Scott Walker Announces

[LDAHL]

I see Wisconsin’s own Scott Walker has thrown his hat into the crowded presidential ring. Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO obligingly referred to him as a “national disgrace”, which should be worth quite a few votes in the primaries. Hillary Clinton also assisted with her “Walker stomps on workers’ rights” endorsement, as she rolled out her “growth and fairness – tastes great, less filling” riposte to the Bernie Sanders “tax Hillary’s neighbors” challenge.

I can remember the scenes in Madison: the drum circles pulsing with percussive protest, the mobs of taunting truant teachers and the superannuated grad students blocking doorways shouting “This is what democracy looks like!” Michael Moore bellowing “We want your money!” The flight of the Senate Democrats. The death threats. The rebarbative recall election. At last, I thought, here is a man who can make us interested in politics again.

We Republicans have an embarrassment of riches (sometimes literally) in our choices this season. I’m not sure who I’ll be voting for yet, but I will say this: if you like a good show, you could do worse than Scott Walker.

[Alan]

I like Walker. As the crowd thins in upcoming months, I expect him to be one of the top two contenders and agree that it will be entertaining as we watch all the wonderful cream rise to the top.

Personally, I think the more interesting show will be when Biden, et.al., enter the race attempting to fill the void Hillary leaves in her wake. We political junkies are easily amused. !Splat!

[Ultralight]

It is times like this I am sure glad I dropped out of politics altogether! It is a racket. ;)

[Williamsmith]

Scott Walker is just a different name but same old rhetoric. He has no vision for foreign policy, says he knows how to kick ISIS butt. Favored immigration amnesty and then changed his mind. Supports man/woman definition of marriage. Believes marijuana is a gateway drug and dangerous. Scott Walker may be good for Wisconsin but he is not ready to graduate from the minor leagues to the big leagues. He will suffer a staggering defeat if he is nominated. The nation needs someone who knows how to lead but is not enameled with themselves so much that they think they have a solution for everything. The solution is usually just get out of the way. He's too self absorbed for that.

[frugal-one]

Scott Walker is just a different name but same old rhetoric. He has no vision for foreign policy, says he knows how to kick ISIS butt. Favored immigration amnesty and then changed his mind. Supports man/woman definition of marriage. Believes marijuana is a gateway drug and dangerous. Scott Walker may be good for Wisconsin but he is not ready to graduate from the minor leagues to the big leagues. He will suffer a staggering defeat if he is nominated. The nation needs someone who knows how to lead but is not enameled with themselves so much that they think they have a solution for everything. The solution is usually just get out of the way. He's too self absorbed for that.


The only one who thinks Scott Walker is good for Wisconsin is Scott Walker. As OP stated he is an embarrassment and he does put on a show.. a comedy of errors. I am ashamed to admit I voted for the scumbag. He is now trying to stop open record laws so he can cover up more.

[freshstart]

The only one who thinks Scott Walker is good for Wisconsin is Scott Walker. .

I cannot even understand after all the damage done to Wisconsin, how the heck he or anyone else believes he is capable of running the country? Oh wait, Koch brothers. Pretty much everything he says he stands for, is the opposite of what I believe. Plus, although not necessary in every job, I believe the Commander in Chief is one that should require a college degree. Walker thinks implementing mandatory ultrasounds for women considering abortion is "just a cool thing". Very well-plotted comment to discourage discussion of abortion and his dumb-downed, wishy-washy speech, will harm women unless we examine what exactly is his plan. And we can be sure that plan will not be wishy-washy on many, many things. IMHO, of course.

[Williamsmith]

I am Independent. I try to stay that way. I was born into a blue collar Democratic family back when Democrats represented working Americans. I was for a long time Republican when that party represented conservative hard working families. But now that both parties have abandoned the middle class for two different reasons....I am Independent. I probably will not vote again for a long time because I feel the process has turned into a circus that I do not want to enable or endorse. I will make it part of my simple living plan to be entertained by the politicians but only grudgingly.

[LDAHL]

I like Walker. As the crowd thins in upcoming months, I expect him to be one of the top two contenders and agree that it will be entertaining as we watch all the wonderful cream rise to the top.

Personally, I think the more interesting show will be when Biden, et.al., enter the race attempting to fill the void Hillary leaves in her wake. We political junkies are easily amused. !Splat!

