Why?

Why did 38% of union members vote for Walker in the recall election? I would have guessed only 5% maybe, but this really has me scratching my head. If union members know their personal economic status is being damaged due to Walkers policies, what reasons could they have for supporting him?

African-Americans voted for President Obama at an astounding 95%... I'm assuming because they believed he would make their lives better, or they just wanted to see the first black president. So what makes this last election so different?

I can't figure it out.

My best guess, Municipal pensions are not sustainable. Over reach, just like the 1% Over reach by all. Greed is what the right wing thinks moves the economy and the results are ugly. Right or Left. Everybody wants something they think they deserve. Sad

jmc wrote: Everybody wants something they think they deserve. Sad

Everybody except this 38% who voted against their own self interests. Are they sacrificing their income/benefits for the good of the state?

Not sure ----

Take Rock County, Wisconsin --- home of a recently shuttered GM assembly line

---

where every other job is unionized - and 72 percent of the population voted. Here's what happened:

- 43 percent of the vote supported the Governor (some loss, given the governor had 52 percent in 2010).
(5 percent higher than the state average for union members)

The only places Barrett really won - were the counties near Dane County (the state Capitol).

I think it comes down to this ---- even union people know it's simply not sustainable.

Did Walkers changes effect private union workers or just public? Perhaps the private union members are hedging their bets...vote for Walker and hope he and the legislature don't target them in the future.

Voters are actually smarter than the pundits think? And yeah its about public unions, not private.

Joe wrote: Voters are actually smarter than the pundits think? And yeah its about public unions, not private.

I agree...no one, including the media, thought the heavily Republican Arizonans would throw the Republican Russell Pearce out of office.

I don't beleive it's an R or D thing. It's people tired of the way things are and want to make sure they don't stay the same.

Martin Ent Inc wrote: I don't beleive it's an R or D thing. It's people tired of the way things are and want to make sure they don't stay the same.

Agree...and I don't think losing the recall is a complete failure for Democrats. Yes they didnt have the votes to oust Walker, but I think they made the point that you can't spring sweeping changes on the electorate without taking the issue to the people and explaining and soliciting input. It was a cautionary message.

archer wrote: Did Walkers changes effect private union workers or just public? Perhaps the private union members are hedging their bets...vote for Walker and hope he and the legislature don't target them in the future.

I think that is a key. Walker & the GOP were able to create envy between the public and private unions.

Private union members are losing power, benefits, and jobs as the work goes south or overseas and seeing their taxes rise to fund the priveliged goverment unions. Very smart strategy.