Posted on 07/14/2015 9:11:36 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Scott Walker entered the 2016 presidential race as a conservative who fights and wins. Assuming his announcement isn't totally overshadowed by the Iran deal, the first thing he will have to fight is Donald Trump's hijacking of the GOP nominating contest. Can he win?
The Wisconsin governor is well suited to put an end to the Trumpnado. He offers a blue-collar, can-do conservatism. He appeals to various wings of the party. And most importantly, he can take away immigration as Trump's signature issue.
Walker's tentative embrace of a populist immigration position isn't without political risks. But right now he is the only top-tier presidential candidate who is speaking to the four-fifths of Republicans who are dissatisfied with current immigration levels without derogatory rhetoric about immigrants. The Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., approach Walker has taken pins the blame for our present immigration problems squarely on big business and big government.
Think Walker is unreliable on immigration? Trump has offered no substance as to what he would do about immigration other than demagogue the issue. His current position is basically an accident, coming after hitting Mitt Romney from the left on immigration after the 2012 presidential election.
Current polling makes it hard to avoid the conclusion that Trump's rise has come partially at Walker's expense. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll taken around the time of Trump's announcement had the real estate tycoon at 1 percent and Walker in second place at 17 percent. The latest Monmouth poll has Trump at 13 percent nationally and Walker at 7.
If Walker can recapture the momentum he enjoyed earlier this year after his breakout speech at the Iowa Freedom Summit, it stands to reason he would take votes from The Donald.
If Trump wants to be the stalking horse, fine.
Conservatives need someone to get them focused. I think it’s lucky for US that Trump wants to do that and forces discussion of issues that others would rather be quiet about.
I totally agree with your above, just hope Trump doesn't go 3rd party and split the conservative vote.
The ‘third party’ move would be great for Liberals and bad for everyone else.
I hope Donald is smarter than that
Trump's consistency? hahahahahahahaha
Walker did a very good job in WI. His record will speak for itself.
Trump has the focus and is using alinsky tactics to his advantage. In short, Trump has learned to turn the tactics back on them and they dont like it.
Eventually, very soon, Trump will have to provide substance, and that is where the rubber will meet the road. I suspect that Trump has been advised of these things and whether he takes the advice will soon be seen.
He DOES keep hammering the immigration issue.
He does, and it's good that the issue is finally getting the attention it deserves (and needs) in a Presidential election. But, looking at Trump's history, he is consistent in one respect, and only one respect: he will say and do whatever he needs to do in order to glorify himself and draw attention to himself. Hammering one issue does not make Trump "consistent," and certainly not a consistent conservative Presidential candidate.
He’s ‘Out There’!
And since he doesn’t have to prostitute himself to backers... he can say what has to be said...
I am sure that scares the Liberals to death. Trump doesn’t, and won’t OWE anyone anything... he CAN keep focused and speak up on this stuff.
“think the more important question is: “Can the GOP understand why Trump’s message resonates with voters?”
Brilliant and agree completely.
Power is lying in the street. Who will pick it up?
“Walker’s tentative embrace of a populist immigration position isn’t without political risks”
Oh really?
What risks does a candidate run who says he will enforce the laws?
it’s ILLEGAL immigrants
plus, having a $Billion warchest helps
Eventually, very soon, Trump will have to provide substance,
Politicians are so afraid of pissing someone off that no politician will pick it up. Trump, on the other hand, is no politician and appears to express his true feelings on the issue. Unlike the GOP in general...especially the leaders in the GOP..., Trump has a set of stones and a spine to support them. The dead-from-the-neck-down leadership in the GOP might search for those two items themselves.
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