Reactions to Gov. Scott Walker's Victory
in the June 5, 2012 Recall Election
Romney for President
MITT ROMNEY: “TONIGHT’S
RESULTS WILL ECHO BEYOND THE BORDERS OF WISCONSIN”
Boston, MA – Mitt Romney
made the following statement on Governor Scott Walker’s victory in the
today’s Wisconsin recall election:
“I
congratulate Scott Walker on his victory in Wisconsin. Governor Walker
has demonstrated over the past year what sound fiscal policies can do
to turn an economy around, and I believe that in November voters across
the country will demonstrate that they want the same in Washington,
D.C. Tonight’s results will echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin.
Governor Walker has shown that citizens and taxpayers can fight back –
and prevail – against the runaway government costs imposed by labor
bosses. Tonight voters said ‘no’ to the tired, liberal ideas of
yesterday, and ‘yes’ to fiscal responsibility and a new direction. I
look forward to working with Governor Walker to help build a better,
brighter future for all Americans.”
Republican
Party
of
Wisconsin
Statement Regarding
Tonight's Victory
[Madison,
WI]- Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brad Courtney released the
following statement regarding the resounding victories of Governor
Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Kleefisch:
“This is a great victory for Wisconsin families. Wisconsinites made
it very clear they want to continue moving our state forward, and
that’s why Wisconsinites returned to the polls once again and cast
their vote for Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca
Kleefisch.
“A liberal minority of activists and out-of-state unions pushed this
baseless recall on Wisconsin in order to move us backward; Wisconsin
turned out once again and showed they will not have their voices
drowned out by this liberal minority, and they were heard loud and
clear.
“Tonight, courage was on the ballot, and voters showed they want a
leader who can make the tough decisions necessary to move our state
forward. Since Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Kleefisch were elected,
Wisconsin has turned a $3.6 billion budget deficit into a $153 million
surplus, we’ve created more than 30,000 jobs, our unemployment is the
lowest it’s been since 2008, and property taxes were lowered for the
first time in 12 years. These reforms are working, and our economy only
continues to improve thanks to Governor Walker having the courage to do
what was necessary to turn our state around.
“I congratulate Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Kleefisch on
another resounding victory, and I look forward to joining all
Wisconsinites in putting aside our differences and moving our state
forward under their bold leadership.”
Republican Governors Association
RGA
Congratulates Governor Scott Walker
Republican Governors Association Chairman Bob McDonnell
congratulated Governor Scott Walker on his historic victory tonight in
Wisconsin. The RGA spent close to $9 million in Wisconsin, including
airing eight television ads and investing in an unprecedented
ground
game:
“Tonight, Wisconsin voters rewarded political courage. Upon taking
office, Governor Walker fearlessly took on the staunch defenders of the
status quo and tackled unsustainable entitlements and long-term fiscal
liabilities. Governor Walker closed a $3.6 billion deficit without
raising taxes; he ushered in the first property tax decrease in a dozen
years; he strengthened schools; and he turned around the state’s
economy. His actions have made Wisconsin stronger today, and tomorrow.
And they have improved the lives of the citizens of Wisconsin.
Voters are ready for political leaders who are willing to follow
Governor Walker’s lead and take on the toughest issues; governing with
a greater focus on the next generation than the next election. That’s
exactly what Governor Walker has done, and his executive leadership
contrasts sharply with the absence of leadership in the White House.
While Governor Walker has reined in the state’s debt, dramatically
improved the state’s fiscal outlook and helped the private sector
create more than 30,000 new jobs, President Obama has added more than
$4.7 trillion to the national debt and proposed more than $1 trillion
in higher taxes, and the unemployment rate has exceeded 8 percent for
40 consecutive months.
Governor Walker is proof that voters recognize that the status quo
is unacceptable and unsustainable. He has shown there is a better
way;
a way that leads to prosperity and job creation. Tonight, the voters of
Wisconsin have approved of that positive path forward.”
Richard
A
Viguerie
Richard
Viguerie
on
Wisconsin:
Reagan's
Advice Wins Again--Romney Should Pay Attention
ConservativeHQ.com Chairman Richard A. Viguerie issued the
following
statement regarding the results of the recall election in
Wisconsin:
"The real reason Governor Scott Walker won is simple and something
that Mitt Romney and his presidential campaign team should take to
heart. Walker won because he ran and governed as an unabashed
principled, small government, constitutional conservative.
