Thursday, January 08, 2015

Is Gov Scott Walker Running for President?

Is Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker running for President?  Some recent developments would point to that logical conclusion:
He isn't scared off by rivalry for the nomination by Jeb Bush.

"Jeb Bush is a friend of mine, and a good guy," Walker said, although he said he will base his decision on family considerations and the state's needs.
He went to kiss the ring of Las Vegas billionaiare Sheldon Adelson last December.

Adelson has been a key financial backer for Walker in his last two runs for governor and, if persuaded, could be a source of even greater funds for a White House bid. 

Recently Gov Walker hired Rick Wiley, former Republican National Committee political director. Wiley is reported to be "aggressively" reaching out to potential staffers.

Wiley, a national political strategist, has left his position at the consulting firm Mercury LLC, a source confirmed with The Hill. He worked there since March 2013, along with Michael DuHaime, chief political strategist for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), a likely presidential rival to Walker should both enter the race. Last year, Wiley advised several successful Republican gubernatorial campaigns, including those of Walker, Bruce Rauner in Illinois and Greg Abbott in Texas. He also worked in the same role for Sen. Joni Ernst in Iowa for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Before joining the RNC for two years, he worked on Rudy Giuliani's 2008 presidential campaign and President George W. Bush's reelection in 2004. He also served as executive director of the Wisconsin Republican Party in 2005. 

Wednesday it is reported that Scott Walker is going to Iowa.

Walker will attend a major conservative gathering organized by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and Citizens United on Jan. 24.The event will feature a number of Walker's potential primary rivals, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), outgoing Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina (R).
The next step would be for Walker to announce an exploratory committee or the formation of a PAC for a presidential run.

He's young at age 47; he's a successful two term governor who has gone up against heavy opposition in Wisconsin, including teacher unions and raucous recalls; and he has already gotten the story out of the way that he did not graduate from Marquette University, his alma mater. He is articulate and engaging with his audience, though I wouldn't characterize him as charismatic.  I heard him speak during a Texas Public Policy Foundation Legislative Orientation session several years ago. I have kept an eye on his career since, as I knew he would likely become a potential future presidential candidate.

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