Wisconsin Republicans Open To Flinching, Survival

Within 24 hours, Scott Walker walked back his "I'll sign any" concealed firearms pledge and Joint Finance dropped Walker's scheme to suspend the state's enforcement of consensus regulations designed to keep phosphorus and the choking algae it promotes out of the state's lakes and trout streams.

These steps only modify Walker's radical agenda, but demonstrate that Walker, and Joint Finance's co-chair Alberta Darling understand that running the show based on the Tea Party voices in their heads could cost them everything as recall elections loom.

Saving the recalled Senators, and Walker next year could cost the Right $75 million; their funds are ample, but not unlimited as a 50-state election cycle approaches, so I see these small steps by Walker & Co. as edging back from the brink.

Our response: more pressure, with eyes on the prize.