What will they even attack Walker on?
       |           

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
March 28, 2024, 07:49:24 AM
News: Election Simulator 2.0 Released. Senate/Gubernatorial maps, proportional electoral votes, and more - Read more

  Talk Elections
  Election Archive
  Election Archive
  2016 U.S. Presidential Election
  What will they even attack Walker on?
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2
Author Topic: What will they even attack Walker on?  (Read 6586 times)
Keystone Phil
Atlas Institution
*****
Posts: 52,611


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« on: January 29, 2015, 10:57:04 PM »

Here's why I'm becoming more convinced that Walker will be the unifier of the GOP factions and ultimately the nominee: there isn't a clear fault in his background (at least in the eyes of your average Republican voter or donor).

Romney, Jeb, Paul, Christie, Rubio...they all have their obvious weaknesses in the eyes of the party faithful. What the hell does Walker get hammered on after being held up by everyone in the party as a hero for the past four years or so? I guess lack of foreign policy experience is the only possible opening for an opponent but if he's not a total failure on that front, the opposition is flat out of luck. And the 2016 nomination fight might not be much of a fight at all.
Logged
Snowstalker Mk. II
Snowstalker
Atlas Star
*****
Posts: 20,414
Palestinian Territory, Occupied


Political Matrix
E: -7.10, S: -4.35

P P P
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2015, 10:57:38 PM »

What could Tim Pawlenty be hit on?
Logged
Keystone Phil
Atlas Institution
*****
Posts: 52,611


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2015, 11:01:47 PM »


Pawlenty wasn't a party rock star for four years that fought and beat organized labor as they tried to depose him in nationally watched races.
Logged
Sprouts Farmers Market ✘
Sprouts
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 14,749
Italy


Political Matrix
E: -4.90, S: 1.74

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2015, 11:06:42 PM »
« Edited: January 29, 2015, 11:10:55 PM by SMilo »

I completely agree at this point. It's possible some of the SoCons can hit him for not being socially conservative enough, but do they ever even win? They (Huck and Santorum) are economic populists anyway so their voters aren't jumping off for the heavy hitters that the Kochs will approve of anytime soon. And if they are forced to jump off, it's probably Walker over Romney or Bush.
Logged
IceSpear
Atlas Superstar
*****
Posts: 31,841
United States


Political Matrix
E: -6.19, S: -6.43

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2015, 11:12:58 PM »

They can't, really. The Pawlenty comparison is moot since nobody besides DC pundits ever cared about him, whereas Walker is beloved by the grassroots for crushing the unions and surviving a recall. This is why I've thought Walker would end up being the nominee for years now.

The only thing I can think of is "too divisive/unelectable", but that can easily be countered with "won in a blue state three times". Yeah, two of them were midterms, but nobody's going to get that deep into the nuances.

Phil, do you support Walker now? You too have abandoned poor Christie? Cry
Logged
Keystone Phil
Atlas Institution
*****
Posts: 52,611


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2015, 11:18:55 PM »

Phil, do you support Walker now? You too have abandoned poor Christie? Cry

I have very consistently said I really like several candidates for 2016 and Walker has always been one of my top picks. We are spoiled with riches.

Let us never forget my loyalty to Rick but when it comes down to those who have a better shot at the nomination, gun to my head, Walker edges out Christie in terms of my preference.
Logged
Reaganfan
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 14,239
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2015, 11:25:04 PM »

I couldn't believe how often his Iowa speech had me grinning. I mean, even his joke about using "Kohls cash" to shop at Kohls made me grin, because my family does that and it's alot better and more "in touch" than Mitt Romney's wardrobe, I'm sure.

“I never had a young classmate say they wanted to become dependent on American government when they grew up.”

"We celebrate the 4th of July not the 15th of April." (Invoking Ronald Reagan)

“We need leaders that understand when freedom-loving people anywhere are under attack, we need to stand with them.” (Shot at Obama's no-show in France)

Walker used the phrase “radical Islamic terrorists,” with a smart-as* emphasis likely meant to draw a contrast between him and Obama.

“The measure of success for government should not be how many people depend upon it, but how many are no are longer dependent on it”.
Logged
Mister Mets
YaBB God
*****
Posts: 4,434
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2015, 12:00:20 AM »

There isn't much to hit him on. That doesn't always determine elections.

He still has to become enough people's first choice in order to be considered one of the top three candidates.

It could just be that someone else offers something better. Or he might lack the political talent necessary to win national office n a crowded field.
Logged
Boston Bread
New Canadaland
YaBB God
*****
Posts: 3,636
Canada


Political Matrix
E: -5.00, S: -5.00

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2015, 12:45:12 AM »

He can be attacked on his economic record. Isn't Wisconsin only ahead of Illinois on job creation in the upper Midwest?
Logged
Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon
Dwarven Dragon
Atlas Politician
Atlas Superstar
*****
Posts: 31,577
United States


Political Matrix
E: -1.42, S: -0.52

P P P

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2015, 12:47:33 AM »

He can be attacked on his economic record. Isn't Wisconsin only ahead of Illinois on job creation in the upper Midwest?
Well, he deflected that pretty well when Burke tried it, so he should be able to do the same in the primary.
Logged
Xing
xingkerui
Atlas Superstar
*****
Posts: 30,303
United States


Political Matrix
E: -6.52, S: -3.91

P P P
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2015, 02:09:01 AM »

I'm guessing the only argument that will be made against him in the primary will be that he's too polarizing, and thus not electable. However, with candidates like Huckabee and Santorum likely to run, they'll probably face that argument more. I think a bigger question will be whether or not Walker can get enough support from the establishment and the tea party. While both could accept him, it doesn't seem like he's the first choice of either.
Logged
Reaganfan
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 14,239
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2015, 03:05:56 AM »

