Walker, Barrett Trade Punches In Final Wisconsin Recall Debate
With the clock winding down in the Wisconsin recall, Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett met Thursday night for a final debate — one that quickly turned into a knockdown, drag-out fight.
The previous debate last week was essentially a draw, in which both candidates performed solidly at tasks they each needed to accomplish in terms of public credibility. This time, though, Barrett did not let up in his attacks on Walker, and had a ready response to each of Walker’s own knocks against him.
But whether it will be enough of a momentum boost for Barrett, who is still trailing Walker in polling and cash heading into Tuesday’s election, remains to be seen.
Walker is widely viewed as the frontrunner, but there remains some potential for an upset. Walker went into the debate leading 49.7 percent to 48.5 percent in the TPM Poll Average.
On top of the badly needed debate performance, Barrett is getting a late boost from high-wattage Democrats, including campaign appearances by DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Democratic Governors Association Chairman Martin O’Malley, and an upcoming appearance Friday by former President Bill Clinton.
