Wisconsin Republicans: Losing Ugly

The difference between the good, the bad, and the real ugly is knowing what to do when losing.  For Wisconsin Republicans, this is a new experience, as they have made steady gains controlling state government for close to twenty years with the exception of Governor Jim Doyle's win in 2002.

For inexperienced losers, defeat after defeat is not only unnerving, but it can spin out of control, resulting in even greater losses.

The Recess Supervisor at Playground Politics has already commented on this:

I think many conservatives forget that they need moderate Republicans to accomplish most anything legislatively. Moderate Republicans, conversely, can make bedfellows with moderate Democrats as easily as they can shack up with conservatives.

and more importantly, in this post on the Waukesha mayoral election:

Somewhere Joe Wineke is smiling right now. The Nischke debacle forces Republicans to contemplate the very issue that Jessica (my buddy, Ms. McBride) stakes out a position on: when Republicans start losing, should the party move to the middle or to the right? And the wrong answer could be catastrophic.

A few observations of my own:

• Part of the mistake will be the process by which the Republicans plot their course; procedure is as important as substance.
• The Democrats should stay away from this and not try to get too clever by half thinking they know what is the best course to crash the Republican ship on the rocks, and attempt to manipulate the situation.
• The Democrats should stay focused on issues, particularly health and Republican shenanigans in the legislature.
• Whatever the Republicans do, it will be wrong.

Knowing what to do when things go wrong takes patience, nerves of steel, and stable leadership. Look for Republicans to make hasty, panicky decisions. Look for Republican leaders to start pointing fingers at their own. As spring turns into summer, watch Mark Green attempt to lead the Republicans, and chaos grow as floundering legislators strike out on their own in a desperate attempt to control the Assembly; an Assembly Gardless and Scooterless.

On their own, Republicans can make 2006 a really ugly year throughout their party.

Comments

[Bob]

The only issue with thinking Republicans are in for a tough in 2006 in Wisconsin is Jim Doyle. Heck I might for Scott Jensen over him, and I've only voted for a couple Republicans in over 20 years of voting (okay I'll vote 3rd part, or write in Tony Earl).

How much is Doyle's own issues going trickle down to people who might end up not voting Democrat at all?

[Troy Fullerton]

Every election cycle we hear you liberals say how bad the Republicans are and how this is going to be the election that swings power to the Democrats, but then the Republicans keep winning. Shouldn't you actually win some elections first before declaring victory? In Wisconsin, it looks like Doyle is going down to defeat, Republicans will maintain control of the Assembly and Senate, and none of the US Congressional seats up are likely to change parties. Does a Waukesha mayoral race really warrant all that gloating? Especially a mayor's race where the Democrat ran away from the Democrat Party, and the Republican didn't highlight her Republican credentials?

[John Barr]

Mr. Fullerton seeks to denigrate the Democratic party. I say yee nay Mr. Fullerton....Again, we see hypocrisy rise and run amuck among our Republican Brethren. .(edited by waxingamerica)..(he) asks the public to finance his campaign and put him in a position of public trust? I'll stick to the Donkeys any day, thank you.