I've been posting daily on this blog about Scott Walker's unwavering Donald Trump endorsement 111 days ago.
I believed it was a calculated and unprincipled move given Trump's reckless words and actions, along with his unapologetic ignorance, and I have long labeled Walker the compleat, 24/7 politico and partisan, so with Wisconsin adding to Trump's majority or putting him over the top Tuesday night/Wednesday morning I will give Walker credit for political smarts.
Maybe he just rolled the dice, maybe he just trusted his gut. I can't say, but he made a bet and won it.
And while I'm at it, let's acknowledge that Walker had already done this:
Figured out how to turn small town and out-state resentment against Madison, and academia, and big cities with their minority majorities - - and that story has been documented - - into his own gubernatorial victories, which in turn helped the GOP to gerrymandered dominance.
Maybe permanently in Wisconsin.
And with a sympathetic State Supreme Court as ready back-up.
So Walker played his cards smartly - - for himself, his future, and his party - - though with Trump in the White House and Mike Pence waiting in the wings, Walker's presidential ambition is over and his hold on the Governor's mansion a necessity unless The Donald wants to tap him for a job.
Maybe, maybe not. I'd say he probably hunkers down for a third term. After all, he's set that table.
For the rest of us, it was a dark election and the future is ominous, especially for minorities.
America is already great - - though for how long isn't clear. What is clear is that we are going to take a big hit.
I believed it was a calculated and unprincipled move given Trump's reckless words and actions, along with his unapologetic ignorance, and I have long labeled Walker the compleat, 24/7 politico and partisan, so with Wisconsin adding to Trump's majority or putting him over the top Tuesday night/Wednesday morning I will give Walker credit for political smarts.
Maybe he just rolled the dice, maybe he just trusted his gut. I can't say, but he made a bet and won it.
And while I'm at it, let's acknowledge that Walker had already done this:
Figured out how to turn small town and out-state resentment against Madison, and academia, and big cities with their minority majorities - - and that story has been documented - - into his own gubernatorial victories, which in turn helped the GOP to gerrymandered dominance.
Maybe permanently in Wisconsin.
And with a sympathetic State Supreme Court as ready back-up.
So Walker played his cards smartly - - for himself, his future, and his party - - though with Trump in the White House and Mike Pence waiting in the wings, Walker's presidential ambition is over and his hold on the Governor's mansion a necessity unless The Donald wants to tap him for a job.
Maybe, maybe not. I'd say he probably hunkers down for a third term. After all, he's set that table.
For the rest of us, it was a dark election and the future is ominous, especially for minorities.
America is already great - - though for how long isn't clear. What is clear is that we are going to take a big hit.
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
ReplyDeleteIt's time to stand united and individual.
I still say he's going for a cabinet post. He's got so much experience, he could have his pick of:
ReplyDeleteSecretary of Labor
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of the Interior (bring along Cathy Stepp as his right-hand girl)
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Agriculture...
The list goes on.
With the Trump win, Walker's 2020 Presidential campaign is pretty much stopped in its tracks, so he might consider running against Baldwin in 2018 as his best path to the White House in 2024. A cabinet position or other administration position (other than vp) is really not a great pathway to the Presidency.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, he's sold his house and is ready to move, so maybe he just wants to get to D.C. and has a plan that only he understands.
Walker will stay right here. He hasn't finished turning Wisconsin into Kansas or Mississippi yet!
ReplyDelete