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Scott Walker presidential campaign, 2016
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 Scott Walker |
Governor of Wisconsin (2011-2019) Milwaukee County Executive (2002-2010) Wisconsin State Assembly (1993-2002) |
 Republican candidate: |
2028 • 2024 • 2020 • 2016 |
- See also: Scott Walker
Scott Walker was a candidate for the office of President of the United States in 2016. He announced his candidacy on July 13, 2015, and dropped out of the race on September 21, 2015.[2][3]
| Scott Walker withdraws from the 2016 presidential race, September 21, 2015 |
On July 13, 2015, Walker announced that he was running for president of the United States in 2016.[4] Walker experienced a decline in polling support during September 2015, which caused his campaign to struggle financially. According to Ballotpedia's Insiders Poll after the September 2015 CNN debate, 1% of Republican insiders considered Walker to be the biggest winner of the night. A CNN/ORC survey conducted in the three days following the September 16, 2015, Republican debate showed that Walker had less than 0.5% support, and a Quinnipiac poll from September 11, 2015, showed that he registered 3% support, a 15-point drop from when he topped Quinnipiac’s survey in July 2015 with 18% support. In his announcement, Walker said he was withdrawing in order to clear the field and allow voters to assess a smaller field of candidates with more care. He encouraged other Republican candidates to consider doing the same.[5][2][6]
Walker is the 45th Governor of Wisconsin and was first elected to the office in 2010. During his first term, Walker proposed Wisconsin Act 10, which restricted the ability of public workers to engage in public bargaining. The act drew massive protests, mainly organized by unions. Opponents of the measure successfully forced Walker to face a recall election on June 5, 2012.[7] Walker survived the recall election, defeating Tom Barrett (D) 53 percent to 46 percent. In doing so, Walker became the first governor to survive a recall.[8] He then won re-election on November 4, 2014.
Prior to serving as governor, Walker was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1993 to 2002 and Milwaukee County Executive from 2002 to 2010.[9] He attended Marquette University, but he did not earn his bachelor's degree, choosing instead to leave school for a job with the American Red Cross during his senior year. He explained the decision saying, "The reason I went to college, in large part, was not just to get an education for an education’s sake, but to get a job. Someday, maybe in the next few years, I’ll embark on finishing my degree.”[10]
Walker filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on July 2, 2015. However, he did not officially announce his campaign until July 13, 2015. Walker released an early morning video on social media confirming his run for the presidency.[11]
| Walker's July 13 announcement video, "Scott Walker for America." |
Previously, when asked on December 1, 2013, if he was considering entering the presidential race, Walker said, "I'm running for governor ... we'll see what happens after that. I've got to look at my state ... for now I'm focused on being governor."[12] Then, on February 5, 2015, when Martha Raddatz asked if he will run for president, Walker said, "I’ll just tell you one thing. After three elections for governor in four years in a state that hasn’t gone Republican since 1984 for president, I wouldn’t bet against me on anything."[13]
In recent candidate rankings, Crowdpac ranked Walker as an 8.8C (C being conservative) on a scale ranging from 10L to 10C, making him the third most conservative Republican presidential candidate.[14] Walker received a grade of a "A-/91" from the Leadership Project for America PAC.[15]
On the issues
Economic and fiscal
Taxes
- When asked by the Washington Examiner on July 27, 2015, if he supported Ted Cruz’s proposal to dissolve the IRS, Scott Walker responded, “Those are all things that we'll look at. I think that, and plenty of other fellow agencies, have lived past their usefulness."[16]
- During an appearance in New Hampshire in March 2015, Scott Walker said eliminating the federal income tax sounded "pretty tempting right now." He added, "I think putting more money back in the hands of the hardworking taxpayers, which is your money to begin with, is a much better way to grow the economy than through government so-called stimulus, which has a much lower rate of return than it does if you and other job creators have that money out there."[17]
- The Cato Institute gave Walker a grade of "B" on taxes and spending in 2012. According to their report, he pushed initiatives to cut income and property taxes and for a reduction in capital gains taxes. "In addition, Governor Walker signed a law requiring a two-thirds supermajority in both legislative chambers to raise income, sales, or franchise tax rates. ...But he has also approved narrow incentives that will clutter the tax code, such as breaks for hiring and business relocation," according to the Cato Institute.[18]
- In a 2012 letter written to congressional leaders, Walker was one of five governors who expressed their opposition to the medical device tax.[19]
- According to a 2014 Associated Press profile of Walker, he promised "to create 250,000 jobs in his first term through a series of tax cuts and other reforms. He reiterated that promise during the 2012 recall campaign, even though job creation has been sluggish and he was nowhere near the pace required to meet the goal."[20]
- In 2010, Walker signed the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" by Americans for Tax Reform, promising "to oppose any and all tax increases."[21][22]
Government regulations
- Scott Walker appeared on Fox News for an interview on September 1, 2015, to discuss the economy, foreign affairs and the northern border. Walker said of the U.S. economy, “I think we grow it by growing the economy out in cities towns and villages across this country. The best thing we can do is get the government out of the way.”[23]
- According to Scott Walker's official gubernatorial page, he has achieved $1 billion in savings for taxpayers from government reform. Some of the reform initiatives in Wisconsin's 2013 biennial budget include the consolidation of government programs like the Office of Justice Assistance and the Department of Justice and an increase in the number of fraud investigators at the state Department of Revenue.[24]
- In 2012, Walker issued an executive order requiring state agencies to cooperate with the Small Business Regulatory Review Board "to identify rules hindering economic growth." As a result, more than 300 rules were modified to facilitate the growth of businesses in the state of Wisconsin.[25][26]
- On May 23, 2011, Walker signed Wisconsin Act 2, which "changes State agency authority to promulgate rules, provides for gubernatorial approval of proposed rules, makes revisions to the requirement of an economic impact analysis for proposed rules and changes venue in the process of judicial review of agency rules," according to The National Law Review.[27]
International trade
- In a June 2015 Bloomberg interview, Scott Walker expressed support for trade promotion authority (TPA). He explained, "If we don't go down this path, we're going to be at a competitive disadvantage, and so I think it just makes sense." Walker also noted the power Congress has to evaluate any trade agreement established under TPA, saying, "If this president were to give them a bad deal, they should hold him accountable and vote it down. They have every right to do that under the proposal.”[28]
- While in Germany during a three-country tour of Western Europe in April 2015, Walker said the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership would make his sons' generation "ultimately grow stronger."[29]
- In 2013, Walker went on a 10-day trade mission trip to China. According to WKOW, "Walker said he believes healthy dialogues between U.S. and Chinese governments is key to sustaining a good economic relationship. He says the real work on the trade mission is done before and after the trip."[30]
Budgets
- See also: Scott Walker presidential campaign, 2016/Budgets
- See also: Wisconsin state budget and finances
- Scott Walker signed a bill on August 12, 2015, authorizing up to $400 million in taxpayer money be spent on a new arena for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. Asserting the construction of the new arena would bring in $3 for every $1 spent, Walker said, “We think this is a good, solid move, as good stewards of the taxpayer's money. I think anybody investing in the world of small business would say that's a good return on investment."[31]