"The power of Walker's win could contribute greatly to a Romney
victory in November if Mitt's campaign team can shake-off their
moderate establishment Republican instincts and absorb its real lesson.
"Just as Ronald Reagan once described his vision of the Republican
Party, Governor Walker's campaign was a campaign, not of pale pastels,
but of bold conservative colors--encouraging jobs and economic
development, balancing the budget, reducing taxes, and streamlining the
state's bureaucracy.
"By standing for conservative principles, Scott Walker traveled the
trail Reagan blazed to victory in 1980 and 1984, that Newt Gingrich
followed to the Contract with America victory in 1994, and the Tea
Party took to win the wave election in 2010. These were big
agenda-changing victories--not skin of your teeth wins, such as Bush's
in 2000 and 2004, where we traded one set of establishment players for
another.
"Victory always has 1,000 fathers, but no amount of money or
organization could have helped Scott Walker if he had not stuck with
his conservative principles.
"Governor Walker's victory proves once again the lesson Republicans
should have learned in 1980: Reagan's bold colors win
elections. If
Mitt Romney will adopt those bold conservative colors for his campaign
and his administration, he will win, even in traditionally
Democratic-leaning states like Wisconsin."
NOTE TO EDITORS: Richard A. Viguerie pioneered political
direct
mail and has been called "one of the creators of the modern
conservative movement" (The Nation) and one of the
"conservatives of the century"(Washington Times). He is
the author of Conservatives Betrayed: How George W. Bush and Other
Big Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause.
EMAIL from Americans for Prosperity
A
Better Wisconsin
Tonight, Wisconsin voters made a critical decision for the future
prosperity of the state. Their decision
to reject the government union-led effort to recall Governor Scott
Walker provides some crucial insights for the rest of our nation.
First, elected leaders can take on and defeat the most
powerful special interest group in the nation, government unions, if
their reforms are truly bold. Facing a
$3.6 billion
budget deficit, Walker tackled some of the most powerful government
unions and saved over a $1 billion for Wisconsin taxpayers. And the
result? Property taxes have decreased for the first time in 12 years,
unemployment is falling, and school districts are flush with cash.
Remember when they said the sky would fall? Thanks to Governor Walker’s
reforms, it’s sunnier than ever.
Despite the temper tantrums led by government unions, the
truth is they are an entitled
class with far bigger pensions, better health care, and far more job
security than those who work in the private sector.
By requiring public employees to make a small contribution
towards their generous taxpayer-subsidized health care and
pensions
— just like in the private sector — millions of
taxpayer dollars have been saved in every corner of the state.
Tonight Wisconsinites made it clear they agree with
Governor Walker and in order to stop the state from going bankrupt,
it’s about time everyone chips in.
The real winners tonight are the citizens of Wisconsin. I'll
never forget checking out of my hotel last Saturday in Racine as we
headed to our final pro-reform event. The lady behind the front
desk
grabbed my arm and said, "I'm sorry I can't make the rally today but
I've got to work a double shift from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. But just
know
I'm glad you guys are standing up for working people like me."
From Hudson to Green Bay, from New Berlin to La Cross,
Americans for Prosperity's grassroots activists, tea party members,
local small business owners, and senior citizens took our message
of
support for Governor Walker's reforms to citizens from every walk of
life.
Americans for Prosperity launched our Wisconsin chapter in 2005. Since
then, we’ve worked steadily to support policies that lift up everyone
in the state. Those efforts are made successful by our amazing
staff
and volunteers across Wisconsin and the nation, who banded together and
stood up for economic freedom.
Together, we’ve helped restore prosperity to the Badger
State. Now, onto the rest of America.
Sincerely,
Tim Phillips
President
Americans for Prosperity
Americans
for Prosperity® (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen
leaders
committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and
opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is
the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity
for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of
restraining state and federal government growth, and returning
government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 2,000,000
members, including members in all 50 states, and 34 state chapters and
affiliates. More than 90,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a
financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information,
visit www.americansforprosperity.org
Freedom
Works
for America
FreedomWorks for
America Congratulates Scott Walker on an Epic Wisconsin Recall Victory
Washington, DC- FreedomWorks for America activists and taxpayers
celebrated Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s hard-earned recall
election victory last night, which was launched by Wisconsin Democrats
in response to Walker’s bold fiscal conservative public sector union
reform. The reform bans collective bargaining for public employees
(outside of law enforcement and fire-fighting) and allows for the
payment of union dues to be voluntary.
