The Recall Remodel

Effective today, the balance of power in the Wisconsin State Senate is evenly divided. Just six months ago, Republicans held a 19-14 majority before the summer recall elections trimmed that majority to a razor-thin 17-16 margin.

With Pam Galloway’s sudden and swift resignation, the tally now stands at 16-16. Gov. Scott Walker might still believe that Wisconsin is “open for business,” but it’s probably time add an asterisk to that slogan. As in, "Wisconsin: Open for Business.*"

*Gridlock may ensue. 

On the heels of a report listing Wisconsin dead last in national job growth, the abrupt evaporation of control in the statehouse isn’t good news for our embattled governor. Although we’re still several months away from Governor Walker’s inevitable recall election, there’s already a lame duck vibe pulsating from Madison these days.

“About damn time!” my recall-supporting friends might cheer.

Maybe so. But they’re naïve to think that anything will change if voters decide to replace Walker with (insert Democratic nominee here).

That wasn’t a placeholder, what I just did. I haven’t written this column for some future publication date and simply forgotten to replace the parenthetical aside with the Democratic Party’s nominee for governor. The point is simple: it doesn’t matter who the nominee is. Whether it’s Kathleen Falk or Tom Barrett or someone else, the Democratic Party and those who support the recall of Governor Walker can’t expect to waltz into Madison and find a renewed passion for bipartisanship awaiting them.

And that’s why I wonder if the recall is worthwhile. If it’s setting a terrible precedence for gridlock, bitter partisanship, and near-perpetual upheaval. 

Wisconsin has work to do. We’ve fallen behind the rest of the country on issues ranging from job creation to marriage equality. Issues that are divisive in any statehouse will become impossibly unmanageable in one as fractured as ours.

Wisconsin might yet remain “open for business.” But I worry that, after the scaffolding and the “pardon our dust!” banners are removed, we won’t recognize our state when the remodeling is finished.