There Was One Noticeable Item Missing from the Stage While Scott Walker Announced Presidential Run

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) officially announced his bid for the White House on Monday evening — and there was something noticeably absent from the stage as he did so.

Reporters and viewers turned to Twitter to note that Walker was delivering his entire speech without a teleprompter.

Critics have often criticized President Barack Obama for what they say is his reliance on teleprompters to deliver speeches.

Walker vowed Monday to fight for America's interests abroad and for his conservative policies in Washington, launching a 2016 Republican presidential bid by highlighting his clashes with labor unions as his campaign taunted his Democratic critics.

The 47-year-old second-term governor embraced his "fighter" reputation as he formally declared his candidacy in an evening speech, his family at his side, and protesters gathered just outside the convention hall.

"Americans deserve a president who will fight and win for them," Walker declared. "You see, It doesn't matter if you're from a big city, a suburb or a small town, I will fight and win for you. Healthy or sick, born or unborn, I will fight and win for you."

He becomes the 15th high-profile Republican to enter the GOP presidential contest, yet claims to occupy a unique space in the congested field. He not only fights for conservative principles, he says, but he also wins elections and policy debates in a state that typically supports Democrats.

Speaking in the same hall where he celebrated his successful recall election three years earlier, Walker left little doubt that his successful, if divisive, fights with labor unions would serve as the foundation for his presidential campaign. Through five years in office, Walker enacted policies weakening organized labor's political power and became the first governor in U.S. history to defeat a recall election.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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