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All eyes are on the Badger State and what the recall election could mean for the presidential race
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That's about to start -- less than ten hours the polls open this is the historic recall election and the big question.
And the close question we'll governor Scott Walker win or will he get booted from office and there -- democratic mayor Tom Barrett.
We are live in Milwaukee at the center but -- it is an election bonanza here tomorrow marks Wisconsin's seventh election and what fourteen months.
And the excitement even the polls opening is at fever pitch at 7 AM Wisconsin voters began casting their ballots and it all started in February of last year.
That's when governor -- proposed a law stripping public unions but not police -- firefighters.
-- collective bargaining rights.
And who could forget the -- thousands of protesters flooding and storming the state capital and now we are.
Hours away from this historic recall vote Wisconsin governor Scott Walker joins us and I should add that we have invite his opponent Milwaukee mayor Tom -- Multiple times but he has declined our invitation so.
Governor -- nice to see you sir good to have you back to your home state it's responded -- -- -- -- Ritchie is said she's had colored jacket for -- I was just in the shadows of Lambeau Field over to Schwab and -- -- too long ago.
And valujet indeed -- says.
It's a big deal here in the states it has -- I had tomorrow there's a big getting nervous now.
I mean for us you know we we.
We did what people have elected me do I kept my promises and you know we're certainly not overconfident to use another Packers now Jennifer -- spiked the ball on the ten yard -- we're gonna take it all the way through the end zone but.
I'm not nervous -- -- we did the right thing we did it for the right reasons now it's up to the voters but I think for all the people over the years have complained about local government state government particularly federal government.
The people -- office and they don't keep their promises they don't make tough decisions tells -- that time to stand up and affirmative.
Whether Paulson that you're close to missing different polls but -- than the -- -- air I'm say saying that day if the voters decide -- dead -- -- that a -- that you find out that the new move on administered -- series and we have done.
We've we've campaigned hard we're working hard I think we're gonna -- I can feel the sense out there I think.
Not just for Republicans and conservatives but this weekend the last few days we've had a massive wave -- -- breakfast from the state -- I mentioned it.
Factors I visited today of people come up and tell me they voted for my opponent two years ago.
People in many cases come on tell me they were raised Democrats but they're voting for me because for the first time the lights have actually had someone a statewide office was willing to take on the tough problems have that personal.
Those are the kind of people I need to come up to the polls if they come out along with our base will -- -- so this is survey a national referendum so they make you would do an extra -- referendum on unions.
And a national referendum on governors who decide to collect better words go after the union's.
Well I think it's much bigger than just public sector unions I think it what it really is the core of who's in charge.
Is that the big average special interest out there is that the people who control both state and local governments here was -- across the country.
Where's the hard working taxpayers we stood up and took on the special interest they've been fighting me for the last year and a half they've been -- -- money.
Tens of millions of dollars in bodies in the states for almost a year and a half.
And in contrast we stood up with the hard working taxpayers of -- great size -- on the state to say we stand with Governor Walker.
But the reason they do is because every day I stand with the hardworking taxpayers of -- -- I -- I'm -- my state have any problem that give any sort of but the thought and you know that when -- brought snow you know more than 70% of our donations came from people give me fifty bucks or less so whether it's.
The working family in Beloit Wisconsin where the working fairway just south of the border in south boy.
I think the reason whether it's someone down in Cuba city uniform -- southwest with -- or someone Dubuque Iowa.
Just across Mississippi River there -- people around the state and around the midwest in particular.
Who understand that when someone stands up against -- -- social interest -- for the taxpayers.
That people need to stand up wasn't so 253050.
Bucks -- time those the people I gladly take support from.
How much -- raise about we've raised about 31 million dollars and about -- and what percentage if lot of state.
I don't know what the exact precision as I know in terms -- a dollar amount 70% plus came from.
From people both in stated out and give us fifty bucks I read what I read what benefits to the two thirds -- keep -- mistake could be close to that but again I said we've had people all across the country.
But overwhelming at that small dollar -- that's -- more than 7% came from people give us the fifteen to 2530 dollar contributions and -- -- we'll gladly take their help because for more than a year and a half.
Since last ever use you showed the tape at the beginning there we've been under assault with the millions of dollars -- attack has been detected at the Supreme Court raised the state -- recalls.
The recall petition itself and now on the race itself.
You want about five points against mayor -- and -- -- If you win by seven points early two or you lit -- by something less than five what does that mean anything at all.
Now I'm in the end it allows us to move forward I think most people in the state just want to move on and move forward and so whether we won by ten or 110 of a percent.
I think in the end people want us to move the state undersecretary of the recalls are sick and tired what 1617 million dollars -- -- of taxpayers' money.
Just through the run this recall.
I think people are sick of -- they're sick of -- that kids are sick of all the that particular this last week I mean some real doozies in terms of the narcissus that now they're attacking us throughout -- people are tired they'll be ready to wake up Wednesday morning.
And not be assaulted on television and a very -- move on.
I have one of the things that -- you know they talk but the check gets this is John doe investigation.
It would ship you the target help.
