Tuesday’s recall primary “debunked” some partisan talking points, says a political scientist. John McAdams of Marquette University notes although Governor Walker was in no real danger with his Republican primary opponent, Arthur Kohl Riggs, he got more votes than the top two Democratic candidates combined. Although McAdams doesn’t believe this is as significant as Republicans are promoting, it is contrary to Democrats touting their party as more engaged than the GOP.
Meanwhile, Republicans have painted a picture of a fragmented Democratic voting base in part because of labor groups backing Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. However, McAdams notes Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett took Dane County, a liberal stronghold, two-to-one over Falk, despite it being her stomping grounds.
McAdams believes the Marquette surveying–done before the primary–that showed Walker and Barrett neck-and-neck is just as accurate today.
