Here's why: Scott Walker outspent Tom Barrett ten to one

Wisconsin recall campaign spending Recall campaigns are inherently difficult, because some people will oppose them on principle, even if they don't like the incumbent. But lest anyone be distracted by what really happened in Wisconsin, all you have to do is look at the above chart, from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Scott Walker outspent Tom Barrett by ten to one. As Markos noted on Tuesday afternoon, with numbers like those:

It shouldn't even be close

But it was. Despite Walker outspending Barrett by ten to one.

The recall is over, and Scott Walker now can return to his normal routine of trying not to get indicted, as he reportedly is a target in the widespread scandal that has:

led to criminal charges against three of his former aides, an appointee, and a major donor and has just hit 13 people granted immunity and counting

But the bigger problem remains. The American experiment in democracy and republic is being corrupted by money. And unless that problem is addressed, this experiment will end in kleptocratic oligarchy.