Scott Walker called ethanol mandate 'central planning' and a 'big government mandate' - before Iowa

Washington Examiner ^ | MARCH 9, 2015 | TIMOTHY P. CARNEY

[SoConPubbie]

Scott Walker went to Iowa over the weekend and embraced the ethanol mandate — a corporate welfare program that subsidizes corn farmers and ethanol producers at the expense of drivers, eaters, restaurants, and the environment.

As my colleague Phil Klein aptly put it, "if Scott Walker can't stand up to Iowans, how will he stand up to the Islamic State?"

Why do I assume this position was tailored to Iowa's caucus goers? Because Walker vehemently opposed the ethanol mandate back in 2006, actually standing out from the rest of Wisconsin's gubernatorial field in that regard.

From Milwaukee's Daily Reporter at the time:

"Currently, we have a problem with big government inMadison. On principle, I cannot support this proposal.

"It is clearto me that a big government mandate is not the way to support the farmers of thisstate," he continued. "Central planning will not help our family farmers,protect our environment or provide jobs. The free-enterprise system must driveinnovation to relieve our dependence on foreign oil, not mandates from the stateor federal government."

I've reached out to Walker's people for comment. I'll update when they respond.

[SoConPubbie]

"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[SoConPubbie]

Title shortened due to FreeRepublic's Posting Rules:

Actual Title:

Scott Walker called ethanol mandate 'central planning' and a 'big government mandate' --- before he was courting Iowa

[Red Badger]

First rule of civilization:

DO NOT BURN YOUR FOOD!...................

[Thunder90]

We are going to end up destroying each other and Jebbie will win the nomination.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Finally! A candidate with pair.

No more pander bears!

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Scott Walker called ethanol mandate ‘central planning’ and a ‘big government mandate’ -— before he was courting Iowa “

He's killing Cruz in Iowa polls, Go Walker!

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

I can recall the 1970s when ethanol was touted as an “extending additive” to gasoline so that our local supplies weren’t over-demanded. There was no consideration, under JimmahCahrtahr regarding the so-called oxygenting properties of EtOH.

Sheep...meet your ethanol wolves.

[cuban leaf]

Every cloud has a silver lining: The ethanol mandate is finally getting the kind of attention it deserves.

[SoConPubbie]

Finally! A candidate with pair.

No more pander bears!

This was Scott Walker 2006.

Scott Walker 2015 just pandered to the Iowans and changed his position.

Apparently, between 2006 and now, he lost that pair!

[Thunder90]

It should be noted that Walker did call for a phase out of ethanol during his speech in Iowa.

[cuban leaf]

As my colleague Phil Klein aptly put it, “if Scott Walker can’t stand up to Iowans, how will he stand up to the Islamic State?”

---

Answer is easy: He doesn’t need the Islamic states votes.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

So called Iowa Conservatives are very happy to suck at the government ag teat. This will not play well there or in the midwest.

He is right, of course. It is government planning and crony capitalism that costs us money multiple ways.

[Little Ray]

I like this guy. If he survives to the Georgia Primary, he has my vote.

[Red Badger]

Stretching you gasoline supplies with ethanol is like stretching your ground beef supplies with Filet Mignon.............

[Colonel_Flagg]

Never mind that he’s wrong on ethanol and Cruz is right.

Never mind that he’s ‘evolving’ on immigration and Cruz is right.

Never mind that he has significant issues on abortion and Cruz is right.

Walker is decent. We can do much better. Cruz or lose.

[SoConPubbie]

I like this guy. If he survives to the Georgia Primary, he has my vote.

Sadly, that 'guy' was Scott Walker in 2006. Apparently, that 'guy' no longer exists as the current Scott Walker (2015) just changed his tune and now supports the Corn Subsidy.

[gwgn02]

New and improved etch-a-sketch

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Agreed, but we ^must not^ ignore the history of EtOH in the US gasoline industry.
It was introduced under Carter as an “extender”; to stretch our reserves.

Today it is an “oxygenator” (a very dubious assignment) that reduces pollution. According to my BS.Chem. it can’t really be both without political interference (AKA: an alteration of scientific terms).

[Red Badger]

Oxygenator? What is that? It would be cheaper to use this..................

[Berlin_Freeper]

Walker walks.