If Walker Wins, What Are the Lessons? (National Review)

Polls indicate Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will remain in office after Tuesday’s recall vote. What can be learned after the 17-month war that began after Walker proposed reforms of pensions and privileges in the state’s public-sector unions? Democrats will blame Obama for failing to help Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett win the recall. Losing the recall could put the state that hasn’t voted Republican since 1984 in contention in November. The lag time for Walker’s recall gave his reforms an opportunity to wipe out a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes or cutting services. The reforms now give workers the choice to pay dues, which could mean trouble for the unions. An unsuccessful recall could be interpreted as waning sympathy for the union cause.