We’ve got a lot of readers in Wisconsin. Let’s hear from you folks. Give us your reports from on the ground. Readers from around the country want to hear from you.
9:01 PM: Wow, initial exit polls say it’s 50/50 Walker v. Barrett. Looks like a long night … Dig deeper into the internals and it still looks really, really close. It all seems to say dead even.
9:07 PM: RNC chair and former Wisconsin GOP Chair Reince Priebus is on CNN talking about the results. He’s putting on a good show but pretty clearly he doesn’t feel like he knows what the results are going to be. Republicans and frankly most Democrats (at least outside the state) thought Walker was winning.
9:21 PM: Keep it mind: Walker massively outspent Barrett.
9:28 PM: It seems pretty clear tonight’s race in Wisconsin is going to be very right, whoever wins. If Barrett comes up short, expect a lot of second-guessing for the national Dems and particularly Obama’s hands off approach. Whether that’s fair is another matter. But little doubt that will happen.
9:39 PM: Have seen several emails like this from TPM Readers in Wisconsin …
Above all, I’d say that the one thing that stands out for me from today’s election is that folks around here aren’t hysterical or even particularly engaged…at the same time, there is a distinct “get down to business” feeling everywhere. Contrast that with the turn out reports and it doesn’t make sense. But it’s true. People aren’t freaking out, they’re getting things done.
9:43 PM: A second round of exit polls are showing Gov. Walker opening up a margin over Barrett, now 52% – 48%.
9:47 PM: It’s very early but Barrett’s margin in Dane county is only about 10 points. That’s Madison, where a Dem has to rack up a big, big margin to win. Only 18% reporting. But that’s a warning sign for Dems.
Professional clown. Celebrity rabbi. One-time spiritual advisor to Michael Jackson. Shmuley Boteach wins the GOP nomination for the 9th congressional district of New Jersey.
Coming out of Wisconsin tonight, what do the results mean and what don’t they mean?
These are bad times for incumbents across the country and, frankly, around the world. A governor convincingly (we still don’t know the exact margin) winning a recall election is a big deal. Victory counts. There’s no getting around that. Read More
Notwithstanding the stinging defeat on the night’s big contest, it seems Wisconsin Democrats have managed one significant, if largely symbolic, victory for the night by apparently reclaiming control of the Wisconsin state senate. Read More
Not sure what to say about this but, wow.
After tonight’s tough defeat for Wisconsin Democrats a supporter slaps defeated Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett for conceding while votes were still being counted.
As the news report explains, the women asked Barrett if she could slap him for conceding while the final vote tally was still being counted. Barrett said he’d prefer a hug. She went for the slap.
Watch.
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