Alan J. Borsuk – Page 62 – Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog

Walker’s Presidential Campaign: Down but Not Out, Experts Agree

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:September 2, 2015
Post category:Political Processes & Rhetoric Public Speakers at Marquette

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign for the Republican presidential nomination has slumped but that doesn’t mean you can predict his future in a race that is in an uncertain state.

Three expert political observers agreed on both parts of that statement in an “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” program at Eckstein Hall on Wednesday. In short, Walker’s down, but don’t count him out.

“It’s gut check time” for Walker, said Molly Ball, who covers national politics for The Atlantic. Walker has gotten away from the campaign messages that were working well for him both in Iowa and nationally, she said, and the surge of support for Donald Trump has deflated Walker’s campaign. She said it’s surprising to see someone known for his composure to be as rattled as Walker has appeared in some recent instances.

Flynn: “I’d Like to See Fifty More Prosecutors”

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:August 27, 2015
Post category:Criminal Law & Process Milwaukee Public Speakers at Marquette

Don’t look only to the police to solve the problems of high poverty communities, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn told a capacity audience Thursday in the Appellate Courtroom at Eckstein Hall.

Flynn pointed to the need for better services to help people with mental illnesses and to deal with issues such as child abuse as steps that would help reduce crime.

And when it comes to crime specifically, he pointed to what he saw as failings of both the state and federal systems for prosecuting and punishing criminals. Many criminals don’t face punishment that discourages them from offending.

Walker Leading in Wisconsin Republican Nomination Race, but His Job Approval Falls

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:August 20, 2015
Post category:Marquette Law School Poll Political Processes & Rhetoric Public

Still in the lead, but with cause for concern on the home front. That was the overall picture for Gov. Scott Walker as the Marquette Law School Poll on Thursday released its first wave of results on political issues since April.

For Hillary Clinton, frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for president, the picture was: Still in the lead, but with some cause for concern on the Wisconsin front.

And for Democratic US Senate candidate Russ Feingold and Republican incumbent Senator Ron Johnson, the picture was of a race that is likely to end up being tight and intensely fought.

Walker remained the presidential candidate of choice for Wisconsin Republicans and independents leaning toward voting Republican. But, according to the poll, he had the support of 40 percent of the state’s Republican voters in April and the support of 25 percent in August. In the intervening time, the field of Republican candidates grew larger, there were a lot of developments in the campaign, and, polls of national opinion and opinion in key primary states indicated Walker had slipped in popularity in recent weeks.

But Walker’s 25 percent support still led the Republican field among Wisconsin voters, with Ben Carson at 13 percent, Donald Trump 9 percent, Ted Cruz 8 percent, Carly Fiorina and Marco Rubio each 7 percent, and Jeb Bush 6 percent.