While the Dems Are Away the Republicans Can Play

Although the absence of the "Fleeing Fourteen" WI Dem Senators has temporarily stopped Gov. Scott Walkers budget repair bill it hasn't stopped his agenda from going forward.  While the Democrats are gone there are a host of other issues that can be passed without them (from the Daily Caller):

Wisconsin Republicans to move all the furniture around while Dems are hiding in Illinois -- If Wisconsin's Democratic state senators thought they pulled a fast one by booking it for Illinois rather than allowing their Republican colleagues to rescind the collective bargaining privileges of public servants, they thought wrong. While twenty senators are required for a quorum on fiscal issues, and there are only 19 Republicans, "a simple majority of 17 members constitutes a quorum for other bills in the 33-seat state senate." When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker calls the Senate into session this week, "there is a whole legislative agenda that Republicans in the senate and assembly can start acting on that only requires simple majorities" Walker told National Review Online. “If [Dems] want to do their jobs, and have a say, they better show up.”

One of the "Fleeing Fourteen" complained today, from his undisclosed location no less, that Walker isn't interested in negotiation. No kidding, Sherlock. He doesn't have to negotiate. When Obama had huge majorities in the House and Senate I don't remember hearing Democrats demand negotiation with the GOP. It works both ways, dummy.

The people of Wisconsin made their choice and now Gov. Walker and the Republican legislature are going to lead as they were directed by the voters. The Democrats can either get on board and be part of the solution, or they can attempt to obstruct the will of the voters and find themselves punished again in 2012.

How bad is it for the Democrats if they continue to obstruct?  Rasmussen has some new numbers:

A sizable number of voters are following new Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s showdown with unionized public employees in his state, and nearly half side with the governor.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters agree more with the Republican governor in his dispute with union workers. Thirty-eight percent (38%) agree more with the unionized public employees, while 14% are undecided.

Obama's approval rating right now is only 44%.

And isn't it interesting that when Democrats shut down the Wisconsin Senate it's considered heroic and good, but when Republicans threaten to shut down the federal government it's considered evil.  The Weekly Standard has some more thoughts on that.