Monday, February 6, 2012

In A Tempest, Scott Walker Knows Nothing

Scott Walker is proving, as his John Doe appearance looms, "What's past is prologue," though who knows if he's heard of that weighty saying or that Shakespeare, with appropriate foreshadowing, inserted it into "The Tempest."

Connect these dots:

* At the end of the infamous prank, taped call between the fake David Koch and Walker that Ian Murphy, the fake David Koch said he'd fly Walker "out to Cali" for "a really good time" after Walker "crushed those union bastards."

And Walker said, "All right, that would be outstanding." (transcript here).

Not long thereafter, Walker found himself in front of a House sub-committee on Capitol Hill, where he denied, under oath, that 'fly me out to Cali' was the offer of something of value because:

"I don't even know where Cali is," he said (video). 
*  A few months ago, Scott Walker told the AP he didn't have a clue about the John Doe probe. Here's how the Eau Claire paper framed the story when running it: 
Walker says he knows nothing of investigation
"We don't know what exactly is involved," Walker said Friday when asked about the raid after a public event at Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport.
"As far as what I know is what I've been reading in the press. I don't have any more information beyond that." 
*  Then a few weeks ago, Scott Walker drew another blank when the Journal Sentinel asked about where he thought the John Doe was headed, and he commented in this story:

Walker says he has met man jailed in investigation

In response to a question about those around him, Walker went on to say that he believed his aides - some of whom have come under scrutiny from authorities - had acted correctly as well.

"I'm not aware of anything, particularly for people working for me right now. There's nothing brought to my attention that would be a problem," Walker said.
Now this was beginning to ring a bell. Where have we seen this blank, 'I dunno,' slate before?

*  Here's one example, after a patient starved to death at the Mental Health Complex, the gubernatorial campaign was underway and a report about it could have surfaced:

Walker defends withholding Mental Health Complex report

"I don't know what's in it, so it's hard for me to say" if it should be released, Walker said. His administration had nothing to do with the report being withheld, Walker said.
But isn't there something earlier?

*  Ah, The Marquette Tribune had it in 2010, and used its files clear back to 1988, when Walker's campaign for student body president imploded over ethics and rule violations, and it was time to take responsibility:
Walker’s campaign record murky

In the run-up to election day, the Tribune’s editorial board endorsed Walker’s opponent John Quigley, but said either candidate had the potential to serve effectively.

However, the Tribune revised its editorial the following day, calling Walker “unfit for presidency...”
The revision also expressed disappointment in Walker’s campaign workers reportedly throwing away issues of the Tribune after the endorsement was initially made.

Walker dismissed this, saying he had no knowledge of what his supporters did, according to a Tribune article from February 25, 1988.
Like The Bard said, "What's past is prologue." 




 

11 comments:

Betsey said...

The great William Shakespere excelled at writing superbly human characters with at least one 'fatal flaw' that was the cause of life, liberty or power; Walker seems to have several fatal flaws.

At some point in this process, I'm convinced that the unfolding drama will invoke the the scene from King Richard III, where the King, in a battle for his crown and his life, is knocked off his horse and cries, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse."

I don't know the exact battle, the timing of it or what the 'horse' will be, but I sense in my English major bones that this present is forming past prologue for the future.

James Rowen said...

The Bard knows.

Betsey said...

Oops, I meant to say [a fatal flaw] "that caused loss of life, liberty or power"

A. Wag said...

In the words of the great Roseanne, Roseanna Danna, " It's alweys sumpthin'."

Anonymous said...

hope he didn't think cali was a woman.

Anonymous said...

the quote from richard iii is more appropriate for david clark.

Paul Trotter said...

And he will simply resign with no remorse.

Anonymous said...

Paraphrasing the Bard, methinks he doth protest too much.

Walker is usually so quick-tongued and seemingly well-spoken, except during denials like the ones quoted herein. Then the syntax is slightly off. The tone falters. It doesn't have the ring of sincerity.

It reminds me of his appearance before Congress. When the audience is the choir he's preaching to, like AEI or FOX News, he's, again seemingly, charming, quick-witted, and eloquent. But the facade quickly melts under the glare of truly critical examination. Rep. Kucinich tore into Walker, and, like an ice cube under a heat lamp, Walker's slick exterior melted, leaving him fumbling about and giving off the appearance of a schoolboy caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. He looked ashamed and guilty as he should have.

Jonathan Swift said...

Check out the Milw Journ Sent. article from March 29 2002 "Preacher's Kid". The speeding ticket incident is interesting.

James Rowen said...

To JS - - Not seeing a url for it.

James Rowen said...

Oh, I found it. I'll post it. It's interesting