Now, Sen. Bob Jauch (D) has delivered the hammer blow. Jauch, one of the Senate Democrats who has been involved in negotiations, released a long statement on his role in the talks, where he let slip that a half-dozen Republicans or more are wavering on the bill. Only three are needed to shift the advantage to Democrats.

on the Republican side, another state Senator has stressed his willingness to be flexible. As you know, Republicans control the Senate 19-14, so a shift of only three on this issue would change the balance of power. Sen. Dale Schultz (R) has already called for compromise and basically said he’d oppose the bill. Now we have Sen. Rob Cowles.

Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Leader Mark Miller has had his staff hand-deliver a letter to Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Governor Scott Walker, seeking a meeting at the Illinois-Wisconsin border to resolve the impasse over the proposal to strip public employee collective bargaining rights. Discussions have been ongoing but apparently faltered last Thursday, and this offer is an effort to restart them. (update: Walker rejects Miller out-of-hand.)

Miller’s spokesman’s full statement reflects the attitudes of Wisconsin’s Fab 14 since they left the state Feb. 17. They want to return to negotiate. The Governor won’t go that route. So, they remain in Illinois.

Another large rally took place in Madison, Wisconsin today, as filmmaker Michael Moore and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) spoke to a crowd estimated at around 12,000 by Capitol police. Other estimates were higher, and in addition to the throng outside, close to 8,000 protesters gathered inside the Capitol today.