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.
The media should be asking every one of these chicken hawks the following question: How long has it been since the last military death?
And how Scott doesn’t have any…
Damage done cannot be undone, Scotty.
You let all that attention go right to your head, and now that remark is going to haunt you, no matter how many times you say you weren’t comparing teachers and firefighters with ISIL.
“I was talking about leadership” Scott continued, in response to Chris Wallace, “and as soon as I get done talking with my staff, the Koch brothers, my pollsters and my dog, I’ll get right back to you on that”.
Of course he was not comparing the unions to ISIL, he was contrasting them. According to his words, ISIL would be a cake walk compared to the unions.