Republicans Tie Wisconsin Dems To Obama

Wondering what inspired 14 Democratic state Senators from Wisconsin to flee their capital yesterday rather than vote on a Republican budget-repair bill? According to the Republican National Committee, they got the idea from President Obama.

In a statement put out on Friday, the RNC linked the Wisconsin Democrats’ move to Obama’s decision to punt on including any of his fiscal commission’s proposals to reform entitlement programs in his 2012 budget plan.

“Following Obama’s Example, Wisconsin Democrats Literally Hide From Fiscal Responsibility,” stated the group.

The bill, backed by new Republican Governor Scott Walker, aims to reduce the state’s deficit by $330 million over the next two years by requiring public employees to start paying into their pensions and benefits. It would also scale back their rights to bargain collectively.

The measure has enraged state workers, many of whom stormed the Capitol building in Madison on Thursday in protest. Democrats in the Senate left Madison yesterday knowing that the presence of at least one of them is required in order for a vote to take place. Their whereabouts are currently unknown, but reports suggest that they may have left the state.