Gov. Scott Walker gears up for primetime address at Republican National Convention
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson and House Speaker Paul Ryan will speak Tuesday night, July 19th at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Governor Scott Walker takes the stage Wednesday night.
Walker on Tuesday visited the Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire delegations -- all states that will be key in the 2020 presidential race -- sparking speculation about his political future.
"Tonette and I -- one of the best things we had on the campaign trail this past year was meeting incredible people. Those were early states we spent a lot of time in, and part of it was we wanted to see those folks but we took requests from other states, as much as we could fit in, and it`s as simple as that," Walker said.
Walker greeted former Governor Tommy Thompson outside the Wisconsin delegation's hotel. He also spent a moment with 1996 presidential candidate Bob Dole.
Walker said he ran through his speech -- set for Wednesday on Tuesday, and said it's pretty much ready to go.
"We`re going to lay out not only our support for Donald Trump and Mike Pence -- Mike Pence in particular is a good friend of mine, fellow governor, someone I`ve grown to be very well connected with over the last few years and so I`m thrilled he`s on the ballot as well as Donald Trump -- but really what Republicans stand for. Talk about our vision for a better America and what that means, and the fact that we believe we can do better," Walker said.
Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
Walker and Thompson are supporting Trump, even though he wasn't their first or even second choice for president.
"He won it fair and square, he deserves it, he should have it, and that`s the way it should be," Thompson said.
Thompson said after one last-ditch effort on the convention floor Monday, anti-Trump Republicans should fall in line.
"They had their time in the sun. They had a chance to make their case, and they failed they tried many different ways. Now, let`s get on with it," Thompson said.
Thompson has been to every GOP convention since 1976, and told FOX6 News he plans to make this one his last. He said it has nothing to do with Trump. He said 40 years is "enough time."
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke told FOX6 News he will be a "foot soldier" for Trump this election. He said he was reluctant to speak at the convention -- but said he's glad he did on Monday night.
"Whatever they need me to do, they have my number. They know what I can bring to their campaign. And I just wait for my order. I`m a foot soldier," Clarke said.
He received one of the biggest ovations and got another when he visited the Wisconsin delegation Tuesday. He told delegates they must unite.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke
"When you leave Cleveland -- one team, one goal. And that is to defeat Mrs. Bill Clinton," Clarke said.
Clarke said there is a reason he calls Hillary Clinton that, but wouldn't say what that reason was.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch on Tuesday defended Melania Trump, following the controversy surrounding her alleged plagiarism of Michelle Obama during her speech at the RNC Monday. Some are accusing Melania Trump's speechwriters of plagiarizing parts of Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic Convention speech.
"Out of the 35 minutes, there were a couple of similarities. And the similarities were that she had hopes and dreams for the children of America," Kleefisch said.
Kleefisch offered this explanation for the similarities.
Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch
"I would hope that anyone who would be the future first lady of the united states would say things like that," Kleefisch said.
Kleefisch gave up her spot as a delegate at the convention, but said that's not because of Donald Trump. She said being a delegate requires 100 percent commitment and she couldn't offer that. She'll be at an event in Beloit on Thursday, July 21st and has to represent the Lieutenant Governor's Association, which she chairs, at the convention.