- On July 12, 2015, Walker signed Wisconsin's biennial budget after vetoing 104 items, around double the number of vetoes Walker used in his 2011 and 2013 budgets.[32]
- Walker established a Commission on Waste, Fraud and Abuse in January 2011. The committee "identified $266,555,737 in potential annual savings for state agencies — all from streamlining and improving current practices," according to the Wisconsin Reporter.[33]
- In 2012, Walker's budget reform bill, Act 10, was estimated to have saved taxpayers more than $1 billion.[34]
- In 2009, Walker rejected federal economic stimulus funds. He said, "All we are asking for is 'do no harm.' I'm not asking for any new projects or things to be done here."[35]
- As county executive, Walker proposed privatizing the Milwaukee County Zoo in 2009.[36]
- Walker privatized the county janitorial services and courthouse security, which was later reversed by an arbitrator in 2009.[37][38]
- During his tenure as Milwaukee county executive, Walker returned $60,000 of his salary per year for several years. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Walker chose to return the money "when he was first elected in 2002 on a reform platform that included criticism of the pay level for county executive and other county jobs."[39]
Agricultural subsidies
- In 2014, Scott Walker introduced the "Grow Wisconsin Dairy Processor Grant." He said, "This new initiative for dairy processors, coupled with our existing Grow Wisconsin Dairy 30x20 program for farmers, will support a growing demand for quality Wisconsin milk and dairy products.”[40]
- According to a 2014 report on "Wisconsin's Comeback," Walker "signed into law a sales tax exemption for fertilizer blending, feed milling, and grain drying operations" and "extended agriculture loan guarantees so more farmers can get financing if they need it. Walker also created a tax credit that would decrease the tax burden on farmers by more than $18 million "when fully phased in."[41]
- While campaigning for governor of Wisconsin in 2006, Walker supported the Environmental Protection Agency when it lifted "the reformulated gas requirement in Wisconsin." Walker said, "Mandates hurt Wisconsin's working families, and whether they are from Washington or Madison, we as fiscal conservatives should oppose them. While I am not opposed to the use of ethanol, I believe the decision should be consumer driven, and not mandated by Madison."[42]
- At the Iowa Agricultural Summit in March 2015, Walker said he would like to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard, but is comfortable with it remaining in place for now because "we don’t have a free and open marketplace." When later asked why he had shifted his position, Walker said, "From our standpoint, our position is consistent. I talked about not wanting a mandate in Wisconsin as governor. We do not have one. I do not support one. I have not enacted it. I’ve kept it out of the state of Wisconsin. What I said in Iowa was … I think we need to phase it out, but I don’t approve of putting in new mandates.”[43][44]
Federal assistance programs
- At the Voters First Forum on August 3, 2015, Scott Walker said he would consider reforming Social Security eligibility for people of his generation but “would not touch Social Security for people who are at retirement age now or near retirement.”[45]
- On July 12, 2015, Walker signed his 2015 biennial budget after making changes to how Family Care and IRIS, long-term care programs for the elderly and disabled, can operate. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The changes clear the way for Walker to establish one statewide program if he wants, instead of having it carved into regions. That would make it difficult for existing regional nonprofit entities to continue participating in the program and make it more likely that national for-profit corporations would."[46]
- Also in the 2015 biennial budget, Walker "tweaked a provision requiring some people to take drug tests to qualify for food stamps" by removing "a provision that would have required the tests to be limited to those who fall under reasonable suspicion, saying his administration shouldn't face limits on whom it sees as best fit to be screened."[46] His administration launched a lawsuit against the federal government on July 14, 2015, related to this provision. In a press release, Wisconsin attorney general Brad Schimel (R) stated "this lawsuit seeks to provide clarity that the State of Wisconsin has the authority to require drug testing for FoodShare recipients." FoodShare is the Wisconsin title for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The United States Department of Agriculture prohibited the state of Georgia from drug testing SNAP recipients in 2014.[47]
- In 2014, Walker proposed limiting the time childless adults can receive public assistance, drug-testing recipients and requiring work or work training for recipients.[41]
- In July 2013, Walker signed a bill that criminalized trafficking federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits.[48]
Labor and employment
- During the September 2015 GOP debate, Scott Walker encouraged raising wages by primarily giving people the tools to get better jobs. “The best way to help people see their wages go up is to get them the education, the skill they need, to take on careers that pay more than minimum wage. And, it’s why we talk about it, it’s all about jobs. You want to help actually get jobs, it’s why on that last question we were trying to jump in on taxes. To me, it’s not just about taxes, cutting taxes. I’ve done it as much as anyone has.”[49]
- Scott Walker announced his labor policy platform on September 14, 2015, at a town hall meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Walker’s plan called for prohibiting federal workers from forming unions, eliminating the National Labor Relations Board, establishing a federal right-to-work law nationally, mandating greater disclosures from unions and repealing regulations under the Obama administration requiring paid sick leave and overtime for salaried employees.[50]
- In March 2015, Walker signed into law a right-to-work measure prohibiting "mandatory union membership and dues...at privately owned businesses." Describing the impact of the law, Walker said, "This sends a powerful message across the country and across the world. 'Wisconsin is Open For Business' now is more than just a slogan. It's a way of doing business." In 2012, Walker had expressed less enthusiasm for the measure, stating, "I have no interest in a right-to-work law in this state. We're not going to pursue that in the remainder of our term, and we're not going to pursue it in the future. The reason is private-sector unions are my partner in economic development."[51]
- In his 2013 State of the State Address, Walker said, "You may remember, last year, I called for state agencies to work with the reformed Small Business Regulatory Review Board to identify unnecessary, obsolete, and burdensome regulations. In a survey, we asked employers what we can do to help them create jobs in the upcoming year and the most common answer was decrease the amount of state regulations. And they gave us plenty of feedback on rules to review. Tonight, I am pleased to release this report, which identifies over 300 rule modifications in 218 administrative code chapters. Making these changes will make it easier to do business in the state, while maintaining the safety and health of our citizens."[52]
- Shortly after taking office in 2011, Walker introduced Wisconsin Act 10, also known as the "Scott Walker Budget Repair Bill," which included changes to the collective bargaining process for all public employees, with the exception of public safety employees. The changes required public employees to pay a portion of their healthcare and retirement benefits, eliminated automatic withdrawal for union dues, eliminated mandatory union membership and required unions to annually certify as a union.[53]
Foreign affairs
Iran nuclear deal
- On September 8, 2015, Scott Walker signed a letter to President Obama, along with 14 other governors, that opposed the Iran deal and advocated to keep state sanctions against Iran in place.[54]
- On July 13, 2015, the day before the Iran deal was signed, Walker indicated that, if elected, he would terminate the deal immediately and reimpose economic sanctions, saying, "We need to terminate the bad deal with Iran on day one, put in place crippling economic sanctions and convince our allies to do the same."[55]
