Unintimidated - Scott Walker

In 2011, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’schances of staying in office looked bleak. Angryprotesters—furious about his collective bargainingproposal—swarmed Madison, camped inthe capitol, and attempted to block the passageof the governor’s reform legislation. Teachersunions accused him of sabotaging education. Hisapproval numbers fell to the basement, and withthe national media’s descent on Wisconsin, liberalsdenounced “Dead Man Walker.” He found himselffighting for his reforms, fielding death threats, andfacing an unprecedented recall election.

But then something happened. Walker’s policiesbegan to work. His constituents realized theywere better off with his leadership, and in June2012, he became the first governor in Americanhistory to survive a recall attempt, winning with ahigher share of the vote than he had for his originalelection.

In Unintimidated , Governor Walker tells thestory of his fight to save Wisconsin from a $3.6 billionbudget deficit while simultaneously improvingthe state’s schools and public infrastructure. Hedescribes how he stood for his convictions againstenormous political pressure and personal attacks.He explains how he knew his reforms would work,based on his experience as a local official.

Speaking from the perspective earned fromhis resounding victory, he outlines lessons conservativeson the national stage can learn from hissuccess, such as:

• Change the polls, not your principles.

• Don’t accept the false choices presented to you.

• You can reform entitlements and survive.

• Austerity is not the answer.

• Never stop reforming.

Walker is living proof that conservatives need notmove to the center to win. He argues that Republicansmust offer Americans big, bold, positivesolutions for our nation’s challenges—and have thecourage to implement them. Walker has shownthat even President Obama will back down whenfaced with reforms promoted with common senseand courage.