When Greg Orman first launched his campaign for Governor, he went on TV and made the press rounds, frequently citing Bill Walker, the independent elected Governor of Alaska as an example he could follow.
As recently as October 2nd, Greg Orman, to the Abilene Kansas Newspaper, was using Bill Walker as an example of how an Independent could Govern and Win:
“I tell people I don’t have a natural enemy base,” he said.
Bill Walker, independent governor of Alaska, said that governing as an independent is allowing him to do things that are the right thing to do but are unpopular.
Orman said Walker told him, “You can do that if you’re an independent because you don’t bring the whole party down with you.”
Today, Greg Orman’s example of Independent success dropped out of the race in Alaska, all but endorsing the Democratic candidate, saying it was important to stop the Republican nominee.
In the Anchorage Daily News, Walker offered this assessment of why he would drop out and endorse the Democratic candidate:
"On balance, it is my belief that despite my many differences with Mark Begich, his stance on important issues that I have listed are more closely aligned with my priorities for Alaska," Walker said, citing his support of Medicaid expansion, pursuit of an Alaska natural gas pipeline project and state spending on rural Alaska and education.
Walker put the good of his state ahead of his own personal wishes. Greg Orman, who has consistently polled at 9%, trailing a deadlock race against Democratic Senator Laura Kelly and Republican Kris Kobach, has continued to fight ahead with his nine percent. While Orman has agreement with Kelly on the same issue; they both believe in Medicaid Expansion, Kobach does not, Orman has refused to pull out of the race.
Orman has told the press he is “in it until the bitter end”, despite pulling all of his TV advertisements from the air, and seemingly ending sending mail or making any real campaign efforts.
Orman’s prior promotion of Bill Walker as his example of leadership now comes with a big asterick — Bill Walker had enough leadership to put the state above himself. Can Orman do the same?