- Walker published an op-ed in the National Review on June 30, 2015, criticizing the Obama administration for its handling of negotiations with Iran. Walker wrote, "President Obama’s pattern of retreat has sent such a resounding message of weakness that the Iranians, even if they do sign an agreement, will inevitably test American resolve again and again. The administration tells us not to worry, because its 'unprecedented' inspections will discover any cheating by Iran. But effective inspections can’t take place without Iranian cooperation, which Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has rejected. And responding to any violations will also require Russia and China’s goodwill, which is in short supply."[56]
- Walker concluded that America should make greater use of economic sanctions and military power. He explained, "[W]e should send a message loud and clear that America demands a deal in which Iran dismantles its illicit nuclear infrastructure and agrees to full transparency and verification. We should remind the world that Iran is in active violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions. We should redouble efforts to impose crippling economic sanctions on Iran without apology and rollback Iran’s regional influence. We should focus international attention on Iran’s abysmal human-rights record and its support for terrorism abroad. And we should stand with our key allies and partners in the region, especially Israel."[56]
- On April 25, 2015, Walker said, "We need to tell the president to back off from a bad deal" with Iran.[57]
- On April 2, 2015, Walker posted the following tweet about the Iran nuclear deal:
- In an April 1, 2015, interview with conservative radio host, Charlie Sykes, Walker said he would "pull back on" a deal with Iran, explaining, "It leaves not only problems for Israel, because they want to annihilate Israel, it leaves the problems in the sense that the Saudis, the Jordanians and others are gonna want to have access to their own nuclear weapons."[58]
Military preparedness and budget
- In May 2015, Scott Walker said he would support eliminating defense caps under sequestration because it leaves the defense budget inadequately funded.[59]
- In a 2014 speech before the Republican Jewish Coalition, Walker "conceded that foreign policy is 'not an area that governors typically look at," but added "that he was commander in chief of the Wisconsin National Guard."[60]
- In response to a question from Philip Klein of the Washington Examiner about foreign policy, Walker responded, “I believe in a strong America and not just from a military standpoint, but overall."[61]
National security
- In August 2015, Scott Walker promoted “unleashing” the power of American military in Iraq rather than increasing the number of ground troops during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Walker said, “We have people in Iraq right now in the military, over 3,000 troops. It’s not a question of sending more in. It’s about empowering them to unleash the power of the United States military.”[62]
- While appearing on "Fox & Friends" in June 2015, Walker said, "I think we would be much better off if we fully reauthorized the Patriot Act. I think it's an important tool. . . . I certainly don't want to be in the position that France is in where they're saying, 'What could we have done?'"[63]
- In a March 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt, Walker said containment is insufficient to handle the threat from ISIS. Walker continued, "When you have, not only with ISIS and al Qaeda, but you have an Iran, you have other places around the world groups that that want to not only annihilate Israel, but annihilate us in America, it’s like a virus. You’ve got to eradicate it. You can’t take out part of it, or it will come back."[64]
- Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2015, Walker said of his ability to combat radical Islamic terrorists, "We need a leader with that kind of confidence. If I can take on 100,000 protesters, I can do the same across the world."[65]
- After receiving backlash for this comment, Walker's communications director, Kirsten Kukowski, released the following statement: "Governor Walker believes our fight against ISIS is one of the most important issues our country faces. He was in no way comparing any American citizen to ISIS. What the governor was saying was when faced with adversity he chooses strength and leadership. Those are the qualities we need to fix the leadership void this White House has created."[66]
- In 2014, Scott Walker said, "Obama’s failure to enforce his red line in Syria projected weakness. His constant talk of withdrawal and ending wars so we can focus on 'nation-building here at home' projects weakness. His decision to gut the U.S. defense budget and reduce the Army to pre-World War II levels projects weakness."[67]
International relations
- During the September 2015 Republican debate, Scott Walker advocated for canceling a state dinner with China that was scheduled for soon after the debate. “When it comes to China, why would we be giving an official state visit to a country that’s been involved in a massive cyber attack against the United States? That’s not just a visit, that’s a 21 gun salute on the South Lawn of the White House. It just doesn’t make any sense. If we’re ever going to send a message to them, wouldn’t this be the time, when they’ve issued this, sort of, massive attack against us?” said Walker.[49]
- On September 9, 2015, Walker expressed opposition to the United States accepting more Syrian refugees. Walker said, “No, we shouldn’t be taking on any more Syrian refugees right now. … In the last year, America has received almost 70,000 refugees of which nearly 2,000 are from Syria. We’ve spent something like $4 billion in humanitarian relief in terms of helping the situation in Syria. So we’re doing more than any other country in the world, and it’s got to be clear that the problem that has to be addressed is not the refugee issue — that’s a symptom. The real problem is this administration fails to deal with taking on ISIS.”[68]
- The Washington Post suggested on August 26, 2015, that Walker’s criticism of China could have hurt his relationship with Iowa and its governor, Terry Branstad (R). It noted, “That’s a stance that could hurt Walker's relationship with Branstad and farmers in Iowa, who export billions of dollars worth of soybeans to China each year. Asked to respond to Walker's comments, Branstad's spokesman Jimmy Centers said in a statement: 'China is a valuable trading partner for Iowa and the state has had a friendly relationship with President Xi dating back to his first visit to Iowa in 1985.’”[69]
- At a Republican presidential debate on August 6, 2015, Walker said President Obama and Secretary Clinton had been too soft on Russia. "You know, Putin believes in the old Lenin adage: you probe with bayonets. When you find mush, you push. When you find steel, you stop. Under Obama and Clinton, we found a lot of mush over the last two years. We need to have a national security that puts steel in front of our enemies. I would send weapons to Ukraine. I would work with NATO to put forces on the eastern border of Poland and the Baltic nations, and I would reinstate, put in place back in the missile defense system that we had in Poland and in the Czech Republic," Walker said.[70]
- In June 2015, Walker criticized the Obama administration's handling of cyberattacks allegedly conducted by Chinese hackers and added the United States "must press China to cease its provocations in the South China Sea and support the rights of its people."[71]
- Following a trip to Israel in May 2015, Walker said, "I support — as presidents of both parties have, and Congress members and others — a two-state solution, ultimately. I thought this before going there, and I see it even more, they're not ready for that right now. The security risks are very real, and I think going forward there's got to be a way to have secure borders for the state of Israel itself."[72]
- In a March 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt, Walker said the United States should come to the defense of Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania if Russia were to invade those countries. After stating "NATO is the strongest military alliance we've had in history," Walker said, "[W]e need a president who’s going to act aggressively by giving lethal force to the Ukrainians and others to try to preempt that from happening."[73]
- Walker criticized normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba, saying of the restrictions in December 2014, "I don't think there's been any noticeable change towards making that a more free and prosperous country. There's a reason we had the policy in the first place."[74]
