Gov. Scott Walker: "Governors Make Much Better Presidents Than Members Of Congress"

Real Clear Politics ^ | 11/09/2014 | RCP

[SMCC1]

Video

[PLMerite]

“It would help if they actually finished out a single term.”

Let’s have people file random nuisance lawsuits against you that you have to fight with your own money and see how long you last.

[newfreep]

You exposed yourself, again, as a gutless coward...and really no different from other amnesty traitors...the worst of the traitors among us.

Again, you should move to Mehico, Pedro, and be with your comrades.

Now get lost, you faux intellectual.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I didn’t get exposed as anything you despicable piece of human debris. You are so far from my league....

[Verginius Rufus]

James A. Garfield was a Congressman from 1863 on and was Senator-elect when nominated for President in 1880. Before entering Congress he had been a college president and a brigadier general in the Union Army.

[Chickensoup]

James A. Garfield was a Congressman from 1863 on and was Senator-elect when nominated for President in 1880. Before entering Congress he had been a college president and a brigadier general in the Union Army.

______________

In other words he was something besides a politician.

There are few senators or representatives that have any other experience than politics or government jobs.

[SoConPubbie]

Someone who knows the Washington political scene very well once described Mitt Romney as "the most capable executive ever to run for the White House."

Which means squat.

When a man/woman supports or implements the following as Mitt Romney did and does, he is totally incapable of being a good President:

1. Abortion
2. Gay Agenda, including Gay Marriage and Gay Adoption
3. Global Warming
4. Amnesty
5. Anti-2nd Amendment
6. Anti-Reagan
7. Tax and Spender.

[SoConPubbie]

I’m sure Walker will fall in line with enforcement first; we can define the next step in 5 years after Republicans in governance can prove they can do anything about the border.

Did you listen to the Scott Walker interview posted up-thread?

Given what he stated in that interview, I don't share your optimism about what Scott Walker would do as POTUS. In fact, some of what he states is diametrically opposed to what you want to believe he will do.

[sgtyork]

Ryan was making similar noises a few months ago, but after what happened to Rubio and Cantor he’s pretty definite on enforcement first.

https://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/august-5-2013/rep-paul-ryan-no-work-permits-until-enforcement-place.html

http://www.rightwisconsin.com/dailytakes/paul-ryan-we-dont-trust-the-president-to-enforce-immigration-law-243220821.html

This election’s results are also going to emphasize the power of an enforcement message.

The left says Walker is divisive, but in reality he is not that confrontational.

I’m all for pounding them all on enforcement first.

[SoConPubbie]

1. Being POTUS requires leadership and leadership, at times, and more often than not, requires confrontation. There is a lot I like about Walker, but once that Amnesty cat is out of the bag, unless there is a total public reversal, politicians just try to pretend they are not for Amnesty, just waiting for what they consider is a more "Appropriate" time.

Ryan is worse. Given his total capitulation on the Social issues, I wouldn't vote for him for dog catcher. In fact, if he is the nominee, he is so bad I'd look for a third party candidate to keep the honor of my vote intact.

[SoConPubbie]

The left says Walker is divisive, but in reality he is not that confrontational.

I’m all for pounding them all on enforcement first.

1. Being POTUS requires leadership and leadership, at times, and more often than not, requires confrontation. There is a lot I like about Walker, but once that Amnesty cat is out of the bag, unless there is a total public reversal, politicians just try to pretend they are not for Amnesty, just waiting for what they consider is a more "Appropriate" time.

Ryan is worse. Given his total capitulation on the Social issues, I wouldn't vote for him for dog catcher. In fact, if he is the nominee, he is so bad I'd look for a third party candidate to keep the honor of my vote intact.

[zencycler]

I have no doubt his comment was self serving, and I also generally agree with the other points you raised. That being said, in judging Walker’s effectiveness as a leader in Wisconsin who is able to push through his agenda, I think one of the main factors in his favor is just how many liberal he has been able to piss off!

[C. Edmund Wright]

I agree with you on Walker specifically, but I disagree with Walker on the governor v Senator thing. Or, at least, I think there are exceptions to it.

But certainly Walker’s ability to tick off liberals and more to the point, defeat unions politically, is impressive.

[zencycler]

Well there again, we actually agree - Cruz would certainly be an exception, particularly with regard to the quality of being inspirational, which as you pointed out on your prior post, is an important aspect of being an effective leader.

[trebb]

I read the article you linked - Walker has a strategy that is probably more effective than that of those who prefer to wipe out RINOs first while leaving extra Dims in office. A battle plan can be staged and be modified as goals are attained.

[C. Edmund Wright]

no doubt - and I would almost concede that there may be times in history where being an “experienced executive” is the number one needed trait. It is not this point in history. At this point, we need more bold and fearless leadership rather than competent administration.

[JacksonCalhoun]

I know, I know, the whole lawsuit thingy. I don’t know the specifics of everything involved, but there had to be some way she could have stood and fought instead of cutting and running, and writing two books and starring on a reality show.

[PLMerite]

The way I understand it, you’re being sued because you’re a government official and you have to answer it. You beat one, get the next one dismissed (after you’ve gone through a certain amount of discovery), but there’s another and another and another. At five- or six-digits a pop, pretty soon that adds up. And it all has to come out of your pocket or from donors.

[zencycler]

It is not this point in history. At this point, we need more bold and fearless leadership rather than competent administration.

You are right, and there are not too many people who come to mind when I think of the qualities of "bold and fearless" leadership. Arguably, more governors than senators in that category, but either way, not too many on either the left or the right.

However, I think both Scott Walker and Ted Cruz are among the few on the right who fit that description.

[Dr. Sivana]

Not saying Walker can't be that, but he is from Wisconsin, which means there is an inner liberal in there somewhere.

Where was Sen. Joe McCarthy's?

[Dr. Sivana]

But certainly Walker’s ability to tick off liberals and more to the point, defeat unions politically, is impressive.

I was working in Wisconsin during the fight. Walker IS bold and fearless. He is also prudent. Besides Act 10, he made Wisconsin the 49th state to get concealed carry, and didn't need a court to order it either. His Photo ID bill is still bouncing in the courts, but is likely to be fully and permanently implemented.

Don't confuse boring and quiet with lack of leadership or fearlessness.

Walker is almost a pure phlegmatic, and doesn't get thrown off course or get distracted. He doesn't put out fires. He sizes up the turf, sets a plan, executes the plan. Unlike a mere executive manager, he is willing to scale. Cruz is great, too, though more of a choleric type who can get things done.

My heart says Cruz, my head says Walker. Cruz can carve a new movement and a new coalition, Walker can win over people who are generally apolitical and force the bad guys to over-respond. I'd be happy with either of them.