Posted on 08/26/2015 2:15:06 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
O n paper, Scott Walker is a winner. He doesnt just govern a blue statea win in its own righthes transformed it, making Wisconsin a vanguard for conservative causes, from right-to-work laws and public education cuts, to voter ID and strict limits on abortion. Hes done all this with affirmation from Wisconsin voters; he beat a recall attempt in 2012 and won re-election in 2014. Even better, at least for his national ambitions, is his affect. Hes not a firebrand and he doesnt alienate ordinary Americans. Instead, he looks and sounds like a middle manager; an ordinary, almost boring guy who just wants to save you money.
Walker, put simply, appears tailor-made for a Republican presidential primaryan ideal blend of mainstream experience and conservative politics. But in his months as a presidential candidate, Walker hasnt been the dark horse we expectedthe strongest challenger to Jeb Bushs dynastic candidacy. Hes been, instead, a non-presence. He doesnt flicker, let alone catch fire, and when it comes to issues and answering voters, the Wisconsin governor has been awkward, clumsy, and flat-footed. Yes, he has money and yes, he has an organization. But that doesnt make up for skill, or a lack thereof. So far, he just isnt good, and it shows.
Take immigration. For all of his nativism and prejudice, Donald Trump has put things in sharp relief, and forced opponents to clarify their beliefs and articulate their stances on the issue. Bush, Marco Rubio, and John KasichWalkers main rivalshave stepped up to the challenge, with conservative positions that still have space to the right, and room to the left, should they get to the general election. Rubio, as we saw during the first Republican presidential debate, wont take Trumps anti-immigrant bait....
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
I think you hit the nail on the head. Consultants and handlers have him going in circles. It would be better if he would just be himself, but, I’m afraid that ship has sailed for him. Too bad, he was in my top 3 at one time.
I’m not sure we are in a silly season at all. This election cycle is different than any we have ever seen. Kasich is my governor, and while he has done some good tings for Ohio, he truly is a dyed in the wool RINO on most issues.
I’m not sure we are in a silly season at all. This election cycle is different than any we have ever seen. Kasich is my governor, and while he has done some good tings for Ohio, he truly is a dyed in the wool RINO on most issues.
Ted Kennedy was the Front Runner, and there were a lot of guys in the weeds. One of those guys was Jimmy Carter.
Kennedy was running strong, in the 30% - 40% range, but there were a huge number of Democrats, maybe most, who were just not willing to vote for the guy. Chappaquiddick, and what-not.
The minor candidates were unable to get any traction, and they dropped out, one by one. But Jimmy Carter just kept plugging away, running a low-cost campaign on a shoestring. Going door-to-door with his line "Hi! My name is Jimmy Carter, and I'm running for President!"
And we all remember how that one came out. Kennedy hit his ceiling, and when no other alternatives were available, Jimmy Carter rocketed ahead in the polls. It was simple math. Jimmy Carter was the last Not Ted Kennedy standing, and he went on to thump Gerald Ford in the General Election and become President of the United States, all because he was willing to stick with it, and knock on doors through the cold Winter of 1975/1976.
I have said it before, Walker was my horse in this race until he started campaigning. Then in his first or second speech, he metaphorically stepped in a gopher hole and broke both front legs. As presidential material, he is a pretty good governor.
If you really want to know who is in the pocket of the US Chamber of commerce, look no further than Ted Cruz.
Ted Cruz voted for the Corker amendment that turns the constitution on its head. Obama’s Iran deal only needs 34 Senators to approve it and it is ratified.
Cruz helped set this up because the US Chamber of Commerce was pushing to open Iranian markets to US companies so they could make a few bucks.
Ted Cruz does not support the constitution and is in the back pocket of the US Chamber of Commerce.
Want further proof?
Cruz criticized, then voted for TPA (without changes) because the US Chamber of Commerce wants more trade deals. TPA means Obama only needs 51 Senators to ratify a trade deal he makes and 67 Senators to defeat it. Thanks, Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz supports a 500% increase in H1-B visas. That is a position of the US Chamber of Commerce.
Ted Cruz wrote work permits for illegals into the Gang of 8 bill. That would give every illegal a work permit to remain in the US and become second-class citizens who can work here, pay taxes here, but not vote here. That is a wet dream of the US Chamber of Commerce....a permanent underclass of workers....and Ted Cruz supports it.
Yep—though TPaw has more integrity.
Sorry, but I wasn’t talking about Cruz. I was explaining why Walker, who has the personality of a limp piece of toast, is falling apart. That has nothing to do with anyone but himself and the people he surrounds himself with.
Agreed—they are all weak in illegal immigration.
But when Cruz was mucking around in the Senate about it, Walker’s border plan was to make it so easy for anyone to come here legally from “Mexico or any other country in the world” that they’d never bother to cross legally.
I expected Walker to do better. I started out earlier this year thinking Walker was my choice. He hasn’t done so well I the campaign so far, and he’s come way down in my estimation.
Agreed, he needs to step it up, too bland. We need bold colors,not pastels.
When you peel away all of the Walker Wisconsin hype, what remains is a battle royale between hard core leftists and special interest Chamber of Commerce republicans using Walker as their lightning rod to advance their agendas. He’s now being sold by the GOPe as some sort of National Champion of Conservatism, when in fact he’s merely a lackey Governor who survived a couple of statewide train wrecks brought on by both groups.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.