We think you already know. But Greg Sargent, a thoughtful and therefore rare Washington columnist, explains it to the peeps inside the Beltway. He observes that the recalls will test the "aggressive populism" that characterizes this ad against state Sen. Lex Luther Olsen.
Sargent writes:
Here’s another reason why the Wisconsin recall battle is so important. It’s an early test of whether unabashed populism — and an aggressive defense of government’s role in safeguarding the quality of life of working and middle class Americans as preferable to the conservative austerity vision — can carry the day in a key swing state. The answer could provide early clues as to how the clash of ideologies between the major parties will play out in the national 2012 elections....We view the recalls in a slightly different light. To us, it's not about whether the Wisconsin "message" will influence the national elections next year. It's about whether the middle class can hold the line in Wisconsin. And it's about whether a "Main Street" movement (or whatever you want to call it) can build some momentum out of the recalls and begin the long process of restoring the American Dream.
It’s an early test of how the battle over the proper scope and role of government — and over who should bear the burden of fixing our fiscal mess — could shape up next year...
The Wisconsin results could provide clues as to whether this GOP overreach has enabled old-fashioned populism to make a comeback.
