'MY VIEW' BY JIM DEMINT | AUGUST 24, 2011
The Wisconsin Lesson
The union-backed Democrats in Wisconsin failed to win the three recall elections they needed to retake the state senate. This is a major victory for freedom-loving Americans that should inspire us all to keep fighting for conservative principles.
Here's how David Freddoso at The Washington Examiner described the election results:
"The people" were supposed to be on the side of the unions who protested at the state capitol when Walker's bill passed, limiting the unions' collective bargaining privileges against taxpayers and school districts. But it turns out that "the people" had other ideas. In the end, even a massive infusion of cash and union volunteers was not enough to deliver the three state Senate recall races the unions needed, despite the fact that President Obama carried all six of the seats in question in 2008.
This marks the unions' third huge defeat in Wisconsin this year. The other two were the passage of Walker's bill and the re-election of David Prosser to the state Supreme Court. The grand talk of recalling Walker himself next year seems a bit blustery now, given this great failure.
It's not exactly clear what the results mean for the 2012 elections. Wisconsin is a swing state and Election Day is still over a year away. President Obama needs a win here to secure his re-election and Democrats will be working hard to elect another Democrat to the open U.S. Senate seat.
If there is a lesson here, it's a lesson for those Republicans who are afraid to fight for conservative principles. Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) has demonstrated that if you lead with the courage of your convictions, you can turn your state around and win elections, too.
Unfortunately, I hear too many Republicans arguing for a "play it safe" strategy that fails to save our country and fails to give voters a reason to vote for them over their opponents.
The recent agreement to raise the debt limit was a perfect example. Conservatives produced the "Cut, Cap, and Balance" plan, a real solution that would have balanced the budget and preserved our AAA bond rating. But too many Republicans were unwilling to fight for it. They gave up on it because it didn't conform to what they thought was possible.
What happened in Wisconsin proves anything is possible if we're willing to stand on principle.
This is why I started the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF). After losing several elections, I concluded that unless Republicans began electing true conservatives, our party would be lost and our country along with it.
If you're not familiar with SCF, it's a political action committee dedicated to electing rock-solid conservative leaders to the United States Senate. SCF is not affiliated with the Republican Party or any of its campaign committees. It's an independent organization that puts principled ahead of party and specializes in helping underdog candidates defeat the Washington establishment.
SCF stood on principle last year and helped elect Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rand Paul (R-KY), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Ron Johnson (R-WI). Now we're looking for more courageous conservatives to support in the 2012 elections, and working to build up our campaign war chest.
You can help us by making a contribution to the Senate Conservatives Fund today. Your support will help us continue to fight for the timeless conservative principles of limited government, a strong national defense, and traditional family values that will restore America's greatness.
I sincerely believe the 2012 elections represent a "now or never" turning point for our country. With your help, I know we can take our country back.
Jim DeMint, United States Senator
Chairman, Senate Conservatives Fund