By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Wisconsin's recall election could be a sign of things to come for unions and Democrats. Republican Gov. Scott Walker's victory is a big deal, and here's why:
Walker recognized the ruinous financial path we're on. He did something about it, and he prevailed. Despite howling from liberal critics, voters in Wisconsin stood by the governor and his effort to limit collective bargaining powers for public-sector workers. If Wisconsin gets it, maybe there's hope for the rest of us.
Consider this: Two of California's biggest cities are also backing moves against unions.
San Diego and San Jose voted overwhelmingly this week to cut the pensions of city government workers to save money. If it can happen in California - the bluest of the blue states - maybe it can happen anywhere, such as Washington, D.C.
Even many Californians understand that the costs of government pensions are killing us.
According to CNNMoney.com, the public pension fund gap for police, firefighters, teachers and other city, county and state employees could be as high as $3 trillion, and that doesn't even include the cost of retiree medical care.
Several city governments have already filed for bankruptcy protection, mostly because of pension costs.
Meanwhile, Walker says the recall results mean that it's now "competitive" there come November. This is a state that Barack Obama won by 14 percentage points last time around.
And it's not just Wisconsin. Other big union states might no longer be automatic check-offs for the president.
For example, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is suggesting that his state is "definitely in play."
Here's my question to you: What impact could the Wisconsin recall election have in November?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
W.R.:
The Wisconsin recall election placed liberals on notice. President Obama will lose in November in a landslide that will make Jimmy Carter's loss look like a win. When the unions turn against you, when your own party undermines your platform, you know it's time to panic.
J.:
As the Republicans strip unions of their retirement benefits, it will empower the Democrats to re-elect Obama. The fact is these public unions created Cadillac pension plans that governments would never be able to pay for. So they must be reduced.
Mack in Michigan:
Jack, You are grossly overestimating the intelligence and attention span of the voting public! 30 days from now the voting public will have moved on and won't even recall there was an election in Wisconsin. The big guns haven’t turned loose the heavy-money artillery on the voting public yet. That is when opinions will be bought and sold.
Jennifer:
I haven't a clue, but it's about time someone went after the unions.
Martha:
Likely not much. What happens nationwide between now and the election, especially with the economy, will have a far greater impact.
Roger in Myers, Florida:
I can't wait until we look at cutting pensions for Congress!