I like him too. He comes off as sort of bland, but there's a lot of strength behind it. I think a lot of the visceral hatred for him on the left comes from the challenge he presents to their base premises simply by existing. He likes to say he's been elected three times in four years in a state that hasn't gone for a GOP presidential candidate since Reagan. I spoke with people who actually believed that the voters would be outraged to learn that he wanted public employees to contribute half the cost of their pension (6.8% of salary this year). They weren't. I know Trump is currently designated as the progressive bogeyman because he looks and talks the part, but Walker engenders a much more serious threat to their view of the world, and that has driven a lot of frantic hostility. For purposes of the upcoming primaries, that may give him a slight advantage, where voters may decide that anyone big labor hates that much must have something going for him.

I see two negatives He's never been a very colorful campaigner. He's no Reagan on the stump, and there's a sense in politics that words speak louder than actions. He's also a bit of a micromanager. While the Clinton campaign is demonstrating the dangers of being advised, handled and packaged to the point of paralysis, he goes too far in the other direction. The best candidates and presidents understand you need a strong team.

Still, I'd put Walker in my current top three.

I'm not as sanguine as you about the Clinton campaign imploding there's a lot of inertia in her favor, and the democrats don't seem particularly energized right now.

[Teacher Terry]

Walker has not been good for Wis-he has been a total nightmare. I grew up there & lived there as an adult for many years. I don't know one person still living there that thinks he has done anything remotely good.

[Ultralight]

Teacher Terry:

Obviously you don't know many rich people!

[Teacher Terry]

Absolutely correct:~)

[Alan]

Walker has not been good for Wis-he has been a total nightmare. I grew up there & lived there as an adult for many years. I don't know one person still living there that thinks he has done anything remotely good.
I remember being in London a few days after the 2004 Presidential election and overhearing another American tourist lamenting to a local resident that she couldn't understand how George Bush could have possibly won the election since she didn't know a soul who voted for him. The local resident suggested that perhaps she should widen her circle of acquaintances.
I still chuckle thinking about that. :laff:

[Ultralight]

Teacher Terry: you should get to know more rich people. Someday you might need to clean their mansions to earn your pittance.

[LDAHL]

I don't know one person still living there that thinks he has done anything remotely good.

You do now.

[LDAHL]

I remember being in London a few days after the 2004 Presidential election and overhearing another American tourist lamenting to a local resident that she couldn't understand how George Bush could have possibly won the election since she didn't know a soul who voted for him. The local resident suggested that perhaps she should widen her circle of acquaintances.
I still chuckle thinking about that. :laff:

“I live in a rather special world. I only know one person who voted for Nixon. Where they are I don’t know. They’re outside my ken. But sometimes when I’m in a theater I can feel them.”
Pauline Kael, 1972

So that's what I felt!

[JaneV2.0]

Richard Nixon would be a refreshing upgrade to this cycle's blackguards and buffoons.

[LDAHL]

Richard Nixon would be a refreshing upgrade to this cycle's blackguards and buffoons.

He was a classic, that's for sure.

I see a bit of him in Mrs. Clinton.

[JaneV2.0]

He was a classic, that's for sure.

I see a bit of him in Mrs. Clinton.

I bet you do! :~)

[bae]

His endorsement of mandatory ultrasounds for women pre-abortion disgusts me. I will not be supporting him in any fashion.

[Alan]

His endorsement of mandatory ultrasounds for women pre-abortion disgusts me. I will not be supporting him in any fashion.According to Planned Parenthood's Senior Director of Medical Services, most abortions are conducted under ultrasound guidance anyway. It enables them to better ensure organs are not damaged prior to their sale.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=213&v=jjxwVuozMnU

[LDAHL]

His endorsement of mandatory ultrasounds for women pre-abortion disgusts me. I will not be supporting him in any fashion.

I feel the same way about abortion.

[rodeosweetheart]

Teacher Terry: you should get to know more rich people. Someday you might need to clean their mansions to earn your pittance.

I find this really offensive, Ultralite. Terry is highly educated and works as a consultant. Why on earth would you say this to her?

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with working as a housecleaner, either, should anyone choose to do that. I've thought about it, but my health isn't good enough. But it's flexible and in demand and provides a helpful service to people.

But why would you say this, and single out someone to say it to?

[Ultralight]

rodeosweetheart:

Whoa! I agree with Teacher Terry! I am no fan of Scott Walker. I thought I was commiserating with her -- like if Scott Walker became US president he'd usher in a new wave of wealth inequality and we workin' folks would all be cleaning the mansions of the rich for our pittances!

Teacher Terry:

Please know I mean no disrespect. I was just expressing solidarity with you via some dark humor.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I find this really offensive, Ultralite. Terry is highly educated and works as a consultant. Why on earth would you say this to her?

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with working as a housecleaner, either, should anyone choose to do that. I've thought about it, but my health isn't good enough. But it's flexible and in demand and provides a helpful service to people.

