Wisconsin governor drops previous opposition, signals support for phase-out of Ethanol

Des Moines—Only weeks after taking this key state in the presidential race by surprise, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker defended his front-runner status in Iowa by pledging to support a federal ethanol mandate, shifting his position on renewable fuels at a Republican roundup on farm issues.

The GOP governor and a lineup of other major potential presidential contenders—including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush—took the stage before hundreds of spectators and media at the Iowa Ag Summit at the state fairgrounds here.

In the moderated discussion with ethanol magnate Bruce Rastetter, Walker dropped his previous flat opposition to ethanol mandates, offering a new stance that's well-suited to a state covered in cornfields. Walker signaled that he favors keeping the mandate for now and phasing it outin the future — without saying over what period.

"It's an access issue, and so it's something I'm willing to go forward on continuing the Renewable Fuel Standard and pressing the EPA to make sure there's certainty in terms of the blend levels set," Walker said. "Now, long term — we've talked about this before as well — my goal would be to get to a point where we directly address those market access issues and I think that's a part of the challenge. So that eventually you didn't need to have a standard."

Walker, a past critic of ethanol, acknowledged in January that he would have to spell out his position on the issue as part of his likely presidential bid. In other key issues for Iowa, Walker said that he favored drawing down federal tax credits for wind power over time and opposed mandatory labeling of foods made from genetically modified crops.

"This is one of those where I believe it's served its purpose," Walker said of the credits. "I would support phasing that out over a period of time."

Cruz supporters are too stupid (or too dishonest) to understand what Walker says is the same as Cruz, but try to criticize Walker for it.

I support both candidates, and while what Walker said was substantially equivalent, it was less specific. Of course, if he came out with a five year time table, he would seem to be mimicking Cruz. Walker makes enemies when he has to, and he follows through when called for and able. He does not make enemies for chuckles. That is part of the reason why the completely over the top attacks do not stick. They tend to be self-contradictory ("He's a right wing extremist zealot ... he's a flip-flopper!") or completely disproven by his normally low-key demeanor ("He may not look like he wants to roast Wisconsin's school children on the burning carcasses of honest public union members, but trust me, he does!") This helps him get elected, re-elected, AND get things done.

On the other hand, I would not categorize Cruz supporters as "stupid". Many may have been thrown by the headlines of some of the coverage, and the media characterization of a phase-out as a "flip-flop". Heck, even the Reagan tax cuts were phased in 5%-10%-10% at a time. If immigration is your main issue, Walker is probably not going to be your first choice. There are fair ways to express that. However, if Walker makes moves towards a hard line, and hard-liners on immigration issues continue to harangue as a "flip-flopper", the lesson learned by those who are forming or reconsidering their position are going to figure they are not likely to earn any new allies.

Cruz and Walker are both good men who bring a lot to the table. Those of us who were in Wisconsin saw the muscle behind Walker's rhetoric, and not just on Act 10, but on a variety of things I never thought I'd see in Wisconsin, especially from a man with one arm tied behind his back (Capitol occupation, corrupt Government Accountability Board, Recall election).

Out of 50+ Republican Senators, Cruz has taken the lead in the Senate to stand atop the world yelling "Stop!" despite having only a handful of allies (Mike Lee, mainly). He is also an exceptionally articulate speaker who can make his points in few words intelligently, and also make them accessible to a wide range of voters. Also, he's brilliant and relentlessly conservative. He also knows about the evils of Communism in a way most of us cannot fully appreciate.

At this stage, there's room for two leading conservative candidates. Cruz supporters should realize that executive experience as governor trumps a strong term as Senator, and that if they are moved off of Walker, they will go over to Pence , Jindal, or (God forbid!) Christie or John Ellis Bush! Walker supporters have to appreciate that Cruz has NOT been infected with DC-itis, that he IS an extremely intelligent man with solid principles and very good political instincts, and that most Cruz supporters think we have run out of time for a man who would ordinarily be simply a good president, but that we have to rock the boat and force a fast realignment for our last chance to stop the whole ship from going under.

