Democrats are pouncing on Governor Scott Walker over a video that shows him talking about plans to use a “divide and conquer” strategy against unions.
In the footage from a documentary, the governor is shown speaking to Beloit businesswoman Diane Hendricks early last year. Hendricks asks Walker if there’s any chance Wisconsin will become a red state and pass a right to work law. The governor responds by talking about the first step of his plans, which were to start with his budget adjustment bill that effectively ended collective bargaining for most public employees.
Just weeks after the footage was shot, Walker introduced the bill, sparking weeks of protests at the Capitol and the upcoming recall election against him.
Walker campaign spokeswoman Ciara Matthews says the governor has no interest in pushing right to work legislation, but Democratic recall opponent Tom Barrett says the footage proves Walker says one thing in public and another to wealthy campaign donors. Hendricks gave Walker’s campaign $500,000 earlier this year, the largest donation to a single candidate for governor in state history.
The video is from a documentary on the jobs situation in Janesville after General Motors closed its plant in the city. It was filmed at the Beloit headquarters of ABC Supply, the company owned by Hendricks.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (:56)
