Although it was politically messy, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker achieved a policy victory this week by reforming how public sector unions operate in his state. And although he has taken a barrage of attacks from the left, in the long run could his star be on the rise?
On this weekend’s broadcast of “The McLaughlin Group,” MSNBC’s Pat Buchanan suggested Walker’s status is elevated and explained why – because President Barack Obama got involved, but came out on the losing end.
“It’s defining for Walker and it’s defining for the country for this reason: Obama got up to right into his ears. He declared there’s an assault upon unions. He had his organization working it. They had massive demonstrations in the Capitol – chanting, beating drums. They had the state legislators leave. It’s a big battle in the country. Everybody is watching it. No doubt, Walker got himself hurt a little bit in the battle. But John [McLaughlin], he won this thing. Mayors and governors across America are looking at this because at the state level pay and benefits for public employees – that’s the big problem. If you don’t deal with that, you don’t solve the problem.”
Although polls suggest Walker is struggling in the court of public opinion, should they rebound, he could be a potential running mate for the 2012 Republican nominee.
“He will be talked about as a vice-presidential candidate if his polls come up,” Buchanan declared.
Buchanan explained Walker becomes a lucrative candidate if he can win Wisconsin for the GOP during the 2012 election cycle.
“Gov. Walker, with John Kasich of Ohio and Chris Christie of New Jersey, has risen as a potential choice for vice president, depending on Ezra’s point – if his polls can come back and it looks like he can win Wisconsin for the Republicans, he will be right up there for VP,” Buchanan said.
Despite the contrary point of view from his fellow panelists, Newsweek’s Eleanor Clift and The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein, show moderator John McLaughlin agreed.
“I will say his star is waxing,” McLaughlin said. “And I think he can be seriously considered for the ticket someplace in two years from now.”
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