Courage
As I write, exit polls in Wisconsin show a tight race in the recall contest between Rep. Gov. Scott Walker and his opponent, the mayor of Milwaukee, Dem. Tom Barrett. As we wait, an observation:
Watching Gov. Walker since his election in 2010, I've found myself wondering from time to time just what he had going for him. Never a striking or prepossessing figure, he seems to slouch at lecterns, tends to repeat himself, and has gone nearly two years now without a decent haircut.
He possesses none of Paul Ryan's ability to make complicated budget issues seem simple, Chris Christie's sheer force of personality, Haley Barbour's bonhomie, or Mitch Daniel's straightforward and reassuring sense of calm, sweet reason. As I say, I've found myself wondering just what the man has going for him.
Over the last few months, though, Gov. Walker himself has provided the answer: courage. He saw what he was convinced needed to be done, he did it, and now he has been standing by his actions, unflinchingly. He possesses no particular charm or wit. He conveys no particular sense of the joy of doing political battle. But he has done what needed to be done. He has fought.
"Courage," wrote Winston Churchill, "is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities." It is also the one quality that Gov. Walker possesses in abundance--and that has earned him gratitude of every American who wishes to restore sanity to our government.
Whatever the outcome of the vote, tonight, Gov. Walker, congratulations.
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Comments:
Dec '11
Re: Courage
I've found myself wondering from time to time just what he had going for him.
I would argue conviction.
May '10
Re: Courage
Peter, thank you for putting your eloquent prose to this subject. I agree with EThompson and say "conviction." I am skeptical of all these exit polls. The turnout machine in Dane & Milwaukee Counties is incredibly high. We'll know soon enough, but I am in no way sure of the governor's victory. At the very least Act 10 cannot be repealed with a GOP assembly. I can stay WEAC-free. Courage.
Jul '10
Re: Courage
One Man with courage makes a majority.
Andrew Jackson
Re: Courage
Without courage, all of the wit, charisma, and important looking hair in the world won't fill an empty suit. I'll take someone who has the courage to give the electorate a clear distinction between conservatism and collectivism over a spineless yet polished politician every time.
Nov '11
Re: Courage
Courage in service of a cause well-chosen.
Jul '11
Re: Courage
A person doing exactly what he said he would do and achieving state saving financial results is a beautiful thing. That he may get unseated by union thugs leaves me extrememly depressed and concerned that fraud will be the norm in all battleground states in November.
Edited on June 6, 2012 at 3:50amApr '11
Re: Courage
What DocJay said.
Re: Courage
John Edwards has the hair, but . . .
Re: Courage
With 19% of the vote counted, Drudge has it 61% Walker to 39% Barrett.
Apr '11
Re: Courage
Wonderful thoughts Peter on courage and the courageous.
I'm re-reading Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose and I'm eternally grateful for the great courage displayed by all those who secured our freedom.
Scott Walker is courageous, not in the same sense as those of Easy company, but in his willingness to expend himself toward a noble cause for others, at great cost to himself and no promise of reward.
God bless Scott Walker, his wife, and his family for their collective courage, regardless of the outcome.
Feb '11
Re: Courage
Peter, I have been a member of Ricochet since the Madison protests in early 2011. In fact, public employee unions were probably the subject of the first podcast I downloaded. Ricochet and the recall are intertwined for me. So I hope this night is not only the start of responsible republican governance, but that Walker's victory somehow brings blessings (and growth) to our community.
Dec '11
Re: Courage
Honest conviction is my courage; the Constitution is my guide.
Andrew Johnson
Edited on June 6, 2012 at 3:59amMay '10
Re: Courage
Most of all he had time -- time for the reforms to yield successes before the vote. Alas, here, Kasich did not. Plus Walker had an amazing intuition for exactly how much reform WI could stomach in one sitting (his pension-contribution demands were modest; he excluded police and fire; he wouldn't touch "right to work", etc) -- again in a way Kasich didn't.
Re: Courage
At 6:55PM Pacific, Intrade puts Gov. Walker's chances of winning at 99.6 percent. As best as I myself can tell from looking at the county-by-county results, the rural and suburban margin for Gov. Walker is so large--really, the word might almost be "massive"--that it will be virtually impossible for the Madison and Milwaukee turnout for Barrett to make up for it.
It's still too early to pop the cork, I suppose, but there would be no harm in putting some champagne on ice.
Jan '12
Re: Courage
Fox just called for walker
Mar '11
Re: Courage
ABC just called for Walker. Exit polls look close. Hard to believe they can call so early.
May '10
Re: Courage
Praise God. Way to go Wisconsin! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Re: Courage
Scott said "Congratulations" first, but I claim it second!
Oct '10
Re: Courage
you need to get elected first. e.g. Chris Christie
May '10
Re: Courage
My understanding is that exit polls depend on the willingness of people to speak with the people canvassing the polling sites. Methinks the union folk were more than willing to give exit pollsters a piece of their mind. Most everyone else probably had work to get to or a life to live, and demurred.
On Wisconsin!
Edited on June 6, 2012 at 4:05am