In this cringe-worthy interview, Gov. Scott Walker is caught red-handed during a phone call in which he believes he's talking to his campaign contributor, David Koch of the Koch brothers.
Unfortunately for Walker, it was actually buffalobeast.com's editor, Ian Murphy recording the conversation. Oops.
Part 1:
The BEAST's Ian Murphy calls Walker, posing as archconservative moneybags David Koch, and they casually discuss crushing all public unions.
Part 2:
TONIGHT: Ed reacts.
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Walker is so bad for our state, our communities, and our families. I'm sad :(
Can you say political suicide?
I live in Florida and its a right to work state. It's awful. Employers can fire people on a whim. They pay less than minimum wage in some cases and have nothing to help people who are struggling. Unions are be essary to protect employees from the greed of the wealthy. Republicans seem to be trying to turn America into a two class society. The middle class now can see how the poor are treated. Poor people aren't bottom feeders, they are human beings and when the Republicans called the union workers in WI that it was wrong because no-one is deserving of that name calling.
Fireside chat? Its more like a burning at the stake.
I live in Wisconsin and I am not a union employee, however I do stand with the unions. Scott Walker is very bad for our state. I have talked to many non union residence who are also disgusted with Governor Walker. Listening to Governor Walker's telephone conversation has shown me that I was right about him all along.
non union WI resident, thank you for standing with them. I listened to the tapes again and am really just shocked that an elected official is behaving this way. He doesnt have the good of WI at heart, its more about his ego. He is playing some sort of game and it certainly isnt for the benefit of his state. If he isnt careful, he's going to have the law after him for illegal actions.
I also am non union Wisconsin Tax payer.....this is much bigger than that, this is for political gain, power and corporate greed. Getting all the little people out of the way. He is finally showing his true colors. His corruption got him into office and it will get him removed. I am prepared to go door to door, if needed. Now we need to support our supporters in the rest the nation and the world. We will show them the power of the people.
How cynical can these men be? And "Koch's" vulgarity is shocking while Walker just chuckles along. How fabulous that Walker's manipulative outlook, usually hidden behind closed doors, is for once revealed. But Walker is only one of many many of these self-serving, or rather Corporation-serving lackeys.
Ed,
Last weekends Wall Street Journal had an article explaining why Microsoft had to borrow 1.4 billion for , I think, operating expenses. the article went on to say that they had 5.5 billion in cash. My response, in my head was ???? Seems big business has something north of 1 trillion dollars, in CASH, in offshore accounts. this because they don't want to pay taxes. Now I Know that the "legal persons" have just as much patriotism as republican politicians. Could you use your forum to ask big business if they could help out. Could they possibly use that trillion to help out the states' deficits, whose citizens do pay taxes, that provide the military support that keeps the corporations safe in politically unstable countries. Thus allowing them to make(or exploit) so much money. Ask them( or tell them) to support America or...leave. Ask them to support a culture of love instead of the same old culture of hate. Keep up the pressure. these guys are tree 'ed. thank you
This is what the democrats have been trying to tell wisconsin all along. These 14 peole are doing WI a favor by staying away. PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN...YOU REALLY NEED TO READ THE BILL. It's 144 pages long. There's so much in there. When someone says they agree with Walker, that tells me they DID NOT read that BILL. This is and only has been about Union Busting. The Unions had over $ 100 million in give-backs to the state last year already. We have done furloughs too. We have been doing more than other taxpayers in the state. OUR WHOLE STATE WILL BE DEVASTATED if this bill passes. WAKE -UP and READ how it affects you also, before it's too late.
Where can I get a copy of this bill so I can read It?
This Governor was so confident within himself, he forgot himself, feeling "REELGOOD" that he was talking to the Billionaire he just let loose for their approval, I am glad they caught his AZZ.
Impeach this governor, because for WI he is bad news. If you wait to recall him he will do more damage than a new governor can ever repair. Recall all Republicans in the Senate who want this awful bill passed. You, the residents have the power to squeeze this sleaze bag out. Go thru the back door and recall the Republicans and make sure he knows he is next then follow thru. It is time Dems stood up for what is right for America, not just one state. We are all in this together.
