this is waukesha county. the key county for republicans in this state. 75%, scott walker got just over 70% last time. he's overperforming. what we are seeing as we go from county to county in all of the key counties, come up here, brown county where green bay st, walker getti inting 60% with 70 the vote in. that's an improvement from two years ago. you can pick your key county across the state. everything we see so far. the republican incumbent, scott walker overperforming and barrett is underperforming. we'll break it down what it means for the state tonight, what it means for the election come november. dana bash is at governor walker's headquarters. the former white house press secretary for george w. bush, ari fleischer and also, paul begala, also an adviser for the pro obama super pac priorities usa. senior political analyst david gergen also with us. let's go straight to the ground. dana, you're at walker headquarters, this was a hot fight. earlier today they got a bit nervous. t the democrats thought t

right now looks like walker is winning the combination of milwaukee, the city of milwaukee and waukeshaounty. he won the green bay area running between four and eight points ahead of his 2010 performance then in the counties outside of milwaukee he's running ahead of his performance, then a surprise for me tonight is far western wisconsin he got a lot of democrat rural territory, walk jer winning most of those counties in doing so by margins above what he got in 2010. >> bret: we're looking live at walker campaign headquarters here, still waiting as mike tobin said, that concession call, then, the speech. joe, one of the interesting things is how many people were fed up with recalls. and that plays to scott walker's benefit. >> when you look at the exit polls thing that stands out is that if you thought you should have a recall for any reason, there is 27% of the people fought back. and 69% either thought there should not be a recall, ever, or that it's the only thing for misconduct. the people, 69% should be for misconduct or never. walker won 67% to 90% of the votes. he won big margin

right now looks like walker is winning the combination of milwaukee, the city of milwaukee and waukesha county. he won the green bay area running between four and eight points ahead of his 2010 performance then in the counties outside of milwaukee he's running ahead of his performance, then a surprise for me tonight is far western wisconsin he got a lot of democrat rural territory, walk jer winning most of those counties in doing so by margins above what he got in 2010. >> bret: we're looking live at walker campaign headquarters here, still waiting as mike tobin said, that concession call, then, the speech. joe, one of the interesting things is how many people were fed up with recalls. and that plays to scott walker's benefit. >> when you look at the exit polls thing that stands out is that if you thought you should have a recall for any reason, there is 27% of the people fought back. and 69% either thought there should not be a recall, ever, or that it's the only thing for misconduct. the people, 69% should be for misconduct or never. walker won 67% to 90% of the votes. he won big marg

right now looks like walker is winning the combination of milwaukee, the city of milwaukee and waukesha county. he won the green bay area running between four and eight points ahead of his 2010 performance then in the counties outside of milwaukee he's running ahead of his performance, then a surprise for me tonight is far western wisconsin he got a lot of democrat rural territory, walk jer winning most of those counties in doing so by margins above what he got in 2010. >> bret: we're looking live at walker campaign headquarters here, still waiting as mike tobin said, that concession call, then, the speech. joe, one of the interesting things is how many people were fed up with recalls. and that plays to scott walker's benefit. >> when you look at the exit polls thing that stands out is that if you thought you should have a recall for any reason, there is 27% of the people fought back. and 69% either thought there should not be a recall, ever, or that it's the only thing for misconduct. the people, 69% should be for misconduct or never. walker won 67% to 90% of the votes. he won big marg

[♪...] >> bret: welcome back to waukesha, wisconsin let's welcome in our expanded panel. me here is from washington amy stoddard and charles kraut hammer, thanks for joining us. charles, your thought on the night and what it means. >> i think what it means is that this is the beginning of a decline of the public sector union. i think this is extremely important historical deflection, private sector unions have been declining but the rising star were public sector union buzz they overreached in wisconsin and got a strangle hold on the budget and had sweetheart deals. a governor stood up and said stop in a state that is so progressive. that is the birth of the public sector unions and this is a beginning of their decline. they had three chances with this. elections were supreme court they lost the recall election for senators they did not succeed and now a humiliating defeat. for that reason it's important. i'm less impressed by the affect on the presidential election because of the fact there is a nine-point lead in this electorate the one giving walker a huge success, oba

