For decades, Democrats enjoyed a rich political history in Wisconsin. Often called a progressive state, political strategists and pundits gave the automatic check-mark to the Democratic candidate. Judging from history, that is not exactly the case.Since the states inception in 1848, two-thirds of the Governors, 30 of 45, have been Republican. Since 1979, Democrats only held the Governorship 12 of the last 33 years. Over two-thirds, or 21 of 27 U.S. Senators in the seat currently held by Sen. Ron Johnson, have been Republicans, and exactly two-thirds, or 8 of 12 U.S. Senators in the seat currently held by Sen. Herb Kohl, have been Republican. 60% of our Congressmen have ben Republican. And in fact, many believe the birthplace of the Republican Party is ripon Wisconsin.Even recent history should suggest its time for the political strategists and pundits to shed the "blue" moniker for our state. Since the 2010 election, there has literally been a Red Tsunami in the Badger State. In 2010, the State Assembly gained seats, the State Senate majority was regained, and Scott Walker, the Republican Rockstar, became Governor. Ron Johnson upset the Liberal Maverick hero convincingly, and in the Congressional races, Republicans picked up one more seat to hold 5 of the 8 seats, with 3 of those candidates winning with 70% of the vote.In 2010, Walker won 58 of the 72 counties or 80.5%. In the recall election in June of this year, he won 60 of the 72 counties or over 83%. Even the Democratic stronghold of Racine County went to Walker both times. It is now time to finally put Wisconsin in the "Red" category. Wisconsin is at the forefront of the political arena today thanks to Republicans with courage and vision, like Governor Scott Walker and Congressman and Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Wisconsin is as "Red" as the cardinal red of the Wisconsin Badgers. Not just today, but from the beginning.
GearHead
8:09 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
You mean, just because "big media" says we are blue, doesn't mean we are? Thanks for reminding us of our heritage. History repeats itself. Thank goodness we woke up in time and swept the state. Sanity ruled over insanity. The Democrat encrouchment we saw over the years was predictable because we took our eyes off the ball. That won't happen again. We can't afford it.
conservachick
8:20 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Now let's make America a red country. Paul Ryan has consistently won at 60%+ in a historically bluer district because he has been articulate with getting his message out to his constituents. Now he gets to put that message out to the rest of the country.
Also, I doubt union leaders have learned that their tactics didn't work in Wisconsin and they will keep on doing the same things. They never learn. Our president is cut from that same cloth. It's the Chicago way. It's what they know.
Lyle Ruble
8:23 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
@Brian Dey...Most of the early Republicans you cite, were in fact progressives. For many years the Democratic Party was dead until a native son by the name of Joseph McCarthy became a pariah and made progressive Republicans so ashamed that they switched to the Democratic Party. Calling Wisconsin a 'Red State' maybe a premature claim.
GearHead
8:47 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
The same kind of shame (courtesy of Obama/Biden leadership) is what is swinging conservative (Reagan) Democrats back to the Republican side. Or haven't you noticed the obvious trend yet, Lyle?
Brian Dey
4:05 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Yes Lyle, because progressive use to mean moving forward, not the same meaning as the modern political definition.