Wisconsin's Democrats have announced the date that they hope will be the beginning of the end for the state's controversial Republican governor. The effort to recall Scott Walker will officially begin on Nov. 15, when petitions for a recall begin circulating, Talking Points Memo reports. Volunteers will have two months to gather the 540,206 valid signatures needed; if they are successful, the recall vote could happen by spring.
"It has become clearer than ever that the people of Wisconsin—the traditions and institutions of our great state—cannot endure any more of Scott Walker's abuses," declared the Wisconsin Democratic Party chairman. The state's GOP chief said the party welcomes the opportunity to compare Walker's successes with the "failed policies of the past." If Wisconsin's Democrats successfully oust Walker, it will be only the third successful gubernatorial recall in US history. North Dakota ousted socialist-leaning governor Lynn Frazier in 1921, and California replaced Gray Davis with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003. (More recall election stories.)