- According to Politico, when Walker attended the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2014, he "offered broad, but vague support for a muscular foreign policy and support for Israel."[60]
- Walker went on an overseas trade mission to China in April 2013.[75]
Epidemic control
- On October 17, 2014, Scott Walker advocated for a commercial travel ban on West African countries impacted by Ebola.[76]
- Walker's office released a statement regarding how Walker and his administration were addressing the threat of Ebola in October 2014. Walker "directed Wisconsin’s State Health Officer, Karen McKeown, to work with Major General Donald Dunbar, Adjutant General of the Wisconsin Natural Guard, to train teams from the Wisconsin National Guard on the protocols and procedures for the treatment of individuals with Ebola" and partnered "with the Wisconsin Hospital Association and hospitals across the state in developing a Clinical Advisory Team of clinical professionals."[77]
ISIS and terrorism
- In a March 2015 interview with Hugh Hewitt, Walker said containment is insufficient to handle the threat from ISIS. Walker continued, "When you have, not only with ISIS and al Qaeda, but you have an Iran, you have other places around the world groups that that want to not only annihilate Israel, but annihilate us in America, it’s like a virus. You’ve got to eradicate it. You can’t take out part of it, or it will come back."[78]
- Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2015, Walker said of his ability to combat radical Islamic terrorists, "We need a leader with that kind of confidence. If I can take on 100,000 protesters, I can do the same across the world."[79]
- After receiving backlash for this comment, Walker's communications director, Kirsten Kukowski, released the following statement: "Governor Walker believes our fight against ISIS is one of the most important issues our country faces. He was in no way comparing any American citizen to ISIS. What the governor was saying was when faced with adversity he chooses strength and leadership. Those are the qualities we need to fix the leadership void this White House has created."[80]
Syrian refugees
- On September 9, 2015, Walker expressed opposition to the United States accepting more Syrian refugees. Walker said, “No, we shouldn’t be taking on any more Syrian refugees right now. … In the last year, America has received almost 70,000 refugees of which nearly 2,000 are from Syria. We’ve spent something like $4 billion in humanitarian relief in terms of helping the situation in Syria. So we’re doing more than any other country in the world, and it’s got to be clear that the problem that has to be addressed is not the refugee issue — that’s a symptom. The real problem is this administration fails to deal with taking on ISIS.”[81]
Domestic
Federalism
Judiciary
- In June 2015, Scott Walker called the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges "judicial activism."[82]
- In 2013, Walker said, “I think, in general, that executives — be it a governor, be it a county executive or be it a president — if he or she wants to put people into the administration, my belief is deference should be given to the chief executive in terms of the appointments they make to executive positions. Where I understand there’s a larger concern about judicial appointments is obviously … there does warrant a larger level of scrutiny just because on the federal bench you have lifetime appointments.”[83]
Legislative
- In 2015, conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt began asking Republican candidates on his show if they would be willing to use the Senate "nuclear option" in order to get rid of the filibuster and repeal Obamacare. While Scott Walker didn't actually appear on the show, he is one of several candidates who said he would be in favor of invoking the "nuclear option."[84]
Term limits
- Scott Walker called for 12-year term limits for members of Congress and federal judges, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I've self-imposed them myself. I've never been in an elected position more than 10 years," Walker said.[85]
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- Speaking with The Blaze on September 3, 2015, Scott Walker said the Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples for religious reasons should be given “some sort of reasonable accommodation.” He added, “The bottom line in America is we are a nation of laws. But part of those laws — in fact, the most important of those laws — is the Constitution. The Constitution is very clear about protecting freedom of religion, and the freedom to be able to practice religious beliefs in this country. I think it’s incredibly important those rights be protected in today’s society.”[86]
- Walker drew criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations on August 21, 2015, for stating there is a “handful of reasonable and moderate followers of Islam.” A spokesman for the Council said, “These types of inaccurate statements reflect a lack of understanding of Islam and Muslims that is, frankly, not presidential. If Mr. Walker believes only a 'handful' of Muslims are moderate or reasonable, then he is ignoring the very clear reality that violent extremists murder more Muslims than they do people of any other faith."[87]
- Following the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States under Obergefell v. Hodges, Walker released a statement saying, in part, "The First Amendment does not simply protect a narrow ‘right to worship,’ but provides broad protection to individuals and institutions to worship and act in accordance with their religious beliefs. In fact, the Wisconsin constitution explicitly protects the rights of conscience of our citizens. I can assure all Wisconsinites concerned about the impact of today’s decision that your conscience rights will be protected, and the government will not coerce you to act against your religious beliefs."[82]
- On April 1, 2015, Scott Walker commented on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. He explained, "I just think this is people who are chronically looking for ways to be upset about things instead of really looking at what it is. ... I believe protecting religious freedom is inherent in our state constitution." Walker added, "Heck, it's inherent in our U.S. Constitution. And in Wisconsin we've done it and we're stronger for it."[88]
- In October 2013, Walker's administration settled a federal lawsuit brought by a protestor by paying $88,000 in attorneys' fees and eliminating the "hard-and-fast requirement that larger groups protesting in the Capitol receive a permit." The litigation arose from how the administration handled an uptick in the number of protests against Walker for his position on collective bargaining over the course of two years.[89]
- In 1999, Walker sponsored a bill that would prohibit any person who owns, operates or manages a casino or racetrack in any state from contributing to candidates in Wisconsin.[90]
Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- Scott Walker issued an executive order to allow members of the Wisconsin National Guard to carry weapons while on duty following the July 2015 shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee at two Marine recruitment offices.[91]
- In June 2015, Walker signed "into law two bills that, respectively, get rid of the state’s 48-hour waiting period and let retired or off-duty law enforcement officials carry concealed firearms into public schools."[92]
- According to Politico in April 2015, Walker "[m]ade it harder for local officials to close shooting ranges" and "[o]pposed legislation in 2013 to expand background checks on firearm sales as a way to reduce gun violence, saying he preferred focusing on mental health efforts instead." In 2014, Walker also signed into law a bill "requiring people who are served with temporary restraining orders to be notified that they must surrender their firearms."[93]
- In 2011, Walker signed a concealed carry bill into law, making Wisconsin the 49th state to allow people to carry concealed weapons.[94]
- In 2001, Walker supported legislation that allowed the Department of Natural Resources to request background checks from the Department of Justice for anyone issued a hunting license that authorizes the use of a firearm.[95]
Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- After stating his support for the full reauthorization of the Patriot Act in June 2015, Scott Walker suggested he did not believe it invoked privacy concerns. Walker said, "It's not about eavesdropping. . . . It's a matter of collecting the data and accessing it under a very legal, constitutional process only when we’ve got clear evidence that someone is connected with an enemy combatant."[96]
Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- In June 2015, in response to the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, Scott Walker said marriage equality was a question for the states and not the courts. Walker wrote in a statement, "In 2006 I, like millions of Americans, voted to amend our state constitution to protect the institution of marriage from exactly this type of judicial activism. The states are the proper place for these decisions to be made, and as we have seen repeatedly over the last few days, we will need a conservative president who will appoint men and women to the Court who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our land without injecting their own political agendas. As a result of this decision, the only alternative left for the American people is to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reaffirm the ability of the states to continue to define marriage."[82]
- In an interview with Rare in 2014, Walker said that the No Child Left Behind Act was an infringement on state's rights. He also said, the founders, "understood that government closest to the people, in many ways, is the most effective. And again, as I point out in the book, it’s one thing if you don’t like the city that you live in. You can move if you don’t like the people who are elected to run the state or the commonwealth. You can move. It’s awfully hard to move out of the country that you love, and we shouldn’t have to! Because we should be on limited focus. Federalism should be alive today. It should be something that isn’t necessarily pushed by one party or another. It’s a set of principles that were the founding base of this country, and we’d be a lot better off if more of the decisions whether it’s – one, I don’t think healthcare should be mandated by the federal or the state government – but even things like education and other things of that nature really are not appropriately addressed at the federal level, they should be pushed onto the states."[97]
Crime and justice
- In 2014, Scott Walker signed a bill expanding when strip searches may be conducted by county jailers.[98]
- According to Laurel Patrick, a Walker spokesperson, in 2014, "Governor Walker believes that the public — and most importantly victims — deserve to know at the time of sentencing how long a felon will serve in prison. Governor Walker was the author of truth-in-sentencing that eliminated parole because of that belief. He mentioned that when he ran in 2010, and he is keeping his promise to the people of Wisconsin."[99]
- When asked in 2010 if he supported changing Wisconsin law on the death penalty, Walker responded, "Years ago, I worked on legislation to end the statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes when the case involved DNA evidence. I spent a great deal of time working with prosecutors and experts. The accuracy of DNA convinced me to support the death penalty referendum in 2006 – and I support it today."[100]
Natural resources
Climate change
- In 2013, Scott Walker signed the “No Climate Tax Pledge," created by American's for Prosperity. According to The Capital Times, "Signers of the pledge...promise to 'oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue' — in other words, no legislation on climate change without an equivalent amount of tax cuts."[101]
Keystone XL Pipeline
- In an interview with Breitbart in March 2015, Scott Walker criticized President Barack Obama for vetoing the Keystone XL Pipeline.[102]
- On April 15, 2013, Walker sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Walker wrote, "Keystone XL would provide a major boost to Wisconsin's economy, as well as the nation's, by creating numerous manufacturing and construction jobs, on top of other advantages. Additionally, Americans would benefit from a greater supply of affordable energy, strengthening our energy security, and reducing our country's dependence on overseas oil."[103][104]
Fracking
- Speaking at the Wisconsin Freight Rail Day in 2013, Scott Walker expressed his support for fracking.[105]
Energy production
- In 2013, Scott Walker signed a bill that streamlined the approval process for mining.[106]
- Shortly after taking office in 2011, Walker introduced legislation that "would mandate minimum setbacks of 1,800 feet between a wind turbine and the nearest property line," according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Opponents of the bill viewed this as an attack on wind energy.[107]
Environmental conservation
- During Walker's time as governor, conservation-related infractions from Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) decreased by 28 percent compared to the previous governor, Jim Doyle. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in October 2014, "During Walker's term, environmental groups have expressed worries that the DNR is not as aggressive in enforcing environmental and conservation laws as past administrations. DNR records bear this out, but agency officials say they remain as vigilant as ever."[108]
- In February 2012, Scott Walker signed a bill "to loosen state regulations on development in wetlands." Walker called the law "a great example of how government can be a true partner in economic development instead of a barrier."[109]
Environmental Protection Agency
- During a visit to Florida in June 2015, Scott Walker said, "One of the things I’d love to see the next Congress and the next president hone in on is pulling major portions of Washington and sending it back to the states. The EPA’s a good example. Every state has an equivalent of the EPA. Every state that has it, not that they’re all perfect, but they’re much more effective, much more efficient and certainly much more accountable at the state and local level than they are in Washington." Walker explained that the repurposed EPA would instead be focused on “mediating between interstate disputes and compacts where you’ve got bodies of land and water that go over multiple state lines, but leave the rest at the state level.”[110]
Healthcare
- Scott Walker announced his plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on August 18, 2015. Named the “Day One Patient Freedom Plan,” Walker’s proposal called "for lowering the cost of health insurance by reducing regulation of the industry, providing tax credits to offset the cost of private insurance plans and allowing people to shop for plans across state lines.”[111]
- Prior to the ruling in King v. Burwell, Scott Walker wrote an op-ed for CNN on the Supreme Court case on June 24, 2015. Walker stated, "If the high court rules in favor of the administration, Obamacare will continue, unchanged. And that means the Republican House and Senate must redouble the fight to repeal and replace Obamacare."[112]
- While appearing on CBS's Face the Nation on December 1, 2013, Walker said of the Affordable Care Act, " I think long-term a much better option for us here in Wisconsin and across the country is to replace it with something better." Walker added, "What we need to do is go to a market-driven position where the tax incentives are the same whether you buy it through your employer, whether you buy it individually, or whether you do what most people I think would intend to do, and that is buy it through a health savings account."[113]
- According to the Wisconsin State Journal in February 2013, Walker rejected "Medicaid expansion under the federal health care law. Walker said he would instead work to increase health coverage for Wisconsinites with an alternate plan that involves lifting an enrollment cap on Medicaid programs for childless adults, tightening income eligibility for state residents able to use Medicaid programs, and bumping thousands of people from such programs to federal government-run health care exchanges where they can buy private insurance."[114]
- In January 2011, Walker signed into law two bills which, respectively, limited "noneconomic damages – such as payments for pain and suffering – to $750,000 in medical malpractice cases at nursing homes" and allowed Wisconsin tax filers with health savings accounts "to deduct costs from their state income taxes."[115]
Immigration
- Scott Walker said on August 30, 2015, that the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Canada border should be considered a "legitimate" issue.[116]
- When asked if birthright citizenship should end, Walker said on August 17, 2015, “I think that’s something we should — yeah, absolutely, going forward."[117]
