Democrats fall one short in bruising Wisconsin recall vote

Republicans claimed a victory in Wisconsin recall elections Wednesday after Democrats failed to generate a strong enough backlash against hawkish fiscal conservatism to snatch control of the upper house.

The Democrats won two state senate seats off the Republicans but fell just one seat short of ousting them from power in elections that were closely watched for signs of voter sentiment ahead of the 2012 presidential race.

Democrats needed to win at least three of the six seats being contested to claim control of the senate and a major symbolic victory in a presidential battleground state.

Republican Governor Scott Walker shot to national prominence with proposals to tackle budget deficits by laying off state workers and denying others the right to collectively bargain.

The Democrats called the policies an attack on organized labor and hoped to ride a backlash against fiscal conservatives in the Tea Party wing of the Republican camp.

But John Hogan of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate said the Wisconsin results vindicated the Republicans' tough stance on government spending and waste.

"Voters gave us a mandate last fall," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, according to AP.

"They backed us up again (Tuesday). Voters told us loud and clear, 'Stay the course. Things are working.'"

The Democrats have contested a crucial vote count in Waukesha County but The Washington Post said if the results stand the election is an "undeniable defeat for labor and for progressive activists."

Democrats and their allies are arguing taking down two incumbents is itself a victory, given that recalling an official is in­cred­ibly difficult and rare. But they invested very heavily in taking back the state senate and fell short.

Walker issued a statement saying voters "want us to work together to grow jobs and improve our state."

"In the days ahead I look forward to working with legislators of all parties to grow jobs for Wisconsin and move our state forward."

On a national level, Democratic strategist Chris Lehane told AP the results sent "some early radar warnings" about 2012.

"At a minimum, we already know that the conservatives are providing energy for progressive to fight back like an angry badger that otherwise may not have existed," he said.