Ed
These state gov's want to give tax cuts to new companies and other corp. Say $500mil. Where do they get that money, from the taxpayers, cutting costs, jobs,whatever they can to put someone on the street. Question, how do tese TEAPARTY groups feel about the cuts taken away from them? Will they change their vote next time to the party (DEMOCRATS) that care about the poor, and middle class, its a shame if they don't understand about the idiots that do? How will they feel when they lose their pants, social security, and other medical care.
Govenor Pullman Walker has been BUSTED!
This goes to the core of the self-important world that Walker lives in.
He is screwing with peoples lives and livliehoods with this bill.
This is NOT 19 minutes of missing tape...
This is 20 minutes of totally incriminating evidence.
Walker needs to gather himself up, and march over to the podium and announce his resignation.
Walker is an affront to everything good and fair.
Step down Walker.
For the good of the people of Wisconsin, and our entire nation.
Please, resign Walker. You have done enough damage already.
Just heard on local NBC affiliate in Milwaukee that Koch Bros just opened a new office very close to the Madison Capital. If so, why now?
sounds like the gov. accepted a bribe in regards to the trip to cali
It looks to me like the Koch brother have their eye on Wisconsin's power plants.
Pennies on the dollar is what has their attention but... if they can crush the unions while they're doing it what the hell?
Whenever the veil is pulled back and government can be seen in action it's so ugly.
It seems to me that he just really enjoys the sound of his own voice.
Apparently more than the voices of those outside the capitol.
Shocking taped recorded on his interest to the Koch brother that he though he was speaking to. He just got caught with his pants down, it never was about the balancing the budget about breaking the Unions apart. If that's not criminal behaving to get back in return to favors to Corp's interest group what is. What a fool falling one of the old tricks got Pranked like a little teenage game...We all did growing up..!!! NOW SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE KOCH BROTHER WHAT EXACTLY THEY GOT IN RETURN.....!!! OH WAIT THEY HAVE A NEW LOBBIES OFFICE"S DOWN THE STREET OF THE GOV. OFFICE'S>>OPPS NEED TO BE REMOVED BEFORE ANY MORE DAMAGING HE CAN CAUSED>>LOCK HIM UP and QUESTION WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEED ALSO BE REPLACED OF THE STATE OF WI.!! THAT WENT ON WITH THIS PLANNED CONED THE AMERICAN VOTER THAT VOTE THEM INTO OFFICES>>
If Governor Walker has to call his Republican legislators to "encourage them" why not have some of the demonstrators call/campout at the Republican legislators offices? The Governor appears unlikely to budge but if some of his support should get shaky or tired of the hassle he might sing a different tune. Has anyone started a recall petition?
How about having some demonstrators do a demonstration at the new Koch Lobbying Office to highlight their involvement.
How do they like their golden child now?
I think Lawrence O'Donnell blew an opportunity to give a mature analysis of the Governor Walker tapes by making very superficial reponses on the Daily Rundown show this AM (2/24/10). Instead of focusing on the the trickery and technique used to get through to the Governor's Office, O'Donnell could have talked about the growing influence of the Koch wealth on elected officials in the Republican Party, the violation of Wisconsin ethics regulations by the Governor, the consideration of using aggressive plants among the protestors, etc. If O'Donnell's had only included a small portion of the meat he discussed on his show last night, it would have been an eventful presentation this morning. As a sidenote, I want to complement the Ed Show on revealing the potential collusion that might be in the making betwen the Governor and the Koch brothers regarding Wisconsin's public utilities. Good job Ed!
This is definitely the smoking gun. What more proof do we need? This governor is not only fulfilling the will of the Koch brothers he is also colluding with other conservative governors in a nationwide conspiracy to beat the working class down. If three Muslim extremists behaved like this they would be wisked off to Guantanamo Bay.
If the working people of this country don’t unite against this onslaught we will be living like serfs. Union, non-union and unemployed should come together to stop this nonsense. We are all in this together. sibob.org/wordpress/
Audio "Hari kari" !
His family will be proud when they research their geneology!
Ed should do a segment on FDR's view on collective bargaining rights for public sector employees. -comment deleted-