John Gurda's Rail Logic Probably Lost On Scott Walker

The problem is, and will continue to be, that a talk-radio obeisant ideologue like Scott Walker lacks the intellectual curiosity and political courage to think through and reconsider a position.

Regrettably, a thoughtful historian will lose the immediate argument with a stubborn and cocky politician every time, with the longer-term fix costing more money but without replacing or recouping squandered opportunities.

We'll find out more than once in the next four Walker years that truculent chippiness - - "The Madison-to-Milwaukee train is dead" - - might be a good talk radio or Tea Party-inspired stump speech style, but doesn't elevate Wisconsin or help make substantial public policy.