Democrats for. . .Republican Scott Walker

I have been a Scott Walker supporter early on, from the days he stood up to bullying public sector unions in Wisconsin, then won against a recall in 2012 precisely because of the necessary labor reforms he implemented. In the face of local, statewide, national, and even international pressure from Big Labor, plus Democrats who tried to support the democratic process by fleeing the state and preventing a quorum, Walker stood his ground and pushed necessary measures to open up the political process to all Wisconsinites.

His finesse and leadership to bring together his Republican colleagues and fix a crushing $3.6 billion budget deficit still commands respect to this day. His reforms freed up schools and municipalities to enact cost-saving decisions which also removed the corrupting influence of public sector union influence peddling from local and statewide politics. Walker has reformed a number of public sector interests, from taxes to gun ownership, and has expanded local control, school choice, and voucher programs. He also cut property taxes six times in a row. Democrats have conceded that Walker is a force to be reckoned with. Liberal Democrats in Wisconsin wanted to extend the governor's Act 10 reforms to all public employees, including police and fire. Democrats have endorsed and supported him on Facebook with a group page. Obama supporters also voted for Scott Walker, despite his widely-known ideological differences with the current President.

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Western Journalism reports: Exit polls conducted for and published by the New York Times reported that Wisconsin’s recall voters still favored President Obama over challenger Mitt Romney by 51 percent to 44 percent. But of the 51 percent favoring President Obama, fully 18 percent reported voting for Governor Walker. Thus about 9 percent of recall voters were Obama supporters who voted to retain Scott Walker, and this exceeded his overall margin of victory in the recall election. More anecdotally, Rhode Island liberal Matt Fecteau (who challenged Providence, Rhode Island Machine politician David Cicilline in 2014) claimed that Walker is a commendable candidate. To clarify, Fecteau is not a Republican or conservative by any stretch. An engaged Democrat from the most Democratic state in the union, Fecteau has even challenged the liberal establishment. Despite his appeal for bipartisanship, Fecteau retains a partisan dislike for George W. Bush, witnessed by his criticism of former President George W. Bush's speaking fees at a wounded veterans' fundraiser. Consider his opening remarks on an Election 2016 Facebook thread, which began with this tweet: Congratulations @GOP, I thought last crop of prez candidates was bad, but these #?TakeCake. #?GOP #?RaceForWhiteHouse#?Election2016 #GOP I responded, as have many commentators, that the Republican bench is one of the deepest and most impressive in decades. Fecteau responded: Matt Fecteau Walker not in bad shape Jindal is polling 27% in LA, and single digits nationwide (from a poll I saw), Jindal may not be popular in his home state, but that does not reflect on his diligence to protect individual liberties, and to promote education reforms for the best interests of all Louisiana residents. Cruz made a lot of enemies who will derail him, So has Clinton, which explains the rising number of Democratic challengers (including Independent Socialist Bernie Sanders of Vermont). Paul is not a bad candidate, but made a number of mistakes Haven't we all? US Senator Rand Paul is not my first choice, either, but he has had the courage to filibuster legislation and executive nominees which he opposes. Rhode Island's junior US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has given long, drawn-out speeches about climate change, but never filibustered when he had the chance. Perry, wow, just wow, no. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry has offered more leadership and commensurate success than many legislators. I did not agree with his decision to extend in-state tuition to illegal aliens. Walker repealed a similar measure in his first budget. Trump is making headway just simply because he tells people what he thinks, no matter how stupid it is.... Trump possesses that franc-parler which makes Maine Governor Paul LePage a star. At least he knows how to handle email servers. The moral courage to speak one's mind is a necessity in this country, now that Americans are getting killed by illegal aliens in sanctuary states, and the United States' public debt is reaching Greek levels. Unlike Trump, Walker trumps the press better than his Republican counterparts, considering the long litany of media fails which have not derailed his campaign or candidacy. Rhode Island Democrat Matt Fecteau is right: Walker is not in bad shape at all. He has been polling very well in a number of potential contests and heads-up. He was polling #1 in Iowa, and has not announced his campaign, even though he has officially filed. Granted, Fecteau added to his remarks: Matt Fecteau Walker is not in bad shape doesn't translate to liking him. He isn't in bad shape as a Presidential candidate compared to the rest. I could not agree more. Walker is a standard-bearer in the Republican Party, and an era-definer in American politics. Not bad at all.