What’s the role for minority Democrats in the Wisconsin legislature? They’ve gone from controlling both chambers in the last session to being totally outnumbered by Republicans, and with new Republican Scott Walker proposing sweeping reforms of state government. University of Wisconsin political scientist Charles Franklin says that leaves Democrats with few cards to play. “As a small minority in both houses of the legislature, the Democrats are going to find it very difficult to block any legislation, as long as the Republicans remain unified,” says Franklin. Republicans control the state Senate 19-to-14 and the Assembly 60 to 38 with one Independent. “Democrats will have the opportunity to speak against things, or to propose their own things, but they’re not going to be able to block legislation.”
Franklin suggests Democrats here may want to study the play book of Congressional Republicans in D.C. during the first two years of the Obama administration. While dubbed the ‘party of no,’ Franklin says they actually offered a reasoned critique of Democrat policies. “Instead over the last two years we’ve seen the Republicans in Congress consistently criticize Obama proposals and Democratic action, rather than just defebnd the status quo,” he says. “Here in Wisconsin, we’ll have to see how Democrats play that out. Do they provide a reasoned and convicing critique of any of the Walker proposals, or do they simply seem to defend the status quo – something that voters voted against.”
“Democrats need some kind of reasoned alternative, but they need more a convincing critique of what Walker is proposing, or what the GOP is proposing,” saus Franklin. “That’s easier said than done.” But Franklin says it’s also important for Democrats to remember the message sent by voters. “Walker got 52 percent of the vote. Voters statewide brought in an Assembly and a Senate majority for the Republicans. So, simply telling those voters they’re wrong is not a convicing political story.”