early and awkward

Scott Walker Bewildered by Trump Naming Him As Potential VP

Top-Polling GOP Candidates Participate In First Republican Presidential Debate
“You’re joking, right Donald? Tell me you’re joking.” Photo: Chip Somodevilla/2015 Getty Images

Last month, at a campaign stop in Janesville, Wisconsin, Donald Trump accused Governor Scott Walker of overstating the strength of the state’s economy. “He’s not doing a great job,” Trump said of Walker. “But your governor has convinced you [Wisconsin] doesn’t have problems.” Earlier in the race, Trump also repeatedly hammered Walker for mismanaging the state’s budget. But now it seems the GOP front-runner wants to make nice.

In an interview with USA Today, Trump said he would consider Walker, along with Marco Rubio and John Kasich, as potential vice-presidential candidates. “I like [Scott] Walker actually in a lot of ways,” he said. “I hit him very hard, but I’ve always liked him. There are people I like, but I don’t think they like me because I’ve hit them hard.” 

In Walker’s case, Trump was right: Walker does not like him. He didn’t say so outright, but he did “laugh” when he heard Trump was considering him for VP.

I literally just heard it in the car, and I laughed,” he told Politico. “It’s interesting to hear that after the things that were said about me a couple weeks ago. But I’m focused on being the governor of the state of Wisconsin. That’s not even on my radar, and it certainly wouldn’t be with … I guess I was shocked more than anything to hear that.” 

As if that weren’t clear enough, Walker also said he “can’t even fathom” being on a ticket with Trump and called the mere possibility “breathtaking.” So it looks like Trump will be going with one of his other choices, although it’s hard to imagine a man he’s dubbed “liddle” will be eager to serve as his second-in-command.

Scott Walker Bewildered by Trump’s VP Nod