There was a little flurry of excitement in the cheddarsphere tonight caused by David Shuster's appearance on The Young Turks, followed by a Tweet, followed by an announcement at the Tom Morello concert, followed by a tweetstorm. I think it was a lot of excitement for what there actually is. Shuster's TV appearance amounted to saying that there is "every indication" that Walker is now a subject of the John Doe investigation, and could possibly be indicted in the next few months.
I don't think it has been possible to come to any other conclusion on the basis of Walker's use of a criminal defense fund and the legal implications of that. But it is still a supposition, and under the circumstances it's fairly clear we will have to wait until after the election to get a clear picture of what has been going on.
Later Shuster clarified the situation on the Take Action News Facebook page, saying in part
According to lawyers familiar with a Milwaukee criminal corruption probe, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is now a "target" for prosecution.
The legal sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Walker faces "serious legal challenges," including a "possible indictment" regardless of the gubernatorial recall election results on Tuesday.
Many of us have been speculating for some time that it is very difficult to believe that Walker is not in some way involved in the web of skulduggery that has been turned up by the John Doe probe, especially since so many of his close employees and associates have been indicted or have been granted immunity in the probe. But the amount of excitement caused by Shuster's statement is as much a case of wishful thinking as it is proof. I can't help but wish that if the shoe is going to drop that it would have dropped before the recall election - but these things have a way of working out in the long run.
All the more reason to go out and vote on Tuesday. The turnout in this election will determine the outcome.