Magnanimity Moment Missed

Politicians yearn for moments that allow for displays of magnanimity - - the more unscripted the opportunity, the better - - and Scott Walker had one handed to him when it turned out that the 20-year-old UW-Platteville student whom the Governor had nominated for a short-term slot on the UW Board of Regents had signed a Walker recall petition two years earlier.

There are two student seats on the UW Board of Regents in somewhat symbolic and relatively powerless spots on a large board of heavy-hitters; The board has 18 members; 14 of whom are gubernatorial appointees serving staggered, seven-year terms, who constitute the center of board power and through whom a Governor eventually establishes control.

There are also two student regents whom the Governor appoints, but only to two-year terms. Two more regents are higher-ed administrators.

Details, here.

This was not Walker discovering that the balance of power over UW affairs would be hanging in the balance, or that he had found out a Cabinet nominee or policy-maker in a key agency had committed a grievous act of political disloyalty.

Basically, this was a small embarrassment suddenly offering Walker an opportunity to put sharp-edged partisanship aside, throw his arm around a student who is half his age - -  a teenager at the time of the petition signing - -  and say, 'son, I'm going to give you a second chance to give me a second look.'

But Walker couldn't set aside his basic humorless and one-dimensional identity, so tossed the opportunity away by withdrawing the student's nomination.
Appearing intimidated by a 20-year-old.

Righty 620 WTMJ-AM radio talker Jeff Wagner Thursday afternoon said the episode was a self-inflicted wound laid on Walker by inept staffers.

I'd argue the self-inflicted occurred when Walker chose mundane over magnanimous.

Cross-posted at Purple Wisconsin.