Gov. Scott Walker is ramping up his campaign in an effort to combat sagging poll numbers, including the results of one released Monday that places him fifth in Iowa.
The governor, who announced his long-expected presidential campaign in July, recently unveiled healthcare and foreign policy proposals. He has gone on the offensive by attacking Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and establishment Republicans.
The results of Aug. 31 poll by Monmouth University indicate a big change from Walker’s Iowa track record. The governor led the state just over a month ago.
Last month Walker branded himself as a leader among Republicans, saying he had to corral state Republicans into supporting his controversial Act 10 measure, which removed collective bargaining rights for public sector unions.
“We need to step it up and remind people that we didn’t just take on the unions and Democrats, we had to take on my own party establishment, those who did not want to take on the status quo,” Walker said in an August 17 conference call with campaign donors, according to The Washington Post.
The day after the call, Walker became the first candidate to offer a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, saying he would institute a system allocating block grants for Medicare and create sliding scale tax credits based on age. Walker also took the Republican-controlled Congress to task for not replacing President Barack Obama’s signature health-care law.
“We were told by Republican leaders during the campaigns last year that we just needed a Republican Senate to be elected to repeal Obamacare,” Walker said Aug. 18. “Well, here we sit ... and yet there’s not a bill on the president’s desk to repeal Obamacare. On my very first day as President of the United States, I will send legislation to the Congress to once and for all repeal Obamacare entirely.”
The plan met criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike, with Louisiana governor and rival candidate Bobby Jindal calling the proposal a “new entitlement.” Walker has also been targeted by Trump, who has called out the governor on Walker’s stances on immigration and the state of Wisconsin’s economy.
Nonetheless, Walker has said that he isn’t backing down from a fight.
“I’m willing to stand up against anyone—including members of my own party—to get the job done,” Walker said. “We’re not intimidated.”
