Posted on 08/17/2015 2:34:06 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Scott Walker is the Tim Tebow of politics…the pro-life, conservative sensation on top of the world (or the polls) one moment, the invisible man the next.
For those who don’t know Tebow’s NFL story, here’s the short version: Drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos despite most pundits saying at the time he didn’t have the arm to succeed in the NFL. Tebow takes over a struggling Bronco team, leads a bunch of unlikely comeback victories late in the season and somehow gets them to the playoffs. God’s quarterback proceeds to carry Denver to a win over the defending-AFC-champion Steelers with an electrifying 80-yard touchdown TD pass on the first play of overtime. The media coverage is so huge it spills off the sports pages and ESPN and into the front page and cable news. Tebow was everywhere.
The Broncos would fall badly to the Pats the following week. Tebow was abruptly traded to the Jets after GM John Elway made a deal for Peyton Manning. #15 would never really be heard from again after an uneventful season in New York, opting for a small role on ABC’s Good Morning America awhile after being released. He’s now back in the NFL trying to capture a third-string job with the Eagles.
Pre-Trump, Scott Walker was arguably the man to beat for the GOP nomination. Iowa was already practically in the bag, with Walker jumping out to a double-digit lead in the Hawkeye state and no real threat coming from establishment candidates like Jeb Bush. Backers reel off the laundry list: He’s the only guy in the race who won three gubernatorial contests in two election cycles. The Wisconsin governor is a union conqueror and debt dissolver…inherited a huge deficit and made it a surplus. And before running to the comments section and advising putting away the Walker pom-poms, do know my horse was declared in this space back in January. For the purposes of this column, this is simply an exercise of listing why Walker was considered a real contender for the nomination.
But then along came Trump and out came all the oxygen in the room. Some–like Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz and the afore-linked John Kasich have been able to find a few bubbles to rise above the GOP frontrunner for long enough to get a rise on the polls, sure. And the one candidate who has absolutely disappeared–and we’re talking Ed Snowden-esque disappeared–it’s been the 47-year-old Walker. And the results have been devastating: An August 12th CNN/ORC poll shows he’s now running a distant third in Iowa (trailing Trump by 13 points and Carson by 5), in a state any and every political expert says he must win or can call it a day. Nationally, Walker is down to six percent support in a Fox News poll released today, his lowest number in over a year.
So what happened? Basically, Walker isn’t flashy. He’s not soundbite-driven in a media culture built around it. His seemingly-perpetual hound dog expression doesn’t result in almost any decent photos of him in terms of displaying intellect or gravitas. Call it shallow or superficial, but like it or not, this stuff matters early on…particularly when being introduced to many voters for the first time.
But is the drop also due to a poor debate performance? Not really. Walker didn’t distinguish nor hurt himself that night and was barely discussed afterward as a result. In the end, perhaps he resembles a classic politician too much, which is not a good thing in this race. Just ask Jeb Bush or Hillary Clinton: This is the anti-establishment race on both sides–at least for now–that craves authenticity, candor and people who aren’t career politicians (the honest Bernie Sanders being the exception because of the stark contrast that is Hillary).
It’s rare to see free-falls reversed in the NFL, even much more rare in politics…particularly with so little oxygen to work with.
If he can’t find a away–and there’s still 168 days until the Iowa Caucus–he’s toast.
Never has someone gone from first to afterthought so quietly.
I wouldn’t give up on him yet, hopefully he’s got the fortitude to hang in there and not fold.
Right now Trump is catching the flak, and I think that’s fine.
“Ike and Reagan were charismatic.”
Reagan was an actor. He was at once genuine and able to project the correct body language queues that make us appear charismatic. That was what made him so effective. AT the same time he kept his close relationships in good order and, apparently, did not stray.
I suspect that Ike was more sociopathic in that he had an amazing number of affairs so he may be more like Clinton. Not all sociopaths are evil, they just don’t form good, exclusive relationships. (See “The Sociopath Next Door.”)
I think it was George Burns who said, “Acting is all about sincerity. Fake that and you have it made.”
You don’t think that the Democrats won’t use that as a club to beat him with should he become the nominee? As a former human resources/recruiting/career counseling type, let me tell you that over 90% of employers first look for a degree on a resume or application on any job above janitor or fork lift operator. Not seeing one, it goes in the trash can.
He had one affair, with his British Army driver, that I’m aware of. If you know of more, please tell us about them.
“They put all the Christian and federalist-type colleges out of business? How did I not see that thread?”
The mere comment that college is required for education is in itself a liberal statement.
Who taught those in college?? Where did they get their knowledge to teach?
