Dems liken Walker probe to Christie’s

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis.

For more than three years Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker avoided political fallout from a criminal investigation that ensnared six of his former aides and associates, winning a recall election even as his opponent ran ads attacking him on the scandal.

But with the Republican up for re-election this year and considering a run for president in 2016, questions are intensifying over how much he knew about illegal campaign activity going on in his county executive office as he launched his bid for governor.

Democrats are trying to use embarrassing emails, which were part of 28,000 pages of documents released Wednesday, to liken his woes to those faced by other embattled Republicans such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

The liberal political-action group American Bridge 21st Century, launched a website to coincide with the document release that highlights problematic emails and blasts Walker’s role. And Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz went after Walker hours after the release, trying to tie Walker’s troubles to Christie’s.

The emails are a goldmine for Walker’s opponents, said Democratic consultant Chris Lehane.

“The 28,000 emails will allow every reporter, Democrats and those who have been engaged in a protracted battle with Scott to pick and choose emails that they believe will raise questions about the conduct of the office and create what could be countless battles for Scott,” Lehane said.

But Walker’s allies say given that Walker was never charged in the investigation, which is now closed, all the attention is much ado about nothing.