Obama joins Wisconsin's budget battle, opposing Republican anti-union bill  —  MADISON, WIS. - President Obama thrust himself and his political operation this week into Wisconsin's broiling budget battle, mobilizing opposition Thursday to a Republican bill that would curb public-worker benefits …

AWOL Wisconsin Democrat calls CNN with list of demands  —  State Senator Mark Miller, a member of the missing band of Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers who fled Madison Thursday to avoid a vote on a budget bill, called into CNN with the group's list of demands for Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

One More Thing About Wisconsin  —  A common theme of the union demonstrators in Madison today was that Governor Walker is a “dictator.”  This showed up on sign after sign.  It sheds light, I think, on how public union members in particular, and liberals in general, think.

After all those efforts to paint Tea Partiers as using violent images and rhetoric, these pictures from Madison have got to hurt.  —  The Wisconsin GOP made a nice montage:  —  And here's a picture I took today:  —  I asked the woman if she thought Scott Walker was like Hitler, and she said “Yes.”

Wis. governor: GOP won't be ‘bullied’ by union bill protesters  —  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) says his party has been emboldened by massive protests against his controversial budget plan.  —  Walker said demonstrators who filled the state Capitol building in Madison and the boycott …

Scott Walker vs. Public Sector Unions  —  When Wisconsin governor Scott Walker looked out the window of his office at the Capitol in Madison Wednesday he saw more than 10,000 people gathered to protest his decision to require public employees to contribute more to their pensions and health care.

Watch Wisconsin, Part IV: Salary info Big Labor doesn't want you to see; statewide strike looms, teachers' union recruits out-of-state protesters  —  Wisconsin teacher salary facts:  —  “Teaching salaries in Wisconsin have increased since 2007.  For example, the average teacher salary …

DNC playing role in Wisconsin protests  —  The Democratic National Committee's Organizing for America arm — the remnant of the 2008 Obama campaign — is playing an active role in organizing protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's attempt to strip most public employees of collective bargaining rights.

Democrats flee state to avoid vote on budget bill  —  By Jason Stein, Patrick Marley and Steve Schultze of the Journal Sentinel  —  Madison — Amid the third straight day of chaotic but largely peaceful protests at the Capitol, Democratic senators Thursday boycotted a Senate vote …

Palin talks 2012, mocks Michelle Obama  —  Woodbury, New York (CNN) - Sarah Palin addressed a variety of issues Thursday at a gathering of business officials in Long Island, New York including her 2012 plans, first lady Michelle Obama, President Obama's proposed budget, the crisis in Egypt, and her feelings on the media.