But why would you say this, and single out someone to say it to?

I think it was meant more as a cynical comment on the economy than anything as in:

A: "sooner or later, with the way things are going .... the only jobs left are going to be cleaning rich people's mansions".

To which the response if this was a bar or something would be

B shakes head: "yea I know, with the way things are going ... there's not gonna be any jobs left. Did you hear about the layoffs at [Microsoft/fill in the blank]?"

Although, I think it's very hard for most people to be immune to such a situation if things were bad enough.

[Williamsmith]

I can remember back when Romney was just beginning his campaigning in the prior election. You know, the one where all kinds of conservative pundits were predicting he'd win in a landslide. All this hype over how so many people were getting his message even though he hadn't associated with a poor or middle class person in a very long time. And then he got his ever loving butt handed to him on a platter by a social organizer. My how some people have short memories. Has it ever occurred to some people that the country has adopted liberal policies because most of the voters don't trust conservatives in the White House. All this budget and financial talk about public pensions and entitlements. The biggest entitlement is the standing army. Our worldwide presence is bankrupting us. What's Walker going to do.....go get ISIS. Anyone sick of war for the sake of peace?

[freshstart]

What's Walker going to do.....go get ISIS. Anyone sick of war for the sake of peace?

I AM!

[freshstart]

I .I am Independent. I probably will not vote again for a long time because I feel the process has turned into a circus that I do not want to enable or endorse.

I agree with you, even though we probably came to the same conclusion via different paths. But I feel, now more than ever, my vote matters. Because if enough low-to-middle class voters get out there and continue to do so, I think very slowly we will gain momentum and have a voice, even though we will never have a seat at the table.

[frugal-one]

You do now.

You are the only one I know too. I also live in WI.

[frugal-one]

His endorsement of mandatory ultrasounds for women pre-abortion disgusts me. I will not be supporting him in any fashion.

Ditto

[freshstart]

According to Planned Parenthood's Senior Director of Medical Services, most abortions are conducted under ultrasound guidance anyway. It enables them to better ensure organs are not damaged prior to their sale.



As for that video, this was PP's response: "In a press release (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/statement-from-planned-parenthood-on-new-undercover-video) issued in response to the video, Planned Parenthood asserted that this was the case:
In health care, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases. Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different. At several of our health centers, we help patients who want to donate tissue for scientific research, and we do this just like every other high-quality health care provider does — with full, appropriate consent from patients and under the highest ethical and legal standards. There is no financial benefit for tissue donation for either the patient or for Planned Parenthood. In some instances, actual costs, such as the cost to transport tissue to leading research centers, are reimbursed, which is standard across the medical field.
A well funded group established for the purpose of damaging Planned Parenthood’s mission and services has promoted a heavily edited, secretly recorded videotape that falsely portrays Planned Parenthood’s participation in tissue donation programs that support lifesaving scientific research. Similar false accusations have been put forth by opponents of abortion services for decades. These groups have been widely discredited and their claims fall apart on closer examination, just as they do in this case.


Read more at http://m.snopes.com/pp-baby-parts-sale/#OkTspXObVFxBAhRb.99

Back to Walker and mandatory ultrasounds, this was their response to Walker, "Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards called his remarks "appalling" and said,"Women are very clear that forced government ultrasounds are not 'cool.'" (Walker cut funds to Planned Parenthood (http://www.nationaljournal.com/healthcare/wisconsin-cuts-funds-to-planned-parenthood-20110626) in Wisconsin.) Several PP clinics in Wisconsin closed as they were not financially equipped to take on the financial burden of unnecessary U/S for every abortion.

"Last year, researchers pored over 15,575 medical records from an abortion provider in Los Angeles. Nearly all patients who saw a sonogram still opted to terminate their pregnancy (http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/30/us-ultrasound-abortion-idUSBREA0T1PC20140130) -- and those who changed their mind reported entering the clinic with uncertainty.
Each patient underwent an ultrasound. Nearly 43 percent chose to see the sonograms. Of those who saw the images, 98.4 percent ended their pregnancies -- compared to 99 percent of women who chose not to view the photographs and ended their pregnancies, according to the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. (http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/pages/default.aspx)"

unnecessary ultrasounds ( U/S is not medically necessary in a first trimester abortion) cost the patient $300 more and the largest study shows, they do not impact a woman's choice. Louisiana, Texas and Wisconsin have laws requiring physicians to show the woman U/S photos. Why, if it does not impact their ultimate choice? To imply a woman with the legal right to an abortion should feel guilt and remorse. We're legislating that now? That's disgusting. And let's hold off on validating this suspicious video that begins with an intro over a decade old. PP admits to harvesting tissue IF the woman wants it, which does advance scientific research, TISSUE, not organs and limbs.

all this talk about Walker and abortion may make it sound like I am a one issue voter. Just to be clear, I am not and have many reasons I do not believe he can serve this country well

[Williamsmith]

This thread is prima facia evidence of Scott Walker's polarizing politics. We have had enough division and I think most people realize it. I prefer simple living and a simple nominee.

