Latest Wisconsin jobs data provide ammo for Scott Walker's opponents

Gov. Scott Walker endured some of the worst headlines of his first term after documents were released Thursday containing allegations by prosecutors that he was part of "a criminal scheme" to bypass state election laws.

But wholly eclipsed by that story was another one that in the long run may represent a more fundamental political challenge for the governor. This was the batch of new jobs figures out Thursday painting an unflattering picture of Walker's first three years in office. Wisconsin ranked 35 of 50 states in private-sector job growth between 2010 and 2013, trailing all its closest Midwest neighbors — even Illinois, the state the governor has repeatedly bashed for having a hostile business climate.

This wasn't just another mundane jobs report. It contained the most accurate and thorough pre-election portrait we're going to get of how Wisconsin's job performance compares with that of other states during Walker's first term.
Falling far short of his jobs promise. During Walker's first three years in office, Wisconsin added 91,813 private sector jobs. In his 2010 campaign, Walker famously pledged 250,000 new private-sector jobs in his first term. It should have been clear at the time that target was implausible. Meeting it required averaging 62,500 new jobs a year. That's 23,000 more than the best single year of private-sector job growth during predecessor Jim Doyle's two terms. The upside of making an audacious campaign promise is that it's a commanding way to deliver a political message. The downside is that there's a pretty good chance you won't fulfill it. The first three-quarters of his term brought Walker 37% of the way there. Instead of 250,000 new private-sector jobs, the state is on pace for less than half that many in Walker's first term.


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f.u.! Mr walker