There are those that learn by doing, not by sitting in a classroom and reading from a book. A man doesn’t know more than a woman who has given birth what it is like to give birth by reading about it in a book. Experience counts. College is a jumpstart on experience. It is something you do early in life. Show me what you have done with that knowledge since.
Well, in this case, the voters are the Human Resources Department. It doesn’t make any difference to me, because I support Trump/Cruz - Cruz/Trump. I liked Walker, but he flamed out - so he has to find another job after his governorship has ended. I’ve worked with people who have had college degrees, and those who haven’t. I think common sense and an ability to solve problems are very important. SOme with degrees lack both.
At least he was sharp in his first drive Sunday . . . and later ran about 10 yards for a TD on a designed run. In between, he didn’t look as sharp as his competitor for the third roster slot, who definitely looked “quarterbackial,” to coin a term.Eagles beat the Colts going away; neither Luck nor Bradford appeared - so it was strictly second string and below at QB. Speaking of second string, Mark Sanchez is #2 on the depth chart, and even he played relatively briefly; it looked to me like Chip was mostly interested in settling on his #3 QB (how’s that for depth!). Speaking as a former denizen of the NY media market, Sanchez is at least as much of a developmental project as Tebow, and didn’t look a bit better than Tebow in his brief appearance. But I guess Chip is onboard with Sanchez. I get that Chip thinks he can put Sanchez in a situation where he can succeed - but that wasn’t on view yesterday . . . IMHO.
For all that the Eagle fans have seen Michael Vick run from QB, it was interesting how enthusiastic the crowd was when Tebow was running for that TD. The fans were clearly pulling for him to win a spot on the roster. I also noticed Tebow trying - failing, but trying - to throw an incidental block on a running play. Not something most QBs would be up for, and maybe not even wanted by the coaches, who knows?
I was listening to Philadelphia announcers, but it was noteworthy how sanguine they were about how many positions in the Eagles’ lineup. They noted criticism of one of the guards, but added that a couple of years ago the whole O-line only had one solid member. They kept remarking about the presence of depth. Interesting.
Both Cruz and Trump are Ivy Leaguers.
So for your next doctor or dentist visit or consultation with an architect or accountant, you prefer someone without a degree? Interesting.
I understand that - if you’ll go back -you will see my negative remarks were aimed at DEMS. I loathe the DEM party. Their policies are destructive to this nation.
I’d say Alleigh Marre is one of them.
I have a college degree, and last time I checked, hadn’t been indoctrinated into liberalism ...
Walker risks ending up in the same boat as Jindal did a few years ago - being good at your job, doing conservative things, and beating the left are far, far less important than being energetic and charismatic. Personality trumps ability in American politics.
wow, that is a fascinating insight actually. not sure about the application here, but it has rung true with my observations in life....
He did stand strong against out-of-control public worker unions. But that's one issue. With other workers, does he have an approach that US workers need a living wage or is he on the Cheap Labor Express? Have we really seen any strong positive actions on other issues?
He rushed things. Now, it seems as if he's no longer his own person. Why not stay on as Governor for a few more years and work with President Trump to the benefit of his state. Get far away from the bad news political advisors. Walker's young. Another eight or even twelve years of growth and we'll know if he's "got it".
If Scott Walker had the balls to put out an immigration plan months ago like Trump just did, he would be flying high today. Of course the big money donors would have nothing to do with him.
“Walker had great potential, but has surrounded himself with advisers who are questionable - such as George Will’s wife.”
He picked former Gov Bob List to hair his Nevada campaign. I know List from work on Yucca Mtn. and regarding my biography of Harry Reid. List is the biggest backstabbing RINO you can imagine, and a Reid supporter to boot. Worst pick imaginable.
He’ll have his moment after some debate (like Carly’s just had hers) and probably to some degree in Iowa. Let’s hope he and Kasich split the vote of voters who don’t see beyond religion, however—so neither can get momentum out of there.
If this is true . . what a shame! Scott Walker is the real deal. He has been through the fires of partisan politics and survived with grace and flair. Their is over 14 months until the election. I wouldn’t get too excited about these “beauty” polls now! I personally favor a Cruz/Walker ticker (Or vise-versa, if necessary). I give 5 republican candidates a chance. The problematic one is Dr. Ben Carson. One of the most decent thoughtful human beings on the planet. Can he be Presidential? Can he like frozen water break the Washington boulder of corruption?
“Actually, this is rather sad. I think Walker had great potential, but has surrounded himself with advisers who are questionable ...”
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Walker has been a great governor. Unfortunately he has apparently received VERY bad advice from the genesis of his presidential campaign. It became apparent that he had come under the grip of GOPe political consultants. That, and taking their advice, doomed his candidacy IMHO.
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