Donald Trump berates Scott Walker for not raising taxes in Wisconsin

[sinkspur]

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/29/donald-trump-scott-walker-wisconsin-taxes-cruz-endorsement

Donald Trump berates Scott Walker for not raising taxes in Wisconsin

Ben Jacobs in Washington

Tuesday 29 March 2016 12.07 EDT Last modified on Tuesday 29 March 2016 12.09 EDT

Donald Trump attacked Wisconsin governor Scott Walker for failing to raise taxes in order to properly fund schools and roads on Tuesday, in a startling new break from rightwing orthodoxy from the Republican frontrunner.

The comments came after Walker endorsed Trump’s rival, Texas senator, Ted Cruz, in the GOP race.

Walker became a conservative hero for his efforts to crush public sector unions and cut government spending in the Democratic-leaning state in Wisconsin, something that led to an attempted recall of the Wisconsin governor in 2012 and became a national cause célèbre. But, in a radio interview with talkshow host Michael Koolidge on Tuesday, Trump bashed Walker’s administration.

“There’s a $2.2bn deficit and the schools were going begging and everything was going begging because he didn’t want to raise taxes ’cause he was going to run for president,” said Trump. “So instead of raising taxes, he cut back on schools, he cut back on highways, he cut back on a lot of things.”

Trump also added of the Badger State in general: “Wisconsin has a lot of problems, plus there is tremendous hatred … I wouldn’t exactly say that things are running smoothly.”

Walker, who briefly was a presidential candidate and considered a top contender for the GOP nomination, dropped out of the presidential race in September with an unheeded call for Republican rivals to consolidate around an alternative to him. In the interview, Trump said of Walker’s campaign: “We sent him packing like a little boy.”

Trump’s statements come just one week before Wisconsin’s crucial primary. The state, which awards 42 delegates to the Republican National Convention, represents the best opportunity for the frontrunner’s opponents to beat him before the campaign moves to more favorable terrain for Trump in the north-east later in April.

[sinkspur]

I can't imagine why conservatives wouldn't want to vote for Trump now.

[sinkspur]

Wisconsin actually ended its last fiscal year with a $135 million surplus:

http://www.maciverinstitute.com/2015/10/wisconsin-ends-fiscal-year-2015-with-135-million-surplus/

[Free Vulcan]

Lower taxes are literally the core of Republican principle. Even the GOPe tries to get them passed.

Other than a border wall and fair trade deals, what does Trump's platform have left in common for Republicans to support?

[Lando Lincoln]

Astounding in some ways, others it is not.  I believe it is a calculated move to overcome his declining prospects in the Badger State.  It is a ploy to lure considerable union members and Madison-type liberal elite who are still very angry at Walker.  It is a means-justifies-the-results ploy.  Not saying other politicos haven't done similar, just stating what it is.

[jmyrlefuller]

The comments came after Walker endorsed Trump’s rival, Texas senator, Ted Cruz, in the GOP race.

About as predictable as the moon.

[Free Vulcan]

Astounding in some ways, others it is not.  I believe it is a calculated move to overcome his declining prospects in the Badger State.  It is a ploy to lure considerable union members and Madison-type liberal elite who are still very angry at Walker.  It is a means-justifies-the-results ploy.  Not saying other politicos haven't done similar, just stating what it is.

Yep. Wisconsin is an open primary state.

[Lando Lincoln]

Next thing to watch for - some expressed sympathies to the plight of unions in Wisconsin.  If he does that, even implicitly, it is desperation time.

[ABX]

This is an unfair attack on Our Donald^TM. Obviously he knows better than Governor Walker how to run Wisconsin.

[andy58-in-nh]

Trump is more predictable than a shocking outfit on Lady Gaga. 

[Jazzhead]

Lower taxes are literally the core of Republican principle. Even the GOPe tries to get them passed.

Other than a border wall and fair trade deals, what does Trump's platform have left in common for Republicans to support?

He picks at scabs and scratches itches 'til they're raw and bleeding - because that's what makes his besotted supporters love him.     

[musiclady]

Trump is more predictable than a shocking outfit on Lady Gaga.

Perhaps the next time he appears, he should be covered only in raw meat.

I mean, the guy craves attention.  Why not?  He'd get his "look at me" fix.......

[ABX]

Trump is more predictable than a shocking outfit on Lady Gaga.

Now that's an unfair attack. Have you seen Lady Gaga lately? She has really classed up. Comparing her to Trump is just low.

[Bill Cipher]

So, how many of the Cruz haters are now going to turn on Walker, without so much as acknowledging their prior support for him as a champion of conservative values. 

[A-Lert]

Astounding in some ways, others it is not.  I believe it is a calculated move to overcome his declining prospects in the Badger State.  It is a ploy to lure considerable union members and Madison-type liberal elite who are still very angry at Walker.  It is a means-justifies-the-results ploy.  Not saying other politicos haven't done similar, just stating what it is.

The most insightful comment on the subject.

[andy58-in-nh]

Now that's an unfair attack. Have you seen Lady Gaga lately? She has really classed up. Comparing her to Trump is just low.

I might well plead guilty to a charge of not closely following the daily trends of popular culture. But if Ms. Gaga has now cleaned up her act, I imagine that to be a good thing. And yet, both she and Mr. Trump are noted exhibitionists.

[musiclady]

So, how many of the Cruz haters are now going to turn on Walker, without so much as acknowledging their prior support for him as a champion of conservative values.

A lot of Trump people claimed to support Cruz, but never did, and now have revealed that they despise him. 

There's no doubt that the Trump people will now turn on Walker as well.

[musiclady]

I might well plead guilty to a charge of not closely following the daily trends of popular culture. But if Ms. Gaga has now cleaned up her act, I imagine that to be a good thing. And yet, both she and Mr. Trump are noted exhibitionists.

Yes.  She's a diva with talent.  He's a diva without......

[Free Vulcan]

Astounding in some ways, others it is not.  I believe it is a calculated move to overcome his declining prospects in the Badger State.  It is a ploy to lure considerable union members and Madison-type liberal elite who are still very angry at Walker.  It is a means-justifies-the-results ploy.  Not saying other politicos haven't done similar, just stating what it is.

Yep, he's been trying to cobble a mainstreet business/worker coalition from the start. Not well mind you, but that's his goal.

He's practically running as an old time union democrat meets Nixon at this point.