We need to build up both men. Walker can emphasize his record and his executive role, Cruz can emphasize his foreign policy chops and his willingness to take on not only lefty dems, but establishment types within his own party. That does NOT require tearing down the character of either man. The Dems and the Establishment will try to do that.

You got your panties in a real big twist from my two word post - LoL! But you know what is really stupid?
Giving a pass to a weak candidate and keeping him vulnerable and untested till the democrats rip him apart because your emotional maturity level is that of a four year old.

Welcome to the big leagues, Kid.

You may have imagined my panties in a twist, but I was unaware of the malady.

Tell me how keeping what seem to be potentially valid candidates is more stupid than letting Obama have a second term. Or even opening the door for another Dim to replace him.

My maturity level doesn't seem to suffer when placed next to yours - I make statements of opinion and others gleefully pounce even though their ideas seem to have put us in the place we're at. With folks who insist that they just know we can put a Cruz up there and the hell with not putting all our eggs in one basket, there is little room to complain about the squishes we have as top dogs in the House and Senate - we're not doing any better than them - unless one counts bitching about them as doing something positive.

I have donated to Cruz and am hoping for opportunities to send him more money if/when he actually takes the full leap.

I would ask you if you donated to him, but I really believe you might tell a fib just so you don't come off as seeming like one of the action-less whiners.

I guess claiming that you are attuned to "The Big Leagues" makes you feel a bit superior - I ain't impressed, even with my 4 year old's maturity level.

You may have imagined my panties in a twist, but I was unaware of the malady.
I posted "Walker walks" and you are still moaning about it. Actually, I have never seen panties in a bigger twist than yours over so little.

Tell me how keeping what seem to be potentially valid candidates is more stupid than letting Obama have a second term. Or even opening the door for another Dim to replace him.

Oh No! I dared to post "Walker walks"! How will he ever become President after this?!

Yes, you actually are embarrassing yourself now.

I already answered why your beauty pageant is not a good idea. Feel free to go back and read the part of my post you weren’t honest enough to quote but instead play(?) dumb about.

My maturity level doesn't seem to suffer when placed next to yours - I make statements of opinion and others gleefully pounce even though their ideas seem to have put us in the place we're at.

That is a big lie. I posted "Walker walks" and got your panties in a big twist which included you pouncing with this: I'll not destroy what might be our next best hope this early in the game and slide the door wide open for another 8 years of hard core Leftist destruction. That would be.......stupid.
Your opinion accuses me of destroying a candidate because I dared post "Walker walks" and pounced on me as being "stupid". Now you are being deceitful by playing the Nobel Troll while blaming me. Tell us more of how great you are, at my expense. Obviously that is what your whole tirade is really about. I have donated to Cruz and am hoping for opportunities to send him more money if/when he actually takes the full leap. I would ask you if you donated to him, but I really believe you might tell a fib just so you don't come off as seeming like one of the action-less whiners.
I don’t know why you keep bringing Cruz into this. Let me point out to you Nobel Troll... that you are "destroying" Walker with your constant politicking for Cruz in a Walker thread while actually fund raising against Walker.

By your own logic - you are doing much worse than me posting "Walker walks" which has unbelievably caused you so much trouble - LoL!

Let’s add hypocrite to your Nobel Troll traits.

AP: Gov. Walker to sign Right-to-Work bill at Badger Meter in Brown Deer BROWN DEER (AP) — Governor Scott Walker plans to sign the right-to-work bill on Monday, March 9th at a Milwaukee-area company whose leader spoke out in favor of the measure this week.

Walker announced Friday that he will sign the bill at Badger Meter in Brown Deer.

Badger Meter’s CEO and Chairman Rich Meeusen this week said passing the bill will lead to between 30 and 50 new jobs at his factory. He spoke out after a coalition of more than 400 businesses joined together in opposition to the proposal.

The Assembly passed it Friday morning on a party line vote with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats against.

“What we`re gonna be seeing is a weakening of the power of labor over the next couple years and along with that the weakening of the power of the Democratic Party.

It`s almost like what we`re seeing (Monday) is the moment Wisconsin becomes a Republican state,” UW-Milwaukee Professor Mordecai Lee said....." Source

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