Liz Mair on Walker Washout: Ex-Aide Tweets Dozen Reasons

Liz Mair, ex-communications consultant for Scott Walker, offered up an extended commentary in tweet form about his exit from the presidential race on Monday.

As Mediate reported, Mair was forced to resign from Scott Walker's presidential campaign in March after she bashed Iowa for the large role it plays in the nomination process.

"The tone of some of my tweets concerning Iowa was at odds with that which Gov. Walker has always encouraged in political discourse," Mair said upon her resignation. "I wish Gov. Walker and his team all the best."

On Monday, Mair offered her insider take on the strengths and weaknesses of the Walker campaign in a series of posts on Twitter, which are gathered below.

1. Scott Walker could, I think, have been a competent President. However, like almost all Rs, for awhile now, he hasn't been my 1st choice.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

2. Walker did a number of things wrong in this race. This is the beginning of what will be a lengthy list.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Things he got wrong: Misunderstanding the GOP base, its priorities and stances. Pandering. Flip-flopping.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Hiring staff who did not know him well and did not understand his record or his reputation across all segments in Wisconsin.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Allowing certain staff (ahem) to marginalize and cut off people in Walker's orbit who had got him to the governorship and kept him there.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Becoming so invested in winning, no matter what it took, that he lost sight of his real identity as a political leader.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Hiring people who spent a lot to build out a massive operation that would not be sustainable unless financing remained amazing forever.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Treating Iowa as locked down, boasting early of the ability to win even in states like Nevada where winning always looked improbable.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Minor things that didn't help: Key staff spending their time on, uh, stuff other than work when campaign was flailing.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Not training himself out of tics incl instinctively answering "yes" and "absolutely" to things, comparing lots of things to union fight.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Not educating himself fast enough on issues outside governor's remit. Educating himself on some things by talking to the wrong people.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

I said at the time to people who wrote that Walker would lose because he fired me that that was bullshit and silly.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

But I also feared that the reasons behind his firing of me would be the ultimate causes of his demise. Now that appears to be true.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

OK, at 5PM CT, he could announce that he's redoubling his efforts in the 2016 race, but I doubt it.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

In any event, I wish him-- and especially Tonette, who I've always liked a lot-- the very best. Presidential races are hard work...

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...and it's really, really easy to make major missteps and be bitten in the butt by them. But he could be back, and improved, in 4 yrs...

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...or he could indeed prove his value by continuing to govern WI, which does not have term limits for governors.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

In any event, he has the capacity to add plenty of value in our political system. But he may need to do a clear-out of advisers...

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...and some reflections on accomplishments, objectives and priorities. In any event, sad to see someone w so much potential crash down...

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...but hopeful that he can replicate Tommy Thompson to a degree, go back to governing and do good stuff for Wisconsin moving forward.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

I remain very proud of the work I did to prevent him from being recalled in 2012, and the assistance I offered in 2013 and briefly this yr.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

I would also add that many on Team Walker did a good job, despite horrendous odds and circumstances esp towards the end.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

One last thought: Walker's timing is good. Word is he just avoided getting tied to a very bad story that could well have been coming.

— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

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