The Obama campaign and Washington Democrats appeared unwilling Wednesday to walk away from their failed effort to recall Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker, even after their candidate suggested everyone move forward.

“While the results of the governor's race were not what we had hoped for, we were still able to overcome great challenges to ensure the voices of middle-class families were heard,” said Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

“Over the past year, Wisconsin Democrats have taken on the immense challenge of … fighting against government overreach and ensuring voters have a say about the future of the state,” she said.

The failed recall effort was led by Democrats who though Walker and Republicans in the state legislature rolled back what they considered excesses in the collective bargaining agreements of public-employee unions -- an effort to cut Wisconsin’s estimated $3.6 billion budget shortfall...