Peggy Noonan in one of the better efforts to debunk the "Walker bought the election" storyline a tattered left is pushing. The money paragraph(so to speak):

But organization and money aren't the headline. The shift in mood and assumption is. The vote was a blow to the power and prestige not only of the unions but of the blue-state budgetary model, which for two generations has been: Public-employee unions with their manpower, money and clout, get what they want. If you move against them, you will be crushed.

Mr. Walker was not crushed. He was buoyed, winning by a solid seven points in a high-turnout race.

And this happened in Wisconsin. Big union was going to show Walker the mistake he made in having the temerity to try this in a state like Wisconisin. That Walker was validated by voters in "a state like Wisconsin" means this type of reform will work just about anywhere, and that's what makes this such a crushing defeat for the left.