Are Wisconsin Republicans preparing to break with Walker?

[babylonsister]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/are_wisconsin_republicans_gett.html

Are Wisconsin Republicans preparing to break with Walker?
By Greg Sargent


I don't know if these reports are true or not, and we should treat them with caution. But we now have two news outlets, one local and one national, claiming GOP defections from Governor Scott Walker may be in the works.

snip//

I haven't been able to confirm either of these yet. But there are two points worth making. The first is that the drumbeat of polls showing strong opposition to Walker's rollback of bargaining rights may be starting to shift the landscape. The Journal report hints that Repubicans are growing nervous about opposition to Walker's proposals among independents. The key here is that public opinion on this standoff has caught a lot of people off guard.

Also: If the reports above are true, that could bear out the notion, articulated to me earlier today by a spokesman for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, that Republicans are well aware that Walker's impending layoffs could damage them more than Dems. Walker told the fake Koch on the prank call that he woud be ratcheting up the layoff threat to pressure missing Dems into returning. But Dems are refusing to budge despite the fact that the layoff threat is now very real. And there are indications that the layoffs could exacerbate the current public opinion dynamic, rather than turn it around. That may well be spooking Republicans who continue to stand by Walker.

UPDATE, 4:41 p.m.: I should have added that the drive to recall GOP senators has also picked up in the last few days. So you have pressure on numerous fronts.

[buddysmellgood]

1. I think this is exactly what's going on. This weekend, we start

collecting signatures to recall the rapublican senators. Some won by very narrow margins. Given the recent polling, they've got to be worried.

[tblue37]

2. And if they lose their comfy government jobs as legislators,

then they might well end up in other jobs that are extremely precarious, wishing they had bargaining rights--or perhaps even unemployed and depending on government services that will no longer exist if Republicans take a wheedwhacker to them. I suspect most Repubs realize that their bilionaire buddies won't be offering them any assistance if they are not in the legislature any more. Wiping out the middle class is good for them only if they are still cozy with the rich folks whose bidding they do. Once recalled and thus no longer in a position to be of service, they would be as thoroughly screwed as the rest of Wisconsin's people if Walker et al. get their way.

[polichick]

3. This certainly is a fascinating situation - and I hope a turning point for...

...snoozing Americans.

[Kber]

4. Kick and Recommend!

Thanks!

[fishwax]

5. here's hoping!

:kick:

[craigmatic]

6. It's good to see them on the defensive for once.

[opihimoimoi]

7. GOPer fear Walker implodes n drag down the Party... they are perplexed

[Avant Guardian]

8. Sticking with him is political suicide for them

Every crazy stunt the GOP pulls will come back to bite them.

The Koch brothers probably promised them jobs once their political careers end.