Scott Walker Claims He is the ‘Most Scrutinized Public Official in America’

Scott Walker Claims He is the ‘Most Scrutinized Public Official in America’

by Bob Cull

Poor Scott Walker, he tries to do what's right and the left keeps picking on him.  He told the Washington Post Saturday that, “the bottom line is I’m probably the most scrutinized public official in America."

This is an overblown statement by any stretch of the imagination of course, all one need do to see that he is far from the "most scrutinized" is to look at the number of "investigations" conducted by House Republicans of the President and it is instantly clear that the President is the holder of that title.  Obama is probably the most investigated President in our history.

Walker is upset that he is once more in the spotlight over recent fallout from the corruption investigation surrounding his staff as county executive of Milwaukee county when he first ran for governor in 2010.  That investigation led to criminal convictions of 6 aides and allies on charges of illegal campaign activities and theft.

Walker maintains that he cannot be held responsible for the behavior of what he refers to as "low level aides" and was unaware of, however two of those convicted as a result of the previous investigation were former deputy chiefs of staff to Walker as county executive, these can hardly be considered "low level aides."

This new investigation was spurred by an email dump from those involved in the original conspiracy and are said to indicate that there may have also been questionable activity during Walker's campaign to avoid recall in 2012.  Investigators are trying to determine whether Walker's campaign illegally coordinated with conservative groups from outside of the state who pumped millions into the state supporting him.

Walker remains defiant, saying that Democrats are "going to be disappointed" if they think that this investigation will damage his prospects in any way.

“They’re going to do what they’ve done in the past, which is over-hype things,” he said.

If only it were that simple.  Investigators are interested not only in what he may have been involved with during the recall campaign but are again looking at his possible involvement in the criminality that took place in his original 2010 campaign.

It does seem unlikely at this point that any of those who were convicted previously will turn on him, they are all good soldiers who happily fell on their swords for him and are likely to remain steadfast even if they face additional charges.

Kelly Rindfleisch who was sentenced to six months in jail as a result of the first probe has refused to implicate Walker and according to her attorney, Franklyn Gimbel, is unlikely to do so in the future.

“I am certain that Kelly Rindfleisch isn’t going to be that person,” he said. “Under any circumstance, for any reason. Because she doesn’t believe he did anything.”

Republicans have fought to quash the investigation from the start, claiming that it is politically motivated and an attempt to silence Walker supporters prior to this year's elections.

The Wall Street Journal, in an editorial last month pointed to a court decision which quashed subpoenas issued in the inquiry ruling that prosecutors had failed "to show probable cause that a crime was committed," as total vindication for the governor.

That suit was brought by the Wisconsin Club for Growth and 29 other conservative groups claiming that the investigation had already brought activity by conservative groups in the state to a complete standstill and that it was designed to limit free speech.

The goal of Club for Growth and other conservative organizations is, of course, to silence the opposition and make the governor appear to be the stalwart, standing strong against liberal bullies.

h/t:  FON

Bob Cull