Associated Press: Wisconsin Governor Greeted As Republican Rock Star

Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 --- 6:55 a.m.

From the Associated Press:

By SCOTT BAUER and SEAN MURPHY
Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A year after his showdown with labor protesters, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has become one of the most sought-after figures in the Republican Party.

Walker is constantly on the road, keeping a travel schedule more akin to a presidential candidate than a governor trying to survive a recall challenge. He now regularly huddles with the wealthy and the GOP elite.

Last week, for instance, he mingled with top Oklahoma Republicans at a fundraiser co-sponsored by Koch Industries, the oil company led by billionaire brothers who are top backers of conservative causes nationwide.

Walker has used his cachet as a party hero to rake in millions in campaign cash. And that's put his Democratic opponents at a disadvantage in their effort to oust him in a June 5 recall election.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.


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  • by Scott Location: Green Bay on Apr 28, 2012 at 11:43 AM
    I want to know how many people who THINK they have been helped by Walker actually have been helped. The majority of the tea party base are actually voting against their own interests (yes, I consider Walker a tea party republican). Why is Walker spending his time bumping elbows with the filthy rich and not the farmers, small business owners, and "I love my gun" people who are struggling? If you believe he is on your side, you are wrong. Using teachers and other professionals who are paid by taxes is an easy way to pander to those who form their opinions while watching billionaire funded commercials. Dare to be informed by more than one source; your teacher should have told you that in school.
  • by Tom on Apr 19, 2012 at 10:08 PM
    The democrats are the party of the hand out. Everyone wants something for nothing or something the have not earned. Walker brings REALITY to the state budget. Choices are simple, higher taxes and wide spread layoffs or Walker reforms. Take your pick but that is reality. Wisconsin is in the top 5 states in the country for taxes. Do we really want not make the top of that list. Dems have no real solutions. They like to promise what we don't have just to get elected. Walker will win his recall and dems will have to live within their own means (how terrifying).
  • by anonymous j Location: 53066 on Apr 18, 2012 at 03:45 PM
    It is so sad people cannot see him for what he is and what he is doing to this state and our children. My daughter came home from school(H.S.)today, really upset. 15 teachers got their notices with more coming next week. Strange thing is, Walker was a couple blocks away making ?HIS? big WHEDA announcement. Many of these teachers are "new". Where are they to go when all districts are facing the same budget problems brought on by Walker. Does this not count for job losses in Wisconsin (that already ranks #1 in the country?) C'mon people, find out how much good Walker is REALLY doing before the recall election!!! Do not be so narrow-minded!!!
  • by Brian Location: Lone Rock on Apr 18, 2012 at 03:28 PM
    I got news for you Mike ,Scott Walker will win twice this time buy a landslide. Why you ask because liberal policies suck,Look no farther than Detroit.Amrerican core values,less goverment and free ride tax payer bennies for union thugs are over!
  • by Bill Location: Madison on Apr 18, 2012 at 03:15 PM
    Well Mike, spoken like a true liberal, often forgetting or choosing to forget the travels out of state and country that Doyle took. You shouldnt be so transparent.
  • by Beth Location: WI on Apr 18, 2012 at 12:16 PM
    This just shows what has happened to the Republican Party... Glad I am not one of them
  • by Randy Location: Brown County on Apr 18, 2012 at 10:43 AM
    You're doing a great job Scott Walker. For those who think the opposing party would have made the same cuts as was achieved by the collective bargaining law, let me ask you one question. Would you be happy with the cuts you had to take if collective bargaining remained? I think NOT! You are mad about the cuts!! Period. What's more, some portions of the collective bargaining law achieves SAVINGS without a single cut to employee benefits. There is a reason that WEA Insurance revenue went down by $70 MILLION dollars, a figure reported by WEA!!! Companies who have historically been in a competitive market would NOT take that large percentage of business loss in ONE CALENDAR YEAR!! Further more, have you ever seen employees of a private company parade at the state capitol when management makes them take a salary freeze? They just have to take their lumps or move on to another company. You are using brute force and politics to avoid what is impossible to avoid in the public sector / competitive marketplace. That's why there is a divide. You are 1st class citizens and we are 2nd class citizens.
  • by j on Apr 18, 2012 at 09:23 AM
    I am not sure which I think is better for our state Mr.(not much of a Governor more a puppet) Walker out of state or here representing the very people he spoke for (a couple billionaire brothers) but I am sure he isn't going to do anything in My interest but I am also sure the Dems aren't going to either, for me at least it is and will likely remain a choice of the lesser of the two evils. Maybe some day we will find a solution but I don't see it happening without some major changes in both parties or the way we fund campaigns.
  • by Joe on Apr 18, 2012 at 09:12 AM
    While I don't support Walker, I don't think he can lose. His funds are huge, his support is a quiet monster, and the democratic party could not land any of the candidates they wanted and now have to decided between 4 b-list candidates. How the democrats messed this up is beyond me.
  • by Mike Location: New Glarus on Apr 18, 2012 at 07:38 AM
    He should hold off on all this jetsetting. He will have plenty of time for travel when hes unemployed. Sure speaks volumes. He spends more time out of state then in it.

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