GO WALKER!
Posted on 07/20/2015 6:19:28 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The outfits were nearly identical, the speeches repeated almost verbatim and even the intonations rarely varied. Over the course of Scott Walker’s three-day Winnebago trip across Iowa, the Wisconsin governor stumped with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker, exhibiting the kind of discipline that most candidates can only dream of.
In his first days as a presidential candidate in the state where he’s leading in the polls, Walker showed the consistency and attention to detail that propelled him to 12 victories back home — including three statewide wins. He sported the same campaign trail uniform (a blue-and-white checked, collared shirt, jeans and belt), and used the same prop (a rumpled dollar bill pulled from his pocket). He told the same anecdote about his thriftiness that’s become his signature (his shopping habits at retailer Kohl’s) and quoted whole paragraphs of his announcement speech from last Monday, almost word for word.
. “I’m for high standards,” he said of his education stance at several stops, sweeping his arm upwards to accentuate his point. But standards should be set at the local level, he would follow up, theatrically lowering his arm for emphasis.
Even by presidential campaign trail standards, where the intense media scrutiny pushes candidates to adopt a more buttoned-up approach and White House hopefuls strive to hew closely to message, Walker stands out. On several occasions, when he used a slightly different word at one stop than he had at the previous appearance, he paused and then corrected himself.
In Cedar Rapids, when a voter asked him Friday during a town hall about what he would do to keep jobs in Iowa, Walker took that as an opportunity to dive into his five-point economic plan, making a few connections between Obamacare and her question, but generally sticking to a script that he used everywhere else.
“He had a lot of things he wanted to say,” said Mary Howard, 57, who asked the question. “It was more like he was still doing his speech than a direct answer.”
The mechanical nature of Walker’s appearances is especially well-suited for the grind of a presidential primary season in which the first votes won’t be cast for six more months. It will help the two-term governor steer clear of gaffes and keep the focus on his message — that he’s a battle-tested fighter for conservative values.
Yet as one of the most rigorously on-message — and cautious — candidates in the GOP field, he could also eventually undercut the plain-spoken, authentic image he seeks to cultivate and fuel critics who insist it’s a protective shield for a candidate who’s not ready for the national stage. The scripted nature of Walker’s stump speech has already captured the attention of late-night comedians like Jimmy Fallon, who has mocked the Kohl’s anecdote Walker rolled out — nearly verbatim — in at least a half-dozen stops.
Walker, however, is seeking to turn it to his advantage, revealing to audiences that he can laugh at himself.
“Tonette and I —and some of you might have heard this — we like to his shop at a place called Kohl’s,” the Wisconsin governor said Saturday here in Sioux City. “In fact, I’ve told this story so much that even my friend Jimmy Fallon had a little fun with it the other night.”
With his regional accent, humor and a message he delivers with energy, if not spontaneity, Walker nevertheless managed to connect with his large and enthusiastic Iowa audiences. Portraying himself as a typical Midwestern father, he frequently referenced his two college-age sons who were in tow over the weekend.
But off the stage was where Walker shone, always ready with a handshake and a sports joke (even if it was a practiced one — anyone wearing Iowa State University gear would hear the lament, “You messed up my bracket!”). He chatted up voters more easily than many of his rivals, never appearing stiff or ill at ease, showcasing the one-on-one retail politicking skills that even his Wisconsin opponents concede are formidable.
During his first stop Friday morning, in the eastern city of Davenport, Walker was approached by an emotional man who described himself as a homeless Vietnam veteran. When the man began to cry as he described losing his family, Walker embraced him and promised that he “won’t let you down.”
Walker’s formula has so far paid dividends. It guided him to victory in three tough, blue state gubernatorial elections over a period of four years, including 2012, when he survived withering attacks and a harsh national spotlight in a recall election. And it’s currently got him in sole possession of first place in Iowa, with 18 percent, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll.
“He’s a good speaker, I like his policies,” said Danny Schleisman, 78, of Carroll, Iowa, who saw Walker at a Saturday stop. “And he didn’t have notes! Totally off the cuff!”
