Posted on 02/23/2011 8:14:10 AM PST by SE Mom
Not since those Montreal comedians got through to Sarah Palin has a stunt like this worked, but a reporter from the Buffalo Beast, posing as David Koch, appears to have managed to get Scott Walker on the line.
The alt-weekly's site is down, but you can hear the recording at Mother Jones.
But they didn't actually get much from Walker, other than his assent to bizarre "Koch" statements. He does give a glimpse of his -- utterly reasonable -- strategy, including courting an independent-minded Senate Democrat who he describes as "pretty reasonable, but he's not one of us." He also tips his hand to an attempt to lure Democrats back to the state for a meeting that, even if they fled again, would allow Republicans to pass his bill.
"I'm not negotiating," he said.
He also clearly believes that time is on his side, and that Democrats are desperate to get out of the fix.
Walker said his administration is looking into the question of whether legislators can be charged with a felony if unions are paying them "to keep them from doing their job."
The call is worth a listen though, for the candid glimpse it offers at the suddenly-prominent Walker. It's also typical in that it reflects politicians willingness to give large amounts of time to rich guys whose obvious weirdness and terrible ideas are to be tolerated for the cash they put up.
One other interesting bit: Walker says he talks to Ohio's John Kasich "every day."
Twitter:
philipaklein12 minutes agoRT @rickklein:
Walker statement: “The phone call shows that the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public ...”
I agree completely! Twas a good laugh for this morning, eh.
Wisconsin:
“If the person who records the wire, electronic, or oral communication is a party to the conversation or has obtained prior consent from one party, he may lawfully record and divulge the contents of the communication, unless he does so for the purpose of committing a criminal or tortious act. Wis. Stat. § 968.31.
Under the statute, consent is not required for the taping of a non-electronic communication uttered by a person who does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in that communication. See definition of “oral communication,” Wis. Stat. § 968.27.
Wisconsin law expressly authorizes civil damages for violations and allows recovery of the greater of actual damages, $100 for each day of violation or $1,000, along with punitive damages, litigation costs, and attorney fees. Wis. Stat. § 968.31.
Recording a communication without consent is criminally punishable by up to six years in prison and/ or a $10,000 fine. Wis. Stat.§ 939.50.”
>>unless he does so for the purpose of committing a criminal or tortious act<<<
Arguably, passing oneself off as someone you’re not is fraud, ie a tortious act.
nice to see that Democrat tactics are largely the same as those of The Morning Zoo on SCUZZ 107.5 FM
Only if the target is a liberal...or a cop.
I didn’t listen to the audio, but what this prank demonstrates to me is Scott Walker doesn’t talk with the Koch brothers enough to recognize their voice on the phone.
Charles and David Koch are two billionaires who give a lot of money to conservative causes. They are a target of Progressives/Liberals.
Check this out:
That’s the truth!
Governor Walker’s statement:
The Governor takes many calls everyday,” Walkers spokesman, Cullen Werwie said in a statement. “Throughout this call the Governor maintained his appreciation for and commitment to civil discourse. He continued to say that the budget repair bill is about the budget. The phone call shows that the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public and the lengths that others will go to disrupt the civil debate Wisconsin is having.
NRO has the link up on The Campaign Spot blog.
Yes, Walker, for the most part, comes across sensationally well — no profanity, no anger, totally reasonable... only a few compromising statements.
That said, how in the name of God was this call allowed through? Didn’t it go through the chief of staff? Was it on the Governor’s personal cell?
Security needs to be beefed up quickly - not just for the Governor but for all GOP members in both chambers.
The Governor takes many calls everyday,” Walkers spokesman, Cullen Werwie said in a statement. “Throughout this call the Governor maintained his appreciation for and commitment to civil discourse. He continued to say that the budget repair bill is about the budget. The phone call shows that the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public and the lengths that others will go to disrupt the civil debate Wisconsin is having.
I really like this spokesperson.
this is all fake, don’t fall for it.
You should have seen the media urinating on themselves here in Chicago when Rahm won...
It doesn't matter. The fact that Walker took his call at all is the issue.
If you or I called Walker, we wouldn't get past the secretary.
No, it is not fake. Walker's office confirmed it is real.
It's a pretty serious blunder and you have to wonder about the governors call screening operation. Still, there isn't much here that will hurt him.
When the fake Koch suggests planting disruptor's among the protesters, Walker says "we thought about that". This is about the only thing damaging that I could find. It does look pretty amateurish though. Additionally, Walker sort of gives away his strategy to bring the 14 runaway democrats back.
That a major Republican governor could be so easily punked is kinda sad. The media will have a field day with this and it will end up benefiting the unions for at least awhile. Fortunately, there really isn't anything big here and Walker sounds like the same calm, rational and reasonable person that he is in his press conferences.
HUMMMM I think you have a point!
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