Walker Endorsed Cruz, But It Should Have Been The Other Way Around

Today Governor Scott Walker endorsed Ted Cruz for president. I have a huge amount of respect for Walker, and believe he made the best decision to endorse Cruz, the only one left in the Republican field that any conservative should be supporting.

But it should have been the other way around. The roles should be reversed, and Walker should be receiving endorsements.

I believe governors make the best presidents. They have actual executive experience, and must show direction and authority over the broad range of issues facing their state. I would have happily supported Walker, Perry, or Jindal in their bids for the White House. But we live in a society which craves the bombastic and/or beautiful when looking to support a candidate. Unfortunately, how a politician makes a majority in the electorate feel holds much weight. This is what fuels the support behind the embarrassment known as GOP front-runner Donald Trump.

After the way I beat Gov. Scott Walker (and Jeb, Rand, Marco and all others) in the Presidential Primaries, no way he would ever endorse me!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2016

Neither Scott Walker, nor Rick Perry, nor Bobby Jindal could “catch fire nationally”, and that’s a shame. I understand popularity among those who will be casting a vote is important to gain the nomination, but when it’s the wrong kind of popularity, those who don’t meet the “American Idol” criteria are left behind.

If we’re going to be honest with ourselves, both Cruz and Rubio are junior Senators. While I supported Rubio and currently support Cruz, neither was my first choice, and both lack executive experience. Rubio comes across as the fresh, attractive face of conservatism, and stayed in the race after many had left. Cruz has a passionate, preacher-type speaking style which certainly draws people into his fold. I understand he holds solid conservative views and is quite knowledgeable about the Constitution. But again, he is a junior Senator. When you look at those who are left, what are their actual accomplishments? I appreciate a good speech, but show me what you’ve done, not just what you say you will do.

In 2011, Walker fearlessly faced unions and eliminated collective bargaining rights, which led to a recall election in 2012, which he won. Scott Walker has a solid pro-life record. He signed an ultrasound bill in 2013. Regarding that legislation, LifeNews reported “This is the kind of pro-woman, pro-life bill that not only has proven to save the lives of unborn babies, but it has closed down abortion clinics that can’t comply with basic health and safety requirements. Sure enough, abortion centers in Wisconsin closed down after Walker signed the bill into law.” Walker also “…signed bills that allow Wisconsin to opt out of abortion funding under Obamacare, to protect pregnant women from coerced abortions and to prohibit RU486 chemical web cam abortions.” In July 2015, Walker signed a 20 week abortion ban.

Scott Walker, who inherited a crumbling economy from the Democratic governor, did much to turn that around. As National Review reported:

Walker’s most impressive achievements include transforming Doyle’s $3.6 billion deficit into a $911 million surplus. Walker did this without hiking taxes, as Doyle did. Instead, Walker cut levies by $2.2 billion. This helped stimulate Wisconsin’s economy, lower the unemployment rate on his watch from 7.7 percent to 5.5 percent, and increase per capita income from $38,755 to $43,149. No wonder the share of Wisconsin employers who believe the state is on the right track has soared from 9 percent to 95 percent.

These are just a few of the actual accomplishments which point to Scott Walker’s worth as a presidential candidate. But again, he wasn’t flashy or feel-good enough to get beyond his 71 days in the race, and that is unfortunate. I applaud his public support of Ted Cruz, but Walker’s record and substance should have placed him on the other side of such an endorsement this election cycle.