‘Courage’: Wisconsin’s Governor Hopes His Budget Cutting Boldness Spreads Inside the Beltway
- Posted on July 4, 2011 at 1:35pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is riding high after fulfilling campaign promises last week when he promptly signed a balanced state budget on time without raising taxes. Now the Wisconsin Republican is wondering why Washington can’t get on a similar track in implementing structural changes to budget as part of an agreement to raise the country’s debt ceiling. Gov. Walker’s comments to The Hill:
“We can turn it around state by state. We can turn it around jurisdiction by jurisdiction, but we need a federal government that’s competent. And right now, there’s not a lot of courage in the Beltway. We need it. We see it in our states. We see it in our cities. We need to have it in Washington.”
August 2 has been estimated as the date that the government will exhaust its ability to pay off bills without a raise in the debt limit, and the Treasury Department announced Friday that lawmakers will have to reach a compromise by July 22.
While only holding statewide office for less than eight months, Walker’s entrance to the national political dialogue quenches the thirst of some who wish to see the Wisconsin governor’s name in presidential campaign buzz. GBTV Producer Nick Rizzuto:
“Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker appears to have the makings of a national GOP rock star fighting the growth of union influence and trimming the fat from state government in order to get Wisconsin’s fiscal house back in order. His agenda has, at times, made him the pariah of the left and a hero to movement Conservatives. His appeal, however, has limits, as evidenced by a baffling lack of presidential buzz. With a current slate of GOP candidates that some might consider uninspiring, the Walker vacuum seems all the more difficult to understand.”
What do you think? Does Walker deserve the time of day in the 2012 discussion?
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Comments (53)
martinrnelson
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 5:22amWalker has done well..however he’s not ready for President yet. He needs to continue to stick to his conservative values and build some more history and experience.
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:25amThere are a LOT of CLOSET reps & independants here! We will keep supporting him!
Report Post »GO WALKER GO ! A Man that does what he said he would do! Rare these Days ! ! !
NolanM1992
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 11:55pmAs a Wisconsinite, I have a special amount of respect for our governor, Scott Walker. I think after a term or two he may be presidential material, but he hasn’t had much experience as governor yet. So far so good for Scott, but give him a few more years before giving him a serious look for president.
Report Post »freemama
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 11:33pmLove our Gov!! He is a principled man and doing just what he promised voters he would do. With a few more years experience behind him, he can take on Washington.
We have to work real hard now to keep both senate and house in Republican hands!
Report Post »fastfacts
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 11:02pmNO ONE, EVEN DEMOCRATS, CAN DENY THAT GOV. WALKER HAS SHOWN GUTS TO PASS HIS AGENDA.
Now they will have to admit that his plan works, now that the schools are getting back in the black, they are afloat with money.
He has guts like Reagan, taking the road not many have travelled to create fiscally responsible changes in a state: http://tiny.cc/v9g7x
Like Gov. Perry and Romney
Report Post »vehoae
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 11:00pmAttn: “Bum Thrower” — My opinion of the Tea Party has changed drastically in the last couple of weeks. During a national conference recently, the Tea Party “pooh poohed” Agenda 21. Their ignorance about what Agenda 21 is about was, in their view, reason enough to not be concerned. They didn’t even realize that every President and most members of Congress have been supporting the Agenda 21 for over two decades, and its basic ideologies (global management) since the mid-19th century. I’ve been a registered Independent for the better part of my adult life, but have voted Republican in past elections. Given the royal screwing being dished out to us by the House Republicans (including their apparent decision to cave on the debt ceiling issue), I’m not feeling like voting Republican anymore. May have to hold my nose to vote for the Libertarian, but like the kids say, “whatever”. The current Congress and President and all their minions have just about ruined this Republic anyway. When I hear Republicans apologize for supporting Agenda 21 and see the U.S. House (as well as state legislatures and local municipalities) begin blocking appropriations for Agenda 21-related projects, maybe I’ll look at a Republican again. This Agenda 21 is just too serious to look at it any other way! I suggest everyone reading this become familiar with Agenda 21 ASAP.
Report Post »fightback
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 11:49pmyou will be happy to know i just attended a tea party meeting in Ohio and agenda 21 was talked about and how to defeat it.
Report Post »bearlyme
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:26pmThe only ones who find the current GOP field uninspiring are the liberals who are in a desperate hunt for John McCain. There are at least three stalwart conservatives in this race already (Bachmann, Santorum, and Cain) with Perry in the wings. They also want as many candidates as possible in this race to divide the campaign funds into as many small pieces as possible. Conservatives, STOP running after everyone who cuts a program. Think harder and deeper or we’re going to end up letting the liberals pick our candidate again.
Report Post »dcart888
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:17pmEveryone who supports what Gov Walker has done needs to donate $$ to his campaign as well as the Republican State congressmen being voted on for recall funded by thug unions.