right now looks like walker is winning the combination of milwaukee, the city of milwaukee and waukesha county. he won the green bay area running between four and eight points ahead of his 2010 performance then in the counties outside of milwaukee he's running ahead of his performance, then a surprise for me tonight is far western wisconsin he got a lot of democrat rural territory, walk jer winning most of those counties in doing so by margins above what he got in 2010. >> bret: we're looking live at walker campaign headquarters here, still waiting as mike tobin said, that concession call, then, the speech. joe, one of the interesting things is how many people were fed up with recalls. and that plays to scott walker's benefit. >> when you look at the exit polls thing that stands out is that if you thought you should have a recall for any reason, there is 27% of the people fought back. and 69% either thought there should not be a recall, ever, or that it's the only thing for misconduct. the people, 69% should be for misconduct or never. walker won 67% to 90% of the votes. he won big marg

>> ron allen in waukesha tonight. ron, thanks. >>> while we're with on the topic of politics today, we had a chance to sit down with former president bill clinton in his office in harlem, new york. he's preparing for a big gathering in chicago of his foundation, the clinton global initiative. it's focused on fixing problems in the u.s. and we talked about some of those as well. including his view of what social media is doing to our society. the allegations that mr. clinton and the obama campaign somehow aren't on the same page. and the new unemployment figure of 8.2%, and the challenge that presents to the democrats. roger simon, the political writer, has a piece on the web today, the headline of which i noticed this morning, "bill clinton out of control in 2012." people are wanting to find room between you and the president on issues like romney, bain capital, your quote that they had a sterling record in their line of work. is there any difference between you and the tack the obama campaign has taken? >> mr. simon

ron allen is in waukesha, wisconsin. >> reporter: for governor scott walker, voting this morning marked the end of a campaign to keep his job that started in february of last year, when the recall effort was launched. as tens of thousands of protesters occupied the capitol, angry at walker's conservative agenda. >> a lot of times people ask what can you do to bring the state together. it's more important in many ways, actions than just words. >> hello, wisconsin. >> his opponent, tom barrett has accused walker of waging a civil war, with reforms favoring the rich and virtually eliminating public sector union collective bargaining. >> we've noted around the state the energy has been building and building and building. >> turnout has been like a presidential year, with as many as 65% of the state's voters expected to cast ballots in the most expensive and contentious contest, wisconsin has ever seen. >> a lot of ugliness. i'm ready to move the state in a positive direction. >> i wanted to make sure i voted for sure. this is too important to not vote. >> voters had lined up an hour befored

reporting live from waukesha. >> all right. somehow or another we'll get to you. >> the live team coverage with the terri campaign rally in dpownt milwaukee. what a contrast in the different atmosphere. >> it's a continued packed house. there continue to be people coming in here. and joining me state senator sensor is. senator, so you're upset that -- there were still people standing standing in waiting to vote. >> absolutely. there were more than 100 people waiting in line to be registered and to vote and, you know, the networkings are calling even though the state there have been exit polling says 50/50. it's too early to call. >> if walker prevails tonight as the networks are saying he's going to prevail, what does that mean to the democrats? >> well, it means we look at the total in end. i think it's going to be very close. we i think he will win in case we lose, we shown a signal to the republican party that the money can't buy wisconsin. >> what does mean about working together with the republicans. republicans working to

senate. >> there is a lot of excitement at the waukesha expo center.waiting to hear from governor walker when he takes the stage. >> here's some perspective on how unusual this election cycle has been. this is the seventh trip to the pool and just 17 months. justice david pulser and joann kruckenberg back in april, 2011. that was followed by the senate primary and general elections last august. in february, wisconsin voters went back to the polls for the local presidential primary then in april the governor recall primary in may. >> after casting ballots, many have been taking your vote to social media. >> we have gotten lots of comments on facebook and twitter, with a closer look at that. we have joyce garbaciak joining us. >> a lot of conversation on social media sites. fans are talking about what candidates they are supporting, and many are excited to take part in a monumental event. jackie writes i wish this history was for a better reason like a better economy. not everyone shares that excitement. laura says i did not vote nor do i have to explain

