AP News in Brief
Wisconsin holds recall targeting Gov. Scott Walker after more than a year of political turmoil
• MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Following a brief but bruising campaign, both sides of the recall election targeting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are prepared for a razor-thin margin Tuesday as the Republican tries to become the first U.S. governor to successfully fend off a recall effort.
• The vote will bring to a conclusion more than a year of turmoil in Wisconsin after Walker pushed through a bill stripping workers of collective bargaining rights in an effort to fix a hole in the state budget. Polls have shown Walker, just 17 months into his term, with a small lead over Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett after a campaign that's shattered state spending records and further divided an already polarized state. Both candidates worked in a flurry of last-minute stops in the campaign's final days, all too aware turnout will be critical.
• "I've been villainized for a year and a half. We've faced a year and a half of assaults on us. My opponent has no plans other than to attack us," Walker said at a campaign stop Monday, claiming that his agenda has put the state on the right economic track.
• Walker said he was focused on capturing voters who have supported him in taking on public-employee unions, while Barrett sought to capitalize on the anger over Walker's conservative agenda that began building almost as soon as he took office in January 2011.
• "Gov. Walker has divided the state but we will never allow him to conquer the middle class," Barrett said at an afternoon appearance. He added: "This started out as a grassroots movement and it's going to end as one."
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How it started: A guide to understanding the recall against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
• Q: What started the effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker?
• A: The recall effort was born Feb. 11, 2011. That was when Walker released his plan to address a state budget shortfall that called on most public workers to pay more for health insurance and pension benefits, and, most important, give up nearly all their collective bargaining rights. The proposal set the recall fire, led to protests that lasted weeks and grew as large as 100,000 people. It motivated 14 Senate De
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