While speaking at Chatham House, Great Britain’s prominent think tank, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker touted innovations and focused on increasing global investment in the Badger State — the intended goal of his four-day trip to the United Kingdom. He avoided talking about foreign policy and his thoughts on evolution.
During a question and answer session with reporters, Walker wouldn’t give his thoughts about Britain’s involvement in fighting ISIS. “As you can imagine — and I’m not trying to skirt your question — I just think, for me, commenting on foreign policy or in this case economic policy in a country where you’re a visitor is not the politest of things.”
The likely 2016 presidential candidate added that it’s not wise to undermine the American president while outside the U.S.
Walker met with top government officials in the United Kingdom during a trade and investment mission through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, pointing to the “special relationship.” He said, “Thankfully trade and investment between Wisconsin and the United Kingdom continues to grow and we hope will expand even more after this trip.”
At his only public speaking engagement, there was a lot of talk about funding cuts to the UW system, its mission statement, and cheese. “If my state was a country,” Walker said, “it would rank fourth in the world for cheese production.”
But, the governor avoided multiple questions about foreign policy and a final question at the end of the hour-long session about evolution. The moderator asked Walker whether he was comfortable with the idea of evolution. “Do you accept it?”
“For me, I’m gonna punt on that one, as well.” Walker said, “That’s a question a politician shouldn’t be involved in one way or another.” The governor said he was there to talk about trade, “not to pontificate on other issues.” He was quick to add, “I love the evolution of trade in Wisconsin.”
Almost immediately after he made his comments, Walker’s campaign issued a statement for clarification: “Both science and my faith dictate my belief that we are created by God. I believe faith and science are compatible, and go hand in hand.” The governor also sent out a tweet on the subject.
AUDIO: Walker punted on a question about evolution.
Both science & my faith dictate my belief that we are created by God. I believe faith & science are compatible, & go hand in hand.
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) February 11, 2015
It’s unfortunate the media chose to politicize this issue during our trade mission to foster investment in WI.
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) February 11, 2015
Walker mentioned his economic record in Wisconsin, citing it as a reason for British investors to consider the state as a place to put their capital.