. >> nbc's ron allen is live in waukesha. let's begin with ron in wisconsin. is it as close as the latest polling indicates? what is the feeling and the enthusiasm from each side on the ground there? >> well, there's a lot of intensity here, andrea, a lot of enthusiasm. very high voter turnout. we're in a very republican area, an area the governor won 74% of back in 2010. there are few people here now but there has been a line of people steadily through this polling place since it opened this morning. they say they're running 400% where they normally are, that's on the republican area. and organized labor are really trying to make a big push. a big rally up in madison, wisconsin, which will start soon which will hopefully for their side energize a late afternoon push to get people to the polls. they're saying that turnout could be 60% to 65% here. in a presidential year it approach that or 70%. that gives you an idea how important voters here are taking this. everybody has an opinion about this, a strong opinion. people who are for the governor and against the

we are also hearing reports that in the conservative hub of waukesha they are seeing a very strong turnout. here in milwaukee, we're seeing good numbers of voters coming and going. the numbers increased right about quitting time. by and large what we are hearing from the voters. you see hear some partisan arguments one way or the other. you are hearing people say they are ready to put this behind them. >> very important if nothing else to put this diversion interstate politics to rest. >> now, by and large, these people for a year and a half have been subject to all the bitter politicking. the tv ads. the robo calls. people knocking on their doors. neighbors who can't talk to neighbors. you bet they are ready to put this behind them, shep. >> shepard: i'm sure they're. in the end president obama never made it to wisconsin. what's the thinking on how big a deal that is? >> well, we heard from governor walker on that subject. and he said he believes that's because the white house is a little timid, thinking if they weighed in on this and lost it would reflect poorly on them in november. now

assume both sides do their job and waukesha is 70% republican, dane 70% for the democrats.ettled? >> democrats are saying that in milwaukee it's, turnout is up like 114%, so they're outpacing what their expectations were. i think this is one in the margins, the big sort of democrat places and the big republican places are going to do but it is really about those winning two or three more percentages in that red, three or four percentages in those red areas, the democrat can do that, it bodes well for tom barrett. he has to do one or two points better in the red areas. >> erick, what are you looking for? >> looking for the counties you cited, look to see in milwaukee and madison, how late the polls stay open after they close. how late are things going to go and will it descend into chaos? we have the lawyers ready and i think for the republicans, please tell me scott walker hired someone other than norm coleman's recall team. >> could we have a recall recount, that brings up the question, ron brownstein. >> wisconsin has been living with a starting with protests. this is the

and i think we'll take a live look now at walker headquarters in waukesha. the crowd who has been so supportive during this enormous battle. >> he's not up there yet but he's expected to be there soon and we'll try to get back to him. in the meantime passionate voters headed to the polls. we're live from kenosha with the story. >> good evening, governor scott walker is the first governor in the history of this country to survive a recall election. this victory is a huge blow to labor and reenergizes the republican party both here and nationwide. his victory implications to stretch into november. today's election in wisconsin marks only the third time a recall procedure has been used against a governor in the history of this country. >> have i lived in wisconsin for about five years but i would always drive back to illinois to vote and it was important enough of an issue for me to register to vote there. >> it's a move that's mobilize add huge percentage of voters to the polls, to put today's face-off against governor scott walk and milwaukee mayor tom barret

bradley with bradley manning or julian aside or you might use that told us they secrets privilege in waukesha and six other whistleblowers who have been prosecuted another journalist from new york times who's they'll be. prosecuted so when you're looking at all these you are seeing ask elation and each case where there is bradley manning or julian aside or the recent whistleblowers who have faced indictments you are seeing escalation what they are doing years they are waiting to see what kind of reaction they are going to get from the public and this is u.s. government but also this applies to other governments and when a such. very interesting because what here is going to be established is unprecedented and with him this president is going to be established and this is going to apply to journalists to other was lloris to activist and and to to to media to and to any kind of law. there's this is just it has and if we as a public fail not support this so they help in supporting and getting outreach and supporting these whistleblowers we are going to see a war and war situation not only with g

