(Image source: The Capital Times)


BY DAN CORNFIELD

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Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald took a step back Tuesday from what some were calling an overly strict stance regarding the 14 Democrats who fled the state more than three weeks ago.

In an email he sent Monday, Fitzgerald said Senate Democrats remain in contempt and do not have the right to vote:

“They are free to attend hearings, listen to testimony, debate legislation, introduce amendments, and cast votes to signal their support/opposition, but those votes will not count, and will not be recorded.”

Originally the 14 were going to have to wait for the next general meeting April 5th to have voting rights reinstated. Fitzgerald now says he is working to return those rights sooner. Still - The Nation’s John Nichols tells MSNBC the original email will affect efforts across the state to recall several state lawmakers.

“So the recall is moving along very, very quickly and it will be energized... I guarantee you it already has gotten people even more energized, even more angry.”

But one Wisconsin Republican tells firedoglake - GOP efforts to walk it back are an olive branch to the Democrats.

“[Republican Sen. Michael] Ellis ... said the moves were part of a good-faith effort on the part of Republicans to move past the poisonous atmosphere of the past month. He ... said there needs to be a sense of civility inside the chamber.”

Either way, Sarah Jones of Politicususa.com sees Fitzgerald’s original email as the latest shot fired in what she says is sure to be an ongoing battle.

“This is war, there’s no other way to look at it. It’s stunning that the Republicans are going down this petty road... Lady Liberty is weeping tonight. The recalls can’t come soon enough.”
 

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