- Clarifying his position on birthright citizenship on ABC News’ “This Week” on August 23, 2015, Walker said that he did not want to change the Fourteenth Amendment. "My point is any discussion that goes beyond securing the border and enforcing laws are things that should be a red flag to voters out there who for years have heard lip service from politicians and are understandably angry,” Walker said.[118]
- In a May 2015 interview with Breitbart, Walker said border security was "a matter of national security." Walker criticized the lax response to border crossings, saying, "This is truly a matter national sovereignty, in that if we were having people penetrate our water-based ports throughout the Gulf [of Mexico] or either coast, we’d be taking swift action initially with the Coast Guard and eventually probably with the Navy. Yet, we have international criminal organizations seeking to penetrate our land-based borders to the south—the push for drugs, for firearms and increasingly for people from a trafficking standpoint—it’s just horrific we’re not taking more action to truly secure that border."[119]
- In July 2013, Walker said, "If people want to come here and work hard and benefit, I don't care whether they come from Mexico or Ireland or Germany or Canada or South Africa or anywhere else. I want them here." After expressing support for a pathway to citizenship, Walker commented on Congress' role in immigration reform, saying, "Not only do they need to fix things for people already here, or find some way to do it, there's got to be a larger way to fix the system in the first place. Because if it wasn't so cumbersome, if there wasn't such a long wait, if it wasn't so difficult to get in, we wouldn't have the other problems that we have."[120]
- During his 2010 campaign, Walker said, "As governor, I will sign similar legislation to the Arizona law [on immigration] to ensure the taxpayers of Wisconsin are not paying for benefits like BadgerCare and in-state college tuition for people who are here illegally."[121]
Education
- The 2015-17 Wisconsin state budget that Scott Walker signed on July 12, 2015, cut state funding to the University of Wisconsin system by $250 million and removed tenure protections for University of Wisconsin professors from state law. In addition, under this budget, the number of authorizers of privately run charter schools increased and publicly funded schools, whether public, charter or voucher, are no longer required to administer the same standardized tests.[122]
- In July 2014, Walker asked "members of the state Legislature to pass a bill in early January to repeal Common Core and replace it with standards set by people in Wisconsin."[123]
- In 2011, Walker signed "2011 Wisconsin Act 105," which, among other things, authorized school boards to use standardized test scores to evaluate teacher performance.[124]
- As governor, Walker expanded Wisconsin's school voucher program to "allow low-income families to find the right environment for their child, no matter their zip code or family income." He also created a budget that "phases out the so-called 'funding flaw' over 12 years by making the Milwaukee program fully-state funded. Going forward, increases to the choice and charter per pupil payment will match increases to the public school revenue limit."[125]
Abortion
- In September 2015, at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Dinner, Scott Walker said that instead of causing a government shutdown, the House and Senate could get a majority vote of 51 and pass a spending bill designed to defund Planned Parenthood, according to The Des Moines Register. Walker told the audience: "As president, I will stop funding for Planned Parenthood immediately." He also added that he would redirect the money that Planned Parenthood receives to other women's healthcare organizations that do not perform abortions.[126]
- During the Republican debate on September 16, 2015, Scott Walker addressed defunding Planned Parenthood. He said, "Now, I — like so many other governors here, I defunded Planned Parenthood four-and-a-half years ago, in a Blue State. But it's bigger than that. We did that in a Blue State, we took the money and put it into women's health, so we did exactly what we're talking about here. But I think the bigger issue here is we should be able to do this nationally, and this is precisely why so many Republicans are upset with Washington. They see the House and they see the Senate and they say why can't we pass this. Why can't we defund Planned — put it in a spending bill. Forget about the 60-vote rule, there's no reason — and the Constitution doesn't call for 60 votes. Pass it with 51 votes, put it on the desk of the president and go forward and actually make a point. This is why people are upset with Washington."[127]
- A Wisconsin Assembly committee approved a bill on September 9, 2015, that would ban the use of fetal tissue obtained after January 1, 2015, in research. A spokesman for Scott Walker said he was "uncommitted" to such a ban.[128]
- In an interview following the August 6, 2015, Republican debate on Fox News, Walker said instituting exceptions to abortion restrictions where the mother’s life was in danger represented “a false choice.” Walker explained, “There is always a better option out there. I've said for years, medically there's always a better choice than choosing between the life of an unborn baby and the life of the mother. Medically that's just a nonissue.”[129]
- On July 20, 2015, Walker signed into law a bill prohibiting non-emergency abortions after 20 weeks in Wisconsin. The law does not include exceptions for rape or incest.[130]
- In a March 3, 2015, open letter on abortion, Walker wrote, "Life is a value I learned from my parents, and it’s a value I have cherished every day, predating my time in politics. My policies throughout my career have earned a 100% rating with pro-life groups in Wisconsin. Just in my first term I signed numerous pieces of pro-life legislation and I will continue working for every life." Walker added that he would support both state and federal legislation prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks.[131]
- According to Wisconsin Right to Life, an anti-abortion advocacy group, Walker supported several initiatives to restrict abortion rights.[132][133]
- As an assembly representative, Walker "voted against taxpayer funding of abortions for public employers" and "voted to recognize an unborn child as a separate victim of a criminal act against the pregnant mother."[133]
- Walker also signed into law a bill that required "a woman view an ultrasound of her unborn child 24 hours before an abortion can take place."[133]
- While running for governor in 2010, Walker supported "allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill emergency contraception prescriptions on moral grounds," according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.[134]
Gay rights
- In an August 2015 interview on Newsmax TV, Scott Walker said he would not lift the ban on transgender soldiers serving openly in the military. “I wouldn’t change the policy and I think at a time when we just came off the week when four Marines and a petty officer in the Navy were ambushed and killed at a recruiting center, where we see the current administration under the Obama-Clinton doctrine not lifting the political restrictions on our men and women in uniform in Iraq, when we see the challenges we face around the world, I think those of us who are talking about running for president need to focus on what we need to do to rebuild the military,” Walker said.[135][136]
- Following the Boy Scouts of America's decision to lift its ban on gay troop leaders in July 2015, Walker, a former Eagle Scout, expressed his disapproval of the decision, saying, "I have had a lifelong commitment to the Scouts and support the previous membership policy because it protected children and advanced Scout values."[137]
- The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional on June 26, 2015. Following the decision, Walker said, "Five unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage, an institution that the author of this decision acknowledges ‘has been with us for millennia.' In 2006 I, like millions of Americans, voted to amend our state constitution to protect the institution of marriage from exactly this type of judicial activism." He went on, calling for a constitutional amendment to allow states to decided the issue. "As a result of this decision, the only alternative left for the American people is to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reaffirm the ability of the states to continue to define marriage. I call on the president and all governors to join me in reassuring millions of Americans that the government will not force them to participate in activities that violate their deeply held religious beliefs. No one wants to live in a country where the government coerces people to act in opposition to their conscience. We will continue to fight for the freedoms of all Americans."[138]