“Governor Walker’s recall victory marks a monumental shift in the
relationship between public sector unions and the Democratic Party,”
commented FreedomWorks for America’s Campaign Manager Josh Eboch. “With
union membership plummeting by the thousands thanks to Governor
Walker’s voluntary due-payment policy, the Democratic Party can no
longer rely on compulsory union money to win elections and cater to the
corrupt special interests of union bosses.”
“We hope this victory will empower the Governors in other states who
have been too timid to tackle serious reform on issues like collective
bargaining and school choice. Scott Walker in Wisconsin is a lesson to
Governors nationwide that if he can take on the entrenched public
sector union political machine and prevail, so can they. Members of
FreedomWorks for America and fiscal conservative voters around the
country will support these reform leaders and make sure they get
rewarded at the ballot box.”
Eboch continued, “Governor Walker’s recall battle in Wisconsin is
without a doubt a litmus test for the presidential general election in
November, and a tribute to a larger national political shift towards
greater economic freedom and individual choice. The Walker reforms are
working. Statewide property taxes have fallen, the reforms have saved
taxpayers more than $1 billion so far, and 73% of employers in the
state have predicted moderate to good growth at their companies. With
the national unemployment rate at 8.2 percent and CBO predictions that
the federal debt will double in 15 years, the President should be
taking notes from Governor Walker.”
FreedomWorks for America activists were involved in the fight to
protect Governor Walker’s reforms since day one, setting up 18
distribution centers across the state to circulate materials through
their local networks. Over 5,000 yard signs, 3,500 bumper magnets, and
50,000 door hangers have been distributed to the homes of voters across
the state to-date.
FreedomWorks for America organized the demand for materials on the
micro-site, www.WalkerForJobs.com, where
activists could request boxes of additional voter education materials
and view several pro-Walker web videos.
For more information about FreedomWorks for America’s ‘Walker for
Jobs’ campaign, please contact Press Secretary Jackie Bodnar at Jbodnar@FreedomWorks.org.
Democratic
National Committee
DNC Chair Debbie
Wasserman Schultz’s Statement on Results of Wisconsin Recall Election
Washington,
D.C.
– DNC
Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement tonight
on the results of the recall election in Wisconsin:
“Despite
the disappointing outcome of tonight’s election, there is no question
that over the past year this recall effort sent a message to Scott
Walker that his brand of divisive politics is offensive and wrong.
Thousands of Wisconsinites mounted this effort in the face of a flood
of out of state, secret and corporate special interest money– amounting
to a massive $31 million war chest for Governor Walker to just $4
million on our side.
“I want to thank Mayor Barrett, our other
candidates on the ballot tonight and all the passionate, dedicated
individuals on the ground who held conversations with their friends,
family, neighbors and co-workers about the stakes of this
election.
The Badger State’s progressive, grassroots tradition was on full
display throughout this election, and it will remain front and center
as we continue our important work to move Wisconsin forward for working
families across the state as we head toward November."
"And as
we turn our attention to the fall, we will not cede an inch in
Wisconsin to Mitt Romney who has been behind in virtually every single
recent poll and who wants to go back to the same failed policies of the
past from which Wisconsin is recovering. And while we're not taking
anything for granted, if Mitt Romney thinks he's going to be the first
Republican to win Wisconsin since Ronald Reagan he's got another thing
coming."
Democratic Governors
Association
Statement
from
DGA
Chair
Governor Martin O’Malley on Wisconsin Recall Election
Washington, DC –
Governor Martin O’Malley, chair of the Democratic Governors
Association, released the following statement tonight on the results of
the Wisconsin recall election:
“Tonight, we fell just short of an historic upset. Despite our side
getting outspent ten to one by Governor Walker and his extreme
right-wing allies, Democrats worked together and were incredibly united
behind the people of Wisconsin – allowing us to make the race close and
keep it neck-and-neck. While the recall has always been led by the
people of Wisconsin first and foremost, the Democratic Governors
Association is proud to have worked with our allies at Greater
Wisconsin, We Are Wisconsin, and labor to fully fund an aggressive
operation on the air and the ground.
