Posted on 02/17/2015 3:28:48 AM PST by Hetty_Fauxvert
So … Scott Walker is all but officially running for president, and the country is getting a look at a man whom we residents of Wisconsin have been living with since before he became governor. While the national press has focused on the policies and conservative ideology that Walker has imposed on our state, these don’t define the man or explain the mayhem he has caused here.
The massive protests against Walker in 2011 began with “Act 10,” which stripped public employee unions of almost all of their rights and power. Walker loves to leave the story there and depicts ongoing opposition to him as a fight between him and the unions. It’s a narrative that sells well to his donors and to a national press eager for narrative simplicity.
But Act 10 was only a triggering event, not the sole or even primary motivation of Walker’s opponents. While much of the opposition to Walker centers around his policies, there is more to it than that. It is the way he implements these policies, the way he deals with opposition, and the way he rewards his allies that make Walker not just divisive, but frightening. Even conservatives who share Walker’s ideology should distrust him, and dread the prospect of him becoming president.
Why? Here is a brief primer on Scott Walker, drawn from what we have learned about him first-hand here in Wisconsin. These are things that the rest of the country should know in order to avoid learning the same lessons the hard way—on a national and international platform of the presidency.
Scott Walker is a liar.
“So what?” you say, “aren’t all politicians liars?” True, but Walker is in a league apart. He lies about so much, even inconsequential things, that it seems almost compulsive.
His recent lies explaining how “searching for truth” and other aspects of the “Wisconsin Idea” came to be stricken from his rewrite of the University of Wisconsin mission statement were astounding enough to draw rebuke from the New York Times editorial board, but such lies compose a large part of almost all of Walker’s public statements.
Like most politicians, Walker lies when it is politically convenient to do so; unlike most politicians, Walker lies when the truth is already firmly established, such as when he claims that Wisconsin has a budget surplus (it doesn’t), or that he never considered planting agents provocateurs among the demonstrators (he did). For Walker, deceit is not only a tool; it is an end in itself, his default mode. Walker even lies about things that have no obvious political angle, like the date of the births of his sons and how he got his bald spot.
Walker’s lies often take the form of self-aggrandizing fantasy, a large helping of which he served up in his ironically titled [for someone who almost never appears in public] ghost-written political autobiography, Unintimidated: A Governor’s Story and a Nation’s Challenge. In it, for example, Walker recounts how during the peak of the 2011 protests, a mob surrounded his car and tried to tip it over. This incident never happened, at least not to Walker, though Walker’s story bears a remarkable similarity to a 1958 attack on Richard Nixon’s car in Venezuela.
2. Scott Walker is astoundingly corrupt, even by current political standards.
He is so corrupt the corruption itself gives him cover, because an objective description of it sounds like a hyperbolic screed, leading to an “Oh, come on, he can’t be as bad as all that” from people who don’t know his history.
He IS that bad. Here’s his tea party brag that shows he’s more extreme than conservative. During the past few years, the fact that he has not yet actually been indicted for a crime is the strongest defense of his character that his supporters have been able to mount.
Walker’s reputation for political cunning, reflected in the oft-repeated warnings to not underestimate him, derives from his lack of moral restraint and his willingness to do anything to get what he wants, rather than from any tactical brilliance or deep understanding of people. It’s “the ends justify the means” on steroids. This, combined with the ineptitude of the Wisconsin Democrats and the Wisconsin press, answers an obvious question about Walker: How could someone of such mediocre abilities be so successful?
Walker’s known political career began in 1988, when he ran for president of the Associated Students of Marquette University. He didn’t win, but he was found guilty of violating campaign rules. After trying to lie his way out of it, he was forced to admit the truth of the charges. The Marquette Tribune ran an editorial before the election declaring that Walker was “unfit for presidency.” Like much of Walker’s past, the details of why he left Marquette before graduating are secrets.
It may seem petty to bring up an incident from so long ago, but Walker has continued to show the pattern he revealed at Marquette in every job he has held since about which there is any public information. His lies about the “Wisconsin Idea” and getting caught in them prove he has not changed. In fact, past and ongoing criminal investigations into Walker’s administrations, both as Milwaukee County executive and as governor, have resulted in multiple felony convictions of close Walker associates, and charges ranging from misuse of county resources for political purposes, to embezzling funds raised to help wives and children of veterans, to child enticement.
