Prank Koch Call Changing the Battle for Public Opinion in Wisconsin - FDL

[WillyT]

Prank Koch Call Changing the Battle for Public Opinion in Wisconsin
By: David Dayen Thursday February 24, 2011 7:42 am

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MADISON, WI (FDL) – I’ve explained the mechanics of the State Senate and Assembly votes, and the atmosphere inside the occupied Capitol. Now let’s turn to the politics, which have gotten very interesting over the past 24 hours.

The prank phone call to Gov. Scott Walker by a man pretending to be billionaire industrialist David Koch has become a real tipping point. I don’t know how the national media has reacted to it, but the state media was seriously aggressive in yesterday’s inexplicable press conference.

...

And...

The connections between the Kochs and Walker can no longer be denied, and local reporters are making the further connections to the financial interests that would benefit corporate interests in the budget repair bill, including the Kochs. Democrats are pouncing, with one calling for Walker’s resignation. Both Campaign Money Watch and Common Cause want investigations into Walker’s conduct. State bloggers – who have been amazing throughout this ordeal – set up a “Scott Walker hotline”, a toll-free number that people not named David Koch can call to express their opinions to Gov. Walker. You can call at 1-888-882-7921.

On top of this, the protests are spreading across the state. Local union leaders say that today will see the biggest protests outside of Madison in the state’s history, with dozens planned. I may get out to one or two today.

There’s a definite siege mentality around Governor Walker right now. He has turned the tide of public opinion all by himself. The endgame may not come for a while, but Walker is losing his hold over the situation. He may not crack, but his Republican allies, particularly in the Senate, may succumb to the pressure from state media and the public. There was a rumor floating around that a few Senate Republicans would block the budget repair bill in the next day or two, or at least announce their opposition to the bill in its current form. I’m not sure of the sourcing on that. But I can see how they’d want this to end – it’s become very debilitating for the GOP in the state.

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More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/02/24/prank-koch-call-changing-the-battle-for-public-opinion-in-wisconsin/

:woohoo:

:kick:

[bluestateguy]

1. I was not aware that public opinion was ever in Walker's favor in the first place

nt

[MadMaddie]

3. Well if we believed the MSM that's the story they have been

pushing! I still think their coverage is dismal. Other than Big Ed and Rachel and O'Donnel no one else is doing any investigative journalism.

[Ikonoklast]

2. Hoist With His Own Petard.

I said this two weeks ago, and I am saying it again:

Walker Is Toast.

[regnaD kciN]

4. Does WI law allow for the Governor to be recalled?

:shrug:

[liberal N proud]

5. From everything I have seen, Yes, but only after a year

But better yet, get him to resign in disgrace.

[Ikonoklast]

7. Or impeached.

I think Scottie is going to be politically a dead letter either way.


Welcome To The Big Leagues, Governor Walker!

[DirkGently]

6. Run him out of the state, WI. He made this all-or-nothing, not you.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Three things came to mind from hearing those first ten minutes.

Republicans refer to money made from the private sector as "real money." So what is it called when the private business gets public incubator money? Monopoly money?

Is David Koch from Wisconsin? If not, why is Walker giving him such an indepth analysis of the situation?

Why did he say that the protesters were from out of state? When a Republican launches an accusation, it usually is a projection of something he would do if he were in the same situation.