Posted on 01/05/2012 5:55:02 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
Gov. Scott Walker told an audience Thursday in Washington, D.C., that he expected to face a recall election "sometime in early June" and said his Democratic opponent would be "someone handpicked by the unions."
Walker said the biggest reason he had been targeted for recall was that union dues can no longer be automatically deducted from the paychecks of public-sector employees.
"I think at the end that's what all the focus around here in Washington, in terms of the national unions focused on getting me recalled," Walker said. "What it really comes down to, I took away the gravy train, the free money they had before and gave that right back to the workers to make that decision."
Walker made his comments during a wide-ranging talk at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. During a conversation with AEI scholar Andrew Biggs, Walker reviewed the past year and previewed the likely recall battle.
He offered a contrast between the deficits, tax increases and job losses of the past against "a much more optimistic, better approach that we're headed on and we're going to expand on in the future."
Walker also defended raising out-of-state cash to bolster his campaign for the recall. Last month, Walker's campaign reported raising $5.1 million since July. The liberal advocacy group, One Wisconsin Now, said nearly half the money was raised from out of state.
"I wouldn't be raising a penny right now if it wasn't for these recalls, largely driven by the national unions," he said.
Walker's opponents need to collect 540,208 valid signatures to trigger a recall election. Petitions are due Jan. 17.
The Democrats haven't settled on a candidate for a recall. Walker, however, went out of his way to say how his budget reforms have helped Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who is considering a rematch for governor in a potential recall election.
"Tom Barrett, the gentleman who ran against me for governor, balanced his budget on my reforms," Walker said. "If that doesn't make the case (for rescinding collective bargaining for most public employees), I don't know what does."
Walker added that Wisconsin faces election fatigue.
"For most voters in our state, even those who aren't particularly political one way or another, most folks are tired of all the elections," he said.
As he laid out the programs instituted during his first year in office, Walker told the audience, "I didn't seek the national attention."
"Collective bargaining in the public sector is not a right, it is an expensive entitlement," Walker said.
"Let's be clear: Who pays for an expansive government?" Walker added. "It is fundamentally the middle-class taxpayers of our state and our country. What we did was fundamentally stand up for those middle-class taxpayers."
Walker said that, because of reforms, not only is the state now saving money, but services also are strengthened and public employees are empowered.
Mike Tate, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, responded to Walker's remarks in a statement.
Tate said: "Scott Walker would rather create straw men to tilt at rather than face the judgment of the people of all stripes who have rejected his radical power grab. The recall election against him is powered by the people of Wisconsin who have seen our budget blown up, our jobs market disappear and our democracy assaulted. Walker is being held accountable because he dances to the tune of corporate masters from afar and has not listened to the people of Wisconsin."
Wisconsin American Enterprise Ping!
If you want to be on, or off, this wisconsin interest ping list, just FReep Mail me and it shall be done!
“What it really comes down to, I took away the gravy train, the free money they had before and gave that right back to the workers to make that decision.”
Pretty much! We love you, Governor Walker! Stick to your guns and keep speaking the TRUTH about this recall stupidity.
You’re going to be just fine...as is Wisconsin. :)
IIRC from an FR post, the White House was directly involved in last year’s labor union occupation of the WI Legislature.
If so, if the President was involved in obstructing the legislative operation of a State, it was a breathtaking criminal act. Yeah, I know. Add it to the list.
Scott Walker For President!
(don’t be so greedy WI. you can share)
So what? It's Ø's unionistas that have been attacking Walker and the majority of WI citizens. Where does One Wisconsin Now get its money? The tooth fairy?
Scott walker should really point out how local democrats are CHOOSING to implement his law to save their tax payers money.
He should challenge any local democrat to raise local taxes to pay for the labor unions extraordinary demands. Remind the people of Wisconsin that they all remain perfectly free to pay labor unions whatever they want.
It is democratic city’s like that are choosing to cut the benefits of their public labor unions.
Scott walker should really point out how local democrats are CHOOSING to implement his law to save their tax payers money.
He should challenge any local democrat to raise local taxes to pay for the labor unions extraordinary demands. Remind the people of Wisconsin that they all remain perfectly free to pay labor unions whatever they want.
It is democratic city’s that are choosing to cut the benefits of their public labor unions.
One Wisconsin Now gets its money from out of state too — the national unions.
My bumpersticker says it all: “Scott Walker is my Hero!” Just to balance it visually, I carry a small oval on the other side of my trunk lid that says, “Is it 2012 yet?”
There are billboards going up by an advocacy group thanking Mayor Barrett (Dem mayor of Milwaukee) for using Scott Walker’s reforms to lower Milwaukee taxes. We’ll see if the voters of Miiwaukee are smart enough to understand that sideways commpliment. ;>)
Indeed the democrats are going to play on the ignorant of their population as they always do. This you must not allow... Remind the population of the voluntary nature of his choice.
What a broken record player. Can't they come up with anything new? They don't need or have any proof for this stupid statement but it is there big rally call and because they are so brainwashed it triggers their buttons big time.
Was at the opening of the GOP victory center for the recall last night. Two hundred plus volunteers saying ‘let me at ‘em’. Many volunteering for the signature verification. Little man Tate will eat his words.
He better make sure as Governor that he purges the voter rolls otherwise he wont be Gov. much longer ...
ACORN lurking in the background
I agree...I am seeing a lot of very large “WALKER/GOVERNOR” signs on peoples front lawns around here (even some that had Barrett signs on last election), and have only seen one person “dancing” around on the highway with a hand drawn “recall Walker” sign...from the lack of rhythm I am thinking that they needed to go to the bathroom...
I agree but not yet. Give him a few more years as Governor and he will be ready. I actually mentioned that I could see Walker becoming Governor of Wisconsin and then President of the U.S. a few years back when he was Milwaukee County Executive.(Before he decided to run for governor)
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