- Shortly after Walker made his comments on the Supreme Court ruling, his wife, Tonette Walker, told The Washington Post that the issue was a source of tension in her family. Her sons support same-sex marriage, while Mrs. Walker herself has said that she is "torn" on the issue. She said, "Our sons were very disappointed. I was torn. I have children who are very passionate, and Scott was on his side very passionate. It's hard for me because I have a cousin who I love dearly — she is like a sister to me — who is married to a woman, her partner of 18 years."[139]
- Rick Santorum, one of Walker's 2016 GOP opponents, seized on these comments, saying, "Spouses matter. When your spouse is not in-sync with you — particularly on cultural issues, moral issues — [you] tend not to be as active on those issues."[139]
- In 2014, Walker declined to state a position on same-sex marriage, saying, "It doesn't really matter what I think now. It's in the constitution."[140]
- While appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" in 2013, Walker questioned why the government is involved in sanctioning marriages. He suggested, instead, that marriage could be defined by churches and synagogues.[141]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Scott + Walker + 2016
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ New York Times, "Scott Walker Said to Be Quitting Run for President," September 21, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 PBS Newshour, "Watch Live: Scott Walker to drop out of 2016 presidential race," September 21, 2015
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedannounce - ↑ NBC News, "Scott Walker, Wisconsin Governor, Says He Is Running for President," July 13, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "Insiders: Scott Walker the biggest loser of the summer," September 4, 2015
- ↑ Washington Post, "Scott Walker suspends presidential campaign," September 21, 2015
- ↑ UPI, "Recall election schedule set in Wisconsin," March 15, 2012
- ↑ Christian Science Monitor, "Gov. Scott Walker makes history, survives Wisconsin recall election," June 6, 2012
- ↑ Today's TMJ 4, "Walker Works Last Day as County Executive," December 27, 2010
- ↑ Time, "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: 2016 Contender But Not A College Graduate," November 19, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "Scott Walker to announce White House run on July 13," July 2, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "Walker: 2016 talk is 'flattering'," December 1, 2013
- ↑ Huffington Post, "Scott Walker On 2016: 'I Wouldn't Bet Against Me'," accessed February 4, 2015
- ↑ Crowdpac, "2016 Presidential Election," accessed July 27, 2015
- ↑ Leadership Project for American PAC, "Candidate's Grades and Comparisons," accessed July 27, 2015
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Scott Walker: How I would cut Washington down to size," July 27, 2015
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Scott Walker: Abolishing Federal Income Tax 'Sounds Pretty Tempting'," March 14, 2015
- ↑ Cato Institute, “Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2012," accessed December 19, 2014
- ↑ Wall Street Journal, “ObamaCare's Killer Device Tax," May 10, 2012
- ↑ Associated Press, "Candidates," accessed December 19, 2014
- ↑ Americans for Tax Reform, "Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Wtgalker Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge," March 15, 2010
- ↑ Americans for Tax Reform, "What is the Taxpayer Protection Pledge?" accessed December 19, 2014
- ↑ Fox Business, "Scott Walker: Get Government Out of Economy’s Way," September 1, 2015
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, "Reforming Government: Reducing Waste, Improving Services, and Making Government More Efficient," accessed July 10, 2015
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, "2013 Wisconsin Regulatory Review Report," accessed July 10, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Gov. Walker's 2013 State of the State speech transcript," January 16, 2013
- ↑ National Law Review, “Wisconsin Governor Walker Signs Regulatory Reform Bill into Law," July 1, 2011
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Scott Walker Says Supporters Have Suggested Walker-Rubio 2016 Ticket," June 11, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In Germany, Scott Walker backs trade deal, signs research pact," April 14, 2015
- ↑ WKOW, “Governor Walker returns from trade mission to China," April 22, 2013
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Scott Walker Signs Arena Deal, Handing $400 Million To Billionaire NBA Owners," August 13, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker signs state budget with 104 vetoes day before 2016 kickoff," July 12, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Reporter, “Walker's commission finds $260 million in potential savings for taxpayers," July 13, 2011
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, “Savings from Governor Walker’s Budget Reforms Top $1 Billion in Savings for Taxpayers," April 23, 2012
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Walker says no thanks to federal stimulus dollars," January 6, 2009
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Walker to propose privatizing Milwaukee County Zoo," September 20, 2009
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Privatization of custodial services irks County Board," December 9, 2009
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Milwaukee County must offer to reinstate courthouse security guards," January 10, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Walker would lower salary givebacks," March 19, 2008
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, “Governor Scott Walker Announces First Recipients of Grow Wisconsin Dairy 30x20 Processor Grants," June 26, 2014
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Friends of Scott Walker, “Continuing Wisconsin's Comeback," accessed December 11, 2014
- ↑ Marquette University, "EPA Finally Doing the Right Thing on Reformulated Gas Requirement," February 16, 2006
- ↑ Politico, "Scott Walker denies ethanol flip-flop," March 16, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "The Iowa Ag Summit: 10 takeaways," March 7, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker suggests raising age to qualify for Social Security," August 3, 2015
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker signs state budget with 104 vetoes day before 2016 kickoff," July 12, 2015
- ↑ Huffington Post, "Scott Walker Sues Feds Over Food Stamp Drug Testing," July 15, 2015
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, "Governor Scott Walker Signs Bill to Prevent Food Stamp Trafficking," July 22, 2013
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 CNN, "CNN REAGAN LIBRARY DEBATE: Later Debate Full Transcript," September 16, 2015
- ↑ Associated Press, "Highlights of Walker's Anti-Union Proposals," September 14, 2015
- ↑ NPR, "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Signs Right-To-Work Bill," March 9, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Gov. Walker's 2013 State of the State speech transcript," January 16, 2013
- ↑ Green Bay Press Gazette, “Read summary of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill," February 16, 2011
- ↑ Bloomberg Politics, "Walker, Christie, Kasich, Jindal to Keep State Sanctions on Iran," September 8, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "GOP candidates vow to roll back Iran deal," July 14, 2015
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 National Review, "The President’s Failed Leadership on Iran," June 30, 2015
- ↑ The Hill, "Walker tells Obama to ‘back off' Iran deal," accessed April 27, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Scott Walker: I’ll blow up any Iran deal, no matter what our European allies think," April 2, 2015
- ↑ The Hill, "Scott Walker says he will end defense cuts if elected president," May 11, 2015
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 Politico, "Scott Walker goes broad on foreign policy," March 29, 2014
- ↑ Washington Examiner, “Exclusive interview: Gov. Scott Walker's limited government pragmatism," March 24, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Times, "Scott Walker, GOP presidential candidate, vows to ‘unleash’ U.S. military on terrorists," August 30, 2015
