Posted on 04/22/2012 2:11:35 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
While the recall fight over Gov. Scott Walker is unique in this states history, its awfully reminiscent of a Wisconsin campaign just eight years ago that featured a polarizing Republican incumbent, a virtual 50-50 electorate, a campaign climate of bile and anger, high suspense and huge national attention.
Does Bush v. Kerry ring a bell?
Consider the similarities:
Lightning-rod incumbent. Given how much his image has slipped among conservatives, its easy to forget the unusually deep affection and energy George W. Bush inspired among Republican voters post-9-11. It went hand in hand with the dislike and loathing he sparked among Democratic voters. The partisan gap in attitudes toward Bush was bigger than it was for any previous president in the era of modern polling.
Walker appears to be the most polarizing governor in America (measured by the gap in how Republicans and Democrats in his state view him). His levels of support among GOP voters and his levels of opposition among Democratic voters are equally extreme. Like Bush in 2004, Walker is also polarizing in another sense: lots of people have strong opinions about him, very few are on the fence. These qualities are both a strength and weakness, giving the incumbent a large and vital floor of support but making it difficult for him to break beyond the 50% threshold.
Closely divided public. The contest between Bush and Democrat John Kerry was decided by less than half a percentage point in Wisconsin the closest outcome of any state in the nation. Polls suggest voters here are split virtually down the middle over Walkers performance in office:
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Keep in mind that this report is from the highly biased Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. My hunch is that it is not nearly as close as this report indicates.
Wisconsin Snapshot of Walker Support ping
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off this Wisconsin interest ping list.
Scott Walker, the best damn thing ever to happen to Wisconsin and the polls show 50-50?
Disgusting, isn’t it? Yet I know that I refuse to answer the phone to anyone whom I do not know, or who refuses to reveal their identity. Many people are like me, so we are never polled.
The Bush Kerry race of 2004, where Kerry’s margin of victory was smaller than the margin of election fraud we estimate took place.
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