Wisconsin Piles On

President Obama’s campaign is playing serious defense.  The economy appears to be slowing and unemployment headed back up. Bill Clinton and Cory Booker are providing counter-messages, and now the unions and Democrats have lost a major battle in a Democratic-leaning state.

The Wisconsin loss will shadow the Democrats for weeks.  It was a:

• Major loss for the local and national Democratic Party and its message of social equality through government unions.

• Major loss for unions in the only segment of the economy where they have grown – government

        The battle may have helped Mitt Romney and the Republicans
        solidify their support from the White (non-government) working
        class.

• Obama did not lose, but he won the state by 14 points in 2008, and now is ahead by only 7.  Substantial, but close enough to let the Republicans at least dream of an upset.  (If Democrats claim Arizona is in play, so is Wisconsin.)  

        Obama’s credibility was also hurt by his failure to show up and
        provide support.  Many unions and Democratic leaders will
        resent the Chicago campaign leadership’s calculations.

And although Governor Walker is unlikely to be the vice president, he is now a party superstar and will be treated as such in Tampa.

See Ralph Hallow’s analyses in The Washington Times, 5-5-12:

“One unknown in the political equation is whether Mr. Romney is enough of a risk-taker to go for someone seen as a hero to the party base but who inspires intense negative passions in the opposition.

 ‘I believe Romney goes with the safest and most comfortable vice president,’ said Denver-based pollster Floyd Ciruli.”

Also see The Weekly Standard:  Morning Jay: Why Wisconsin Matters