The governor said that, ultimately, he rejected the idea. But instead of expressing moral outrage at the prospect that "riling things up" might create a dangerous circumstance for crowds that included children, elderly folks and people with disabilities, the governor again appeared to make a political calculation. Stirring up trouble, Walker told the Fox host, "adds no value."
As some point, someone must have explained to Walker that his acknowledgment of the discussions about employing troublemakers, and of his political calculations regarding the strategy, would not play well nationally.
So now he's claiming that he "never -- never -- considered" what in 2011 he said he and his aides "thought about."
The governor's apologists will surely continue to cut him slack on this one. But if and when Walker mounts his presidential run, this is an issue he will eventually find himself revisiting.
It is not just the matter of the conflicting claims and statements. There is also the question of what the governor really thinks about using agents provocateurs to "rile things up" at otherwise peaceful protests.
After the transcript of the prank call was made public in 2011, then Madison Police Chief Wray said: "I would like to hear more of an explanation from Governor Walker as to what exactly was being considered, and to what degree it was discussed by his Cabinet members. I find it very unsettling and troubling that anyone would consider creating safety risks for our citizens and law enforcement officers."
Scott Walker may think he is the ideal candidate for president.
But ideal candidates don't talk about "planting some troublemakers" to try and besmirch peaceful protests against their policies.
Ideal candidates simply say it is wrong to speak of such things -- even when prodded to do so by someone they think is a billionaire campaign donor.
John Nichols makes the case for an Elizabeth Warren 2016 presidential run.
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