By Cassandra Lans
State Senator Lena Taylor showed her support for Tom Barrett and his race for the governor’s seat at a recent fundraising event held in Milwaukee at The Public Market. Taylor joined various other legislators and supporters of Barrett’s bid in the recall election against Scott Walker. (Photo by Robert A. Bell)
Wisconsin is demonstrating that grassroot efforts and working together can beat out big money. Earlier this week financial reports revealed that the Walker Recall Campaign had raised approximately $13 million. The majority of those dollars are from outside of Wisconsin, further demonstrating what many have said all along, Walker is pandering to the national spotlight, not here at home in Wisconsin.
However, a poll released on Wednesday by Marquette University Law School shows that Barrett and Walker are in a dead heat for this recall election. The poll, also showed Barrett leading his Democratic rivals in Tuesday’s primary. The winner of the primary will face the Republican governor in the June 5 recall election.
“Wisconsin voters have the power to beat the big money machines that are continuing to invade our state. Barrett is the only candidate that can beat Walker and the big money at their own game. No disrespect to Kathleen Falk, but it is just not her time right now. And hopefully, when Barrett wins the primary, she along with her supporters will join the Barrett team, and get Walker out.” stated a community organizer named Mabel as she placed “Barrett for Governor” signs on area lawns.
According to the poll, Among registered voters, Barrett led Walker 47 percent to 46 percent. That 1-point lead was reversed when considering only likely voters, with Walker holding 48 percent and Barrett holding 47 percent. The results are even closer than one done by Marquette in March, when Walker led Barrett 47 percent to 45 percent.
Walker performed much better against former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. He beat her 49 percent to 42 percent among registered voters, with similar results among likely voters. Walker had an advantage of 49 percent to 40 percent among likely voters in head-to-head matchups with both Secretary of State Doug La Follette and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma.
In the primary poll results, Barrett had 38 percent, Falk had 21 percent, Follette had 8 percent and Vinehout had 6 percent. Sixteen percent were undecided.
When tallying the numbers to include undecided voters who were leaning toward a particular candidate, Barrett did even better, with 45 percent to Falk’s 23 percent. La Follette and Vinehout each had 8 percent when including leaning voters.
These polls are also an indicator that the recall race is not just about the concerns of the unions, who heavily favor Falk.
“Wisconsin residents are hurting across this state, and while the collective bargaining is a very important issue, it is not the only one. This governor has only one thing on his mind, like a Sarah Palin, he is interested in the national stage of the GOP, and that is who he is trying to impress.” stated Grace, a senior who has volunteered for the recall effort from the beginning.
There are thousands of people from across the state who, like Grace and Mabel have worked the streets, volunteered their time to collect signatures, help inform people on how to get registered, put out yard signs and the list goes on. Grassroot efforts can and are demonstrating that big money will not buy the votes of individuals who want to end the civil war in Wisconsin that was created by outsiders like the Koch brothers, and New Jersey Governor Christie and Governor Scott Walker who is behaving like an outsider.