“We know that the battle in Wisconsin is part of an ongoing fight to
restore states’ economies and create jobs across the country. Since
Ohioans rejected Ohio Governor Kasich’s assault on workers late last
year and Wisconsinites submitted over a million signatures in support
of a recall and brought the fight to Scott Walker’s doorstep tonight,
Republican governors across the country are on notice: the people of
their states will not tolerate partisan overreach. We look forward to
continuing to support and elect Democratic governors who will work to
create jobs, expand opportunity, and move our country forward.”
AFL-CIO
Trumka: Wisconsin
Forced Governor to Answer for His Divisive Tactics
Wisconsin “forced the governor to answer for his efforts to divide
the state and punish hard-working people" in today's recall
election,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said tonight following
predictions Gov. Scott Walker (R) would retain his seat.
“Tonight
working families across the country recognize the courageous journey
that nurses, teachers, firefighters, snowplow drivers and other
Wisconsinites led for more than a year. Though a seemingly
impossible
task, they refused to allow their voices be taken away by an
overreaching and partisan governor. Whether it was standing in
the
snow, sleeping in the Capitol, knocking on doors or simply casting a
vote, we admire the heart and soul everyone poured into this
effort.
Adding to this gargantuan challenge of recalling only the third
governor in American history was the flood of secret corporate cash
distorting our democracy – a dangerous example of a post-Citizens
United America.”
Wisconsin working families' resolve has
“inspired
a nation to follow their lead and stand up for the values of hard work,
unity, and decency that we believe in. We hope Scott Walker heard
Wisconsin: Nobody wants divisive policies. It’s time to work together
to forge a new path forward. The challenge to solve a generation of
economic policies and create an economy that celebrates hard work over
a partisan agenda gained momentum today.”
The White House
June 6, 2012
Excerpt from
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route California
Q Jay, did the President have any reaction to the
Wisconsin vote
last night? And what does he think it says about the mindset of
voters
right now and his own prospects in Wisconsin in November?
MR. CARNEY: I didn’t have much of a conversation with the
President about Wisconsin. I think my observation is that what
you had
was an incumbent governor in a repeat election that he had won once, in
which he outspent his challenger by a magnitude of 7 or 8 to 1, with an
enormous amount of outside corporate money and huge donations, and you
got essentially the same result.
The President supported and stood by Tom Barrett, but I certainly
wouldn't read much into yesterday's result beyond its effect on who's
occupying the governor's seat in Wisconsin. I certainly read in
some
of the analysis by you and your colleagues that even among the
electorate that voted yesterday in Wisconsin, voters substantially
approved of the President's positions when it comes to who they felt
had the best vision for protecting and securing the middle class, and
we certainly think -- I certainly think that the President's message
about the steps we need to take to grow the economy and create jobs
will resonate in Wisconsin.
WASHINGTON, June
5,
2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Presidential
Candidate Gary Bauer congratulated Governor Scott
Walker for his win in Wisconsin's
recall
election,
calling
it
"another sign that taxpayers will award
office holders ready to do the hard work of reigning in out-of-control
government spending."
Bauer, the chairman of the Campaign for Working Families, made
the following statement:
"I congratulate Governor Scott Walker
for his hard-fought victory tonight, and most especially for having the
courage of his convictions to fight the good fight. But the victory in Wisconsin is not Scott
Walker's alone. It is a victory for the hard-working
taxpayers of Wisconsin,
who foot the bill year after year. It is a victory for common
sense
over powerful special interests. It is a victory that taxpayers
in
every state can celebrate. It is a victory, yes, even for some
union
members.
"Since
Gov. Walker's reforms were enacted, tens of thousands of state
employees have opted to keep more of the money they earn rather than
let the public employees union siphon off their hard-earned
dollars.
In other words, once given the choice, more than half of the public
employees union's members decided that they didn't need the
union.
These reforms will pay real dividends for the taxpayers of
Wisconsin.
They are the real winners tonight.
"The recall election is a sign of good things to come. The
power of the Big Labor bosses has finally been checked, not just in Wisconsin,
but also in scores of other states across the country. More
governors,
legislators and taxpayers will be inspired to stand up against the
liberal labor unions and do what is truly in the best interests of
their communities. Wisconsin's
10
Electoral College votes are now in play, and the anti-tax, small
government movement that swept the country in 2010 is about to sweep Barack Obama out of office in 154 days!"
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1drYR)