So it repeatedly been in the past out there this was initiated more than two years ago by my office my chief of staff at the time.
Because we are frustrated about some volunteers with the veterans organization.
We could get the records for that we asked the district attorney get involved they were frustrated because they were unable to get those records that's where this whole process came along that we've been cooperative.
All along the way we continue to do so today have you been told specifically that you not to -- People -- we have been in the past yes and -- they -- of the district attorney mentioned in a target that's who they were talking to.
But it is seven as big if he could be could be began a specific letter from the prosecutors say -- is not the target rate that is scheduled conversations conversations on.
Are you worried about it on the investigation.
Now I mean for us I think -- it any of the evidence has come out this far and remember it because as you know as a lawyer you can't just talk about the specifics of things like that.
But all the things that have been made public clearly show overwhelmingly show.
That when my office when I was -- can -- was made aware of people who were violating our strict public follow a policy should say -- using.
Public resources for political purposes we took action.
Affect literally the very day we found out about it but the person who was involved with that was no longer work with the county after that I think is pretty clear what our actions that.
-- -- -- governor Nikki Haley hear -- governor Chris Christie has been here as well for you coverage and Dell has been here governor McDonnell Virginia.
Here former governor appointing -- opponent press President Clinton showed up for write your opponent to have enough President Obama any thoughts on that.
Well I think it's because they've seen the kind of trend I just talked about where you have people who told us they're Democrats told us they voted for -- Many cases told us they voted for President Obama in the past.
But who are voting for us and I think the White House and some of the political allies of the president are scared that somehow they get in the mix of this.
And their candidate doesn't -- that might be assigned that they would have an impact the fall election.
If it hit dead but he elected into mafia reelect them that are not exactly sure -- -- -- -- collecting evidence when I'm not so sure with what the term -- I'm curious what's the first he would do.
Professionally as a governor what's what's your what it -- -- thought ahead about what you gonna do.
Well right away Wednesday morning -- my -- together yet because we got a lot of work to do.
We got to do more to help small business is great jobs of a lot of enthusiasm about.
The turnaround -- -- -- just the other day the market journal sentinel had a great headlines that talked about the hiring outlook in the state be bullish.
There's some great signs of going from 10% of reporters two years ago -- were in the right direction than 94% today.
We went up from the rankings of best and worst states in the bottom -- to -- to the top twenty.
But I think most employers most small businesses are waiting for this recall.
Before they really take off and hardware folks that we would do everything in our power to take advantage of that enthusiasm to help small businesses to help -- -- farmers.
Put more people who worked -- -- biggest goal and part of that means.
Connecting.
Workers with the skills they need to fill the job openings particularly manufactured.
That are open today.
Well with all enthusiasm that and you talk about what happened question -- can you recall.
All I think it what is it it's taken on the powerful special interest we dared to go where nobody else is -- before.
That is to say to the the bigger but union bosses who control things and I saw it as a local official for eight years.
Control things and her school districts control things and -- county boards or city.
Councils -- village boards and certainly in our state government.
We said you're not charging that the hard working taxpayers in charge and they felt threatened by that and that's why they've been attacking me literally since late last February.
How are things about I look at does the Michigan assisted that there would be -- -- the is -- you -- system.
Is going up 5% to six straight year the tuitions going up that's not gonna make people happy tuitions going up -- I would love it always been very proud of the school here in the low cost the school -- -- the foreclosures are going up and as they're spiking in the southeastern part of the state in the there are some very credibly numbers.
When you look at the challenges you -- that's one of the great country -- it was interest and one of the supporters of the mayor came in today and said -- was what he said this -- is one of the most segregated cities in the country it's the fourth poorest of the country.
And then you said you should vote for the mayor.
It doesn't seem like it and here contradiction the contrast between what we've done for the state the positive things we've done.
Billion dollars with the -- property taxes down for the first time in twelve here's an -- very at home we took a three point six billion dollar budget deficit.
Entered -- a 154 million dollar surplus.
And jobs jobs we've lost over a 100000 jobs in the three years before it took office.
And unemployment was over 9% since I've been elected and sworn in as governor more than nine for more than.
30000 new jobs the unemployment was high before is now six point 7%.
The lowest it's been since 2008 you compare that to the mayor.
Unemployment is up 26%.
Taxes and fees are up 43%.
Sadly it's become one of the poorest big cities America what if you -- reelected -- Italian.
Well I think it's it's a blow for for any official at the local level the state level and certainly the federal level who's trying to take on tough challenges be -- Democrat -- Republican alike.
I think tomorrow Paul Ryan my good friend had it right when he said courage is on the -- If we want to have leaders in our state in our country who are willing to take on tough challenges are willing to think more about that next generation than just the next election.
We need to affirm -- when they make those tough decision that's why ask for people's -- that's why I asked for people to vote for Barack clay Fisher lieutenant governor in the -- -- their brave senators.
-- the -- because it's really about more than just Republican or Democrat conservative liberal.
It's about whether or not we're going to in this state at least a firm people who make tough decisions.
It's so interesting and you ran with it back the -- officials lieutenant governor she's also been recalled but she's been to the -- -- separate ballot so in theory one of you can win and one could lose -- -- of a mixed that mimics party.
