The final results in the recall between Governor Scott Walker and Democrat Tom Barrett were almost identical to an earlier Marquette Law School survey showing the governor ahead by seven points. Pollster Charles Franklin says the biggest surprise last night was the breadth of Walker’s support.
AUDIO: Franklin on who voted for Walker (:40)
After results showed Walker the victor, the governor’s supporters said voters believed in the message that his reforms are working. Barrett backers pointed to Walker’s massive fundraising advantage.
Christopher Murray at Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center for Government believes the results had more to do with people disagreeing with the recall. He says exiting polling showed 60 percent of voters were against the idea of a recall.
AUDIO: Murray on dissatisfaction with recall (:19)That same exit polling also showed President Obama with a healthy lead in November. With Walker and Obama’s policies far different, Murray says the polling provides more evidence to support the idea that opposition to recalls was a major factor in Tuesday’s results.