Controversial Wisconsin Governor and possible 2016 Presidential candidate Scott Walker recently traveled to England to bolster the appearance that he understands foreign policy and global issues. However, once he got there, according to the Washington Post, Walker passed on several questions from the BBC about foreign policy and evolution, leading to a condemnation even from conservative mastermind Karl Rove.
Scott Walker went to England on what was termed as a “low-key trade mission,” however many conservative outlets cited that Walker’s real intention was to bolster his reputation on international issues as he surges up in the list of likely GOP nominees for the 2016 presidential election.
When asked whether or not the United States was doing enough to combat Islamic extremists, Scott said that he wouldn’t answer as it wasn’t the sort of topic for a trade discussion.
“That’s certainly something I will answer in the United States in the future.”
When Scott Walker was asked about the fighting in Ukraine, the Wisconsin Governor befuddled British reporters by evading the question.
Walker was then asked about whether or not he believed in evolution.
“I’m going to punt on that one as well. That’s a question that a politician shouldn’t be involved with one way or another.”
Scott Walker’s star in the GOP rose sharply when he single-handedly dismantled the Badger State’s unions’ right to collectively bargain shortly after being elected governor. The act brought tens of thousands of protestors to the state capitol in Madison in rallies that lasted for weeks, and it also sparked a recall election. Walker won the recall election by a seven percent margin, and now has his sights set on the White House.
Recently, Walker set off another firestorm when he released his most recent budget proposal in Wisconsin. The Governor’s plan would cut over $300 million from the University of Wisconsin system. When Walker – who left college one semester short of graduation – was asked about the cuts, his answer was that “maybe it’s time for faculty and teachers to start thinking about teaching more classes.” The Governor has said that he hopes that cutting funding from the UW system will bolster the K-12 public school system in the Badger State, though an average town in Wisconsin of 10,000 residents will lose an average of half a million dollars in funding under the new budget proposal. The budget proposal has conservative representatives in the state distancing themselves from Walker.
Since returning from England, political pundits may have advised Scott Walker that he is in dire need of coaching when it comes to international issues. As such, according to Politico , Scott Walker has hired two Capitol Hill veterans to coordinate his foreign and domestic policy positions. Scott has hired Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer Mike Gallagher to bring the Walker campaign up to speed on international issues, and Kristin Jackson – an expert on energy, trade and immigration – has been hired as a domestic policy adviser.
Scott Walker’s campaign has also established a headquarters in New Hampshire, a key state in every presidential primary.
With a GOP primary roster that may include the likes of Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Chris Christie, Governor Scott Walker will need to handle the press with more finesse if he is to be a serious 2016 contender.
[Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images]