Right Wisconsin asks right-wing Wisconsin pundits whether Scott Walker will, or should, run for president.
Some say yes — for instance, Brett Healy of the MacIver Institute:
What we do know is that the left is once again attacking Scott Walker and the possibility he might one day run for President because they fear him.
Scott Walker did something that is incredibly rare in today’s political world. Walker promised to fix a $3.6 billion dollar deficit without raising taxes and surprise, surprise, he actually kept his word. Walker fixed Wisconsin’s fiscal crisis by making difficult decisions that force government to live within its means, a common-sense solution that other politicians believe is impossible.
What the left is deadly afraid of is a growing number of Americans, who know what it is like to pare back their own household budget because of the uncertain times we live in, agree with Walker’s vision for government and for the future. The left also knows that Walker has an incredibly rare talent for a fiscal conservative – the ability to effectively communicate his vision and connect with regular people on a more emotional level.
Brian Sikma of Media Trackers:
Wisconsin was the pre-game for the 2012 election, but unlike November of 2012, Republicans actually won both the policy debate and the political fight here. Anybody who could win twice in a Blue State with full-fledged Democrat and union opposition deserves consideration for the GOP presidential nomination.
Jerry Bader of a radio near you:
Scott Walker has Wisconsin on a path 180 degrees divergent from President Obama’s America. By early 2015 the results of these two very different roads taken should provide a study in contrast in terms of results.
If Wisconsin is out-producing America, substantially, Scott Walker should run for President. He’ll have established Wisconsin as a model for effective conservatism; effectiveness being measured by results. A run won’t merely be politically wise; it will be a moral imperative.
David Blaska:
Americans are hungry for someone with courage to take on the public sector unions, balance a budget without raising taxes, restore an economy.I got it! His presidential campaign motto: “Scott Walker: Take Courage.”
Others say no — for instance, the proprietor of Wigderson Library & Pub, who soberly writes:
Walker’s ascendance is at a time when other conservative stars are coming of age. Unlike 2012 when Mitt Romney dominated in a Republican presidential primary campaign of political dwarfs, Republicans will have some very solid and established candidates. Senator Marco Rubio gave a speech at CPAC, too, that caused more presidential buzz. Senator Rand Paul may actually be able to bridge Republicans and libertarians. Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana is leading the way on tax and education reform. Governor Chris Christie is taking on unions and special interests in his state and is getting national attention for his directness. And let’s not forget Congressman Paul Ryan who has had a taste of the national stage.Finally, while I like Walker, and truly respect him as a governor, he has no foreign policy experience or credentials. He also can’t point to an educational background that would lend credibility in that area.
As our friends on the left like to remind us, Walker did not even finish college. While there’s a compelling story (he left school to go to work), Walker is going to have a hard time convincing a certain segment of Republican primary voters to take him seriously as a result.
And then there’s, well, me:
Scott Walker will not be the president of the United States in 2016 or any other year, because no Wisconsinite will ever be elected president from either party. Wisconsin comprises essentially 2 percent of the United States — 2 percent of the population, 2 percent of the gross domestic product, etc. Wisconsin therefore is simply not significant enough in the nation for the GOP to select a Wisconsin politician for the presidential nomination. (The same applies to the Democratic Party.) Politicians from Wisconsin amass neither enough wealth nor enough national political stature (which translates to a national-level campaign financial base) to make a serious run for president. Wisconsin is also politically goofy — this state has one of the most conservative AND one of the most liberal senators in the U.S. Senate. For all but eight years since 1988, this state voted for Republican governors and Democratic presidential candidates. For that matter, this state is the home of both Fighting Bob La Follette and Joe McCarthy.
I suspect Scott Walker knows this, and therefore will not run for president.
The same applies to Paul Ryan. Or Rusty the Phony Maverick.
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