- ↑ YouTube, "Scott Walker Discusses American Safety on Fox & Friends," June 3, 2015
- ↑ Hugh Hewitt, "Governor Scott Walker Talks Foreign Policy," March 25, 2015
- ↑ Slate, "In Defense of Scott Walker," February 27, 2015
- ↑ National Review, "Scott Walker’s Awful Answer on ISIS," February 26, 2015
- ↑ Slate, “Scott Walker’s Foreign Policy: Reagan, Reagan, and More Reagan," March 24, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Public Radio, "Walker: US Should Not Take In Syrian Refugees," September 9, 2015
- ↑ Washington Post, "As Scott Walker criticizes China, he could see repercussions in Iowa," August 26, 2015
- ↑ TIME, "Transcript: Read the Full Text of the Primetime Republican Debate," August 6, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker calls for tougher stance with China," June 23, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "After Israel trip, Scott Walker says region not ready for Palestinian state," May 16, 2015
- ↑ Hugh Hewitt, "Governor Scott Walker Talks Foreign Policy," March 25, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Gov. Scott Walker says normalizing relations with Cuba is 'a bad idea'," December 18, 2014
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker to lead China trade mission," April 10, 2013
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker joins call for commercial travel ban in response to Ebola," October 17, 2014
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, "Governor Scott Walker Announces Ebola Preparedness Plans, Calls for Commercial Travel Ban," October 17, 2014
- ↑ Hugh Hewitt, "Governor Scott Walker Talks Foreign Policy," March 25, 2015
- ↑ Slate, "In Defense of Scott Walker," February 27, 2015
- ↑ National Review, "Scott Walker’s Awful Answer on ISIS," February 26, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Public Radio, "Walker: US Should Not Take In Syrian Refugees," September 9, 2015
- ↑ 82.0 82.1 82.2 Talking Points Memo, "Walker To Wisconsin: I Won't 'Coerce You To Act Against Your Religious Beliefs'," June 26, 2015
- ↑ Politico, “Scott Walker: President Obama and I had vision for offices," November 22, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "Filibuster divides GOP 2016 contenders," July 6, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker pushes term limits but broke pledge as county executive," August 26, 2015
- ↑ The Blaze, "Scott Walker Calls for ‘Reasonable Accommodation’ in Kentucky Clerk Case," September 3, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker: There's a 'handful of reasonable, moderate followers of Islam'," August 22, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker: There is an overreaction to Indiana's religious freedom law," accessed April 16, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker administration to accept just notice for Capitol protests," October 8, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin.gov, “Walker, Rep. Scott K.," accessed December 11, 2014
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker issues executive order to arm National Guard members," July 21, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "Scott Walker signs two pro-gun bills," June 24, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker sells loaded Second Amendment record to NRA," April 10, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker signs concealed-carry measure into law," accessed January 5, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin.gov, “Walker, Rep. Scott K.," accessed December 11, 2014
- ↑ YouTube, "Scott Walker Discusses American Safety on Fox & Friends," June 3, 2015
- ↑ Rare.us, “Scott Walker: States should resist federal dictates — 'Federalism should be alive today'," January 13, 2014
- ↑ NBC 15, "Governor signs bill expanding strip searches," April 16, 2014
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Ministers, others press Scott Walker for parole reforms," July 9, 2014
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "On the issues: Death penalty," September 14, 2010
- ↑ The Capital Times, "Scott Walker among signers of Koch-backed 'No Climate Tax Pledge'," July 3, 2013
- ↑ Breitbart, "Breitbart California Interview: Governor Scott Walker," March 11, 2015
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, “Governor Scott Walker Submits Comment on Keystone Pipeline," April 15, 2013
- ↑ Office of the Governor, Scott Walker, "Comments on Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Keystone XL Project," April 15, 2013
- ↑ The Capital Times, “Wisconsin at 'global epicenter' of frac sand mining industry," October 10, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, “Scott Walker signs mining bill into law; opponents prepare for legal battle," March 12, 2013
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Walker bill puts $500 million in wind turbine investment at risk," January 15, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Citations issued by DNR wardens fall under Scott Walker administration," October 29, 2014
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker signs legislation that loosens state rules on wetlands," February 19, 2012
- ↑ Think Progress, "Scott Walker: Let’s Gut The EPA," June 2, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "How Scott Walker proposes to repeal and replace Obamacare," August 18, 2015
- ↑ CNN, "Obama can't pass buck on health insurance," June 24, 2015
- ↑ CBS News, "Face the Nation transcripts December 1, 2013: Menendez, Corker, Walker," December 1, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, “Scott Walker rejects Medicaid expansion, proposes alternate plan to cover uninsured," February 14, 2013
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker scores victories on tort reform, HSAs," January 20, 2011
- ↑ International Business Times, "A 'Legitimate' Issue: Scott Walker Thinks US-Canadian Border Wall Is Worth Examining," August 30, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Scott Walker: The U.S. should ‘absolutely’ stop granting birthright citizenship," August 17, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "On birthright citizenship, Scott Walker takes yet another stance: Don’t change the Constitution," August 23, 2015
- ↑ Breitbart, "Walker: We'd be sending in Navy to stop illegals if they were swarming our sea ports like they do southern border," May 26, 2015
- ↑ The Hill, "Gov. Walker backs citizenship pathway for illegal immigrants," accessed December 19, 2014
- ↑ The Capital Times, "Capitol Report: Wisconsin could be next to see Arizona-style immigration law," November 11, 2010
- ↑ Washington Post, "Gov. Scott Walker savages Wisconsin public education in new budget," July 13, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Gov. Scott Walker calls for Legislature to repeal Common Core standards," July 17, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin.gov, "2011 Wisconsin Act 105," accessed January 5, 2014
- ↑ Governor Walker, “Education Reform," accessed December 11, 2014
- ↑ DesMoinesRegister.com, "Congress must defund Planned Parenthood, Walker says," accessed September 20, 2015
- ↑ Washington Post, "Wednesday’s GOP debate transcript, annotated," accessed September 16, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Times, "Scott Walker uncommitted on fetal tissue ban," September 9, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker calls abortion to save a woman's life a 'false choice'," August 8, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "Scott Walker signs Wisconsin abortion bill," July 20, 2015
- ↑ Life News, "Scott Walker Says He Would Sign Bill to Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks," March 3, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Right to Life, "Governor Walker's Record on Life Issues," accessed July 14, 2015
- ↑ 133.0 133.1 133.2 133.3 Wisconsin Right to Life, "The Walker Record on Life," accessed July 14, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Abortion, birth control are wedge issues in governor's race," October 2, 2010
- ↑ The Washington Blade, "Scott Walker ‘wouldn’t change’ trans military ban," August 10, 2015
- ↑ YouTube, "Scott Walker 'Wouldn't Change' Military's Transgender Service Ban," August 6, 2015
- ↑ CNN, "Scott Walker: Boy Scout ban on gay troop leaders 'protected children'," July 14, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Scott Walker: Supreme Court gay marriage ruling 'a grave mistake'," June 27, 2015
- ↑ 139.0 139.1 Politico, "Rick Santorum: Scott Walker’s wife could make him soft on gay marriage," July 13, 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker declines to define stand on gay marriage today," June 12, 2014
- ↑ NBC News, "Meet the Press Transcript," March 13, 2013
