# Can Scott Walker be re-elected Governor of Wisconsin? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 20, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184 "2014-06-20T00:36:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/281 "2014-10-20T21:20:47Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > What about the unknown unknowns? Who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/282 "2014-10-20T22:43:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Talking about “when life begins”, in regards to abortion, is a red herring. The real question is when personhood begins. Unfortunately, that’s a question that’s even more difficult to pin down than when life begins. Well it’s not that hard. An mammalian entity that has never experienced brainwaves isn’t sentient, never mind conscious. And the commencement of brain waves occurs in the third trimester. Sort of like a Toyota without a hood, engine or gas tank. It may have 4 wheels but it isn’t a working automobile. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/283 "2014-10-21T00:09:03Z")
> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > What about the unknown unknowns? I would be more concerned about the unknown knowns ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/284 "2014-10-21T02:23:28Z")
Getting back to the thread topic of Walker’s reelection bid. [A story on the first debate](http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2014/10/14/murphys-law-walkers-curious-debate-strategy/) Burke did surprisingly well according to the writer. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/285 "2014-10-24T01:38:05Z")
If Burke manages to win, I’d like to know what her supporters expect she’s going to do. The Republicans control both sides of the legislature, their majority in the Assembly is substantial and the state supreme court leans right. There is no reliable indication that this will change this cycle. In fact, some RINOS have bailed (like Dale Schultz) and will be replaced with more conservative Republicans For at least the first 2 years if not the entire term how will she get any of her agenda through? ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/286 "2014-10-24T02:15:36Z")
[The latest Rasmussen Report](http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2014/wisconsin/election_2014_wisconsin_governor) > [@](#): > > The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters finds Democratic challenger Mary Burke with 49% support to incumbent Republican Scott Walker’s 48%. One percent (1%) like another candidate in the race, and two percent (2%) are undecided. Clearly well within the margin of error. I prefer the Marquette poll because they were so accurate in predicting the 2012 recall, but Rasmussen tends to lean Republican, so this may be significant. I suspect the debate had an effect. Either that or normal polling variance. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/287 "2014-10-24T14:41:20Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The election is not a dead heat. > [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > [The latest Rasmussen Report](http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2014/wisconsin/election_2014_wisconsin_governor) > > > [@](#): > > > > The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters finds Democratic challenger Mary Burke with 49% support to incumbent Republican Scott Walker’s 48%. One percent (1%) like another candidate in the race, and two percent (2%) are undecided. > > Clearly well within the margin of error. I prefer the Marquette poll because they were so accurate in predicting the 2012 recall, but Rasmussen tends to lean Republican, so this may be significant. > > I suspect the debate had an effect. Either that or normal polling variance. If that’s not a dead heat, what is?! ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/288 "2014-10-24T17:17:01Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > If that’s not a dead heat, what is?! I went back and read some of the October 15 Marquette poll write up. The biggest take-away for me from that was the move of independent voters away from Walker to Burke. > [@](#): > > [Independent voters.](http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/latest-marquette-poll-results-come-in-busy-week-on-campaign-trail-b99371330z1-279278392.html) Much of Burke’s gain can be attributed to independent voters. Two weeks ago, Walker led that group 53%-40%, but in the latest poll Burke had the edge with those voters, leading Walker 45%-44%. > > Franklin cautioned that the movement among independent voters could change again. But he also noted far more independent voters now say they plan to vote — 80% say they intend to cast a ballot, compared to 67% two weeks ago. Could there be another reason for the movement? [Is Walker’s bald spot swaying voters?](http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/walkers-bald-spot-becomes-topic-in-hotly-contested-race-b99376914z1-280251172.html) Gosh, I hope not. That would be too shallow. His saying that the spot developed due to him bumping his head in the kitchen sounds about as sensible as his saying turning down federal money for mass transit and healthcare will aide the economy of Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/289 "2014-10-27T10:54:08Z")
So illegal abortions and low minimum wage: either way, the poor are just scraping by. BTW, you may like [This American Life’s](http://m.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/509/it-says-so-right-here) segment on Walker using the recall petition as a political enemies list. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/290 "2014-10-29T01:01:56Z")
[Walker goes off script](http://www.wkow.com/story/26775702/2014/10/13/gov-walker-stumbles-in-addressing-allegations-he-rejected-medicaid-expansion-to-benefit-insurers) and gives off a Palin like word salad. > [@](#): > > “Actually if you think about it, its just the opposite,” said Gov. Walker. “It means fewer people would be on insurance actually, if…in the end…if there were…more people there they’d be under Medicaid. It’s not a, for us, it has no decision one way or the other.” huh? ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/291 "2014-10-29T19:22:59Z")
No longer a toss-up. [Walker opens a 7 point lead in the final Marquette poll.](http://fox6now.com/2014/10/29/final-marquette-law-school-poll-on-governors-race-due-today/) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/292 "2014-10-30T01:25:29Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > If that’s not a dead heat, what is?! Not that. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/293 "2014-10-30T01:27:24Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > No longer a toss-up. [Walker opens a 7 point lead in the final Marquette poll.](http://fox6now.com/2014/10/29/final-marquette-law-school-poll-on-governors-race-due-today/) But…but…dead heat! And Walker’s going to be indicted any day now! What about all that? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/294 "2014-10-30T01:29:01Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > It is now beginning to look as if he might be indicted after all, but, even if not, mightn’t the scandal hurt his re-election chances? No. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/295 "2014-10-30T01:48:54Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But…but…dead heat! And Walker’s going to be indicted any day now! What about all that? Sometimes the bad guy wins. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/296 "2014-10-30T12:34:05Z")
Not this time, fortunately. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/297 "2014-10-30T13:46:27Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > If Burke manages to win, I’d like to know what her supporters expect she’s going to do. The Republicans control both sides of the legislature, their majority in the Assembly is substantial and the state supreme court leans right. There is no reliable indication that this will change this cycle. In fact, some RINOS have bailed (like Dale Schultz) and will be replaced with more conservative Republicans > > For at least the first 2 years if not the entire term how will she get any of her agenda through? It is enough that Walker won’t get any more of **his** agenda through. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/298 "2014-10-30T15:05:15Z")
Those grapes were probably sour anyway. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/299 "2014-10-30T15:07:17Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Those grapes were probably sour anyway. > > Regards, > Shodan [shrug] If Burke wins, it will make a difference. In politics you have to use such victories as you get. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/300 "2014-10-30T15:30:16Z")
According to the latest polls, she won’t win. So you won’t have any victories to use. So, to sum up - [ul][li]Despite your fondest hopes, Walker will not be indicted for anything, since he did nothing wrong[/li][li]the latest poll seems to indicate that none of the smears from the Democrats have disaffected the Wisconsin electorate[/li][li]the stuff about armed vigilantes roaming the polling places of Wisconsin beating blacks and hauling the poor and oppressed Democrats to prison was an outright lie[/li][li]there is no sense in which this can be considered a victory for Democrats[/li][li]in any thread about an election on the SDMB, any expression of support for a Republican will be attacked by someone as blind partisanship and a desire to win elections above any other consideration[/li][li]no expression of support for a Democrat will be interpreted in the same way[/li][li]Walker will, in fact, have the opportunity to enact his agenda in ways that Burke will not, because she is not the fucking Governor nor will she be[/li][li]You will continue to try to convince yourself that somehow this loss for the Democrats is actually a win, and a harbinger of looming disaster for the GOP[/li][li]I will continue to find this kind of denial intensely funny[/ul][/li] Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184.md?page=16)