By Bill Lueders
Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
Wow. That was fast.
The email from Tom Barrett went out at 10:05 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, about an hour after he was declared the winner of the Democratic primary in the recall election for governor. The email said a number of things but asked for only one: cash.
“Can [...]

A quirk in state law, passed in 1987, temporarily allows unlimited contributions from individuals for recall-related expenses.

Gov. Scott. Walker has been keen on painting the recall campaign against him as driven by out-of-state money and special interests, particularly organized labor. But in the race for governor it’s been Walker who has been raking in boatloads of out-of-state cash.

No one likes getting call after call on their home phone delivering pre-recorded messages, often attacks, on political candidates. It’s obnoxious. It makes people angry. And, some say, it doesn’t work.

The mechanics of the fundraising letter transcend political boundaries. The themes of good vs. evil, us against them, grassroots support compared to outside special interests, are staples of the medium.

Hunters were among the “winners” in the recently concluded legislative session, but also among the “losers.” What the session really showed was the success of certain pro-hunting groups in advancing their agenda, over others who also support hunting.

The clouds have burst, the downpour has begun. The GOP’s campaign-ad deluge is coming to a screen near you.

It’s all over but the blaming. The state Legislature’s 2011-12 regular session has careened to a close, with both parties accusing the other of blocking progress on Wisconsin’s number-one issue: job creation.