Former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold told reporters and supporters of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett this afternoon, "If we get anywhere near [the election turnout in] 2008, or even halfway there, we're going to win. ... The momentum is exactly where we want it."

Senator Feingold made three stops at "get out the vote" events in Wisconsin today to support Mayor Barrett in advance of the recall election against Governor Walker on Tuesday. He spoke in Madison on his way to Milwaukee and Kenosha.

In Madison, he spoke at the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union headquarters. Wisconsin's public sector workers were hit hard by restrictions on their rights in the past 16 months.

When asked if election turnout in the southeast corner of the state (Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, etc.) would be key to the results of the election, Feingold responded, "It's going to be huge. The working people of that part of the state were attacked by the governor. They know it."

Previously, Senator Feingold has criticized Governor Walker's attacks on workers' and voters' rights -- using tactics like limiting public debate and manipulating the state supreme court -- and failure to respond fully to questions about the "John Doe" investigations of his staff and former staff for criminal conduct, characterizing them as the "perfect political crime."

Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) told listeners on The Ed Show later this afternoon that all the money Governor Walker and his supporters are spending on this campaign (Walker is outspending Barrett by a factor of 12 to one, as CMD has reported [3]) isn't changing the polling numbers significantly. "I want them to spend all their money because it's not getting them where they need to be. ... I don't care how much money he spends. His money can't vote," she said.

Mayor Barrett is campaigning in La Crosse, River Falls, Rhinelander, Portage, and Kenosha today, while Governor Walker is campaigning in Fitchburg, West Salem, Eau Claire, Stevens Point, Green Bay, and Milwaukee.

Supporters of Governor Walker are also engaged in "get out the vote" efforts. Walker tweeted [4] to supporters late this morning, "Be the difference during the final hours of this campaign, pledge to bring 2 people to the polls w/ you."

Polls give Governor Walker a lead over Mayor Barrett that is within the statistical margin of error.

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The Center for Media and Democracy does not endorse or oppose any candidate for office. Since 1993, CMD has been reporting on corporate spin and government propaganda, exposing public relations tactics, and debunking PR campaigns.