So, here we have yet another example of Scott Walker illustrating his disregard for consistency and honesty. Wisconsinites might remember that, during the recall election, some of Walker's opponents touted unfavorable job numbers. These numbers were deemed unreliable by the Walker camp because they were just monthly estimates -- as opposed to the comprehensive hard numbers, that Walker himself touted as a "gold standard" in job numbers.
Well, Scott has got a new ad out. And guess what set of numbers he's relying on -- the "gold standard" or the "unreliable" estimates?
If you're thinking "the unreliable estimates," well, you would be correct (and, if you think "the gold standard", now might be a good time to lay off the kool-aid).
NPR sums it up:
Walker's [new] numbers are based on cumulative monthly estimates between July of last year and July of this year. These are the same monthly estimates Walker attacked as unreliable during his recall campaign. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson described them as numbers that are “inaccurate,” and that “cannot be trusted.”
But it's worse than that. Walker has newly found these unreliable estimates to be trustworthy,
but he also accuses Mary Burke of "misleading" people by quoting his former "gold standard" numbers.
Fox News'
Mike Lowe reports:
“Those are numbers she’s using and not pointing to the most recent statistics. Wisconsin now ranks third in the Midwest for actual private sector job creation. That’s just this week from the current employment statistics by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,” Walker said.
The employment survey comes out every month, and is simply an estimate. That’s the number Walker is using when he says Wisconsin ranks third.
The quarterly census, which Walker called “the gold standard” to measure jobs is hard data that is much more reliable. That’s what Burke is using when she says Wisconsin is “dead last.”
And, as NPR points out, "Burke's ad, however, accurately quotes detailed quarterly census numbers covering Walker's first three full years in office."
In other words, our illustrious governor has not only reversed his position on "unreliable" monthly estimates (as they benefit him); not only reversed his opinion on the hard numbers, the "gold standard" of job numbers; but he accuses Mary Burke of
misleading voters by using the numbers that he himself described as the gold standard, rather than the numbers he and his party derided as unreliable estimates. I think it's fair to say that when it comes to honesty, Governor Walker is full of it.
Originally posted at Rachel's Hobbit Hole