To say Scott Walker's presidential campaign isn't going according to plan is like saying the Titanic's lasy voyage wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Indeed, by this point, I'd say his campaign has entered desperation mode, as he's now staking his entire campaign on Iowa, a state where his numbers have crashed, and he's also been reduced to making inane comparisons of himself to Reagan (which frankly only serves to highlight the creepy, stalker-level obsession he has with the 40th president). And his lackluster debate performance did him no favors, evidenced by his post debate whining that the event was fixed for Carly Fiorina.
Well, Walker may whine and console himself with his Reagan delusions, but his donors are getting anxious and looking for a scapegoat. And they may have found one, per Buzzfeed:
As Scott Walker’s presidential bid founders, some in the candidate’s orbit are participating in a whisper campaign against his top strategist and campaign manager, Rick Wiley.
Ah yes, when the campaign is in doubt, blaim the campaign manager. But what type of whisper campaign are they talking about?
A number of Walker’s donors and supporters have been circulating a rumor about Wiley in recent days, apparently aimed at discrediting him and bringing about a shakeup in the organization, according to two Republican sources. The sources, neither of whom is affiliated with a presidential campaign, said they heard the rumor from people in Walker’s camp. They also said an anonymous letter about Wiley is circulating in political and donor circles, though it is unclear where it originated.
Anonymous whispering it may be, but if the likes of
Erick son of Erick are pushing it, it's a hint that things are getting a bit heated amidst the Walker supporters. Per the
Washington Post"
Some of those on Thursday's donor call had expected different news. Many backers have directed their ire at campaign manager Rick Wiley, who some Walker supporters believe expanded the staff too quickly and has failed to calibrate spending during the summer fundraising season. A recent count put the number of full-time Walker campaign staff at around 90, and there have been no cutbacks in salaries as there were earlier this summer in former Florida governor Jeb Bush's operation.
"There is a substantial amount of chatter that he needs to go," said one major Walker fundraiser, requesting anonymity to discuss private conversations. "People are worried."
Walker, for his part, has dismissed the rumors and Wiley himself has said
he's not going anywhere. But if the Walker campaign's downward trajectory continues like this, expect the rumors to grow even louder.
Perhaps threatening to wreak havoc on D.C. is not exactly the best campaign approach, Scotty? Time shall tell.