POLITICS

Fired Walker Aide Explains Why Walker Bid Failed

Liz Mair was fired over tweets earlier this year, but she took to Twitter Monday to explain why Walker couldn't win the White House in 2016.

Liz Mair, a former aide to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) who was fired over tweets that caused a stir among conservatives, took to Twitter Monday to describe why she thought the GOP contender didn't do enough to win over potential voters in the 2016 race.

Several reports confirmed on Monday that Walker was dropping out of the presidential race.

1. Scott Walker could, I think, have been a competent President. However, like almost all Rs, for awhile now, he hasn't been my 1st choice.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

2. Walker did a number of things wrong in this race. This is the beginning of what will be a lengthy list.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Things he got wrong: Misunderstanding the GOP base, its priorities and stances. Pandering. Flip-flopping.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Hiring staff who did not know him well and did not understand his record or his reputation across all segments in Wisconsin.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Allowing certain staff (ahem) to marginalize and cut off people in Walker's orbit who had got him to the governorship and kept him there.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Becoming so invested in winning, no matter what it took, that he lost sight of his real identity as a political leader.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Hiring people who spent a lot to build out a massive operation that would not be sustainable unless financing remained amazing forever.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Treating Iowa as locked down, boasting early of the ability to win even in states like Nevada where winning always looked improbable.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Minor things that didn't help: Key staff spending their time on, uh, stuff other than work when campaign was flailing.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Not training himself out of tics incl instinctively answering "yes" and "absolutely" to things, comparing lots of things to union fight.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Not educating himself fast enough on issues outside governor's remit. Educating himself on some things by talking to the wrong people.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

I said at the time to people who wrote that Walker would lose because he fired me that that was bullshit and silly.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

But I also feared that the reasons behind his firing of me would be the ultimate causes of his demise. Now that appears to be true.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

In any event, I wish him-- and especially Tonette, who I've always liked a lot-- the very best. Presidential races are hard work...
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...and it's really, really easy to make major missteps and be bitten in the butt by them. But he could be back, and improved, in 4 yrs...
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...or he could indeed prove his value by continuing to govern WI, which does not have term limits for governors.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

In any event, he has the capacity to add plenty of value in our political system. But he may need to do a clear-out of advisers...
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...and some reflections on accomplishments, objectives and priorities. In any event, sad to see someone w so much potential crash down...
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

...but hopeful that he can replicate Tommy Thompson to a degree, go back to governing and do good stuff for Wisconsin moving forward.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

I remain very proud of the work I did to prevent him from being recalled in 2012, and the assistance I offered in 2013 and briefly this yr.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

I would also add that many on Team Walker did a good job, despite horrendous odds and circumstances esp towards the end.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

And now, I'll just apologize to all of you to whom I cannot respond via email, Twitter, phone, text, etc. Busy late afternoon...
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Mair ended on a cryptic note:

One last thought: Walker's timing is good. Word is he just avoided getting tied to a very bad story that could well have been coming.
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) September 21, 2015

Last week, Mair joined the HuffPost Politics team after the second Republican debate to talk campaigns -- including the one from which she stepped down.

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