Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker could lose his seat in the June 5 recall election, and he told a Gannett Wisconsin Media editorial board Monday that the possibility doesn't scare him.
"I am not afraid to lose," he said, according to the Wausau Daily Herald. "If you are doing things for the right reason, you should never be afraid to lose."
Walker added that politicians too often “focus on the next election, not the next generation.” He also defended his out-of-state fundraising trips, blaming "these special interest, out-of-state unions" for making them necessary to defend his seat.
The governor has criticized the Democratic National Committee's organizing arm and radical leftists for mobilizing voters against him.
"I think Organizing for America, which obviously is connected to the president’s political machine, and groups like MoveOn.org, and others are involved," he told Newsmax. "I think you’ll see the most radical elements on the left are going to be involved in this recall, because again for them, this is so critically important."
Walker said Monday that if he loses the election and becomes the third governor to be recalled from office in U.S. history, it would set back political courage for a decade, according to the Daily Herald.
Below, the history behind the Walker recall effort:
Wave Election Sweeps In Conservatives
1 of 8
FIRST SLIDE
PREVIOUS SLIDE
NEXT SLIDESHOW
In 2010, a surge of Tea Party momentum and backlash against Democrats helped elect conservatives including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who became the state's first Republican governor since 2002.
Walker promised to cut taxes and create 250,000 new jobs, but a deeper look into his past also showed a politician who had inflamed tensions with unions before.
The Washington Postreports on his time as Milwaukee County Executive, during which the collective bargaining rights of unions already appeared to be one of his most ambitious targets:
During his eight-year tenure in Milwaukee County, Walker never raised property taxes. He cut the county workforce by 20 percent, improved its bond rating and gave back hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own salary as part of the effort to trim spending. But he also saw his relations with local unions deteriorate.
Union leaders say Walker never negotiated in good faith and had a singular solution to every budget problem: cut. Under his watch, the county privatized public jobs, laid off workers and placed others on furlough.
[...]
Walker argued that collective bargaining was the biggest hurdle to balancing the budget and that unions had little incentive to give ground because they almost always prevailed in arbitration. He said that the cuts he proposed were intended to prevent layoffs and accused union leaders of being uninterested in compromise.
Walker promised to cut taxes and create 250,000 new jobs, but a deeper look into his past also showed a politician who had inflamed tensions with unions before.
The Washington Postreports on his time as Milwaukee County Executive, during which the collective bargaining rights of unions already appeared to be one of his most ambitious targets:
During his eight-year tenure in Milwaukee County, Walker never raised property taxes. He cut the county workforce by 20 percent, improved its bond rating and gave back hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own salary as part of the effort to trim spending. But he also saw his relations with local unions deteriorate.
Union leaders say Walker never negotiated in good faith and had a singular solution to every budget problem: cut. Under his watch, the county privatized public jobs, laid off workers and placed others on furlough.
[...]
Walker argued that collective bargaining was the biggest hurdle to balancing the budget and that unions had little incentive to give ground because they almost always prevailed in arbitration. He said that the cuts he proposed were intended to prevent layoffs and accused union leaders of being uninterested in compromise.
Wave Election Sweeps In Conservatives
1
/ 8
SHARE THIS SLIDE
In 2010, a surge of Tea Party momentum and backlash against Democrats helped elect conservatives including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who became the state's first Republican governor since 2002.
Walker promised to cut taxes and create 250,000 new jobs, but a deeper look into his past also showed a politician who had inflamed tensions with unions before.
The Washington Postreports on his time as Milwaukee County Executive, during which the collective bargaining rights of unions already appeared to be one of his most ambitious targets:
During his eight-year tenure in Milwaukee County, Walker never raised property taxes. He cut the county workforce by 20 percent, improved its bond rating and gave back hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own salary as part of the effort to trim spending. But he also saw his relations with local unions deteriorate.
Union leaders say Walker never negotiated in good faith and had a singular solution to every budget problem: cut. Under his watch, the county privatized public jobs, laid off workers and placed others on furlough.
[...]
Walker argued that collective bargaining was the biggest hurdle to balancing the budget and that unions had little incentive to give ground because they almost always prevailed in arbitration. He said that the cuts he proposed were intended to prevent layoffs and accused union leaders of being uninterested in compromise.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker could lose his seat in the June 5 recall election, and he told a Gannett Wisconsin Media editorial board Monday that the possibility doesn't scare him.
