Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Sunday insisted that he did not mean to compare union protesters to the Islamic State this week.
After his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an audience member asked Walker how he would address threats like ISIL if he were president.
“If I can take on a hundred thousand protesters, I can do the same across the world,” Walker responded, referring to union protesters in Wisconsin.
“Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace questioned Walker on his response.
“Isn’t there a big difference between protesters and terrorists?” Wallace asked.
“There is,” Walker answered. “I’m not comparing those two entities. What I meant was about leadership.”
The Wisconsin governor said that he provided leadership “under extremely difficult circumstances” during the protests in Wisconsin.
“If I were to run and if I were to win and be commander in chief, that kind of leadership is what’s necessary to take on radical Islamic terrorists,” he said.
Wallace then asked Walker how he would handle the threat of the Islamic State if he were president.
“Would you commit U.S. ground forces to combat ISIS in any way, shape, or form?” Wallace asked.
“I believe we should not take any option off the table. I don’t want to run into war,” Walker responded.
“That doesn’t quite answer my question,” Wallace retorted. “You’re president today — you talk about leadership — would you commit U.S. ground forces, whether it’s a full scale invasion, whether it’s special forces, would you commit U.S. ground forces to a combat role?”
Walker again did not lay out any specifics and said he would need to consult advisors and individuals in the field before making a decision.