Backfired! Gov. Scott Walker Wins Recall Election Handily

In the end, Tuesday's Scott Walker recall election wasn't even close. The gritty Republican governor of Wisconsin pulled in 54 percent of the vote to Democrat Tom Barrett's 45 percent.

The result, closely watched by the White House, devastated Democrats and labor unions. Out-of-state conservative and liberal groups alike had poured money into the race, and several big-name politicians -- including Bill Clinton -- stumped in Wisconsin.

The one heavy hitter conspicuously absent was Barack Obama.

Tonights results will echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin, Romney crowed on Twitter.

Walker outspent Barrett nearly 8-to-1.

The big, inadvertent backfire for the Dems and unions: This election they brought transformed Scott Walker from a little-known county executive into a rising GOP star in two short years.