Among the felons is Tim Russell, Walker’s political mentor from shortly after he left Marquette, and one of the very few people who can be identified as a personal friend of Walker. Walker himself so far has escaped indictment, but public records of the investigation, some accidentally released, leave little doubt that Walker knew about and used (and perhaps continues to use) an illegal in-house email system to illegally coordinate his public offices with his political campaigns, and to evade open records laws. The latest criminal probe has identified Walker as part of a “criminal scheme” to evade campaign finance laws by arranging to have donations to his recall election laundered through Koch-funded super PACs.
But lies and corruption are not the end of the story. They merely set the stage for what is truly frightening about a possible Walker presidency.
3. Walker does not tolerate opposition.
Peaceful protester being arrested at Capitol. Photo: Erin Proctor Peaceful protester being arrested at Capitol. Photo: Erin Proctor
This applies not only to opposition from other politicians (although it certainly applies to them, too—see the fate of Mike Ellis) but to everyone. Suppression of dissent through intimidation is one of the chief features of the Walker governorship, and a main source of the fear and discord Walker has inflicted on his state.
Walker uses the power of his office to punish opponents. His administration ordered unconstitutional mass arrests of peaceful political dissidents in the Wisconsin State Capitol. In the state legislature, which Walker controls, laws have been introduced to eliminate the ability of local governments to block industrial projects of Walker’s donors, to eliminate independent government oversight panels, to eliminate the office of Secretary of State (currently held by Douglas La Follette, a staunch opponent), to remove the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court, who has sided against Walker in several cases.
But much of the dirty work of intimidation is carried out by a network of right-wing groups that operate with a wink and nod from the administration, allied with unscrupulous legislators, Koch-funded lobbyists, and new right-wing media outlets set up by out-of-state billionaires. The most obvious of these intimidation efforts is a digitized, searchable online database of the one million people who signed a petition demanding Walker’s recall. The barely unstated purpose of this list is to keep petition signers from being hired by pro-Walker businesses. Walker himself withdrew the student representative nominee for the Board of Regents because his name appeared on the list.
People who do not limit their dissent to petition signing can expect harsher treatment. Opponents of Walker’s mine deregulation legislation, crafted specifically to allow Florida billionaire Chris Cline to open an iron mine in northern Wisconsin (and Walker’s one and only “jobs initiative”) have been attacked openly in right-wing outlets like the Bradley-funded “Media Trackers,” and behind the scenes by state legislators. Mine opponents have had their jobs threatened, sometimes with success. Many have received death threats.
Bulletproof Security, operating illegally in Wisconsin. Photo: Rob Ganson Bulletproof Security, operating illegally in Wisconsin. Photo: Rob Ganson
4. Under Walker, Wisconsin literally has become a lawless state, a playground for the Walker regime and its supporters, and a dangerous place for the rest of us.
State agencies, most notably the Departments of Justice, Administration, and Natural Resources are fully under the control of Walker and his minions. Scientists and professionals have been replaced by political cronies who know nothing about the jobs they are supposed to do.
Ultimately, corruption and intimidation are unchecked in Wisconsin for two reasons: the State Supreme Court and the Wisconsin press. The State Supreme Court is controlled by four ethically challenged Walker allies who barely even pretend to be honest, and who Walker and his friends can count on to make problems go away.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin press has mostly been asleep. A few articles describe each new revelation of Walker’s deceit or corruption, with follow-up articles giving Walker’s explanation, and there the matter is left. Walker is almost never asked difficult questions or pressed to explain his often incoherent answers. Thus Walker’s friends can openly violate the law with little fear of either prosecution or sustained scrutiny. When Chris Cline, in clear violation of state law, sent heavily armed and unlicensed mercenaries to his proposed mining site in the Penokee Mountains, a publicity stunt designed to raise the specter of “eco-terrorism,” no charges were ever filed and press coverage of the story quickly vanished.
Duct taped ballot bags from the Village of Menomonee Falls are presented to the election judge. Duct taped ballot bags from the Village of Menomonee Falls are presented to the election judge.
The mysterious late “discovery” of 14,000 votes in Waukesha County, which swung a State Supreme Court election to Walker ally David Prosser and thereby maintained Walker’s control over the court, has never been adequately investigated, despite hundreds of suspicious irregularities and serious evidence of ballot tampering discovered during the state-mandated recount. The Government Accountability Board, the state agency that should have investigated this evidence, did not even look at it before certifying the election results.
