Scott Walker, a Pastor’s Son, Runs on Faith as Iowa Beckons

[cbayer]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/26/us/politics/scott-walker-runs-on-faith-as-iowa-nears.html?_r=0

By TRIP GABRIEL
APRIL 25, 2015


Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, attends a theologically strict church. Credit Jabin Botsford/The New York Times

DES MOINES — Scott Walker, the son of a Baptist preacher, learned a lot about being a politician by going to church.

He was introduced to glad-handing while greeting worshipers beside his father after Sunday services. His confidence as a public speaker began at 2, when he delivered a Christmas greeting from the pulpit, and it blossomed when he preached occasional sermons as a teenager. And now, Mr. Walker’s lifelong church involvement may be a powerful asset as he positions himself to run for the Republican presidential nomination and focuses on early primary and caucus states dominated by evangelical voters.

Already a hero to fiscal conservatives — both the Tea Party base and billionaire donors like Charles G. and David H. Koch — Mr. Walker, the governor of Wisconsin, planned to make his most explicit appeal yet to the Christian right on Saturday before hundreds of social conservatives in Iowa. His implicit message is that in an unusually fractured Republican field, with 10 or more candidates potentially on the ballot in the Iowa caucuses next year, he is best positioned to unite the party.

Ahead of Saturday’s candidate event — organized by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, part of the national group led by the religious activist Ralph Reed — Mr. Walker hardened his positions on issues considered litmus tests for social conservatives, including abortion and immigration. He suggested in an interview with Glenn Beck on Monday that there are too many legal immigrants, a position to the right of other 2016 hopefuls.

more at link

[okasha]

1. He keeps that up,

he'll be running on empty by Labor Day.

[cbayer]

2. He's determined. The question is whether the base is still there.

I think not.

[okasha]

3. "Too many immigrants"

loses even socially conservative Hispanics before he even gets started.

The fact that he's the Koch's' bought-and-paid-for whore won't get him anywhere with Social Security recipients, women, educators, working people..and the list just goes on.

[cbayer]

4. And he's talking about legal immigrants to boot.

That's a real kick in the teeth.

I hope you are right. I think his "base" exists but it very small, no matter how loud they might be.

[pinto]

5. Televangelists are becoming increasingly marginal, beyond their hard core following.

He is a political televangelist.

[cbayer]

6. I agree - marginal and marginalized.

I think it's a fantasy that there is a sufficient base to support him.

[pinto]

7. He's got to know that, too. There's obviously more than public service on the table.

That's not what is being played out here, imo. Sociologists and political academics will likely revisit this period in US politics with some of the objectivity that time affords.

[cbayer]

8. I think some of them are truly blinded by their belief.

I think some of them truly believe that their mission is ordained and that everyone will see that.

Otherwise, I can't imagine what they are thinking. The numbers just aren't there to support their platform.