"I am not afraid...
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker could lose his seat in the June 5 recall election, and he told a Gannett Wisconsin Media editorial board Monday that the possibility doesn't scare him.
"I am not afraid...
On Saturday, the four Wisconsin Democrats vying for the party's gubernatorial nomination spoke at the Wisconsin Democratic Party's Founders Day dinner at the Milwaukee Athletic...
From taxes to health care to collective bargaining, six candidates seeking to unseat Gov. Scott Walker in the recall election came up with plenty of...
Tom Barrett and Kathleen Falk - the two top Democratic candidates vying for governor in the upcoming recall elections - will be exchanging their views...
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) said Organizing For America, the Democratic National Committee's organizing arm, is involved in his June 5 recall election. Walker was...
A political ad attacking Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is hitting the airwaves Monday, kicking off the first major ad campaign against Walker in this...
Ahhh Walker is going through all the stages--he no longer 'fears' because he's reached 'acceptance.'
Ever notice the 'radical' left is always behind this stuff? Who knew the we (the left) were this organized. No one has ever invited me to a meeting. I'd like to be radical. Wonder why there are no membership drives?
Or could it be simply that his constituents hate him for what he's doing?
cohoes42072: Ahhh Walker is going through all the stages--he no longer
Walker's six challengers need to unite behind the person best able to beat him, that and put thier ego's aside. Beating Walker and refuting his reign of terror are the primary goal. If he's "not afariad to lose" good for him, I suspect this sort of courage will be needed for more than a few Wisconsin Republicans.
wikwox: Walker's six challengers need to unite behind the person best
Walker's agenda should be a heads up for anyone contemplating voting republican - do not listen to what they say but look to what they do. How distructive have the last two years been in the States? Voter rights, women's rights, health care issues, support for the poor, a proposed budget that is cruel, mean and useless. This isn't the kind of America most of us want to live in.
gincho: Walker's agenda should be a heads up for anyone contemplating
From what I hear, he's not afraid to lose because he was never really concerned about working with the constituents in WI. He's all over cable channels, out of the state more than in state asking for help, money, etc. and looking for his next job. This is someone on the campaign trail who said he would add 250,000 jobs in WI over his four year term. Instead, as reported, the state has lost 25,000 jobs over the last year and ranks #42 as a state on the Bloomberg Economic List. The legislation he put in, from all accounts, breakup unions, no collective bargaining, education cutbacks, voter ID, reversing the women's equal pay law, turning down high speed rail which would have added jobs, etc, etc. was pretty much shoeveled in. Huge tax breaks for manufacturing and agriculture were given while advocating WI is broke. I know some of the people from WI and they are strong, with ethics and integrity. Basically, June 5th can't come too soon for the majority of them!!!!!
patienceisvirtue: From what I hear, he's not afraid to lose because
Walker will win the recall because his policies have worked and Wiesconsin is reaping the benefits. For decades, local school boards were the lap dogs of the teacher's unions. That corrupt relationship damaged public education in Wisconsin and cost tax payers billions in wasteful spending. Finally, the shenanigans of public sector unions are being curtailed. You lefties can demagogue all you want, Walker is going no where.
FLHX: Walker will win the recall because his policies have worked
Walker's nearly $1 Billion in cuts to Public Education restricted municipalities their ability to manage their own districts’ finances, forced school boards and administrations into political battles at the expense of public education, and used children as pawns in an ideological battle for power and control. Wisconsin’s public education system was not in a crisis – until now.
maninal2: Walker's nearly $1 Billion in cuts to Public Education restricted
Hopefully that righwing stink hole, will lose. He could campaign all he wants....but the best he will be able to do, is become the assistant to the assistant of the assistant to the assistant manager, in charge of keeping the Latreens cleaned at Wendy's. Now there is a job that is right up his alley. After checking on Walkers education.....his undergrad days.....kind've leave one wondering....exactly how did this clown even get into an accrediated school, let alone do the college level work???? Typical republican.