Discrepancies like these compromised ballot bags from the 2011 Supreme Court recount were never fully investigated. Discrepancies like these compromised ballot bags from the 2011 Supreme Court recount were never fully investigated.
The press accepted the results without question and never reported on the evidence of fraud. Illegal campaign donations, physical attacks on Walker opponents circulating recall petitions, online threats by pro-Walker groups such as “Knot my Wisconsin” and “Operation Burn Notice” have all gone unpunished and largely unreported.
Scott Walker has damaged the legal and political system of Wisconsin so badly that it may never recover. His house of cards is collapsing and even the state GOP knows it. It is only because Wisconsin is just a state within a larger country, and not an independent country on its own, that it has not descended into totalitarian dictatorship. Scott Walker does not scorn moral constraints on his actions. Rather, he seems to not comprehend such constraints. Walker’s only limit is the limit of his power, and it is this limit that Walker wants to eliminate by becoming president.
Yes, I’ve had to withstand the accusations of “lies” as well. Some likely coming from WI and other GOP and Walker team operatives, but some who just don’t want to face the truth, I think.
Thanks.
The tried to recall him right? That’s unreal. What the hell is wrong with people there?
Provocateurs among the protestors...huh? They certainly weren't needed.
I have several problems with Governor Walker. Amnesty is the biggest. It weakens us financially and compromises our national security.
How is a pathway to legal status for illegals not amnesty? Because Scott Walker refuses to call it what it is? Sounds like amnesty to me.
Walker campaign spokesman Tom Evenson said they were consistent with his past comments on what to do with those living here illegally. WALKER DOES NOT CONSIDER THE PENALTY-LADEN PATHWAY TO LEGAL STATUS THAT HE ENDORSED IN 2013 “AMNESTY” AND HE’S NOT ADVOCATING AMNESTY NOW, he said.
Walker Crying Over Paul Ryan Speech (another Boehner??)http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/gov-scott-walker-cries-during-paul-ryan-speech/
Walker Praising Ryan’s Budget which Screwed our Military http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-praises-paul-ryan-for-federal-budget-deal-b99164282z1-235942181.html
Walker Softening on Gay Marriage - His Son was Witness to Gay Wedding of Walker Relative http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/scott-walker-declines-to-say-where-he-stands-on-gay-marriage-today-b99290317z1-262952941.html
Walker Soft on Immigration and Border Security http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/scott-walker-immigration_n_3541600.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/07/03/scott-walker-backs-path-to-
citi
OR THERE’S THIS
“Make it easier to enter the country legally”
Walker said he is in favor of the Senate immigration bill—that features a path to citizenship—but called it a backward “Band-Aid” approach, saying elected leaders should make it easier for people to enter the country and become legal citizens in the first place.
“Not only do they need to fix things for people already here, or find some way to do it, there’s got to be a larger way to fix the system in the first place,” he said. “Because if it wasn’t so cumbersome, if there wasn’t such a long wait, if it wasn’t so difficult to get in, we wouldn’t have the other problems that we have (with people living here illegally),” he said. Walker’s stance on immigration reform evolved over the years.
Source: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, “Endorses path to citizenship” , Jul 3, 2013
2010: stop suspected illegals; 2012: that’s a distraction
Walker’s stance on immigration reform evolved over the years. He said as a gubernatorial candidate in 2010 that he would sign an Arizona-style bill, which would allow local police to stop suspected illegal immigrants, if he were elected. Then, in December 2012, Walker said he no longer favored such a bill, telling reporters that such legislation would become a “huge distraction” from accomplishing his agenda for the state. Today, Walker said he would support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants under some circumstances.
Source: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, “Endorses path to citizenship” , Jul 3, 2013
Walker is the GOPc guy....... he is not alone, there are other GOPc governors as well
Jesus Christ is not a candidate this time around
You have been around here for a long time. I would think by now you would know just because someone has an “R” next to their name doesn’t mean they’re playing on our team. Nor do they deserve my vote.
This article is nothing but hyperbole. What a bunch of empty writing.
Do you believe Sarah Palin is an amnesty shill?
Barack Obama is the president, “not the emperor of the United States,” and he has “no legal authority” to enact his executive order on immigration and amnesty, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Monday.
