It's all over

Well, except maybe for Russ Feingold, who insists "it's not over until we (Dems) win". Just a few observations:

- Turnout was a record high for any gubernatorial race since sometime in the 1950s.

- Walker's margin of victory was larger than it was for his first election in 2010.

- A local television station went up to people still standing in line after the official close of the polls (if you are in line when the polls close, you are allowed to vote) asking them why they were bothering, since the race had already been "called" (by the all-knowing media) for Walker. That is all kinds of wrong.

- It appears as if the Dems won the one more seat they needed to have a majority in the State Senate. That's going to make it more difficult to keep things moving, as they may well block everything that crosses their desks, just out of spite.

- Some random woman in the crowd slapped Barrett shortly after his concession speech (which was loudly booed by his own supporters - they wanted him to stay to the bitter end).

- Walker's victory speech was classy, considerate and very carefully crafted to offer a hand across the aisle. He has to be relieved to have this ordeal over, but there was no gloating, simply a recommitment to continue doing what is best for Wisconsin.

Perhaps now we'll have a nice respite from political ads - at least until things heat up for the November presidential election.