http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/are_wisconsin_republicans_gett.htmlAre Wisconsin Republicans preparing to break with Walker?
By Greg Sargent
I don't know if these reports are true or not, and we should treat them with caution. But
we now have two news outlets, one local and one national, claiming GOP defections from Governor Scott Walker may be in the works.
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I haven't been able to confirm either of these yet. But
there are two points worth making. The first is that the drumbeat of polls showing strong opposition to Walker's rollback of bargaining rights may be starting to shift the landscape. The Journal report hints that Repubicans are growing nervous about opposition to Walker's proposals among independents. The key here is that public opinion on this standoff has caught a lot of people off guard.
Also: If the reports above are true, that could bear out the notion, articulated to me earlier today by a spokesman for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, that Republicans are well aware that Walker's impending layoffs could damage them more than Dems. Walker told the fake Koch on the prank call that he woud be ratcheting up the layoff threat to pressure missing Dems into returning. But Dems are refusing to budge despite the fact that the layoff threat is now very real. And there are indications that the layoffs could exacerbate the current public opinion dynamic, rather than turn it around. That may well be spooking Republicans who continue to stand by Walker.
UPDATE, 4:41 p.m.: I should have added that the drive to recall GOP senators has also picked up in the last few days. So you have pressure on numerous fronts.