MADISON – In 2006, when a low-level aide to then-Gov. Jim Doyle was accused on flimsy charges for which she was totally exonerated, Scott Walker pontificated.
The mere fact that Georgia Thompson was CHARGED with a crime, Walker said, was proof of a criminal culture and made it so that Doyle should “be removed from office.”
It’s 2012, and Scott Walker is singing quite a different tune.
Now, in the face of a John Doe criminal corruption probe, Scott Walker offers blandishments about his time as an Eagle Scout, wishing Wisconsin to pretend like his previous statements never were made.
Let’s look at just Walker said in 2006:
“The indictment handed down today shows how corruption can infiltrate all areas of government.
Unfortunately we have a Governor and administration that condones unethical and illegal behavior. The people of Wisconsin deserve better.”
“Today’s indictment provides further confirmation that the Doyle administration is damaged and must be removed from the Capitol. Jim Doyle’s political connections to this aide are, without question, mentioned as a defining piece of the evidence used to bring forth this indictment.” …
And here is Walker today:
“When people look at the details, they’ll see,” the first-term Republican governor said. “I think our integrity was strong going in and will remain strong coming out of this process.”
This is not believable.
The people who have been CONVICTED of crimes, and those who are charged, are not low-level functionaries whom Walker has never met. The people charged of crimes of embezzlement, child enticement and corruption are all members of Walker’s immediate political family. These are the people he worked with on a daily basis, whom he traveled with on his shady bid for governor, whom he relied on for financial and strategic support during every waking hour.
The charges all involve activities in which Scott Walker was central and the sole beneficiary. Many of the criminal acts occurred less than 10 yards from Walker’s office door. And yet Wisconsin is to believe that Walker, who has hired two high-powered criminal defense lawyers, is totally without ethical taint?
What would the Walker of 2006 say about the Walker of 2012?
By his own standards, Walker would say that Walker must resign.
