Chuck Norris Column: President Bill Clinton vs. Gov. Scott Walker and Me

June 4th, 2012 2:49 PM

Wisconsin Democrats, Washington elite and insiders, and liberal special interests have joined together to fight for the recall of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in Tuesday's election. But this past Friday, when I saw them also send in the big gun — former President Bill Clinton himself — against Gov. Walker, I knew I had to enter the ring, too.

The Los Angeles Times reported last Thursday: "Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced Thursday that Clinton would be campaigning with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as he looks to unseat Gov. Scott Walker in next week's recall. The former president will take part in a rally with Barrett, according to the Barrett's website."


There's one primary reason that Clinton came out to Wisconsin to engage in the battle to recall Gov. Walker, and I will tell you it in one moment. But first, the facts.

In the short 18 months in which Walker has held his gubernatorial position, his bold reforms have helped eliminate Wisconsin's $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes — there are lower property taxes for a median-valued home — and create more than 23,000 jobs. (Before Walker took office, Wisconsin lost more than 150,000 jobs between 2008 and 2010.)

The Associated Press reported that 23,300 jobs were created in 2011 in Wisconsin, based upon figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development spokesman John Dipko said it was exactly 23,608. More than good news for Walker, that's good news for his state.

Wisconsin's economy is stronger and more fiscally solvent because of Walker's leadership. In fact, a new Marquette University Law School poll revealed that citizens — by a 50-43 percent margin — believe that Walker would do a better job with the economy than his opponent, Barrett.

On day one in office, Walker began to implement a comprehensive emergency jobs plan. As his website explains, he and the Wisconsin Legislature passed measures that included but were not limited to these things:

—Cutting taxes on small businesses.

—Curbing frivolous lawsuits that drove costs up.

—Eliminating the state tax on health savings accounts.

—Reforming the state's Department of Commerce into a true economic development agency.

—Immediately convening a Waste, Fraud and Abuse Commission, which was intent on curtailing wasteful spending at all levels of state government.

Walker is not a RINO, or Republican in name only. He walks his conservative talk. He refuses special interests. He opposes accumulating debt and raising deficits. He cuts excess spending. And he stands for issues that are important to every conservative, Constitution- and freedom-loving patriot.

Walker is standing against the assault on conservative values, which includes helping people bear their own responsibilities. As Front Line Strategies consultant Matt Langston explained this past week, "Walker is on the front lines of the fight for free markets instead of free lunches." He is a GOP leader and model in his stand for fiscal frugality, jobs, fair labor policy and the core beliefs and practices of Reagan conservatives.

So why, then, are big-name Democratic elites, such as Bill Clinton and other liberals, seeking to recall Walker? For the exact reasons I mentioned above. Simply put, Walker has consistently and adamantly opposed big government and special interest solutions to fix Wisconsin.

But there's a bigger reason that Clinton came out to Wisconsin to engage in the battle to recall Walker: Democrats, liberals and progressives know that as Wisconsin goes Tuesday, so possibly goes the nation in November. They fear that a win for Walker would contribute to conservative momentum that ultimately would lead to President Barack Obama's defeat in his campaign for re-election. And they're right.

Though the fight for conservatives doesn't start and stop in Wisconsin, it's an O.K. Corral of sorts for Democrats and liberals. When their groundless recall of Walker is shot down, a potent statement will be sent across our land about the type of government we the people want.

Walker's recall is not just about Wisconsin; it is about national reform. It's about living within our means. It's about taking back our republic. It is about saving our nation and posterity, one election and state at a time.

That is why Walker himself recently appealed to patriots across his state and our country. He wrote this:

"For more than a generation in Wisconsin, the power of special interests and the liberal elite have gone largely unchecked. My Administration finally stood up to them, and we changed the way we do things in government in Wisconsin.

"That's why my opponents are so desperate to defeat me in this Recall. They want to roll back the clock and take us back to the days of skyrocketing taxes, bloated budgets, and unchecked and unaccountable spending. We cannot let that happen."

Gov. Walker, I agree, and so do multitudes of other patriots across your state and this nation.

The last thing Wisconsin and our republic need is another tax-and-spend liberal in charge of the state. And if the far left is able to recall Gov. Walker, it could open the floodgates, causing more such recalls to sweep the country.

That is why my wife, Gena, and I are encouraging everyone to vote for the incumbent, Scott Walker, for governor of Wisconsin.

If you know people in Wisconsin, call them today and give them reasons they should vote for Walker. Also, please immediately post Walker's social networks on your Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts by going to http://www.scottwalker.org/content/social-networks-0. We have no time to lose.

Ronald Reagan was right: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well-taught lessons of how they, in their lifetime, must do the same."

Follow Chuck Norris through his official social media sites, on Twitter @chucknorris and Facebook's "Official Chuck Norris Page." He blogs at http://chucknorrisnews.blogspot.com. To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.