Gov. Scott Walker gets back to work after recall victory

MADISON -- After becoming the nation's first governor to survive a recall election on Tuesday, June 5th, it was back to work for Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday. Walker gathered his cabinet at the state Capitol to talk business and stayed on the theme he stated in his victory speech in Waukesha Tuesday night -- bringing Wisconsin together.

Gov. Walker didn't get much sleep Tuesday night, but he was still riding high on Wednesday -- for the second time in his first term.

Gov. Walker was back to work in the state's Capitol Wednesday.

"It's important for us not to be taking a day's rest.  Back to work, back focusing on jobs and the economy, particularly in manufacturing, but I think it's one of the things that will help us bring people together in the state.  I think most people in the state want to make sure we have more jobs and we improve the state of life for everyone in the state," Gov. Walker said.

Gov. Walker toured an Oak Creek manufacturer Wednesday morning, and then headed back to Madison, where he received a standing ovation from every member of his cabinet.

Gov. Walker said he is pledging to heal deep divisions in the state. He reached across the aisle, calling on the two highest ranking Democrats in the state's Legislature, including Senator Mark Miller, who may become the new Senate Majority Leader.

"We talked about following through on his pledge to be the governor for all the people of the state of Wisconsin including the ones that voted against him, he talked about his intent to invite the entire Legislature for beer, brats and hamburgers, out at the governor's mansion," Senator Miller said.

"We're serious about having lawmakers -- all 132 -- to come over and share with us Wisconsin brats and burgers -- maybe a little Wisconsin beer, just to kind of break the ice and figure out how to get past this," Gov. Walker said.

Gov. Walker said invitations will go out shortly.

Senator Miller said if the Democrats were to gain the majority when the Racine recall race is sorted out, he would discuss common causes with Gov. Walker.

"We need to begin on the path that booth Mayor Barrett and Governor Walker indicated and that is to heal our state," Senator Miller said.

Meanwhile, outside the Capitol building Wednesday, the "Solidarity Singers," a group that gathered to sing protest songs for 65 straight weeks, advocating for a recall of Gov. Walker, met on the Capitol steps, knowing their goal was not achieved.

"Very cathartic, really re-energized us, knowing we're all in this together," Solidarity Singers leader Chris Reeder said.

"The election is over. We're no longer political opponents. We're all Wisconsinites, and I think overwhelmingly, there's more that unites us, than divides us," Gov. Walker said.

Gov. Walker told his cabinet that good policy makes good politics, and he believes that's how the electorate saw it. Gov. Walker said he will not gloat over the victory, saying it is time to shake hands and move on.

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