Scott Walker: Vice president talk 'premature'

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said he's not interested in a potential Cabinet post if a Republican is elected president, but he wouldn't rule out a possible run for the vice presidency.

Walker, in Green Bay on Tuesday, was quick to say no when asked if he'd be interested in a Cabinet post. But he was much less definitive when asked whether he would be interested in the No. 2 spot on the ticket this fall.

"That's just way too premature," he said, smiling. He spoke briefly with USA Today Network-Wisconsin after signing three bills related to Alzheimer's patients.

After Walker ended his presidential campaign in September, multiple media outlets had speculated that the Wisconsin governor could be an attractive running mate, particularly for a presidential hopeful looking to increase his appeal to the conservative base. Slate's Reihan Salam wrote that Walker's "occasional flashes of blue-collar charisma," could serve as a useful balance to an "outsider" candidate such as Trump.

Also Tuesday, Walker said he could make a presidential endorsement next week. And he hinted that it won't be controversial front runner Donald J. Trump.

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"We'll probably make a decision in the next week or so," he said. "There are two candidates who are probably more aligned with where I stand than with ... the front runner."

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are the other two Republicans remaining in the race.

A number of factors typically are considered when a choosing a running mate, including balancing the ideology of the presidential candidate, said Charley Jacobs, an assistant professor of judicial process and American politics at St. Norbert College. For example, Dick Cheney was thought to have greater appeal to the far right, while George W. Bush was viewed as more moderate.

Walker also has a leg up on other potential vice presidential candidates because he exited the race earlier. People such as Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, who campaigned until recently, received so much criticism from Trump — the presumptive nominee — that it would be almost impossible for them to be considered as VP candidates.

"Walker's early out may work to his advantage," Jacobs said. "The campaign has been scorched earth recently, but Walker wasn't around long enough to be Trump's pinata."

Slate had speculated that Walker would be a good balance on a ticket with either Bush or Rubio, saying he would increase appeal to working-class white voters because of "his unpretentious vibe and his paeans to discount retailers." A popular story from Walker on the campaign trail detailed how he shopped at Wisconsin-based Kohl's, a chain known for its rewards program and ubiquitous coupons.

As far as the idea that he might be in line for a Cabinet post, Walker invoked the name of one of his predecessors to put the kibosh on that idea.

"Tommy Thompson told me his worst days as governor were better than his best day in the Cabinet," Walker said. Thompson was governor from 1987 to 2001, then served as secretary of health and human services for four years under George W. Bush.

Walker was in Green Bay on Tuesday to sign three bills related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The signing was at Options for Independent Living on Green Bay's far west side.

dschneid@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider