Scott Walker Isn't That Tough

For John, BLUF:  It is amazing what people will write if you pay them for writing.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From Professor Ann Althouse we have a link a New York Times article by Reporter Nate Cohen, "Scott Walker’s Electoral Record Is Less Impressive Than It Looks".♠  The article then goes on to show how other Republicans did better than other winning Republicans in the same election years.

From the article:

Gov. Scott Walker is the rare conservative favorite who emphasizes electability.  He won three contests in four years in Wisconsin, which hasn’t voted for the Republican candidate in a presidential election since 1984.  He did so without compromising on the Republican Party’s core principles; instead, he prevailed in a high-profile fight with organized labor.

Mr. Walker might well prove to be a stronger general election candidate than Mitt Romney.  That’s not a very high bar.  But his electoral record — three wins in governor’s races in four years in Wisconsin, including a recall election — isn’t as impressive as it looks.

There you have it.  Governor Scott Walker isn't all that impressive.  His wins aren't that strong.  And, of course, he never graduated from college.  And his wife is way older than he is.  And, in a real election, a Presidential election, the younger voters will turn out and swamp those older voters.  So, Democrats, don't let Mr Scott spook you.  He just isn't that good.♥

So, here is how Professor Althouse ends her blog post:

Which brings us back to Cohn.  He observes that all 3 of Walker's victories came in non-presidential years, where Republicans get the advantage of lower turnout from the younger people who tend more toward Democrats.  That is, Wisconsin is and remains a blue state, where Walker should lose, but elections are skewed in the off years.

All I can leave you with is a quip from another Midwest Governor, Adlai Stevenson:

In America any boy may become President, and I suppose it's just one of the risks he takes.

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  For readers of The New York Times that would be Mr Scott.
♥  On the other hand, we have no indications that he has been running Wisconsin out of a private EMail server in his basement.