Can This Labor-Backed Liberal Beat Scott Walker?

[xchrom]

http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/03/kathleen-falk-scott-walker-recall-wisconsin


Kathleen Falk, right, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Falk: Kathleen Falk, Facebook; Walker: Glen Stubbe/Minneapolis Star Tribune/ZUMAPRESS.com

When she had to confront Wisconsin's powerful unions, Kathleen Falk bargained hard and won millions in concessions. Faced with a similar situation, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "dropped the bomb," as he later put it, and stripped workers of their bargaining rights. Now, Falk is trying to strip Walker of his job.

For three straight years, from 2009 to 2011, Falk and negotiators from eight public-sector unions met in county government conference rooms or labor halls, ready to lock horns. Falk was executive of Dane County, Wisconsin's second-largest county and home to the state capital, Madison. Each time they met, the unions agreed to cuts for the county's 2,200 employees—a 5 percent pay cut one year, a 3 percent cut the next year, and new co-pays and higher deductibles the year after that.

The unions stung from the nearly $10 million in concessions. But looking back, what mattered to union negotiators, leaders, and rank-and-file members was that Falk met them at the table, looked them in the eyes, and negotiated. "It was going to be a tough pill to swallow," recalls Dian Palmer, president of Services Employees International Union's Healthcare Wisconsin chapter. "But there were no recalls for Kathleen Falk, because we worked together and got it done."

Today, the 60-year-old Falk is the leading Democrat hoping to oust Walker in his looming recall election. Other Democrats, including Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett, are mulling recall runs, but in an election with national consequences, perhaps no candidate creates as stark a contrast with Walker as Falk.

[Scuba]

1. Falk would be a good Governor (IMHO), but your question is a good one...

... she's not the strongest of several Democratic contenders.

[WI_DEM]

2. hopefully, but she also has run statewide in 2006 a very good democratic year

and lost.

[HereSince1628]

3. The focus of the recall is AGAINST the Fitz-Walkers rather than 'for' a particular Dem.

At this time Wisconsin Dems are limited in their offerings. But, IMO, the special elections are mostly seen as 'against' the Puppets of ALEC.

The entry of Wisconsin into the GOP's War on Women makes the list of reasons to vote AGAINST the republicans even longer. I expect Falk would be able to effectively use WI's assault on issues important to women to draw women to the polls against Walker and 4 senators.

[UTUSN]

4. R#3 & K n/t

[eissa]

5. What about Feingold?

I don't seem to hear his name mentioned as much, even though I would think he would be a shoe-in. Am I missing something? Is he not as popular in WI as he is outside of it?

[Arugula Latte]

6. His name gets brought up a lot, but he has said he's not interested.

However, there is still hope he'll change his mind for the good of the state.

[eissa]

7. What a shame

I think he'd make a fabulous governor, not to mention it would be such an easy win.

[Arugula Latte]

8. Me too.

I loves me some Russ.