“He’s a good speaker, I like his policies,” said Danny Schleisman, 78, of Carroll, Iowa, who saw Walker at a Saturday stop. “And he didn’t have notes! Totally off the cuff!”
Iowans meet the Scott Walker Wisconsin already knows.
FReep Mail me if you want on, oroff this Wisconsin interest ping list.
Do the Politico writers grump about this when the subject is Hillary Clinton? Bernie Sanders? Liz Warren?
What’s the message today, and will it be the same tomorrow?
Why don’t you read the article, instead of casting rocks?
I don’t know? I’ve changed my mind?
And that relentless message would be what exactly?
Great article. Walker’s regular-guy roots, lifestyle and approach will resonate with voters as time rolls on.
I don’t have to read the article—I’m basing my comments on Walker’s previous flip-flops . . . er . . . excuse me—Clarifications.
You sound rather entrenched in your beliefs already - no changing or reconsidering, no siree.
Continue like that and we will have President Hillary Clinton for sure. Too many Freepers are close minded here. I used to assume that Conservatives were ideas people. But no more. In the past year I have been thinking I do not belong here anymore. It’s a shame.
I am keeping my mind open for several of the candidates. It is only fair. And, I do not believe that the only candidates I can vote for are those who are ‘perfect’ by my standards. Only person who ever lived was Jesus, and He is not on the ballot.
It worked for Rick Scott. The media here would ask/attack him about all issues they deem important(hurts republicans) He would listen to the question and then pivot to jobs/economy.
Quite the contrary, you not only belong here, you are needed here.
If I may, I think over the course of several elections, we have heard the “Conservative” message from many of our candidates and have worked hard to get them elected. Once in office, they routinely fall in line with the leadership and become Democrat lites.
You only need to look back at the last mid-term to see the candidates “promised” to tackle Obamacare, take this President to task for the illegal executive order on immigration and other red meat issues. So what happened?
Nothing.
I think FReepers are becoming jaded to the “career” politicians who promise one thing and deliver nothing. That’s why Trump has resonated. If you look at his past behaviors, he is no more a conservative than Hillary, but his plain talk about immigration, his taking on John McCain, his take no prisoner approach to his candidacy is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise political correct discussion.
As for Walker, he led the way in creating right to work opportunities in a very union state. His battle with public sector and teacher’s unions has emboldened other Republican governors to follow suit. BUT...he has “clarified” some issues and I guess it’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop. He will give red meat to his base and then become more moderate to win the general.
Only time will tell if he is the real deal. Only time will tell how he deals with Boehner or McConnell should he be elcted.
Stay the course, the conservative voice is still strong here. It’s just waiting to see who the REAL conservative is among a cast of poseurs.
Was he wearing his flip flops? Lol.
Then revel in your ignorance.
That's because there aren't enough hard core, viking kitty conservatives to win the general, and I don't think there ever have been.
The key is to convince moderate and semi-conservative voters that conservative ideas will work for them.
Just so you know, that argument is about as wore out as "It's Bush's fault". Here's an idea: instead of electing a flip flopping GOPe candidate, go for the REAL CONSERVATIVE, Ted Cruz. For over 20 years now, all I've heard is that "this is the most important election of our time!" and it just keeps getting more and more important. Well, here we are at what will, in fact, be the most important election of our time. In fact, it is SO IMPORTANT, that the Republicans MUST get it right by putting forth the ONLY real Conservative in the race, Ted Cruz, or get ready for Hitlery.
For far too many decades, we continue to vote the "lesser evil" which, in most cases, has turned out to be quite the squishy RINO, who does nothing but push the GOP further to the left. While there remain plenty of ignorant, low info voters willing to continue pushing the GOP to the left, there is now a very STRONG faction of folks like me, who refuse to do that any longer. Face it: Put forth a real candidate (that isn't Walker, FYI), or be ready to lose.
God.....You hate Walker because he just signed an anti-abortion law saying no abortions after 20 weeks.......You are so disgusted over that, that you’re criticizing him on everything. You do know killing babies is murder. It is not choice like you believe.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.