[Ultralight]

I am keeping it real simple -- I don't even vote anymore. haha

[Alan]

This thread is prima facia evidence of Scott Walker's polarizing politics. We have had enough division and I think most people realize it. I prefer simple living and a simple nominee.
If it's not too polarizing, who would you consider a 'simple' nominee?

[Williamsmith]

Grover Cleveland.

[Alan]

Grover Cleveland.Good choice. As Governor of New York, Cleveland was known for his fiscal conservatism and efforts against entrenched interests (Tammany Hall). What makes him different from
Scott Walker?

[Williamsmith]

They are, as you recognized, very similar. Just one glaring difference. Uncle Jumbo has been dead for a long time.

We could use a President who doesn't take his political beliefs into the White House nor his religious beliefs, nor his reforms, nor his agendas. We have a Congress of many men and women who effectively do nothing even though they purportedly represent the rest of us. Our Presidents have gotten in the way lately.

Our next President needs to stop meddling in the affairs of the rest of the world as if all the resources of it belong to him, needs to opt out of taking sides in race relations choosing not to douse the fire with gasoline, needs to simply perform the strictly outlined mechanics of the Office of President and above all quit making speeches like he/she is King/Queen.

Therefore, Grover seems to be the perfect nominee. Grover has a lot of experience and he is dead.

[LDAHL]

You are the only one I know too. I also live in WI.

We can often be found around voting booths.

[LDAHL]

We could use a President who doesn't take his political beliefs into the White House nor his religious beliefs, nor his reforms, nor his agendas.

I suppose we could try electing a zombie, but the mainstream media has whipped up a lot of prejudice against Reanimated-Americans over the past several years.

[Ultralight]

I dunno... As I think about it maybe I will register to vote, vote for the most right-wing of all the republicans, and then watch smugly as the economic policies they implement force Americans to live more simply.

[Alan]

I dunno... As I think about it maybe I will register to vote, vote for the most right-wing of all the republicans, and then watch smugly befuddledly as the economic policies they implement force allow Americans to live more simply rather than forcing them to do so.

There, I fixed it for you. ;)

[Ultralight]

LOL!

[rodeosweetheart]

I am for a Ron Paul/Edward Snowden ticket.

[LDAHL]

I am for a Ron Paul/Edward Snowden ticket.

Assuming he returned to the US and was convicted of treason, Snowden wouldn't be the first felon to run for national office.

[Gregg]

Grover has a lot of experience and he is dead.

That should help in Illinois.

[Teacher Terry]

Unfortunately dead babies seem to vote in Illinois:~). When I lived in WI we would watch the Chicago news & there was always some type of corruption going on. The thing about politics is that you are never going to change someone's mind so actually pretty pointless to argue about.

[LDAHL]

According to Planned Parenthood's Senior Director of Medical Services, most abortions are conducted under ultrasound guidance anyway. It enables them to better ensure organs are not damaged prior to their sale.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=213&v=jjxwVuozMnU

I see that PP has apologized for the apparent lack of compassion in the discussion of the best way to kill a fetus without damaging the useful bits.

[peggy]

I see that PP has apologized for the apparent lack of compassion in the discussion of the best way to kill a fetus without damaging the useful bits.

And I see that the right wing has latched on to yet another phony 'scandal' and will not only beat that horse dead, but grind it in until it is just a greasy spot on the highway to the White House.

Bonus: PP is so much easier to spell than Benghazi! ;)

[Alan]

I see that PP has apologized for the apparent lack of compassion in the discussion of the best way to kill a fetus without damaging the useful bits.
It's hard to balance progressive eugenics with public opinion, especially when you throw in the organ harvesting operation. The PR folks certainly earn their salaries.

[JaneV2.0]

Late term abortions are a tiny fraction of the total, and almost always done for medical reasons. Medical procedures often yield tissue (body parts) that are used for research. This is a manufactured "scandal." Every time another attack on Planned Parenthood comes around, a lot of us dig into our pockets and donate.

[Ultralight]

Civilization will collapse before Americans agree on ending pregnancy.

