These two sentences from Dan McLaughlin’s article on close elections are the most important, I think:
For whatever reason, when statewide races are decided by less than 1 point, Democrats win almost three-quarters of the time.
And
When the margin opens to 1-2 points, that advantage dissipates, and the Democrats win only half the races…
Well. It’s barely Prosser, and we’re off to the recount. You’re going to see the phrase ‘margin of fraud’ a lot this morning; while this is a valid concern, the bright side to that is that with a Republican governor AND Republican legislature – neither of which is particularly inclined to be trusting – Wisconsin Democrats will find it harder to play the same games that their compatriots may-or-may-not-have-played in either Washington State or Minnesota. Seriously, having Republicans in charge of the oversight hearings will be a big help in keeping down shenanigans; we had neither in the Rossi / Coleman affairs, and in my opinion it had an effect.
Even brighter side? Maybe Secretary of State Doug La Follette* will muck up things enough to justify a recall election. Retiring that particular well-meaning political dynasty from the American political scene would frankly be a mitzvah.
Moe Lane (crosspost)
