Wisconsin, The Day After

The central issue in yesterday's election --recalling Gov. Scott Walker (R) -- did not turn out as most of us had hoped.  Recalling Walker was always a long shot, according to both the polls and historical precedent. 

Wisconsin didn't get a new governor yesterday, but they did get a majority-Democratic State Senate.

The spending gap was huge ... Walker's campaign spent roughly $31 million compared to only $4 million by Democrat Tom Barrett.  And that is just spending by the actual campaigns.  Campaign watchers say TV ads made the difference for Walker, while Democrats had invested heavily in a ground game.

Exit polls of yesterday's voters indicate they prefer Obama over Romney by 52 to 43.

Turnout -- about 2.5 million voters -- was "nothing short of phenomenal for a special election."  That is halfway between 2008 and 2010 numbers, but with a 2010-like distribution.  More voters than when Walker was elected, but same result.

Exit polls show Walker still won 36% of the vote among union members, virtually the same as in 2010.

Whatever else all of this means, I know for sure that if Mitt Romney and friends outspend Obama 7 to 1 or even 3 to 1 this year, we'll almost certainly have a Massachusetts Republican in the White House next year.  I haven't contributed to Obama yet, but I'm starting today.