Posted on 03/18/2011 8:02:52 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who signed sweeping curbs on public unions into law this month, may be emerging as a potential 2012 Republican presidential contender, according to a poll issued on Thursday.
The phone survey by Public Policy Polling of 642 registered voters across the country on March 10-13 found that Walker's favorability among Republican voters was 55 percent positive and 11 percent negative, a spread of 44 points.
That pushed Walker ahead of other possible Republican contenders such as former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who had a 42-point spread with 58 percent positive and 16 percent negative rating, and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who polled 63 percent positive and 23 percent negative, a spread of 40 points.
The poll showed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney with a 21-point spread (47 percent positive, 26 percent negative) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 19 points (49 percent positive, 30 percent negative).
"None of the folks most seriously considering this race have been able to get any momentum yet, leaving a lot of room for a fresher face to enter and get a lot of traction," the polling group said. "Walker's crusade against the unions has put him in a position where he could be that guy."
A spokesman for Walker did not immediately return a request for comment.
Walker, who won the governor's race last November with 52 percent of the vote, signed the controversial union curbs into law on March 11 after weeks of protests that drew thousands of protesters to the state capital.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
You can’t have him yet...we’ve got a long slog to go here in Wisconsin. :)
That being said, why NOT Scott Walker?
I am not surprised at all.
Gov. Walker has demonstrated beyond a doubt that he’s better than anyone else on our side thus far.
Works for me. Despite all the Tea Party talk, here’s the one guy so far who actually got into office and got results, putting his own political neck on the line for a principle and didn’t back down.
I must say, Christie also impresses in this regard but Christie got in ahead of the Tea Party.
We’ve seen a lot of conservatives who have talked tough but then didn’t follow through on their talk.
Geez, if the left happens to recall him, he will be able to run for prez and make the freedom from unions train a national movement!
When the media said Walker would surely face consequences for challenging the unions whoda thought they were talking about a spot on the 2012 republican ticket?
He’s the only Republican with a spine and a history of actually engaging the enemy on HIS terms. How can you not love the guy?
I don’t know much about him...
but I’d vote for him before Romney or Huckabee.
Throw his name out there just to piss off the libs and media!
And he’s very close to the new RNC chair Priebus... But I second the thought that you cant have him yet. :)
>http://wpost.com/opinions/striking-the-right-bargain-in-wisconsin-/2011/03/14/ABL7cAh_story.html<
Did you see his WaPo editorial yesterday?
“Contrary to what the Obama administration would lead you to believe, most employees of the federal government do not have collective bargaining for wages and benefits.”
I don’t like any of the current crop of 2012 contenders so far. Walker or Christie would certainly be a breathe of fresh air...wouldn’t it be great to have a president with a real set on him??? Haven’t had one of those since Ronald Reagan!
As I read this I was thinking the exact same thing you were...
“I don’t know much about him...
but I’d vote for him before Romney or Huckabee”
I’d vote for him before Palin as well.
Walker and Christie got tough when they had no alternative. Their states were in deep debt and deep deficit as a result of previous administration spending in the good times and kicking the can down the road. One reason why I admire and support Governor Sarah Palin for the GOP nomination is that (albeit on a smaller scale), she reformed and shrank her state budget, in nominal and real terms, in the good times, when rising oil prices poured billions of dollars into the State coffers. That took foresight, political nous and a steel spine. This was particularly true in her case as she had to deal with a recalitrant GOP establishment as well as spendtrift Dems.
One thing for sure is he is head and shoulders above the has been and has were crowd. Not bad, could vote for the guy,
I like him. OF those mentioned - I like him and Palin. Newt, Romney, Huckabee - please.
After Utah gave illegals amnesty, Harry Reid and Romney putting his Golden Retriever on the roof of his station wagon on teh familly vacation - I am not to thrilled about any Mormon politicians. Sorry. I like Mormons but the amnesty in Utah is insane. Go to hell Utah.
Hilarious hearing idiot Gingrich on Hannity. He mentions Callista constantly. Stupid old adulterer.
I absolutely LOVE John Kasich!!! He’s the One to watch! He was in the House of Representatives, Class of 1994 which brought us the “Contract With America”. He’s always been a Fiscal Conservative and just LOVE his common sense approach!
Please read the following and see if you don’t agree!
http://townhall.com/columnists/lindachavez/2011/03/18/leadership_from_gov_kasich/page/full/
I like Kasich alot too. He was the man most responsible for balancing the budget in the 90’s.
Walker/Palin 2012
Isn’t it amazing what happens when Republicans fight to win rather than fight then retreat and equivocate until no one even knows what they believe. These battles in WI, MI, OH, and NJ are also forcing the left to utilize resources now that will be needed in 2012. There is not a lot of spontaneous public support for these unions unlike the Tea Party which was trying to lift the yoke of govt off the tax payers these government union thugs want it to be even heavier. I’ve always marveled at the inability of the GOP to fight the obvious fight. The argument against union largess is a very intuitive one that most people can understand.
If the govt unions didn’t exist we’d see multiple private companies managing teachers and competing for contracts. Teacher salaries would be more diverse and partially merit based. I believe that the whole teaching profession would be better off if unions never existed because it hinders career growth, it entrenches policy bad or good equally, and it treats bad, mediocre, poor performing teachers the same as good, talented, hard working teachers.
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