More importantly to TV executives and vieweres alike, the action came with incredibly compelling footage and action. Crowds shouting "Shame!" at the legislators making their way through. Citizens struggling to get in to the Capitol to watch their elected government work. Matt Miller, leader of the decamped Senate Democrats, released a statement:

"In thirty minutes, 18 State Senators undid fifty years of civil rights in Wisconsin. Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten."

And what did the cable networks air? Headline News, shortly after the Senate vote, detailed the overdose death of a member of Alice in Chains. CNN focused on the Peter King Xenofest. Fox News was discussing the potential No-Fly Zone in Libya and Chris Matthews on MSNBC actually went to commercial with a tease: did Governor Walker's released emails indicate he was about to compromise?