"We're in Madison. If they didn't outnumber us, I'd be surprised," he said.

The rally, called "Stand Against Spending. Stand With Walker," was the second formally organized gathering in Madison to support the governor. Four people spoke: Seaholm, Schimming, former Madison School Board member Nancy Mistele and Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, who became known in 2008 as Joe the Plumber after questioning then-candidate Barack Obama on his tax policies.

Protesting public sector workers are acting out of fear, Wurzelbacher said. "It's kind of new to them, not to have a guarantee in life."

Audience member Gwen Borlaug, 58, of Madison, held a sign reading, "State employee for Gov. Walker." She said she is an infection control epidemiologist with the state Department of Health Services and a member of the Service Employees International Union. She said she feels compelled to be in the union because were she not a member she would be required to make "fair share" payments to the union that nearly equal annual dues.

"I have no choice but to pay dues," she said. "Is that freedom? I don't think so."

Controversial group