“He has no legal authority to do this,” the Republican governor said on Fox News’ program “Fox & Friends.” “He can’t go beyond the bounds of the laws that stand in the United States today.”
Wisconsin is one of 17 states involved in a lawsuit against the president’s order, and Walker pointed out that Obama over the past several years has said himself that he did not have the legal authority to enact an order on immigration.
Scott backs up his words with actions to stop Obama amnesty.
You are promoting Cruz who is a good conservative, and a good talker, but as a Senator has enacted few (possibly none) accomplishments.
Scott Walker has walked the walk and kept his promises (his word). He has beaten the national liberals on their turf.
We need a Governor that will take the power away from the Federal government and bring it back to the states. and control spending.
—PhD (a.b.d.) in Anthropology and African Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison-—
Impressive. Wonder what you can do with that type of degree?
—Rebecca is a worker-ownerer of Union Cab Cooperative where she has worked since 2000 as a night shift taxi driver as well as a mediator.—
I see.
Rebecca Kemble is a freelance leftist who writes propaganda for the DNC under cover of various guises.
Once again your interpretation of Walkers statements on immigration are your opinion not fact, and I’ve noticed since you’ve started trolling Walker threads here that your opinions on the subject have “evolved”.
You’re in the same company as other liberals who are busy attacking a viable conservative candidates, as opposed to supporting one of your own. Why is that?
No. Used to be the one position of hers I really disagreed with. But she’s come around, at least most of the way, to be at least about as good as Cruz on it. Who knows, maybe better.
Walker only objects to the executive part of Obama’s executive amnesty. Walker is for amnesty—plus letting anyone who wants in the future to simply come here legally—despite his and his flack’s efforts to pretend that his position somehow isn’t amnesty, because there might be some fees or fines involved.
What are you talking about “my opinions”—and my opinions “evolving”? I provide the links that quote Walker directly on it and somehow it involves my evolving opinion?
There are some here that will still swear she is, against all evidence to the contrary. They will give links to prove their points, and will swear she still is.
I'm going to suggest something to you to contemplate: Don't post those links, they are not policy statements, nor are they definitive, much like the links the Palin haters still give, they don't show what he really believes.
We don't know what he really believes, nor what his policies will be. He's from Wisconsin, it's not a big issue there, if he runs, he will have to consider this more deeply and put out positions on the issue and then defend them. If he then sounds like Jeb, I'll join you 100% in opposing him. For now, just wait and see, your links are far from clear, as are his pronouncements.
We don't need a circular firing squad at this point. Let's see where he really stands, so please hold your fire.
Disclosure: I'm hoping for Cruz, but if Walker shows himself to be sane on the immigration position, I'll seriously consider him. My personal belief is that our best ticket may be the two of them together.
I reserve the right to change my mind as things become more clear.
Nope. Sorry. They are not analogous. Palin did stick to her McCain-esque positions for a couple of years after her veep run, at one point telling him on Fox News that there was no daylight between their positions on the issue. (This was when they, like too many Republicans had taken to saying “secure the border first, then we can talk about those here presently—while uttering a couple of Bush-like “compassion” phrases that said, “We’ll give amnesty, but you don’t want to say so now, because that’ll just incentivize more of them to come here.”
Walker was very much on the record the last two years when he spoke fervently about amnesty and then open borders. He is also very much backed by the Koch Bros. and other pro-amnesty Establishment money.
Palin has clearly come clean and clear in her thinking on the issue, with astute references about how illegal workers drag down the pay levels of working Americans. Has she come to a 100% strong position on amnesty? I’d guess probably not quite. Probably only to the 85% mark that Cruz is at.
But Walker’s a whole nother beast and I and any one else who cares should post the links to his statements on the issues as often as needed to get the work out. He probably about 15% strong on illegal immigration—and that is bad enough to do in our country.
You’re really off base, and just plain wrong. Your hyperbole is just that, we’ll eventually find out the truth, but what you’re doing is jumping the shark in the worst of ways.
None of you Walkerbots can actually face and address his direct comments that are all over the Internet—even when people steer you to them.
So you just come on here call posters like me liars and off-base and wrong. You can’t address or explain what Walker has himself stated in the last two years—because it is indefensible. Ad hominem attacks are the only defense you can hurl out there.
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