Tidbit...Walker's birthday would fall just a couple of days prior to the Presidential Election. If elected and then running for re-election, his birthday would be the Monday before election day.
Logged
Orser67
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 5,947
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2015, 03:10:08 AM »

I still think un-electability will be used, despite his (impressive) feat of winning in a blue state three times. Walker first won in a huge Republican wave in 2010, and his re-election margin wasn't all that impressive in a June 2012 recall election and another Republican wave in 2014. And (putting on my Republican hat), if Obama can be re-elected as an incumbent, is being re-elected really all that impressive? Meanwhile, Chris Christie (just to provide a contrast, not using this as an argument for his candidacy since his ratings have tanked) and Jeb Bush both won re-election with larger margins in less favorable circumstances.
Logged
Keystone Phil
Atlas Institution
*****
Posts: 52,611


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2015, 08:14:40 AM »

Tidbit...Walker's birthday would fall just a couple of days prior to the Presidential Election. If elected and then running for re-election, his birthday would be the Monday before election day.

The infamous Birthday Bounce. Unstoppable.
Logged
PresidentTRUMP
2016election
Jr. Member
***
Posts: 945


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2015, 08:34:17 AM »

What about him never graduating college?
Logged
stegosaurus
Jr. Member
***
Posts: 628
United States


Political Matrix
E: -0.26, S: 1.83

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2015, 08:59:58 AM »

He can't be attacked for much record wise, but I don't see him being a big hit with swing voters. Stranger things have happened though
Logged
King
intermoderate
Atlas Star
*****
Posts: 29,357
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #16 on: January 30, 2015, 09:58:07 AM »

It's not so much that he can be attacked, as much as I don't know if he can stand out on a large 8 candidate debate stage.

Remember, the surges against Romney happened with bombastic debate moments. Walker has one tone.

Obviously if the big $$$ backers told Romney and Bush to stand down and backed Walker, and Walker was able to be a defensive player against the right in the debates, he'd be great. But if he has to fight to get noticed, he doesn't have it.
Logged
Bull Moose Base
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 3,488


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #17 on: January 30, 2015, 10:55:22 AM »

Vander Plaats, whose endorsement won Iowa for Santorum last time, doesn't seem to care much for Walker after his perceived surrender on marriage equality during his re-election race. (He also recently gave Walker an ultimatum to veto a proposed casino.) Not sure what it means for Walker but that's one answer to your question.
Logged
Mr. Illini
liberty142
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 6,838
United States


Political Matrix
E: -4.26, S: -3.30

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #18 on: January 30, 2015, 02:57:08 PM »

Probably the whole ripping his state in half thing. Also Wisconsin's sluggish recovery after his huge promises in the 2010 campaign.
Logged
spacecoyote
Rookie
**
Posts: 17


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2015, 03:04:35 PM »

Two words...Koch and unions. Not that that's gold or anything but that's what it would be.
Logged
henster
YaBB God
*****
Posts: 4,975


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #20 on: January 30, 2015, 03:12:40 PM »

Well Wisconsin currently has a 2 billion deficit so he could be made to appear fiscally reckless to conservatives. Passing up on RTW and flip flopping on immigration are routes of attacks as well. And job growth will matter because he will be running against fellow Governors where Wisconsin ranks in job growth will certainly play.
Logged
pbrower2a
Atlas Star
*****
Posts: 26,841
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #21 on: January 30, 2015, 03:40:13 PM »

I couldn't believe how often his Iowa speech had me grinning. I mean, even his joke about using "Kohls cash" to shop at Kohls made me grin, because my family does that and it's alot better and more "in touch" than Mitt Romney's wardrobe, I'm sure.

“I never had a young classmate say they wanted to become dependent on American government when they grew up.”

"We celebrate the 4th of July not the 15th of April." (Invoking Ronald Reagan)

“We need leaders that understand when freedom-loving people anywhere are under attack, we need to stand with them.” (Shot at Obama's no-show in France)

Walker used the phrase “radical Islamic terrorists,” with a smart-as* emphasis likely meant to draw a contrast between him and Obama.

“The measure of success for government should not be how many people depend upon it, but how many are no are longer dependent on it”.

Ronald Reagan may be dead, but his quip-writers are still around.

The Walker campaign is well suited to fit Democratic failure with the absence of Republican culpability. That is how Reagan won in 1980.
Logged
krazen1211
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 7,372


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #22 on: January 30, 2015, 04:08:00 PM »

The white liberals threatened to gut his wife like a deer and harassed/stalked his sons on Facebook. So there's that.
Logged
Skill and Chance
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 12,521
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #23 on: January 30, 2015, 05:20:35 PM »

What about him never graduating college?

I can't image that would play in a modern GOP primary.  It could be a real issue with suburban moderates in a general, though.  You could argue that less formal education increases the risk that he would Akin himself, but he's gone 5 years now without that kind of mistake. 
Logged
Senate Minority Leader Lord Voldemort
Joshua
Jr. Member
***
Posts: 1,710
United States


Political Matrix
E: -4.52, S: -5.91

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #24 on: January 30, 2015, 05:32:53 PM »

What about him never graduating college?

That's probably a plus in Republican primaries.

Down with the hippie, elitist, collegiate liberal rags!
Logged
Pages: [1] 2  
« previous next »
Jump to:  


Login with username, password and session length

Terms of Service - DMCA Agent and Policy - Privacy Policy and Cookies

Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines

Page created in 0.047 seconds with 13 queries.