Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker made his first Iowa campaign appearance as an officially announced candidate in Scott County. The campaign event took place in an air-conditioned meeting room on the third floor suite level of the Modern Woodman ball park. If the Governor was scheduled to speak at 11:00 he did not get rolling until 11:30 or so. The room was full for the wait so they could not have been waiting for more people.
I don’t care what Pope Francis says on the matter, thank G*d for air-conditioning as it was already 90 outside with high humidity.
My fairly hard count indicated about 250 in the room. That includes the press entourage which was extensive, no doubt due to Walker’s high standing in the polls and that this began his first official sweep. There were at least 14 broadcast type cameras in the room and 15-20 reporter laptops blazing. Add in the still cameramen and the press contingent, local and traveling, had to be in the 35 to 40 range. Without them and the family and staffers the civilian attendance was maybe 200. Not bad, not auspicious (except for the press).
The Talk was good. Walker started out emphasizing his experience winning in a blue state against embedded and outside well-financed opposition. The rest of The Talk hit the right points, albeit in a string without a lot of elaboration. Fine for a whistle Winnebago stop. Brats and burgers were served for those who wanted to wait afterwords. He allowed for hand shaking and pictures but not questions from the audience. More on his speech will be attached to this post later. For now some of the snap shots from the event.
Jeanita McNulty of Blue Grass had a nice chat with Gov. Walker’s wife Tonetta on left
