Frugal Walker Channels Tommy Thompson (National Journal - Hotline)

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By Sean Sullivan

Seeking to distinguish himself from his Dem opponent, Milwaukee Co. Exec Scott Walker (R) is structuring his campaign around a theme of limited government and touting the private sector as the most effective vehicle for job growth.

"People create jobs, not the government," Walker told Hotline OnCall in an interview. "That's the biggest contrast between me and the mayor" -- that is, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D), the likely Dem nominee.

Walker underscored the importance of cutting tax rates, and spoke highly of ex-Gov./ex-HHS Sec Tommy Thompson (R), who also appeared at a fundraiser for him in DC yesterday. "We need that same sort of passion that was there you know, '86, '87, '89," Walker said.

Walker was critical of the use of stimulus funds for operating expenses and said "the federal health care mandate isn't very advantageous for us." Walker said he would support the AG and state joining the legal action against the federal mandate.

The backbone of Walker's campaign has been a jobs plan and a "Brown Bag Movement" advertising campaign, featuring TV commercials in which he touts his frugality.

On both fronts, he has come under heavy criticism from his opponents. When Walker initially rolled out his plan to create 250K jobs in 5 years, he faced criticism from Dems and '98 SEN nominee/ex-Rep. Mark Neumann (R), his rival in the GOP primary. Walker pointed to Thompson's job creation accomplishments by '90 (saying Thompson had created 258K new jobs) as an example of why his plan can be successful. "We can do it with Tommy back then, there is no doubt in my mind we can do it over the next 5 years," said Walker. Barrett has unveiled his own jobs plan, aiming to replace the 180K jobs the state has lost during the economic downturn.

And in a blow to the frugality narrative, the AP reported in March that Walker's campaign finance records showed the candidate had spent thousands on food and drinks and dined at high-end restaurants, a development Dems seized on. Walker said the criticism was unfair, saying the events were all fundraisers.

Should he advance to the general election, Walker will face Barrett in a race that will likely be characterized by its heavy focus on the each candidate's record in the Milwaukee area -- an emerging theme already present in the race.

Comparisons are already being made, for example, between the '09 budget surplus in the city versus the county. Barrett's city surplus was higher than Walker's county surplus, a fact that Walker was prepared to discuss. "His surplus came from tax increases. ... My surplus came from actually reducing the size of government," said Walker.

But Barrett spokesperson Phil Walzak shot back, saying "In nearly every single one of the County Executive's budgets, he has proposed a higher property tax levy than the year before. ... When it comes to holding the line on taxes, Walker simply doesn't walk the walk."

To meet Barrett in the general election, Walker will still have to get past Neumann, who has been advertizing aggressively on TV, running 5 ads in a race that has become increasingly heated recently.

"I am ultimately the best person to lead this grassroots movement," said Walker. Neumann, whose camp has been claiming 45K+ fans on Facebook, shot back, saying "our grassroots organization, via social networking and on the ground -- he's not even in the ballgame."

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/05/frugal_walker_...