RefBan

Referral Banners

Friday, May 11, 2012

Politics: Welcome to Walkerland

Slate Magazine
Now playing: Slate V, a video-only site from the world's leading online magazine. Visit Slate V at www.slatev.com.
Politics
Welcome to Walkerland
Gov. Scott Walker's dominant position in Wisconsin is a thing of wonder.
By David Weigel
Posted Friday, May 11, 2012, at 09:05 PM ET

OSHKOSH, Wis.—If you get bored in Wisconsin, play a game. Drive a few miles through any neighborhood. Count the signs that read "We Stand With Scott Walker," or "I Stand With Scott Walker," or "Scott Walker: Believe in Wisconsin." Try and figure out what the houses have in common.

You won't. There are pieces of Walkerian flair outside of barns on Highway 41, near working-class ranch homes in Appleton, and in the tony part of Oshkosh that Sen. Ron Johnson calls home. On one stretch of Highway 26, somebody's propped up an unused toilet with a sign reading, "Deposit recall petitions here." Next to that, a Walker sign that crosses out half of the phrase "for governor" and adds "president."

The public displays of affection for Walker can put you in mind of October 2008, when placing a HOPE poster or Shepard Fairey print in your window told neighbors about your politics and taste. The Walker gear is easily attained at one of the 20 "victory centers" promoted by the campaign. I stopped by half a dozen of them—local Republican offices temporarily converted to the cause. In the front of the Winnebago County office, a digital sign counted down the days to the June 5 recall. A cardboard Walker stand-up faced visitors from behind a podium. A handmade sign portrayed two cartoon burglars looking around as they hauled bags of pilfered goods.

Your Governor Walker Vote Was STOLEN
Reclaim Your Property!

Inside, a 61-year-old grandmother named ...

To continue reading, click here.

Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum
What did you think of this article?
POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES

Also In Slate

Lithwick: Stop Being Cynical About Obama's Gay-Marriage Support. Listen To What He Said.


Could Concussion Lawsuits Put American Football Out of Business?


You Should Send a Thank-You to the Billionaires Who Want To Mine Platinum From Asteroids

Advertisement


Manage your newsletters subscription: Unsubscribe | Forward to a Friend | Advertising Information


Ideas on how to make something better? Send an e-mail to slatenewsletter@nl.slate.com.

Copyright 2011 The Slate Group | Privacy Policy
The Slate Group | c/o E-mail Customer Care | 1350 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 410 | Washington, D.C. 20036


No comments: