Scott Walker Recall: Wisconsin Voters Explain Their Choices

The eleventh-hour polls before Tuesday's recall election of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker show a splintered Badger State. Public Policy Polling on Sunday said Walker leads Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett by a slim 50-47 margin.

And, in an informal pre-exit poll of sorts on Tuesday morning, Wisconsinites showed a similar division. Yahoo! News asked them: Are you backing Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday or are you voting to oust him from office? Below is a sampling of what they wrote.

Tired of 'recall politics' in Wisconsin: Walker has demonstrated clear and principled leadership for the state at a time when it's sorely needed. It really comes down to Walker having a common-sense vision that individuals and businesses should have a stronger voice in determining their future than big government.

I think we're tired of what has become known as "recall politics" in Wisconsin. We just want to the state to move forward for a better future. -- Mike Morgan, Wauwatosa

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Moderate Republican says 'no' to Walker and his fringe ideology: Despite being a member of the Republican Party, I am voting for Barrett. I may not agree with all of Mayor Barrett's philosophies, but when I look at the philosophies of Gov. Walker, I cannot in good conscious subscribe to this neo-conservative ideology that spreads divisiveness and is clearly in the best interest of big corporations.

The answer is not found in the polarities of the left or the right. Progress is found when both sides meet in the middle and they find solutions that both sides can live with. -- Anthony Preman, Brookfield

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This former teacher stands with Gov. Scott Walker: In order to balance the state's budget deficit, he made drastic changes, including reforming an unsustainable entitlement program for public workers.

Budget aside, he also reduced collective bargaining rights. Something I learned during my 12-year-long career with Milwaukee Public Schools is that unions protect subpar educators, and in the process, weaken public school systems and slight those who work their behinds off.

It took guts for Walker to stand up to public labor unions, but someone had to do it. I realize that my opinion isn't popular among former colleagues; however, I can't help but admire Gov. Walker's gumption. -- Kristie Farnham, Hudson

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Scott Walker recall necessary for competent government: As an educator, I see few career opportunities in Wisconsin for me and my friends due to Act 10. Gov. Walker has cemented my opposition by working with Republicans to push about $500 million in state debt into future budgets.

This budgetary sleight of hand, combined with recent federal investigations involving former staff members, raises questions about his competency. Voters often expect politicians to be miracle workers, but I merely want a competent and honest governor for my home state. Mayor Tom Barrett, of my hometown of Milwaukee, would provide competency in contrast to Walker's political duplicity. -- Nicholas Katers, Milwaukee

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Wisconsin recall only benefits media outlets: The economy has affected most paychecks, and it is self-righteous for union employees to think that their paychecks should not be altered. As a commissioned sales person, I lost roughly 55 percent of my income nearly overnight because the economy struck budgets and my client base and their expenditures were greatly reduced or eliminated.

This recall election has only benefited media outlets -- as they have been the real recipients of millions of dollars in ad spend from both candidates. If the Democrats were serious about ousting Scott Walker, they should have elected a candidate who has not already lost to him. I don't expect any other outcome but the first one in today's election. -- Kris Olson, Green Bay

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Scott Walker not the choice for Wisconsin: As a teacher and a concerned voter who doesn't want Wisconsin's education system to fall any more than Scott Walker has allowed it, I believe he has truly done an incredible disservice to our state in only a short while as governor.

Every time Walker opens his mouth, a new lie escapes. From alleging he has saved Wisconsin a billion dollars with his new policies, to mixing and matching any set of numbers to make him look like he added 33,200 jobs, and to, most importantly, his closest staffers being arrested during this FBI/John Doe investigation, it should be clear to any person with common sense: Don't trust Scott Walker. -- Ashley Hodge, Black River Falls

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The ridiculous recall of Gov. Scott Walker: It's sad. I always have to vote against a candidate rather than vote for someone. It's no different with the Wisconsin recall election. I'm voting against Scott Walker's opponent, Tom Barrett.

In Medford, where I live, manufacturers have cut pay 10 to 20 percent, dramatically increased the cost of health care to employees and cut anything resembling a benefit just to keep the doors open.

My vote for Walker is a vote against using recall elections as a move in these silly games. Walker won. He's done nothing illegal. People can vote against him in 2014 if they want him out of office. -- Dwayne Parkinson, Medford

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Tom Barrett gets my vote: Gov. Walker managed to turn me off right out the gate by putting the kibosh on the light rail project. Light rail would bring jobs and tourism opportunities, which would further enhance the way of life for Wisconsinites.

From there, during Walker's mere one year in office, he has divided this state, taken away union workers' rights, slashed health care funding for those most in need, gutted education, eliminated equal pay for women and has attacked our environmental protections. -- Kelly Maddern, Waukesha

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Changing sides to support Gov. Scott Walker: I voted for Tom Barrett in the general election.

But I'm now voting for Gov. Walker in the recall because he's done what most politicians (local or national) won't: make tough, very unpopular decisions.

It would have been much easier for him to continue "kicking the can down the road." One thing we can all agree on -- Gov. Walker took rapid, decisive action. I feel that the recall process has been a distracting waste of time, energy and money for the people of Wisconsin. The state constitution should be changed following the outcome to prevent this happening again. Lynn Wilson, Neenah

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Scott Walker watches the backs of private-sector employees: My husband, a private-sector employee, has to work extra hard to raise a one-income family with five kids in a state that taxes its citizens beyond belief. In the 10 years that we've lived here, our income and property taxes have increased by drastic numbers due to the decisions made by the liberal Democrats who have run our state for many years.

With Walker in office, we've finally seen real solutions to the economic problems that face our state. Instead of raising taxes to "solve" things, Walker has provided each community with the means necessary to lower operating costs and reduce city budgets, thereby lowering taxes on everyone and luring new business into the state. -- Angela James, West Allis

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Scott Walker clearly has Wisconsin's best interests at heart: I watched two years ago as our capitol was inundated with shouting, disrespectful and belligerent protesters who showed no regard for civility or honor.

Gov. Walker did what was right and stood in the face of this opposition, both then and now. He's continued to prove jobs come from individuals and small businesses, not union thugs or the government, and Wisconsin's taxes and state deficit have decreased because of it. -- Debe Lange, Prentice

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Don't like Scott Walker? Wait for the next election: Why am I voting for Walker? Here are a couple of the many reasons why.

First: I don't really believe in the recall. Walker did nothing "wrong;" he just acted as a governor was supposed to act. If people don't like what he did, they should wait until his term is up and then vote someone new in.

Second: I believe that Walker was right to eliminate collective bargaining and, therefore, limit the power of unions. People may not realize it now, but if the unions are cut out, everyone would have the chance to earn more money. -- Emily Acker, Rib Lake

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Walker's attacks on union rights should cost him the remainder of his term: I'm voting for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to replace incumbent Gov. Scott Walker.

For me, it's an easy decision.

Walker has taken an unprecedented approach to abolish many powers held within public workers' unions -- long considered a Democratic stronghold -- by eliminating most collective bargaining rights and forcing union members to contribute to their health care premiums. Union leaders agreed to concessions regarding health care costs but wanted to maintain their bargaining rights. Walker refused and the bill was forced through the state Senate in an ugly session that saw all debate on the bill squashed in favor of a quick vote. -- David Dierking, Menomonee Falls

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