Gov. Walker Holds Slim Lead in Wisconsin

UPDATE: The latest polling numbers show Republican Gov. Scott Walker in the lead coming down the home stretch into Tuesday's historic recall election in Wisconsin.

Two new polls, released Sunday, have the governor out in front by a handful of percentage points, although in both surveys his lead is within the margin of error. Democratic firm Public Policy Polling has Walker up 50 percent to 47 percent on his challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Angus Reid Public Opinion, meanwhile has Walker up six points, 53 to 47.

Both polls show relatively few undecided voters, meaning that the race will likely be won by whichever man has more success convincing his party's faithful to show up at the polls on Tuesday.

Sunday, June 3: Democratic and Republican activists are converging in Wisconsin for a huge get-out-the-vote effort before Tuesday’s historic recall election that seeks to oust Republican Gov. Scott Walker, reports Reuters. Walker and his challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, have been frantically traveling across the state, trying to get supporters excited about what everyone believes will be a close race, notes the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza declares that Tuesday’s vote “is the second most important/influential race of 2012 aside from the presidential” with “absolutely massive” stakes on both sides. And that’s evident in the amount of cash that is being spent. Tuesday’s election is by far the most expensive in Wisconsin history, declares the Center for Public Integrity, noting that $63.5 million has been spent, far surpassing the $37.4 million spent during the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

Right now, Walker seems to have a slight edge and that shouldn’t be too surprising, writes Politico. Barrett’s message is “at war with itself” because he has focused his campaign on criticizing Walker as a divisive figure without making it clear how he would be able to unite the state if he becomes governor.

While many have rushed to connect Tuesday’s vote with the presidential election in November, the Associated Press warns against reading too much into the results. No matter who wins, both Obama and Romney will be competing hard for Wisconsin’s electoral votes. Members of both parties seem to acknowledge that the recall election “doesn’t say much at all about the presidential race in the other 49 states,” writes the AP.

One thing that does seem certain though is that with a victory Walker assures himself a national profile that would immediately allow him to "be able to dream of a political prize as great as the presidency," points out the Journal-Sentinel.