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come over here to waukesha county. and he needs to be around 70%.of the vote in. as you look at the early results, still a ways to go here. at the moment you showed the new exit polls. governor walker is performing as he has to. so far the democrat trailing. >> we'll see what milwaukee and madison, the other cities suggest. we're going to be able to project a win at some point. we, of course, will do that whenever we get all the relevant information. in the meantime, let's go back to piers in london for more jubilee highlights right after the break. >>> the queen is coming out on the balcony. this is a great moment. >> there she is. look at her. alone at first. wow. >> we're going to see the royal air force battle. flown by a lancaster bomber and a spit fire and a hurricane. and there will be t-1 jets. this will be pretty spectacular. we weren't expecting it because there's so much cloud and rain, but they're going for it. so the queen will get her fly-by. and i'm so pleased for the queen because the fly-by is such an important part of these events.

we will be in waukesha outside of milwaukee.hout the prime time lineup as this election moves on. a complete recap of voting and a look ahead to the presidential politics at 11:00 p.m. eastern. thanks for inviting us into your home tonight. that's it for special report. the protesters are just starting again. the guy with the instrument is gone. we are still fair, balanced, and unafraid. shep shep this is the fox report. tonight, the man who shot and killed an unarmed teenager in florida is apparently raking in the cash from behind bars. you'll hear how george zimmerman is making some serious money. plus, the high stakes recall election in wisconsin. shep shep the polls set to open in a battle of hours. a battle that began over unions and the budget. >> the mayor has had more than 50 days to explain his plan and he has no plan for the budget. they want someone who is going to focus on creating jobs for the middle class.

we will be in waukesha outside of milwaukee. the prime time election moves on. a complete recap of voting and a look ahead to the presidential politics at 11:00 p.m. eastern. thanks for inviting us into your home tonight. that's it for special report. the protesters are just starting again. the guy with the instrument is

>> bret: welcome back to sunny waukesha. no grapevine tonight. to continue our special coverage. voters are deciding who will run as the governor for two yeah years. the republican wanting to run for the white house next year could be seen as an uphill battle tonight. chief political correspondent carl cameron reports on mitt romney and the hispanic vote. >> at a latino owned business in fort worth, mitt romney stepped up the criticism of obama's hostility toward free enterprise, arguing hispanics, pivotal voting bloc are among the hardest hit. >> i see the president today and i don't think he understands the power of free people. creating free enterprises, to lift other people and put them to work. >> romney released a spanish attack video highlighting last week's lousy federal job report for latinos. unemployment jumped from 10.3 to 11% among hispanics. three point higher than the national average. >> i'll be the president for all americans. to make sure the economy is good for all americans, hispanic and otherwise. >> team obama countered latino unemployment dropped. and romne

. >> reporter: in waukesha. this is america's election headquarters update on this big recall election, a battleground state nwhich the voters have just finished going to the polls to decide whether or not to recall governor scott walker. the polls have just closed. at this hour, this is a very tight race. it is too early to say whether or not walker will keep his job or if democratic challenger, milwaukee mayor tom barrett will force walker out of office. only two other governors in u.s. history have faced recall elections, both lost. this is too close to call. according to the exit polls, as we just start to get the raw vote tallies, the data here -- here's what we have so far. barrett's winning college graduates by 8 percentage points, 54% over walker. that edge has grown, it was 3 points in 2010. this group slightly larger than it was in 2010. 41 percent of the electorate, from 8% 2 years ago. walker's advantage among catholics is 10 percentage point this is timearn, up from a 2-point lead in 2010. news of b

at a victory rally in waukesha last night, walker struck a conciliatory tone. >> tomorrow is the day after the election, and tomorrow we are no longer opponents, tomorrow we are one as wisconsinites. so together we can move wisconsin forward. >> ifill: walker's move to strip away collective bargaining rights for most public employees last year sparked the angry recall campaign. but after last night's defeat, barrett also called for both sides to move past polarization. >> we are a state that has been deeply divided, and it is up to all of us, our side and their side to listen... to listen to each other and to try to do what's right for everyone in this state. >> ifill: the wisconsin result was a big defeat for organized labor, which helped lead the recall effort. and although neither president obama nor mitt romney were directly involved in the race, it has thrust wisconsin into the national political spotlight. exit polls showed that wisconsin voters would favor the president over romney in november by 51% to 44%, the same margin by which walker, the republican, beat barrett, the de

