[Friday afternoon update: Palin endorses Prosser. This prosselertizing will be the kiss of death.]

So much for Prosser's establishment committee in support of what had been a routine Supreme Court Justice's re-election effort. Nominally, the race is non-partisan, but Prosser was Republican majority leader in the State Assembly some years ago, and Kloppenburg, a first-time candidate, is generally supported by Democrats.

Lucey said that he had become concerned with Prosser's toneand was further concerned about the Court's ability to function in turbulent times - - this a reference to Prosser's having called the Chief Justice, Shirley Abrahamson, "a total bitch," and also having threatened to destroy her.

The development is a sign that the Scott Walker blowback is substantial. It bodes badly for the eight Wisconsin Republican state senators who are subject to possible recall elections, and for Walker ally, Rep. Jeff Stone, a suburban Republican on the ballot next Tuesday for Milwaukee County Executive.

Walker is fast becoming a millstone for Republican elected officials, and for those identified as allies, or like-minded, like Prosser.

Prosser is also feeling the heat from women voters disgusted with his attacks on the Chief Justice, and, I believe, from women who see Walker's budget cuts and social-engineering falling heavily on women.

And Walker allies have been mocking the female judge in Madisonwho has enjoined the publication of Walker's union-busting bill.

Not much of a strategy.

Friday update: Milwaukee right-wing talk radio very gloomy about Prosser's potential defeat. Trying to stir up the conservative base by saying his absence would end school choice, and stop efforts to establish concealed carry and Voter ID. Even went so far as to discuss with a right-wing legal activist the strategy to bar Kloppenburg's votes in labor cases due to bias.