Nothing says "win" like a great petition drive done during pouring rain.
The unions in Milwaukee set up a special recall drive for Saturday, December 3 to add even more recallers to the already highly successful efforts of United Wisconsin, the group that is spearheading the petition drive to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain on Saturday.
I had signed up for the afternoon shift and bundled up ready to recall with my umbrella in tow. I wondered how many others would show up considering the weather and the fact that we would be standing out in the open. I knew I would be there, like the Post Office motto says (neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night....). My additional concern was whether people would come over to sign petitions in the rain. The recalling has been great in dry weather, but today was going to be different.
I arrived at the MTEA office (designated headquarters for the days event) to see a full parking lot with a steady stream of people coming and going, and parked cars on the street surrounding the building, and a full lobby. We were sent downstairs to register and pick up our assigned locations and petitions. Downstairs there were lines to sign in, lines to get petitions and our locations, and a steady stream of people coming and going.
My question about how many would show up had been answered with abundance. Dumb me. Had I forgotten so soon about the tens of thousands of us who showed up in Madison regardless of the cold and snow and hardships?
I was assigned a recall partner - a retired unionist, like myself, who was ready to do what it took to give Walker the boot. We were to stand outside an Aldi grocery store on S. 35th Street just south of Greenfield Ave. We each were issued a clipboard, as usual, with the separate petitions to recall Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch (while they were elected together with one vote, the GOP was successful in demanding they be recalled separately). The new addition was a large Zip Lock bag clipped over the petitions to try to keep them dry in the rain. The plastic bag could be pulled back while the petitions were signed.
When we arrived, it was obvious that the site had been well researched. It was perfect! The sidewalk was right next to the entrance and parking lot so the shout of "Recall Walker! You can sign here!" was very audible. In fact, it was the most perfect location I had been to.
Of course, soon after our arrival, the Aldi security guard came by to remind us to stay on the sidewalk. A gentle reminder to stay away from the front of the store with its protective overhang that would have shielded us from the rain and away from the parking lot itself. He seemed not to like having to do it, but, after all, business owners and managers like Scott Walker for all the goodies (like large tax breaks) he provides to them, and I'm sure he was ordered to do it. Message received.
"Business" was brisk, too, even in the rain as people came over to sign. We even had small lines form a couple of times as people stood in the rain waiting their turn to sign. And it's not just a signature that was required. The petitions require printed name, signature, full address, date, municipality, etc. It is a cumbersome form to fill out. Twice. In the rain. Nobody complained or said they'd sign if the weather was better.
The most often heard comment? "I've been hoping to see you guys around". Many others waved or gave thumbs up as they entered or left the store with a shout that they had already signed a petition. We averaged about 20 signatures an hour - a nice haul to add to the total.
After our shift we returned to MTEA, completed our petitions (recallers must sign, date, print our names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) and double checked each entry with a United Wisconsin staffer. The petitions were stacked up ready to be taken to United Wisconsin for data entry and counting. There were lots of them, too. All gathered in the rain.
That's how much we in Wisconsin want Walker gone. Momentum. We haz it!
If you have a couple of bucks that need a good home, please consider a donation to United Wisconsin. We might need some Zip Lock bags in the future.
If you stand there, they will come.
Update: Just added Walker to the title. Without it, there might be some confusion what recall I'm talking about.