AP: Unions look for silver lining in Wisconsin recalls

[Omaha Steve]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2015874824_apuswisconsinlabor.html

Labor officials said Wednesday that the results in Wisconsin's unprecedented recall elections should send a stern warning to any elected official who might seek to curb collective bargaining rights.

By SAM HANANEL

Associated Press

WASHINGTON —

Labor officials said Wednesday that the results in Wisconsin's unprecedented recall elections should send a stern warning to any elected official who might seek to curb collective bargaining rights.

But in toppling only two of the six lawmakers they targeted, some observers said the outcome could be a sign that labor's political clout isn't what it used to be.

Unions celebrated the ouster of two Republican state senators who supported Gov. Scott Walker's bill to curb collective bargaining rights for most state employees. Despite the historic wins for Wisconsin Democrats in Tuesday's voting, they still fell short of their goal to knock off at least three Republicans so they could take majority control of the state Senate and be able to block Walker and the Republicans' conservative agenda.

The outcome falls somewhere between a victory and a loss for beleaguered unions, said Doug Schoen, a Democratic political strategist.

"Organized labor certainly didn't lose any ground," Schoen said. "They didn't fundamentally alter the political environment, but they sent a strong message to Republicans that what they are doing is not without peril."

That's the silver lining union officials were spinning Wednesday.

FULL story at link.

[Ian David]

1. There are now two less Republicans than there were yesterday...

... and the GOP has about $300 million less to spend on other elections.

[JDPriestly]

2. This is Koch brothers' spin.

The Democrats WON two seats. The Republicans held four.

In Europe, that would be viewed as a Democratic win. The Democrats increased their influence. The Republicans lost influence.