John Nichols on the Failed Gov. Walker Recall
Reporter John Nichols of The Nation spoke from Wisconsin about Gov. Scott Walker’s survival of Tuesday's attempt to recall him and what it says about how special-interest and corporate money has taken over politics since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling.
Reporter John Nichols of The Nation spoke from Wisconsin about Gov. Scott Walker’s survival of Tuesday’s attempt to recall him and what it says about how special-interest and corporate money has taken over politics since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling.
“I think we had an incredible test in Wisconsin of money power versus people power. And we always like to tell ourselves that if the people get organized enough, they can offset any amount of money. But in Wisconsin, we got a pretty powerful lesson about this new era we’re entering into with unlimited cash, as well as unlimited so-called ‘independent expenditures’ that go parallel to those of a candidate,” Nichols said.
“And the result in Wisconsin was an unsettling one. You saw a governor who had really put himself in a position where, I think, in most political instances, he would have been unelectable. His poll numbers last year were terrible. There was a broad sense of discomfort with him. And over the period not just of this campaign but really of the better part of a year, he used massive television advertising, as well as astounding amounts of mailings—more than $5 million worth of mailings—and huge amounts of Internet and social media communication, to basically alter people’s impressions of him sufficiently to win a 53-46 victory.”
Walker outspent his competitor, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, by about 7 to 1.
“Democracy Now!”:
— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.
Wait, before you go…If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig
Oligarchs have aligned with the forces of reaction to preserve their grip on power, endangering the U.S. and democracy the world over.
If America's oligarchs had any interest in preserving the country's economic system, they'd throw their support behind a wealth tax.
Reporter Christopher Leonard details the harrowing scope of Koch Industries’ power, and the challenges in trying to circumvent it.
The billionaire philanthropist leaves behind a devastating legacy of climate denial, argues author and Penn State professor Michael Mann.
Koch and his older brother Charles transformed American politics by pouring their riches into conservative causes.
George Soros and Charles Koch agree on this one issue.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.