...with one vacant republican seat. So, 17-16 GOP. Point? You aren't implying that tens of millions of dollars from out of state flipping two state senate seats (normally campaign on tens of thousands) is a 'gain' are you?
One senator was in a bad divorce, had a young girlfriend, and a lot of state employees in his district so I'm shocked the seat was lost after millions of dollars were thrown at it.
The State Senators recalled in 2008 had been elected in 2008, a year in which President Obama had won handily. 2008 was already a bad year for Republicans in Wisconsin, and there was little room for improvement for Democrats. But that said, the Democrats made gains, picking up State Senate seats that often seemed "Safe R" in 2008.
The Tea Party winners of 2010 will be up for recall in 2012, and they have been the bulk of the support for Gauleiter -- I mean Governor -- Walker. State Senate seats that easily went R in 2010 but would not have so gone in 2006 or 2008 might not be so easy to defend in a General Election that includes the President.
Scott Walker is wildly unpopular in Wisconsin. Even if he survives the recall he is going to find himself with a state legislature that doesn't kick its heels and follow him blindly.
