Via IPR pingbacks, Penigma writes, in part:
…Friday, 2/18/’11 marked the shutdown of the Wisconsin legislature and the largest demonstrations in opposition to Republican lawmakers so far this week. While democratic lawmakers are ”on the lam” in the vicinity of Rockford, IL, just over the border (but safely out of the reach of the authority of the state police to compel them to return).
[..]
Meanwhile the one independent legislator has indicated he would make up the one additional person that is needed for a vote, conditional on unspecified changes being made to the legislation. Even if those changes are not made, if that independent legislator, Bob Ziegelbauer, a former Democrat until last June (2010) when he won over both a Republican AND a Democratic challenger, returns, the Republicans will be able to pass the opposed legislation with or without making changes to his satisfaction.
It will remain to be seen if Ziegelbauer follows through on his decision to give up his advantage of caucusing with his former colleagues, if the demonstrations and protests continue to expand and intensify.
Other perspectives about the Wisconsin situation include Wayne Root and the Green Party.
If you know other 3rd party and independent candidate commentaries and angles on the Wisconsin union showdown story, please send them to [email protected]