"Boots on the ground . . . anywhere and everywhere . . . if that's what it takes."

When ABC's "This Week" host, Martha Radditz, asked Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) about the chances that he will run for the 2016 Repubican nomination for president, he was ready with his answer:

"I’ll just tell you one thing. After three elections for governor in four years in a state that hasn’t gone Republican since 1984 for president, I wouldn’t bet against me on anything."

Walker does have that going for him.    He's been very successful at getting elected, defeating a recall attempt, and then getting re-elected.   He has also won right wing admiration for how he defeated the public service unions and slashed the state budget for assistance to needy people.

And he's clearly running.    With Mitt Romney briefly in and then quickly back out, Walker seems to be in good position to be the bridge candidate who is a little more acceptable to the establishment than other right wing hopefuls.   If, despite the big money for Bush and Christie, neither can get a majority because the right won't accept them, then Walker could be the one.

At present, Walker is topping a preferential poll in Iowa from Bloomsburg/Des Moines Register with 15%.   But Romney was still in the poll and got 13%, with Rand Paul between them at 14%.   

Walker tries to paint Hillary Clinton as representing an earlier era in Washington;  and, he says, that's not what people want.  "People want new, fresh leadership with big, bold ideas, and the courage to act on it."   And there stands Scott Walker, ready to accept that mantle as "a name for the future."

Here's the scary thing, though.   In answering questions about foreign policy and our involvement in the world, Walker says he would be open to putting "boots on the ground."

"I think anywhere and everywhere, we have to go beyond just aggressive air strikes. . . .  We have to look at other surgical methods. And ultimately, we have to be prepared to put boots on the ground if that’s what it takes."

Except for Rand Paul, would others of the 20 who are vying for the GOP nod say anything much different?

Ralph