Wisconsin Governor Facing Recall Vote; Wisconsin's Bitter Recall Battle
SAMBOLIN: Welcome back. Forty-two minutes past the hour. Polls open in just an hour in Wisconsin in what many people consider a dry run for the November election. Republican Governor Scott Walker, a Tea Party favorite, who broke the state's public unions in a very tight recall race against Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Ted Rowlands is there live in Madison this morning. Teed, a lot of money has been pumped in to this election -- $60 million for a recall election. Why is it to critical?</s>TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that money, Zoraida, is coming from out of state. That money is not coming here because folks from out of state care about the daily lives of Wisconsinites. They care about the outcome of this election. And this money is either pro-union or it's anti-union, and that's really at stake here. If this flies in Wisconsin, it can be replicated in other states, people believe. And if Walker is recalled it will be a clear message from unions, saying, hey, governors, don't try to do what was done in Wisconsin, or you, too, may lose your jobs. Both candidates out on the stump, canvassing the state. Walker says, my plan works for the bottom line of Wisconsin. Look at our economy, it's getting better. It's getting better. On the other side, Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee who's running against Walker, is saying the opposite, saying Walker is trying to erode the middle class. Take a listen.</s>GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), WISCONSIN: Since I've been sworn as your governor, Wisconsin has added, added more than 30,000 new jobs. We're not done yet.</s>MAYOR TOM BARRETT (D), MILWAUKEE: People want to have a change. They want a governor who's going to unite the state. They're tired of a governor more interesting of being the rock star of the far right. They want someone who's going to focus on creating jobs for the middle class of the state.</s>ROWLANDS: And people in the state are very passionate about this issue. You saw the protests 16 months ago. They're expecting huge voter turnouts today. Beautiful day in Wisconsin -- I think a lot of folks will be going to the polls. We've seen a lot of early voting already.</s>SAMBOLIN: So, we're going to stay tuned with you for that. Ted Rowlands live for us, thank you.</s>BANFIELD: And if you want to know what it's really like on the campaign trail, it's fun but it's grueling. And tomorrow, you can join CNN Election Roundtable with Wolf Blitzer and CNN's political team. You can submit your questions and get answers in real time. It's live a virtual chat with Wolf Blitzer. So, don't miss the CNN Election Roundtable tomorrow at 12:00 noon eastern. Just log on to CNN.com/RoundTable.</s>SAMBOLIN: Soledad O'Brien joins us now with a look at what is ahead on "Starting Point," as you say, so much, so much.</s>SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN HOST, "STARTING POINT": So much. So much.</s>O'BRIEN: I'm writing the show right now, actually. You know, you were just talking about the recall election and whether that race could have national implications. We're going to continue as we get closer to the time that the polls open to continue to follow that story. We're going to talk to Tom Barrett. He, of course, is the Milwaukee mayor, and we'll discuss with him what he thinks his chances are considering that in almost every single poll. he's behind. Sometimes --</s>SAMBOLIN: Slightly, though. Yes.</s>O'BRIEN: Little tiny percentage point or so, but he's behind. We're going to talk to him about recalls in general as well. Then, joining our team in the morning, you know, we're surrounded by a great panel, the illusionist, comedian and the half of Penn and Teller, that's Penn, will be with us. He also has a book out that's now in paperback.</s>BANFIELD: Can you read it in super focus?</s>O'BRIEN: I hope he brings the super focus glasses. Have you seen those ads? Those are the coolest glasses. I hope he brings them because maybe I need them. It might help me. And also, Steven Wagner, sweet kid, 12 years old, big fan of the Green Bay Packers wide receiver, Donald Driver. So, pick outside as he was (ph) when Driver chucks his cleats into the stand after a charity softball game, and the kid catches them, but then, there's a woman on camera caught trying to wrench the cleats out of the boy's hands.</s>BANFIELD: There's always that woman, you know?</s>O'BRIEN: Yes, yes. And sometimes, that woman is not a woman, it's a man. But there's always that person fighting with a kid over something. Anyway, we're going to talk to Donald Driver this morning about what he did after he found out about that. It's a really great story. That and much more as we kick off "Starting Point." We'll see you right at the top of the hour in about 13 minutes or so.