Well I think it would be horrible to.
When did not have Rebecca -- -- continue on to be as lieutenant governor because she stood with the all throughout this she's been an investor particularly small businesses to bring new jobs in the state -- -- -- -- I think for anybody who cares deeply about affirming courage we talked about.
And it's only imperative they vote for me tomorrow either Democrat or Republican alike it's imperative that vote for Barack Clijsters and forbade one -- for Terry involved injured for Justin Scott FitzGerald.
All six of us really -- about putting courage on the -- I can't come November -- -- -- to -- -- won the state I think fourteen points.
-- limits -- go where it's gonna be come this November and how it's -- how your rough election -- -- is in any way of -- have any bearing on that.
I think it has an impact I think if you look back to 2002004.
Stance was the closest blue state America about two and a half million votes cast.
Less than a couple thousand with the difference between bush and gore in the bush and Kerry so I think it can be very competitive in the state.
And I think part of it depends -- governor Romney -- governor Romney has an opportunity after tomorrow's election to come in between now and November 6.
And make the case that he's willing to make those same sorts of tough decisions the national lord knows and that's why I love Paul -- He's been out there making the tough decisions I appreciate the fact that governor Romney embraced the components.
What Paul -- traded to Washington -- says the centerpiece of saying.
You know what we're gonna look up for the next generation I think he could do very well amongst voters not only Republicans but a lot of discerning Democrats and independents -- -- What happened between 2008 though went when he had democratic it was they would democratic for President Obama fourteen points which is huge.
Did two years later they elect you by five points and Republican governor what happened in the meantime -- -- -- Tea Party in this and that's all I.
I think the clearest thing as his substance it's great it was -- -- their personality it's why I want it's what Ron Johnson once it's why we took this their way in the senate.
It was people saw on the fact what happened when Democrats were in charge they saw under Jim Doyle.
The taxes went up and and governor.
Well but you saw everything during that time -- -- the -- that the term before the legislature both houses were Democrat the governor is Democrat.
You -- taxes on businesses go up 20% until Texas.
Individuals grew up 15% you saw a major increases in property taxes during that time for an.
And most importantly sell more than a 100000 jobs lost he saw unemployment at a peak of over 9%.
I think people wanted -- change they wanted us to tackle the fiscal and economic crisis the state.
And that and in particular we inherited a three point six billion dollar deficit they sought we came in -- -- have a Tea Party and the state.
I think that need to be on just to cheaper -- -- Tea Party influence absolutely and I think it's one where it's.
It's really not an organized effort as much as it is just people who for years.
You know it's been that -- percolating people who were of all different backgrounds all different -- -- -- -- parts of the state.
We said you know what I'm sick and tired of the government.
-- -- -- -- about the hard working to experienced one of the things I get amused by is when my opponent talks about the middle class.
Nobody in this state has been more damage by the expansion the massive expansion of government under liberals in the past in the middle class listening.
We finally stood up and defended.
Middle class taxpayers and said once and for -- you're the ones that are in charge you're the ones we're gonna look up four you're our special interest it's the hard working taxpayers it was gas.
But if you are not elected to our reelected to all that same governor we've had enough of your policies we've had enough with the union busting and we're standing up for -- unions workers rights -- it's a very different message.
Well -- and that's why so much is at stake that's why people can't take anything for granted even though many of the polls that really the last.
What they're to have showed us ahead.
People can't take it for granted remember.
For those -- groups coming out of Washington the ones that came in west river in March for them everything's at -- Their -- game -- -- grounded by a tremendous week we get our state party chairman told me that.
The coordinated effort that exceeded four million contacts -- voters today.
But that is unprecedented that is many many more that we had and the entire election 2010.
And usually what -- Internet my wife and I go to our victory senators were people are making calls.
We asked for showing hands and more often not half for more than people there tell us they've never been involved in the campaign for people coming out the -- -- there that passion about it.
Oftentimes they bring their kids or grandkids along and they point announcements and this is why I'm here.
I want to mention they have a better life it's exactly like -- to I made the sacrifices we made it western half for our kids met Alex and every other -- grandkids.
I read that and an editorial today -- they -- all the talk about the VP candidates that if you win two world that you what your real stars just gonna take up for them that they you would be someone the B look that as a vice presidential candidate any interest and a.
If someone were to ask me I'd say the best person could circumstances my good -- all right well -- well he's great he's dynamic he's courageous stand and I've got a job.
I didn't go through a year and a half of this I didn't go through this campaign I didn't go through all the attacks.
Now -- political text but -- they report thousand people were bused in from my home my kids were targeted FaceBook by protesters I didn't go through all this to walk away.
I'm committed to helping the people of the state before I'm committed to getting our goal of helping the people not the government that the people of the state.
Craig 250000 new jobs I'm excited about America I'm excited about the potential to make changes.
-- -- nation's government as well but I need to be focused on helping Wisconsin before.
Well we actually now in the polls open in just a short Thomas -- festina watch what happens.
As always it's -- to be in the great state it was not -- -- had a -- thank governor.
