The controversial governor survived three elections. Yet, he couldn't survive an insurgent Donald Trump. The last debate performance was a disaster.
Walker was the pick of David and Charles Koch, the billionaires of Koch Industries. He was the candidate that I had the halo around. I thought this guy had the potential to be the president.
Walker saw the slide in Iowa and South Carolina. He was supposed to regain that lead. It turned out to be harder than expected.
Walker was one of the most high profile candidates to run for the bid.
Walker gained support from conservatives after he took a fight to the public sector unions.
Walker had a war chest but not enough support.
Walker never lived up to expectations on the campaign trail or the debate stage. Walker is expected to announce he is dropping out of the race Monday evening in a press conference in Madison, Wis, three Republicans confirmed.
Walker, whose super PAC raised millions, had difficulty raising hard dollar donations and couldn’t afford to maintain his large campaign staff, one of the Republicans said.
I thought they liked me! |
Time reports that Walker’s swift exit from the race draws easy comparison to the 2011 withdrawal of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (formerly known as T-Paw), who quit the race after losing the Iowa Straw Poll and garnering just 2% in national polling in August of that year. He too struggled with hard-dollar fundraising in a crowded field. Pawlenty later said he regretted the early exit.
Walker’s withdrawal brings the record Republican field down to 14 major candidates, after former Texas Gov. Rick Perry dropped out of the race on Sept. 11.
Walker’s money trouble further highlights the limits of super PAC fundraising, which can accept unlimited dollars but cannot use them for the core functions of a campaign, such as travel costs, office rent and payroll.
Republican operatives have been warning for months that Walker’s operation had grown too large without a corresponding emphasis on fundraising. Instead, Walker’s circle pointed to the robust super PAC as a stopgap to their own lagging financials. That group, Unintimidated PAC, had already reserved more than $9 million in television ads for the early presidential primary and caucus states.
If the Democrat wins the White House, Walker might try it again. I hope not! |
In recent weeks, Walker has resorted to ever more dramatic efforts to claim headlines and drive grassroots enthusiasm. Just two weeks ago, Walker rebranded his campaign around promising to “wreak havoc” on Washington. And on Sept. 14, launched a new assault against national public sector unions in hopes of recapturing conservatives’ imagination.
Walker, 47, rose to national prominence in 2011 when he declared war on many of his state’s employee unions, sparking months of protests and failed recall effort in 2012. Walker became the first governor in American history to survive such a challenge. He won three elections in four years, while signing into law a host of measures that endeared him to conservative voters, including Right to Work legislation and new restrictions on abortion rights.
Watching from afar, donors and activists cheered Walker and pledged financial and political support. *He was at one point a darling of the political network assembled by billionaire conservative donors Charles and David Koch.* That aid was slow to come.
So if you're looking forward to at least a Walker presence, look for his endorsement of a candidate.
But if he is to keep his political fortunes in tact, he might want to run against Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) when 2018 comes forth.
Walker's name can finally be retire from World News Today.
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