now it's here, live in waukesha at governor walker's campaign headquarters and live at mayor barrett's headquarters. we have a jam-packed show for you. don't go away. reince priebus, and louisiana governor, bobby jindal, and minority leader, peter barca. but first, former alaska governor, sarah palin. good evening, governor. >> hey, greta. how are you, there? >> greta: i am very well. it's been a cliff hanger all day. nobody knew if it would be mayor barrett or governor walker retaining his seat. your thoughts on the news that governor walker is the winner? >> it is such good and encouraging news, gret a. it is good for the country because people are going to recognize through governor walker's efforts that austerity measures, responsible, austerit measures of reigning in government growth will help our nation with the economic woes that we face. this is positive news. i think wisconsin is living up to its state motto that providential motto of forward, moving forward. they will help to lead the charge for the country. reigning in government growth, allowing the private sector to be th

. >> reporter: in waukesha.tion headquarters update on this big recall election, a battleground state nwhich the voters have just finished going to the polls to decide whether or not to recall governor scott walker. the polls have just closed. at this hour, this is a very tight race. it is too early to say whether

nbc's ron allen is in waukesha, wisconsin, with the latest on what's happening on the ground, and ron, as our first read team points out, this has turned neighbor against neighbor, co-worker against co-worker and it's taken wisconsin and certainly made this a national issue. >> reporter: it's also turned husband against wife. we were interviewing a voter earlier who was voting her for voting to remove scott walker. workers are getting their first break of the day. turnout here has been four experience during a statewide election. it gives you an idea of the intensity of the voting here. this is a part of the state where scott walker wants to run up some big numbers. he won 74% of the vote in 2010 when he was first elected. but madison, wisconsin, today there's a big rally, a big get out the vote effort, they're hoping to run up the numbers in that part of the state as well because, again, turnout is going to be the key in this. they're predicting 60% to 65% turnout, 2.8 million voters. a day filled with passion and polarization in the state that's had so many recall elections. remembe

dean reynolds is in waukesha, wisconsin, where governor wal r walker held his celebration speech. >> reporter: a good night for republicans and a bad night for dmocrats. he had the look of a man who just saved his own job. >> wow. tonight we tell wisconsin, we tell our country, and we tell people all across the globe that voters really do want leaders who stand up and make the tough decisions. >> reporter: republican governor scott walker turned back the attempt to kick him out of office and turned wisconsin mostly red in the process. >> the election is over. it's time to move wisconsin forward. >> reporter: for the democrats, the loss was crushing though not entirely unexpected. milwaukee mayor tom barrett was badly outspent by walker and is now 0-2 against him. >> please, please, please remain engaged, remain involved because we will continue to fight for justice and fairness in this city and this state. >> reporter: according to an analysis by cbs news, walker won with strong support from republicans, tea party loyalists, and a majority of independents. and by 60% to 27%, wisconsi

it was one vote shy and last night, barring more votes from waukesha county -- this is in racine, thet least there are breaks on it. so, the recalls worked. but you're right. there was recall fatigue going on. wisconsin, which is, you know, part of the birthplace of the progressive movement, didn't like this whole idea that you know, it was a permanent election cycle. that's what the koch brothers and all of that money turned it into. remember also that because of a quirk in election law, it was possible for scott walker to start advertising months and months ago long before tom barrett was the candidate. he's been spending all of these millions of dollars. people were sick of it. >> stephanie: let's get into that. there were a number of factors you and i talked about early this morning in our jammies. we talked about the candidate himself. also may have been that sort of -- retread fatigue as nice a guy as tom barrett is. he had already lost. you had talked about kathleen faulk, liberal. >> the labor unions had supported -- >> stephanie: and loved. >> i think she would have been a ve