offered to close loopholes, simplify the tax code, lower rates, and raise $300 billion in net tax revenue yesterday. The offer was part of the Super Congress negotiations to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion. Democrats quickly rejected the offer.
The New York Times, European Debt Crisis as Berlusconi’s Last Stand: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pledged to step down after he signs new austerity measures requested by the European Union.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Man found dead in Occupy New Orleans encampment: The body of a man who had been dead for at least two days was discovered in a tent at the Occupy New Orleans encampment across from City Hall.
The San Jose Mercury News, Oakland merchants say sales slump by half amid Occupy protests: Oakland business leaders called on Mayor Jean Quan to disband the Occupy Oakland encampment citing huge drops in sales for some retailers. “We are seeing serious losses of business,” Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce public policy director Paul Junge said. “People have lost 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent of their sales.”
The Boston Globe, Occupy Boston protester arrested on drug dealing charges: A man living at the Occupy Boston Dewey Square encampment was arrested for dealing drugs out of South Station bus terminal.
The New York Times, Occupy Movement Inspires Unions to Embrace Bold Tactics: Unions, who were initially cautious about the Occupy movement, have stepped up the aid they are giving protesters, including: tents, air mattresses, propane heaters and tons of food.Occupiers have returned the favor by joining union picket lines.
Campaign 2012
Cain: Herman Cain flatly denied charges that he acted inappropriately with at least four women Tuesday, and his campaign released an email attacking the financial history of one of his named accusers. “I have never acted inappropriate with anyone, period,” Cain told reporters in Phoenix.
Later in the day, Cain’s campaign manager Mark Block told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that a second accuser, Karen Kraushaar, had a son, Josh Kraushaar, who works at Politico, the outlet that first reported the sexual charges against Cain. Block is dead wrong. Josh is not Karen’s son and he does not work for Politico.
Righty Playbook
RedState‘s Erick Erickson says that if Mitt Romney wins the nomination, Obama will win reelection and “conservatism will die.”
The Examiner‘s David Freddoso says it is time to end the occupation: “You’ve had your fun. You’ve suffered some pain. Some of you have even braved the cold. But you have also lost the rationale for what you’re doing. Your protest is adrift.”
The Weekly Standard‘s Joy Pullman warns to expect more unilateral action from Obama on education: “Wielding his executive authority over the Department of Education, Obama will require below-par Head Start national preschool providers to compete for federal funds.”
Lefty Playbook
The New Republic‘s Jonathan Cohn’s celebrates the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholding Obamacare’s individual mandate.
Mother Jones Adam Sewer worries that the D.C. court’s decision shows that, yet again, the Obama administration can’t articulate where the Congress’ Commerce Clause power ends, and that this might doom them in the Supreme Court.
The Atlantic‘s Conor Friedersdorf attacks Erick Erickson for his dismissal of Jon Huntsman.
