• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Ron Knecht and Geoffrey Lawrence: Why We Support Scott Walker for President

With 15 major Republicans already declared – the best presidential field since Ronald Reagan ran for re-election – GOP voters should be able to tap a very strong candidate to lead their party next year. Which one would best unify and represent them?

Good cases certainly can be made for (in alphabetic order) Dr. Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, Rick Perry and Marco Rubio. But we think Scott Walker offers the best package of strong executive experience, personal qualifications and reliable, across-the-board limited-government reform politics.

Why? First, he has probably the strongest executive leadership record. As Wisconsin governor, he’s been so good that in the past Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has been quoted as saying that if he had Republican majorities in both houses of our legislature he’d do the same things here that Walker has done in Wisconsin.

Walker has shown that the long-term growth of the public sector relative to the economy – the biggest problem our country faces – can be stopped and reversed even in a historically blue (Democrat) state. He has not only led Republicans to turn Wisconsin red, but has won three state-wide elections there in four years.

He has also demonstrated important personal qualities, especially guts, by standing up fearlessly to predatory special interests such as public-employee unions. He not only beat them on key policy and budget matters, but also when they tried to recall him for beating them and promoting public-interest reform. He’s the only American governor ever to defeat a recall election.

So, Milwaukee Democrat prosecutors conducted early-morning paramilitary-style raids at homes of some Walker supporters and staff with police sometimes wearing bulletproof vests and lugging battering rams, pounding on doors and threatening more if the victims say anything to anyone about those events. Their purpose was to make false cases against his campaigns, but they have not laid a glove on Walker, who has stood strong. And the courts have stopped the bullies in nearly every decision with strong warnings.

All this shows not only how effective his reforms have been (to precipitate such a response), but also his ability to take real heat, stick to his principles and continue to lead. No other candidate has endured such trial by fire. It makes him truly inspirational.

When Walker took office in 2010, Wisconsin faced a $3.6-billion budget deficit. Instead of raising taxes, he scaled back government excess and required state employees to contribute to their retirement plans on a matching basis with taxpayers. Earlier this year, we used the same approach to propose a Nevada budget with modest cuts in requested spending, sound programs (especially K-12 education) and no tax increases.

He balanced Wisconsin’s books without tax increases. In fact, he cut taxes. We need that at the federal level, too. Many candidates say they stand for limited government reform. Walker has the strongest record of actually keeping such promises. Over two decades, he’s done what he said he’d do, and it has worked.

All the while, he’s shown an unflappable temperament, with a mild disposition, almost never getting provoked or losing his temper. He stays focused and on message and frames his positions carefully. He articulates a natural economic conservatism with conviction, not moral defensiveness.

His wholesome, authentic, Midwestern down-to-earth friendly nature – the preacher’s son who eats lunch daily at his desk from a brown paper bag and has not enriched himself in public office – makes him an ideal candidate.
Maybe he’s not exactly a combination of Gregory Peck’s noble deacon of decency, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, and Jimmy Stewart’s everyman paragon of persistence, Jefferson Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. But he’s close.

True, he does not have foreign affairs experience, and he needs to return to his roots on immigration issues. And strong cases can be made for the other eight candidates we named.

But he’s as much a genuine real-guy doer as Barack Obama is a preening pretentious phony bloviator. Unlike Hillary Clinton, he’s about service instead of $250,000 speeches and family foundation influence peddling. After eight years of disaster from the former, we need Scott Walker to stave off more of the same from the latter.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

Character, gratitude, kindness, grit, determination and persistence aren’t qualities that are captured in Pioneer Academy’s four-point school grading scale, but if they were, the May Pioneer Academy Senior in the Spotlight would definitely be a 4.0.

As Memorial Day approaches, we take the time to reflect on the significance of this holiday and the sacrifices made by countless service members. One such veteran, Chuck Staley, offers a touching glimpse into his life and the traditions he upholds to honor those who have given their all for our freedom.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of May 27 to June 2, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

Two were arrested following a shooting that happened late Saturday night where two people were taken by air ambulance to the hospital, according to the Carson City Sheriff's Office.

Artist Joan Arrizabalaga celebrates Nevada’s gaming industry with her large embroidery and mixed-media slot machines in the "Big Deal" exhibition.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that happened Saturday night in the 3400 block of Woodside Drive in which two people were injured.

The Annual Stewart Father's Day Powwow at the former Stewart Indian Boarding School Campus located at 5500 Snyder Ave in Carson City, returns June 14.

Our 11th annual Kids & Horses golf tournament on June 9th, is right around the corner! We are so excited to offer some special event contests this year, Beat the Pro with BackSwing golf, and Hole in 2 with Charity Golf.

Mike Epps at A to Zen

This community has lost an icon. I want to share a story about a remarkable man who redefined the meaning of generosity and compassion. This isn't just any story; it's about Mike Epps, a man whose profound impact on my life and the lives of so many others is beyond words.

As part of the Western Nevada College (WNC) Foundation's Reach for the Stars Gala, a silent auction prize provided a birthday bash to remember, showcasing the community spirit and unique experiences that this event fosters.

Gabriel Singer, a student from WNC’s Child Development Center, celebrated his fourth birthday with a special public safety escort to school.

Carson High Speech and Debate will be hosting the inaugural Carson High Show and Shine car show Saturday May 25th in the north parking lot of CHS from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hi there! My name is Onyx and I’m the cat of the week at Catmandu.

Casino Fandango’s annual Rockin’ Ribfest is back! Head down for a day of fun featuring a rib cook-off competition with National Champion rib cookers, bbq vendors, arts & craft vendors, a beer garden, live music and more.

Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

The fun begins today, Friday May 24 and lasts through Monday May 27.

Get ready to proudly display your I Voted stickers because early voting begins Saturday morning in Carson City for the primary elections.

Designed for a maximum of 1,200 visitors per day, Nevada’s most popular state park often attracts more than 3,000.

On warm weekend days, the line of vehicles waiting to enter Sand Harbor State Park on Lake Tahoe’s east shore can back up several hundred cars deep, a conga line hoping to secure a parking spot. Within an hour of the park’s opening, the parking spaces are usually filled.

For twenty years, Jose Cuella has been working in the kitchens of Carson City restaurants. Now, he has finally been able to open his own restaurant, Don Chepe Mexican Restaurant, along with his wife and five children.

The restaurant, located in the Carson Mall, took over the space after Francisco’s vacated.

Following the news that the Fourth of July fireworks will be moving to Eagle Valley Golf Course this year, many residents in the community had questions with the most important: Where can we still see them?

On May 23, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Detectives from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation’s Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Dayton, Nevada.

Identify theft, and phone scams have been a nuisance in the region lately. Multiple agencies have reached out to their respective communities to provide information in order to keep them safe from scammers whose only intention is to steal your money.

Our Pet of the Week is Motley! Meet Motley, a jolly 2.5-year-old collie/terrier mix who's a bundle of social energy! Despite his adventurous spirit, Motley's heart is as big as his playful personality.

Hello fellow anglers. Memorial Day is here, and people will be out enjoying a beautiful weekend forecast. We deserve to have three days in a row of warm weather. We all need to slow down a little and take your time getting to your destination.

Nevada Lieutenant Governor hosts Carson City Forum on May 29th

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the Office of Small Business Advocacy have announced a community forum focused on building a strong and vibrant community and engaging Carson City’s small business owners.

Standup comedy funnyman Sean Peabody, who starred in Casino Boss that was filmed at the Carson Nugget, will appear this Saturday night with two shows, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Carson Nugget Grand Showroom in Carson City.

UPDATE: Carson City responds to questions regarding Fourth of July fireworks changes, access to Centennial Park.

***

For the first time in 33 years, the Carson City Fourth of July fireworks will not be held near Mills Park.

Instead, the display will move to Eagle Valley Golf Course, located at 3999 Centennial Park Dr. In addition, the Fourth of July celebration will now include a golf tournament in addition to a dinner and VIP Fireworks viewing option.

The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., will visit Douglas County for the second time this spring. The Moving Wall, which has been viewed around the country since 1984, will will be in Minden for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The Wall will be free to view for the duration of its display at the Eastside Memorial Park, 1600 Buckeye Rd, Minden from May 23-28, 2024. The building of the wall began at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Fourth grade students in Ms. Allie Davis’ class at Bordewich Bray Elementary School in Carson City received a special treat Wednesday as actor Khleo Thomas, famously known for his role as Zero in the beloved film "Holes," made a guest appearance via Zoom.

Join the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department for a celebratory hike at the Foothill Trailhead in honor of National Trails Day! National Trails Day allows us to recognize and appreciate all the benefits we have from our local trail systems and appreciate the ability to be in nature.

Since the passage of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) in 1998, more than $4 billion in revenue generated from Las Vegas area land sales has been directed to conservation, park improvement and wildfire prevention projects across Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Join us for our spring Science & Nature Speaker Series at TNC's River Fork Ranch Preserve the fourth Thursday of each month! Experts from The Nature Conservancy in Nevada and partner organizations will share their expertise on a variety of topics. We hope to see you there!

YERINGTON — Lyon County and the Nevada Secretary of State are aware of the error on the 2024 Lyon County primary ballot regarding the number of candidates to vote for in the Fernley City Council Ward 5 and the Stagecoach General Improvement District Trustees races. Lyon County and the Secretary of State's Office are working through these issues and will have additional information for the candidates and voters by the end of this week.