The crowds are angry, the polls unfavorable, but Gov. Scott Walker has so far refused to compromise on key pieces of his controversial budget repair bill.

Such resolve would be impressive in a politician with the resume of a Tommy Thompson or Russ Feingold, but it's a little shocking for a governor with just eight weeks under his belt.

Except, when it comes to Walker, it isn't.

"Anyone who thinks he will change his mind has another thing coming," said Milwaukee County Supervisor Joe Sanfelippo, a Walker ally during his tenure as county executive. "He ignores the polls and the protests and does what he thinks is right. And I can tell you, he will not give in."

It has been nearly a month since the governor unveiled his plan to strip most collective bargaining rights from public employees. In that time, daily protests — some up to 70,000 people — have rung through Capitol Square, and a handful of polls has come out showing dwindling support for Walker's stance.

The state's 14 Democratic senators remain holed up in Illinois, locked in a stalemate with the Senate Republicans, who who need the presence of at least one member of the minority party before they can bring the bill up for a vote.