Why I’m Glad the Recall Failed

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Some pundits believe the failure of the recall in Wisconsin did not reflect a distaste for unions, or warmth towards Scott Walker, or a backlash against Barack Obama, but a general revulsion against the concept of a recall. I have no idea what it reflected. But I will say this: Recalling a politician who didn’t abuse his office is crazy. Every day already feels like Election Day in America; if we’re going to start calling a vote every time a politician looks vulnerable or unveils policies that offend a particular interest group, every day actually will be Election Day in America.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about unions, and a negative impression of Walker, but the people of Wisconsin hired the guy to do a job for four years, and if unions don’t like the way he’s doing it they should try to beat him in 2014. Would Democrats have wanted another up-or-down vote on Obama during the battle over health care reform? This is a republic, not an Athenian democracy or a New England town meeting; the notion that a fickle electorate should throw out their duly elected representatives whenever the urge strikes is a recipe for chaos and demagoguery and a political culture that’s even uglier and nuttier than the one we’ve got today.

So if that’s what Wisconsin voters were thinking, well, right on.