Poll: Russ Feingold ties Scott Walker in potential Wisconsin recall

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) would give Gov. Scott Walker (R) a run for his money in a hypothetical recall election in Wisconsin, according to a new poll.

The two each won 48 percent of voters in a statewide survey conducted by the firm Ethridge & Associates. Asked whether Walker should be recalled, 51 percent of respondents said no, while 44 percent said yes.

Liberals have launched an aggressive drive to recall Walker, who has faced furious pushback after successfully limiting the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions.

The governor becomes eligible for recall next January, after having spent a year in office. A poll last week found Wisconsinites evenly split on the question of recalling him.

Feingold, a liberal favorite, was ousted from the Senate on same day Wisconsinites elected Walker governor last November, both outcomes influenced by a nationwide surge in Republican voting and enthusiasm.

The Etheridge poll surveyed 400 Wisconsin residents who voted in the 2010 governor's election between April 16-17. It has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percentage points.

[Via TPM]