I sometimes wonder if other areas of family planning might be better to focus on. I think that men between the ages of 18-22 should be able to get free vasectomies on demand. And as a result they should get a free college education at any state school to the bachelor's degree level. Same for women 18-22 who get a tubal ligation. I think this would be an excellent incentive for people to make such a big decision regarding family planning so early in their lives.

[JaneV2.0]

Civilization will collapse before Americans agree on ending pregnancy.

I sometimes wonder if other areas of family planning might be better to focus on. I think that men between the ages of 18-22 should be able to get free vasectomies on demand. And as a result they should get a free college education at any state school to the bachelor's degree level. Same for women 18-22 who get a tubal ligation. I think this would be an excellent incentive for people to make such a big decision regarding family planning so early in their lives.

Yet the same people who rail against abortion are often the first to try to limit contraception. I agree that cheap, safe contraception--and education--are the key to minimizing unwanted pregnancies. Much of Europe, and a recent program in Colorado, have proved the point. The Colorado program cut abortion by 42%:
http://www.bustle.com/articles/95287-colorados-birth-control-experiment-proves-the-whole-country-needs-free-bc

[freshstart]

Late term abortions are a tiny fraction of the total, and almost always done for medical reasons. Medical procedures often yield tissue (body parts) that are used for research. This is a manufactured "scandal." Every time another attack on Planned Parenthood comes around, a lot of us dig into our pockets and donate.

Agreed. The right never talks about the fact that abortion accounts for 3% of PP services. The rest- pap smears, birth control assistance, sex education, healthcare and screenings for STDs and treatment, basic women's healthcare all the way up and through menopause, cancer screenings, never discussed, nor their importance acknowledged. Some of the loudest anti-choice rhetoric is coming from politicians who turned down Medicaid Expansion, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without what they need. Well, PP could help them a lot more if they didn't have to waste gobs of money fighting off the right who refuse to accept Roe v Wade still stands.

PP's response to the infamous video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZUjU4e4fUI

notice how many times she says "tissue", not organs.

[LDAHL]

Civilization will collapse before Americans agree on ending pregnancy.



Civilization will collapse before Americans agree on anything.

[Ultralight]

Civilization will collapse before Americans agree on anything.

Haha. I am more or less okay with that. But I have little choice.

[frugal-one]

Front page today (7-21-2015) of WI State Journal... FYI

Walker supports dismantling and replacing the state's independent elections and ethics board ... a board that helped INVESTIGATE Walker's 2012 recall campaign. Walker told reporters Monday he wants to scrap the state's Government Accountability Board, or GAB, which enforces campaign finance, elections, ethics and lobbying laws.

Another article in today's paper -

Walker on Monday (7-21-2015) banned abortion in Wisconsin after 20 weeks of pregnancy - a law that is sure to curry favor with conservative voters but could be successfully challenged in court. Similar legislation has been ruled unconstitutional.

[freshstart]

seriously, after just that first article, what is his allure that conservatives are still backing him?

I found this: http://www.redstate.com/diary/freedomrepublican/2015/03/09/12-reasons-why-conservatives-should-reject-scott-walker/

which made me laugh, because they are the only semi-good things if you squint your eyes tight and are far away, that would make the left concede that he has, in the way past attempted to do something that was more for the people's benefit than not

I hope that abortion law gets jumped on quickly while the iron is hot

[LDAHL]

seriously, after just that first article, what is his allure that conservatives are still backing him?

I found this: http://www.redstate.com/diary/freedomrepublican/2015/03/09/12-reasons-why-conservatives-should-reject-scott-walker/

which made me laugh, because they are the only semi-good things if you squint your eyes tight and are far away, that would make the left concede that he has, in the way past attempted to do something that was more for the people's benefit than not

I hope that abortion law gets jumped on quickly while the iron is hot

I think it would be a mistake for the GOP to indulge in it's own version of political correctness, and I hope they don't give into the temptation to impose litmus tests to ensure orthodoxy. I'd hate to see the Republican equivalent of Bill de Blasio being forced to apologize for saying "all lives matter".

As to changing the structure of the GAB, I think a lot of the impetus there is disgust with the John Doe investigation that the Wis Supreme Court recently threw out. Wisconsin has arguably the worst John Doe law in the country, allowing prosecutors almost unlimited discretion to seize evidence, gag witnesses and pursue fishing expeditions. I personally think the GOP's energy would be better spent reforming that law than reforming a marginally competent State agency.

[frugal-one]

Today's paper for all you Walker fans.....

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/scott-walker-s-statements-not-always-in-line-with-actions/article_6bf1521e-3a90-50f3-a237-80a0c619a24e.html