All Things in Moderation

Scott Walker won Wisconsin’s gubernatorial election less than a year ago. He promised major changes to the state budgeting process and, with the help of Republican majorities in both the state senate and general assembly, delivered on that promise at least on paper.

It came with a hefty price tag, however. His approval rating plummeted. Two of his state senate allies lost their jobs during the divisive recall battles, reducing the GOP majority in that chamber to a somewhat precarious 17-16. Layoffs and reductions in local services have begun. And the Democrats still have their eyes on recalling him in 2012.

I don’t expect Walker to roll over, or even to feel obligated to try and patch things up with the Wisconsin Democratic leadership. But at least telling the truth would, in my mind, score points.

So I’m wondering why a September fundraising letter Walker sent out in part reads:

“Wisconsin state government is $3 billion in debt” and “Wisconsin is broke!”

I’m willing to concede a smidgeon of creative license when sending out marketing/fundraising material, but not something that: (a) so blatantly contradicts one’s own words about successfully balancing the state budget and; (b) isn’t close to being true.

It was apparently widely known by many, but not by me, that Walker admitted to violating his university’s campaign rules back in 1988 and was declared “unfit” for office by the school paper.

And now the feds are conducting an investigation into the actions of key Walker aides, and potentially of Walker himself.

So I start to wonder whether there may be a pattern of behavior with Walker that serves neither the people of Wisconsin nor the Republican Party. Maybe it’s because I live in Illinois where we have a depressing habit of electing governors who later end up in prison. I look at what’s going on just to the north and think, “is it happening there, too?”

I’m no Walker fan, but I hope not.

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