Donate to their campaigns so this accomplishment won’t be reversed!
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 9:44pm@317718
Report Post »Right to work is right around the corner. When we pound the dems in the so-called recall elections,
that legislation is waiting in the wings. Sorry we lost you……
338lapua
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 9:42pmOur new senator Ron Johnson is making us here in Wisconsin VERY PROUD for his withdrawl of his “unanimous consent” until some sanity is shown fiscally.
Report Post »It is like we hit the lottery with these two!
338lapua
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 9:38pmI love this guy!
Report Post »With the white hot love of a thousand suns.
The only recall going on in this state is Ann (pit viper)Walsh-Bradley and Shirley(right hook) Abrahamson.
The state elected Scott because he is a proven,competent leader.
Every time they say his name…..depends are changed all over Madison.
Right (pink dress) encinom???
annieo
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:34pmDo you think that’s Mr. Pink Dress Himself? hehehehhehhehehhe
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:50pmHow many more days before the Recall?
Report Post »PleaseStartBrainb4engagingmouth
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 9:04pmMONICNE … lets see, Wis. has a signed budget , no lay offs, no tax increases, new jobs in private sector, the State Parks are open for the holidays … is it realy that hard for you to understand how important it is to think before you share your drival ?
Report Post »HumbleMan
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 9:25pm@ENCINOM,
Soon I hope. We are talking about the recall of Obama, right?
Report Post »PleaseStartBrainb4engagingmouth
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:48pmWe need a strong person like Scot here in Wisconsin to keep the radical wack jobs from the UW busy and fight the fight here at home… ( hoping someday we can make Wisconsin into the Texas of the north ) Walker is trying to create jobs and hold taxes inline but it is going to take time to clean up the home of Progressive movement .. Besides the way things are going having a strong governor will be critical when wheels come off the wagon ( notice Minnesota this weekend?)
Report Post »Joshua7
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:36pmI do like him. I don’t know if 8 months experiance is enough to win the GOP nomination. But hey, a 2016 or 2020 field with him and Christie would be awesome!
Report Post »valarie
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 8:11pmLove this man!
Report Post »CommonSenseRN
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:49pmFor this (balancing the budget) to work in Washington, leadership, and the balance of power must change (does not include RINOs). Everyone needs to work to send to Washington people with common sense, and those who can balance their own budget.
To get through this crisis we must also get on our knees and pray that God will send us competent leaders, and help voters become informed and intelligent regarding the politician’s positions and their character.
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:25pmIn the first 6 months of his governorship, here in wisconsin, he has gotten 98% of what he wanted and what the people elected him to do. The left is just besides themselves. Everything the left has tried to do they have failed at. I hope his aspirations keep him here in the state. I‘m selfish and don’t want him to go to washington.
Report Post »REDEFINEDPATRIOTISM
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:09pmYour comment and others like it here have made me really swell with pride. So often, when we get someone good, we immediately ship them off to DC. That doesn’t help anyone! Half of my family lives in WI and I feel like it is my second home, so this is personal for me. But I also feel inspired to say, what if the next move is to do what you and others suggest?? What if the next move is to fill the 50 states with good Governors?! If all 50 had good governors (regardless of party) who would balance budgets, trim fat and be ETHICAL, it would change the face of the country. Then, we elect Representatives and Senators with the same courage and wisdom and send THEM to Washington! It’s a domino effect. The good will emanate from the states, LIKE IT SHOULD, and continue to ripple through our culture. The Founding Fathers wanted social ideas and fiscal conservation to work hand in hand. We just have to find good people to rep both sides in order to help those who can’t help themselves, return pride to the people and put the country back on its feet. They do exist. We have to look for them, convince them to lead, and then SUPPORT them when it’s tough. It’s not an easy job for either them or us, but one worth undertaking if we truly love America and what she stands for. If the moral, patriotic, self-supporting majority would stand up, the rest would sit down. Remember… “WE SURROUND THEM”.
Please notice that I am not talking parties, just values…
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:25pmWalker has shown true leadership. He has been put through h_ll by union thugs. He was voted into office to do exactly what he did & we will see how the citizens of Wisconsin re-act. He was not intimidated & he did not back down. I wish for someone like him as our next president, but Wisconsin needs him. ALL of our states need strong Governors like him to deal with what’s coming.
Report Post »AmericanWomanRestored
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:17pmThat’s my Governor :)
Thank you Gov Walker. We got your back.
Report Post »317718
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:15pmI wish I could have voted for him! ME85, you made a good choice. I haven’t lived in WI since Tommy Thompson though. I think Scott Walker can get me to come back if they were to become a right-to-work state.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:12pmLet’s all see if the state is still there, people haven’t starved or gone without an education, etc, etc. If so then it really could mean all the programs in the state could have some fat trimmed. I argue with my daughter that it is time for her to pay a bit more for her retirement-she doesn’t use the healthcare, she uses her husband’s. She thinks all the union people will suffer from these horrible things in the states where they are saying enough is enough. What I can’t make her realise is the money is just is not there. You cannot make money from air-although Washington seems to think so. So good luck, against the coming lawsuits, the union fits. the protests etc, and let’s see what really happens.
Report Post »317718
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:18pmI call the Union the State debt in some cases. They ask for more only because they want tax payers to pay more and join unions who control their lives. My children go to private school. The teachers make less and pay for their own healthcare and retirement. That is the American Way. Teachers in unions having tax payers front their retirement and healthcare are the Communist Way. Think about it.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:57pmI love Gov. Walker. He did what he promised he would do. He took a bunch of criticism because of it from all those low life thugs from the Unions (teachers and firefighters) and managed to stay true to his promise to the people of Wis. Good For you Governor Walker.
Report Post »Now, if we could only get a few dedicated people in Washington to do the same thing. Outside of Ron Paul and a few others, the majority of those losers need to get a set and stop worrying if they make a few enemies. I think some of them are afraid they’ll have to put up with name calling from the left and it might hurt their feelings, oh oh oh! You see what Gov Walker did and I totally approve even if it was dealing with idiots who were using sticks & stones and hateful words. Thugs! I’d lay down my life to keep from placating these type thugs and corrupt union paid bullies.
Fina Biscotti
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 1:54amI LOVED what Governor Walker did for The State of Wisconsin!!!!
It was very inspiring that he provided all public workers as union members with the opportunity to decide each Year – if they wanted to remain unionized – by the unions needing to be re-certified each year.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 3:17amOur Republic needs strong unfaltering Governors like Walker in order to survive. The more states heal their own economic problems, the more change there will be in Washington. More power to the states! Walker needs to stay put and continue setting this all- important example.
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:53pmThe idiots in DC are ‘eunichs’; everyone except aome ‘tea party’ house members, and DeMint, Paul & Rubio in the senate. Gonna be an interesting primary season; don’t contribute to the national organizations; support individuals; The RNC,RCCC, RSCC support RINO’s; plus they probably need some ‘high livin’ money like what’s his face RINO Stone spent;
Report Post »me85
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:40pmI voted for that guy.
Report Post »dawnmms
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 1:52pmMe too, He da man! I know he swings to the left of me on a couple of issues but, then probably pretty much everybody swings a little to the left of me! lol
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 6:34pmWalker’s got a mess of a state to continue to clean up. That’ll take most of his current term. Wisconsin’s really taken a nosedive over the past 10+ years.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 7:34pmWalker may not be a Washington politician, but he has surely had national influence. He is proof that strong leadership at the state level is vital and can lead us back to our traditional Constitutional values quite effectively. Every bit as important as what’s going on in Washington.
Report Post »Bear
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:09pmMaybe he has something there???? Maybe States need to make Washington irrelevant and do it on their own??? If Washington ain’t Going to help the people,,,F um!! Lets get it going on our own and make there over reaching power a thing of the past! Stupid,Liberal,Hippie Morons!
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 10:58pmHet Chris, we in Wisconsin are not ready to hand him off to the national stage. There is a lot more work that is still to be done here first. We will consider giving him up to a presidential run for 2016 though, but until then, ya can’t have em. Proud to say I voted for him in Nov too. Myself and Walker strangely enough share a birthday as well.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:21amWalker will be out of a jon come January, like all petty dictators, he has over stepped and will reap the poisonous harvest he sowed.
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 9:29am“Walker will be out of a jon come January”
Then we’ll build him a new one so he can continue to run you liberals out of our state. As far as his job goes…..he is NOT going anywhere. We don’t fire people for doing their jobs here in Wisconsin.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 5:57amI am really impressed with Walker. I think he has done a terrific job. The Dems. Thought they could destroy
Report Post »him but they were mistaken. Go Walker we are pulling for you……….
JRook
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:28amWhat courage the budget deficit was less than 3% of the overall budget. Its not that he balanced the budget that is the issue. It’s that he did it on the back of education (kids) and the poor. I’m sure there were a number of other programs that could have been cut. But those don’t get you the national attention he was seeking. Have to be controversial, make outlandish statements and go after collective bargaining to get in the media. Perhaps he should pay better attention to the citizens in his state and stop grandstanding.
Report Post »Ethereal
Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:48pmBacks of the Kids? Seriously? School districts are reporting a $$ surplus for the first time in many many years. Backs of the poor? He didnt touch any $$ for poor people and before you say something about killing the elderly stop just repeating the slogans you hear. Those things that are said are not only untrue but they are meant to ring in the ears of the average person who may not understand what all of this is really about.
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