Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is close to announcing whether he’ll run for president in 2016.
During an interview Sunday morning, Walker said the anticipated announcement will come once his state budget is finalized. “Once that’s completed at the end of June, we’ll announce our intentions to our state, to our country and the world and we’ll keep you posted,” he told “Face the Nation” host Bob Schieffer.
Walker said if he chooses to run in 2016, he will lay out a “very clear plan” on foreign policy, addressing former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who on the same network Sunday said he hasn’t been “particularly impressed” by any candidate on either side regarding foreign policy.
“I think foreign policy is going to be an important part … I do think it’s going to be an important issue,” Walker said, presumably discussing how he would handle a presidential campaign.
Walker further discussed his recent trip to Israel to boast his foreign policy credentials, while at the same time taking swipes at Obama’s foreign policy legacy.
“Well I think as governor, it’s ultimately about leadership. One of the best presidents when it comes to foreign policy was a governor from California,” Walker said. “In my lifetime, one of the worst presidents when it comes to foreign policy was a freshman senator from Illinois. So I think it’s not just about past experiences, it’s about leadership.”
The Republican governor was fresh off of a speaking engagement at the Republican Party of Wisconsin State Convention and Saturday evening’s Iowa Republican Party’s Lincoln Dinner, attended by likely and official 2016 candidates, including Donald Trump and Ben Carson.
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During Saturday’s dinner in Iowa, Walker also criticized the president’s handling of ISIS.
“I’ve got news for you Mr. President,” he said. “Once and for all we need a commander-in-chief who calls it what it is, and that is radical Islamic terrorism is a threat to us all we need to act on it.”
If Walker dips his toes into the race, he will be entering a party seemingly without a favorite presidential front-runner; Jeb Bush is facing criticism within his own party for recent comments on the Iraq War. The latest PPP poll also shows Walker’s high favorability with national GOP voters: Walker currently has 18%, with Sen. Marco Rubio behind him at 13%.
Drew Katchen