Walker’s biggest applause lines came when he took credit for a series of “reforms” that he passed in Wisconsin that had nothing to do with improving the economy or the general welfare in the state: “We defunded Planned Parenthood and enacted pro-life legislation,” he declared. “We passed Castle Doctrine and concealed carry. And we now require a photo ID to vote in the State of Wisconsin.” The crowd went wild.

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Walker also touted the provision in the budget he just signed requiring people who get food stamps and unemployment benefits to undergo a drug test. Drug testing welfare recipients brought the Waukesha crowd to its feet. Listening to Walker rev up the Waukesha crowd, in the heart of rightwing talk radioland, where the politics of divide and conquer got their start, was instructive.

Just as Donald Trump got a bump for calling a spade a spade with his racist attack on Mexican immigrants, Walker, in his announcement, was speaking to a strain of race-baiting in the white suburbs of Milwaukee that has played a significant role in his political rise.

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But as Alec MacGillis wrote in a terrific cover story for The New Republic, Walker’s rise, and the whole rightwing takeover of Wisconsin politics, has been fueled by the very powerful and explicitly racist radio talkers from the suburbs of Milwaukee. And in his announcement speech, you could hear Walker tuning up the dog whistle for that same group.