Apparently, if you call Wisconsin governor Scott Walker and talk in a deep voice and pretend to be conservative activist billionaire David Koch, you are David Koch, as far as Walker’s office is concerned. Amazingly, that’s what print turned Internet publication the Beast has done, to great success. Beast editor Ian Murphy, under the guise of Koch, spoke to Walker for twenty minutes about the ongoing union strife in Wisconsin yesterday afternoon, then released the audio online.
Walker’s spokesman admits that the call is legitimate and claims that it merely reveals that “the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public.” Actually, it revealed a lot more. As the Plum Line explains:
In a key detail, Walker reveals that he is, in effect, laying a trap for Wisconsin Dems. He says he is mulling inviting the Senate and Assembly Dem and GOP leaders to sit down and talk, but only if Senate Dems return to work.
Then, tellingly, he reveals that the real game plan here is that if they do return, Republicans might be able to use a procedural move to move forward with their proposal.
Whoops. That’s probably not going to work anymore. There was also this fun little exchange:
Koch: [Laughs] Well, I tell you what, Scott: once you crush these bastards I’ll fly you out to Cali and really show you a good time.
Classic.
Here’s the full audio:
Governor Walker’s office confirms prank Koch call Buffalo Beast Poses as David Koch, Calls WI Gov. Walker [WNY Media]
