Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was elected in 2010 and in 2012 survived a recall vote based on his actions against public unions. He is a potential GOP presidential candidate and was the guest at the Nov. 22 Monitor Breakfast.
Governors as candidates:
“The ideal [presidential] candidate … would be a current or former governor…. There is a real sense across America that people want an outsider. [Rep.] Paul Ryan [(R) of Wisconsin] is one of the exceptions to that rule.”
His pro-life position on abortion:
“I don’t apologize for that, but I don’t focus on that; I don’t obsess with it.”
Making Republicans more appealing in national elections:
“We cannot be viewed as the party of ‘no’…. In the states where we are successful, that is exactly what has happened…. We are optimistic; we are speaking in terms that are relevant….”
President Obama and foreign policy:
“What is going on in foreign policy is much like ‘Obamacare’ … you have a president who spent far too much time listening to his political team and not his policy team.”
The dispute over Democrats changing Senate filibuster rules:
“As long as people are competent and ethical, deference should be given to the chief executive in terms of appointments they make to executive positions…. Judicial appointments … warrant a larger level of scrutiny.”
