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:
Jul '10
Re: Courage
Yeeeeee Haw!
Jul '11
Re: Courage
"I think I'll have a nice cabernet". Mrs Jay.
Mar '11
Re: Courage
I'm still withholding judgement for a while...
Dec '11
Re: Courage
I hope James of England can relax now! :))
I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking at a sleepless night here, and it'd be great to have the stress relieved by thoughtful or witty insights as the results roll in.
Jul '10
Re: Courage
The starter's gun should fire any minute now for the spin that Walker's win doesn't mean that much, really, and certain isn't predictive of the fall election. Look for Axelrod looking hangdog as usual to be pushing this line come the morn. In other news, are California voters stupid enough to vote for Jerry Brown's more-taxes proposition? Based on the record, the answer is yes. But stay tuned.
Oct '10
Re: Courage
Matthew Gilley
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. · 0 minutes ago
A variation of the Bradley effect.
After Walker's win, Will this pressure states like California and Illinois to have the COURAGE to tackle their state budget problems? Will Jerry Brown and Pat Quinn see what Scott Walker has accomplished and finally do the necessary thing to fix their states?
Feb '11
Re: Courage
Oh, we should have set up a live chat for this night!
May '10
Re: Courage
Besides being great for WI and the country, most of all this is so nice for Walker himself and his family. What an ordeal. Exhale and take a nice family vacation, man, you deserve it.
Aug '11
Re: Courage
You know . . . I'm not resting until 100% of the vote is in, and the Democrats have gone a week without demanding a recount. This is Wisconsin. I expect foul play.
Aug '11
Re: Courage
Compared to 2010, it appears that Scott Walker has improved his numbers everywhere, even in solid Democrat strongholds like Menomonie County or Dane County. So far, only in Bayfield County did Tom Barrett do better. But that's all artsy-fartsy Minnesotans on vacation up there.
Oct '10
Re: Courage
May '12
Re: Courage
The "get it done" attitude coupled with actually doing what he said he would, is what got out the vote in his favor.
Plus -- just making the request for the unions to reduce their benefits to "match" what the private sector had --- seemed REASONABLE. His position of NO layoffs and NO tax increased the acceptability of what he envisioned. Plus --- not killing the unions -- but making membership voluntary, gave him a rational posture -- not dictatorial.
I am hoping that those who are only tepid to Mitt Romney will now realize that solid ideas, character, values, and integrity can and will make the difference in 5 more months -- and (I hope) with the same significant margin.
Edited on June 6, 2012 at 5:27amMar '11
Re: Courage
Okay Peter...*NOW* you can gloat!
Apr '11
Re: Courage
If we have a 10% lead with more than 90% counted, I'll start considering turning in. If it closes with a >5% margin, all the union lawyers in the world can't help them.
Barrett just conceded, which helps.
I don't think this is right. Menomonie County, sure, but that's a tiny vote (Walker's improvement is by 53 votes). Dane County gave Barrett a bigger lead this time than they did last time round, and it's not all in yet. Douglas, Kenosha, and Rock counties are all significantly worse for Walker, and there are others.
Jul '11
Re: Courage
Yes James but this time they cheated and still fell short. Quite funny.
Aug '11
Re: Courage
James Of England
If we have a 10% lead with more than 90% counted, I'll start considering turning in. If it closes with a >5% margin, all the union lawyers in the world can't help them.
Barrett just conceded, which helps.
I don't think this is right. Menomonie County, sure, but that's a tiny vote (Walker's improvement is by 53 votes). Dane County gave Barrett a bigger lead this time than they did last time round, and it's not all in yet. Douglas, Kenosha, and Rock counties are all significantly worse for Walker, and there are others.
Yeah, when I wrote the original post, it was looking pretty good.
May '10
Re: Courage
Okay, so my worry was a bit misplaced. Yessssss!
Mar '11
Re: Courage
I didn't detect a slouch in Gov Walker's victory speech, and his haircut looked fine to me.Sometimes, politicians don't need speechwriters - tonite was such a nite.
Sep '10
Re: Courage
I think it's beyond the margin of cheating. Thanks be to God.
Aug '10
Re: Courage
It wasn't even close.