Now on the National Stage, Scott Walker is still a guy from Delavan

NPR ^ | 7-17-15 | Don Gonyea

[afraidfortherepublic]

Walker's backers look forward to updating this sign to "Hometown of President Scott Walker."

Drive into Delavan, Wis. and you immediately notice the giant circus animals downtown. A giraffe towering over a small grassy park, and an elephant rearing up on its hindquarters. They're statues actually — here to commemorate the town's quirky history as home to circus companies that needed a place to winter over.

They began arriving in the mid 1800's — P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth was founded in Delavan. But the last of the circuses pulled out of the town three decades ago.

You might also spot the small green road sign that reads: "Welcome to Delavan. Population 8,463." And in script, "Hometown of Governor Scott Walker."

As Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's presidential campaign officially begins, he has something no other 2016 hopeful has — close personal ties to three states Republicans would love to capture in the next presidential election. Walker was born in Colorado, lived in Iowa, then moved to Wisconsin. And that's where the young Walker got the political bug.

Here in solidly-Republican Walworth County, Walker's backers look forward to updating that sign to "Hometown of President Scott Walker."

"I call him Scott. I don't call him Governor Walker. That's the way look at Gov. Walker — as a friend," said Mel Nieuwenhuis, who has been, mayor of Delavan for 14 years.

Walker hasn't lived here since he left to go to college in the mid-1980's, but he gets back on occasion. These days, when local residents see him, it's probably on television.

I asked the mayor whether, when he sees the governor and candidate now, does he still see that guy from Delavan?

[afraidfortherepublic]

NPR profiles Scott Walker’s early days. Hat tip to Cincinatus’ Wife

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[Arm_Bears]

still a guy from Delavan

Who is trying to figure out where he stands on issues.

[afraidfortherepublic]

In Wisconsin we all know where he stands on issues.

[DoodleDawg]

As Walker himself often notes, the last Republican to win Wisconsin's electoral votes was a guy who grew up just across the state line in another small town called Dixon, Ill. He became a governor, too — and his name was Ronald Reagan.

Walker is no Ronald Reagan.

[Kickass Conservative]

As an aside, I have XM in my Car.

I was going through my Presets that includes Fox News Radio.

It appears Alan Colmes is alive and well on that Station.
I listened for a Moment to a Liberal Woman caller from Wisconsin.

Her absolute HATRED of Scott Walker was in full display.
She was wailing about him Stealing the Election. How he could not have possibly won. How the Votes were counted by Walker’s people. It was hilarious and sad at the same time.

[BraveMan]

You are correct. Walker will not offer blanket amnesty the way Reagan did.

[DoodleDawg]

You are correct. Walker will not offer blanket amnesty the way Reagan did.

Walker will not be president like Reagan was.

[Arm_Bears]

Maybe, then, you can explain his apparent flip-flop on homosexual troop leaders in the Boy Scouts.

[Georgia Girl 2]

“Who is trying to figure out where he stands on issues.”

LOL! And only 3 weeks to do it. :-)

[afraidfortherepublic]

I lived in CA under Reagan and in Wisconsin under Scott Walker. There are more similarities than not. Do not speak of what you know not.