Wisconsin Megathread

[Dr. Arch]

I personally think the idea that "THIS IS THE ONLY MAN/WOMAN WHO CAN WIN" when it comes to elections is both unnecessary and harmful for Democrats. I don't know much about WI politics, but I find it also impossible to believe that Kind is the only democrat in the entire state who can beat someone like Walker. Also I genuinely think it's a self fulfilling prophecy when you think a competitive candidate is going to lose--volunteers dry up, people are less likely to donate, etc.

If Trump is sufficiently unpopular, I think people are going to vote against the GOP anyway, regardless of who is the nominee. Nominees do matter, but at the end of the day most people are just going to notice the "D" or the "R" next to the name.

The GOP has been in control of the state for almost a decade, with almost every election resulting in more control--2016 included. Walker's strategy to polarize the state for political gain worked. The Democratic bench is largely limited to places where the polarization is highest.

Honestly, it looks bleak.

[henster]

Honestly, I doubt Kind would have beaten Walker anyway. A lot of Democrats are probably scared after Johnson's and Trump's victory in WI last year. Still, I expect this race to get at least SOME attention, especially since the Senate race will be heavily contested as well. Baldwin should run ahead of whoever the Ds nominate for governor, but I wonder how much?

And winning by 6 and 7 points in a state as polarized as WI is not a bad showing at all IMO, especially considering that Walker has little crossover appeal.

The lesson Democrats should take from Johnson's victory in WI last year is as follows: DO NOT. REFUSE. SUPER PAC. MONEY.

Feingold did not refuse super PAC money this time around.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

This is a tossup and Dems do need WI, I am in support of Cullen beating Walker.

[Maxwell]

Ron Kind isn't as good a candidate as any says he is. I knew he wasn't going to run for Governor and even if he jumped in he wouldn't have done that well.

[henster]

Hopefully Vinehout decides to run.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Likely R with Walker running anyways, OH, IL, MI are Dems best hope.

[Gass3268]

Walker has seen a recent bump in approval, but still underwater:

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[Deblano]

Walker has seen a recent bump in approval, but still underwater:

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Considering his approval ratings have pretty much always been around that number, he is the prime definition of a polarizing candidate.

[Gass3268]

Walker has seen a recent bump in approval, but still underwater:

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Considering his approval ratings have pretty much always been around that number, he is the prime definition of a polarizing candidate.

From mid-2015 to mid-2016 his approvals were in the high 30's.

[RogueBeaver]

Cullen out.

[publicunofficial]

Cullen out.

Walker gonna run unopposed.

[Dr. Arch]

Cullen out.

Walker gonna run unopposed.

He won't. We just don't know yet.

[Heisenberg]

Both Baldwin and Walker are very polarizing politicians who will face serious opponents and be targeted like there's no tomorrow. A lot of people who say they're not running later decide to jump in anyway, just think of Cory Gardner.

Connie Mack IV in 2012 is another example.

[Chief Justice Keef]

Any chance somebody like Mark Pocan or Gwen Moore jumps in?

[RogueBeaver]

Walker says he's ready to run.

[The Other Castro]

Walker says he's ready to run.

Four times in eight years! Eh, not as catchy.

[Wiz in Wis]

Uh... this would be fun:

Mark Tauscher for Governor

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2017/03/30/former-packer-mark-tauscher-mulling-run-governor/99833134/

[Dr. Arch]

Uh... this would be fun:

Mark Tauscher for Governor

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2017/03/30/former-packer-mark-tauscher-mulling-run-governor/99833134/

This would be an interesting twist to the slate of boring candidates they have been pushing over the last couple of cycles.

[publicunofficial]

Cullen out.

Walker gonna run unopposed.

He won't. We just don't know yet.

For the record, I consider running against absolute nobodies the same thing as running unopposed.

[Gass3268]

Uh... this would be fun:

Mark Tauscher for Governor

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2017/03/30/former-packer-mark-tauscher-mulling-run-governor/99833134/

He already denied it today.
This would be an interesting twist to the slate of boring candidates they have been pushing over the last couple of cycles.

[Heisenberg]

Cullen out.

Walker gonna run unopposed.

He won't. We just don't know yet.

For the record, I consider running against absolute nobodies the same thing as running unopposed.

I don't. There's still another name on the ballot, and the possibility of an upset.

[Ronnie]

Come on, Democrats aren't going to give up on a totally winnable race before it even begins, are they?

[Deblano]

What's with all the Democrats refusing to run against Scott Walker?

I know the Wisconsin Democratic Party is weak and crippled, but good lord. This is something else entirely.

[Dr. Arch]

What's with all the Democrats refusing to run against Scott Walker?

I know the Wisconsin Democratic Party is weak and crippled, but good lord. This is something else entirely.

If the new DNC administration is serious about the 50-state strategy and party organization reform, WI is one of those places they need to target and overhaul.

[Deblano]

What's with all the Democrats refusing to run against Scott Walker?

I know the Wisconsin Democratic Party is weak and crippled, but good lord. This is something else entirely.

If the new DNC administration is serious about the 50-state strategy and party organization reform, WI is one of those places they need to target and overhaul.

Agreed. Wisconsin will be the true test on how effective Perez/Ellison is.