Courage': Wisconsin's Governor Hopes His Budget Cutting Boldness Spreads Inside the Beltway

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?