Pundits will be talking all day about the meaning of the failed Wisconsin recall election.

The bright spot is that the recall process has forced Walker to moderate his language if not his actions and if the numbers hold out, he will be faced with a Democratic majority in the state senate to slow down his union-busting, tea-party sponsored initiatives.

But I see an ominous cloud of Obama’s making for the national elections in November. Will he learn from this that it does no good to try to deflect controversy from yourself and let other people take the fall?

Politico Arena Asks:

Incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker has survived the gubernatorial recall election against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the Associated Press reports. The victory comes after Walker divided Wisconsin by making changes to state laws governing collective bargaining for public employees. Though Obama won the state by 13 points in 2008, presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney is expected to be more competitive in the state this fall.

Does this victory put Wisconsin in play for the GOP in 2012?

My Response:

Obama give Romney an unearned advantage by not going to WI and giving it his all. Barrett’s defeat is very bad for the president and all progressive causes. Obama can’t escape being affected by the outcome. He would have been better off losing with honor than appearing to duck this pivotal showdown. He has ceded a chunk of moral authority that could have come from issuing a fiery challenge to the Citizens United torrent of Republican money that bought Walker’s win. That money will continue to flow;  without a robust push back, it could well help Romney carry Wisconsin in November.