Stavo: Hopefully that righwing stink hole, will lose. He could campaign
The disdain cons feel and express toward average middle-income (and lower income) people is obvious to anyone out there and that's just sad. Amazingly, they can still dupe some of their own sheeple. Americans had better educate themselves as to what the "con" games these guys are playing and what would happen to them if these terrors get into more power.
manmi1: The disdain cons feel and express toward average middle-income (and
I know Wisconsin first-hand to know that politically it's a very weird state that can flip-flop in any direction and difficult to manage for any politician running for office there. It is a state that spawned Sen. Joe McCarthy and Rep. Paul Ryan on one extreme; Sen. William Proxmire on the other. Walker is caught in the middle dealing with a state that has no middle ground and suffers from a personality of a Dr. Jekyll and Hyde. Either one can suddenly come up and bite you in the rear without prior notice. Facinating state for the political science student.
pllc: I know Wisconsin first-hand to know that politically it's a
The only thing Walker is in the middle of is an FBI investigation into his corruption. All of his aides who have been arrested are cutting deals left and right spilling their guts about "the boss". As for Joe McCarthy and Paul Ryan: Ryan will meet the same fate McCarthy did - drummed out of office in disgrace.
Linda_Motley: The only thing Walker is in the middle of is
I am delighted that Walker is not concerned about losing. When they finally get rid of him, he will not feel bad, however a lot of people will feel good
niesnic: I am delighted that Walker is not concerned about losing.
One of the things that Scott Walker did was give everyone a preview of the Right Wing in action. There is huge influence money behind him and the other Right Wing politicians across the United States. This is a money move of the few to gain control of the many. Well past time for others to show the same backbone as the people in Wisconsin who want to rid themselves of someone who would take away rights and equal pay for equal work.
hifie: One of the things that Scott Walker did was give
The public sector unions rode the gravy train in Wisconsin for decades, are almost always the biggest spenders in their lobbying efforts and have spent hundreds of millions over the years to ensure that the politicians they've bought and paid for do their bidding, at taxpayer expense. The reforms Walker has enacted has closed the deficit, saved the state taxpayers $1 BILLION, repaid the Patient's Compensation and Transportation funds illegally raided by the Democrats and repaid Minnesota the tuition tax reciprocity money owed by Wisconsin and defaulted on by Democrat Jim Doyle, all while shrinking the size of government and growing private sector jobs. No matter what happens in the recall, this guy is brave politician that we need more of in this country.
Eidolas: The public sector unions rode the gravy train in Wisconsin
Eidolas,
Say....you aren't all there...are you? Your imagined facts and figures needed to be rechecked...let us know your sources and we'll help you. lol
Stavo: Eidolas, Say....you aren't all there...are you? Your imagined facts and
Of course Walker isn't worried about losing the recall , he can always find another position with his real employer - The Koch Brothers - . People are finally awakwened , many governors, like Walker , senators & congressmen don't really work for those who voted for them , although it's supposed to be that way it isn't they actually work for the special interests that bankroll them .
And thanks to " citizens united " it's only going to get worse - much worse , this isn't a democracy anymore it's become a corporate autocracy.
joredux: Of course Walker isn't worried about losing the recall ,
This tool criticizes progressive groups like Move On and Organizing for America which are composed of many "little people" banding together to increase their political power. This is the bedrock of American political activity since the founding of the Republic. Walker, on the other hand, is owned by 2 people: Charles and David Koch. They tell him what to do, what to think, what to say and how best to spend their bribes..er.. make that "donations" to effect what they want done. Outside influences, Scottie?
DocBlake: This tool criticizes progressive groups like Move On and Organizing
Move On and Organizing for America are hardly composed of the "little people" when they have billionaires like George Soros funding their activities and who knows how many other of the liberal elite, not to mention the influence of Big Labor who take money through "dues" to use for their own political ends. The hypocrisy of the left on this point is always amusing.
Eidolas: Move On and Organizing for America are hardly composed of
I am solicited by and contribute to Move On on a regular basis. I'm no George Soros, and neither are the hundreds of thousands just like me. Scottie-Boy has Charles and David Koch telling him what to do.
DocBlake: I am solicited by and contribute to Move On on
Loading comments… 
Posted: 04/24/2012 12:36 pm Updated: 04/30/2012 6:03 pm