Most pundits are predicting a gain of two seats for Democrats, but they also note that predicting this election is nearly impossible, given how unprecedented it is. No one knows what the turnout will be like 鈥� though indications are for it to be high 鈥� or whether casual voters will go to the polls along with those who are particularly fired up.
鈥淭his whole thing is just extraordinary,鈥� says Mr. Mayers. 鈥淵ou have tens of millions of dollars being spent in Wisconsin in the middle of summer by all the big groups. It鈥檚 historic.鈥�
Even a victory of just two seats could be validating for Democrats, says Mayers. 鈥淔rom the beginning this was an uphill thing,鈥� he says, noting that only two statewide politicians have ever been recalled in Wisconsin history. 鈥淚t鈥檚 during the middle of summer in Republican districts. It鈥檚 an uphill battle. Two wouldn鈥檛 be a surprise factor, but it would be something that nobody would have contemplated as possible in March.鈥�
Franklin disagrees, saying that 鈥渢here are no moral victories here.鈥�
鈥淕etting one or two or zero is certainly saying to Democrats that you have to rethink your strategy of how do you appeal outside your base to reach other voters,鈥� Franklin says. 鈥淚t would be very disheartening.鈥�
