WEBVTT NOW CONVERSATION WITH THE CANDIDATE CONTINUES. JOSH: WELCOME BACK TO OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE CANDIDATE, WITH TONIGHT'S GUEST, WISCONSIN GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER. TIME TO BRING IN QUESTIONS FROM OUR AUDIENCE. I'LL JUMP IN IF WE NEED A FOLLOW-UP. BUT FOR NOW, LET'S GET RIGHT TO IT WITH OUR FIRST QUESTION FROM JOAN CRIMLISK. GOOD TO SEE YOU. AUDIENCE MEMBER: WELCOME, GOVERNOR. WHAT DO YOU SEE THE NEEDS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND HOMELAND SECURITY IN THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION? GOVERNOR WALKER: ONE OF THE MOST SACRED DUTIES IS TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. IN MY LIFETIME, THE BEST PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY WAS A GOVERNOR FROM CALIFORNIA. HE HELPED REBUILD THE MILITARY BUDGET. HE STOOD UP FOR OUR ALLIES. HE STOOD UP AGAINST OUR ENEMIES. HE STOOD UP FOR AMERICAN VALUES. AT WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST PEACEFUL TIMES IN MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY. TO GET TO THAT, I WOULD GO BACK TO BUILDING THE DEFENSE BUDGET TO THE LEVELS PROPOSED BY FORMER SECRETARY GATES WHO, I THINK MADE THE CASE, WE WENT THROUGH MUSCLE INTO BONE. JOSH: THANK YOU, JOHN. THE NEXT ONE IS COMING FROM JUDY ELLIOTT. JUDY: THE U.S. STILL HAS 5000 NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN ITS NUCLEAR STOCKPILE IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO SPEND ONE TRILLION MORE DOLLARS ON NUCLEAR VEHICLES AND VEHICLES. IT WILL BE VERY PROFITABLE FOR WEAPONS PLANS TO REDO YOU SUPPORT THIS PLAN? -- DO YOU SUPPORT THIS PLAN? GOVERNOR WALKER: WHEN I CAME OF YEAR, THE THREAT WAS THE OLD SOVIET UNION. TODAY IT IS NOT JUST LEASES LIKE CHINA AND RUSSIA AND ELSEWHERE. IT IS A MIXED TAG. WITH THIS RECENT DEAL WITH IRAN, I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THEIR CAPACITY TO LOOK AT INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILES. IN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE, NOT JUST FOR ISRAEL, BUT THE UNITED STATES. I WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY ARE SAFE AND SOUND. JUDY: DO YOU SUPPORT THE PLAN? GOVERNOR WALKER: IM NOT NECESSARILY SUPPORTING THE OBAMA PLAN. I THINK WE NEED REVENUE CLEAR TRIAD. I THINK IT GOES BEYOND WHAT YOU ASKED ABOUT. I THINK WE NEED A REPLACEMENT FOR THE NUCLEAR SUBMARINES THAT CAP IS SAFE FOR SOME MANY TIMES. JOSH: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. FROM WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION AND INDIVIDUAL FIREARMS, WHERE ARE YOU WHEN IT COMES TO GUN VIOLENCE AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT? GOVERNOR WALKER: I HAVE BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR GUN RIGHTS. I BELIEVE LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. I SIGNED THE LAWS FOR CONCEALED CARRY FOR PRECISELY THESE REASONS. THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON CRIMINALS. UNFORTUNATELY MANY OF THE SAD STORIES WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT OF LATE ARE FOLKS WHO GOT FIREARMS FOR REASONS THAT DID NOT INVOLVE THE LEGAL PROCESS. JOSH: DOES THAT INCLUDE EXPANDING BACKGROUND CHECKS WHEN IT COMES TO CRACKING DOWN ON CRIMINALS? GOVERNOR WALKER: I THINK WE NEED TO IMPROVE THEM. WHAT WE SAW IN SOUTH CAROLINA CONDUCT TO TECHNOLOGY AND THE FAILURE TO ENTER CRITICAL INFORMATION. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE DO BACKGROUND CHECKS TO BUY STAKE, JURISDICTION BY JURISDICTION, THE INFORMATION MATCHES WHAT THE INDIVIDUAL HAS OR HAS NOT DONE. JOSH: FAIR ENOUGH. FACED BY -- FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BOTH? GOVERNOR WALKER: YES. MY KIDS ARE 20 AND 21. YOU CAN IMAGINE, THEY KEEP US UP ON ALL OF THAT. JOSH: I CAN IMAGINE. THE NEXT QUESTION IS A SOCIAL MEDIA ONE. SCOTT IS ASKING -- AND THIS IS THE WAY HE PUTS IT --- "HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER 100 REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES?" GOVERNOR WALKER: THERE MAY BE ANOTHER 100 AFTER NEXT WEEK. I AM NOT GOING TO SPEND MY TIME BEATING UP ON OTHERS. I THINK AMERICANS ARE TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING WHAT AND WHO THEY ARE AGAINST. I THINK AMERICANS WANT TO VOTE FOR SOMEONE. I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I WANT TO VOTE FOR. SOME HAVE FOUGHT. SOME HAVE ONE. I HAVE DONE BOTH. IT'S NOT JUST REPUBLICANS. IT IS A AMERICANS WANT RESULTS. JOSH: LET'S GO TO OUR NEXT QUESTION FROM PATRICK CARROLL. ,TAKE IT AWAY. PATRICK: ARE YOU WILLING TO RAISE THE AGE RETIREMENT FOR SOCIAL SECURITY? GOVERNOR WALKER: TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET GOING FORWARD -- AND IT WILL NOT HAPPEN JUST AT ONE TIME, BUT OVER MANY YEARS -- I WILL NOT TOUCH THE SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE CURRENT GENERATION. THE YOUNGER GENERATION, YEAH, WE WILL LAY IT OUT. IN THE COMING DAYS, WE WILL LOOK AT BUDGETS, ENTITLEMENT REFORMS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IN TERMS OF CURRENT RETIREES, I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD TOUCH A SACRED PROMISE WE MADE. MY GENERATION AND YOUNGER, YES, WE WILL FOCUS ON REFORM. JOSH: SHOULD MEANS TESTING BE PART OF THE EQUATION? SHOULD QUALIFICATIONS, AGE BE CONSIDERED? GOVERNOR WALKER: IN A COUPLE MONTHS WE WILL PROBABLY COME OUT WITH SPECIFIC PLANS. MY PLAN -- TALKING ABOUT TAX REFORM, REGULATORY REFORM, WHAT TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE GOING FORWARD, ENTITLEMENT REFORM WILL BE PART OF IT. JOSH: NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTERS ARE IMPATIENT THOUGH. GOVERNOR WALKER: I'M COMMITTED TO DOING MEETINGS ALL ACROSS THE STATE. JOSH: MOVING RIGHT ALONG. THIS ONE IS FROM CHUCK HAMER. CHUCK: ISN'T PAYING TAXES WHAT JOHN KENNEDY WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN HE SAID ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHITE YOU CAN DO FOR -- BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY? GOVERNOR WALKER: PRESIDENT KENNEDY ACTUALLY BROUGHT ABOUT TAX CUTS THAT WERE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT PRESIDENT REAGAN PROPOSED IN THE MID-1980'S WHICH BROUGHT ABOUT THE MOST SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH IN MODERN HISTORY. MY BELIEF IS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THERE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO PAY FOR AND IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES, EDUCATION, SERVICES OUT THERE, BUT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR US TO KEEP IT AT THE MINIMUM. UNDER KENNEDY'S PROPOSAL AND REAGAN'S PROPOSAL MANY YEARS LATER, WE SAW SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH. JOSH: SOME OF THE CANDIDATES IN THIS FIELD, RAND PAUL IN PARTICULAR, HAVE PROPOSED A FLAT TAX AND VARIATIONS ARE IT IS THERE SOME MERIT DO SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES? GOVERNOR WALKER: THERE IS APPEAL. WHEN I LOOK AT THOSE, YOU LOOK IN 1986 WHEN I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, PRESIDENT REAGAN PUT FORWARD AN ISSUE THAT HAD TWO TECH RATES. OF -- TAX RATES. TO ME, THAT WOULD BE A MODEL. YOU SAW ONE OF THE MOST SUSTAINED PERIODS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT DID NOT JUST LAST THROUGH REAGAN'S TERM. IT WENT THROUGH BUSH 41 AND BILL CLINTON. I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THAT KIND OF GROWTH. JOSH: DO YOU THINK THE TAX CODE NEEDS TO BE SIMPLIFIED? GOVERNOR WALKER: I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE A LOWER BURDEN ON EMPLOYERS AND I THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE A REFORM CODE THAT MAKES IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE. JOSH: THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT QUESTION FROM OUR AUDIENCE. MACKENZIE FLESSAS IS NEXT UP. MCKENZIE: SOMEONE WHO MAKES MINIMUM WAGE EARNS $500 A WEEK. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO ENSURE THE STRENGTH OF WORKING FAMILIES AND WOULD INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE BE ONE OF THEM? GOVERNOR WALKER: I THINK THE WAY TO HELP PEOPLE IS TO GET THEM THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO GET CAREERS THAT PAY MORE. I WILL NOT CHANGE THE MINIMUM WAGE. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT MOVING IT UP OR DOWN. I AM SAYING THE GREATER FOCUS SHOULD BE ON EDUCATION, TRAINING. HOW DO WE HELP PEOPLE FIND CAREERS? IN MY STATE, THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE. WE HAVE INVESTED NOT JUST TO HELP PEOPLE FIND JOBS IN FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY, BUT IN OUR TWO-YEAR PROGRAMS, APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. MANY OF THE GREAT PREMIERES, -- CAREERS, FAMILY SUPPORTING CAREERS ARE FROM HEALTH CARE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING. WE HAVE A LIST OF YOUNG PEOPLE COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND WE HAVE TO TELL THEM, IT'S GREAT IF YOU WANT TO GO ON. IT IS JUST AS GREAT IF YOU WANT TO PURSUE SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES AN APPRENTICESHIP OR A TWO-YEAR ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND WE WILL HELP YOU. AS PRESIDENT, THAT IS WHY I THINK ALL OF THAT POWER AND MONEY FOR EDUCATION TRAINING SHOULD BE SENT BACK TO THE STATES WHERE THEY ARE MORE CONNECTED AND CAN MAKE MORE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE OR NEW YORK OR WISCONSIN. JOSH: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. LET'S KEEP IT GOING. THE NEXT ONE IS COMING FROM TERRY NEGRON, TERRY. TERRY: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PRIORITIES THE FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE? GOVERNOR WALKER: I WOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THE FIRST DAY. I WOULD START WORKING BEFORE. FOR ME, THAT MEANS REACHING OUT TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS WELL AS ALLIES AROUND THE WORLD TO SEEK TO GET OUR MILITARY BUDGET BACK ON TRACK AND OUR MILITARY BETTER POSITION. OUR FIRST DAY, I WOULD SEND OUT DRAFT LEGISLATION TO THE CONGRESS TO REVIEW OBAMACARE. I WANT TO GET RID OF THE SO-CALLED AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING THAT PUTS PATIENTS AND FAMILIES BACK IN CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH CARE. I THINK THE HORRIBLE DEAL WITH IRAN, WE WOULD TERMINATE THAT, SEEK TO WORK WITH CONGRESS TO PUT IN PLACE EVEN MORE CRIPPLING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND GET OUR ALLIES TO DO THE SAME. I WOULD PULL BACK ON THE EXECUTIVE ACTION. I HAVE BEEN PART OF A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THIS THAT THE PRESIDENT WENT BEYOND THE LEGAL BOUNDS OF HIS AUTHORITY WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION. AND IN WISCONSIN WE DID NOT WASTE FOR THE -- WE DID NOT WAIT FOR THE FIRST 100. WE PUT OUR REFORM PLAN IN IN THE BEGINNING. WE WILL MOVE THINGS BACK TO THE STATES FOR MEDICAID, WORK FORCE TRANSFORMATION. WE'LL START NEW ECONOMIC PLAN AIMED AT NOT ONLY REPEALING OBAMACARE, THE PUTTING IN A NEW ENERGY POLICY. AND THEN LOWERING THE TAX BURDEN ON HARD-WORKING AMERICANS. JOSH: THAT IS A LOT. WHERE YOU START? IN OPERATION PARTY IS OVER. WHO DOES THE FIRST PHONE CALL GO TO? GOVERNOR WALKER: I WOULD START CALLING THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION. THAT IS WHAT I DID AS GOVERNOR. I WOULD REACH OUT TO OUR ALLIES. I THINK YOU REACH OUT TO EVERYBODY FROM NETANYAHU, TO LET THEM KNOW THERE WILL NOT BE SPACE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL. WHEN I WENT TO ISRAEL I NOT ONLY MET WITH PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU, BUT I MET WITH THE OPPOSITION LEADERS, THE LABOR LEADERS. EACH OF THEM ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IRAN DEAL. I WOULD MEET WITH OTHERS. MERKEL, CAMERON, ALL SORTS OF LEADERS ALL ACROSS THE GLOBE AND LET THEM KNOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL LEAVE AGAIN -- LEAD AGAIN. LEADING FROM BEHIND JUST DOES NOT WORK. JOSH: OK, BACK TO FACEBOOK FOR A QUESTION. JOEL PRESCOTT, HE ASKS, "NOW THAT GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL IN ALL STATES, IF YOU BECAME PRESIDENT WOULD YOU TRY TO DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE THAT?" GOVERNOR WALKER: I BELIEVE MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN. I VOTED FOR THAT IS A STATE LAWMAKER. WE PUT THAT IN OUR CONSTITUTION 2006. THE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED ON THAT. WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULING CAME OUT, OR THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH IT, THE ONLY AVENUE WOULD BE TO PURSUE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. THE REALITY IS THAT WILL BE A HARD BAR. SOMETHING LIKE THAT STARTS IN CONGRESS HAS TO GO THROUGH THE STATES. I BELIEVE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER LEADERS CAN DO GOING FORWARD IS JUST MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE ABLE TO FREELY PRACTICE THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS , WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND WHY SO MANY OF OUR FOUNDERS MADE A BIG DEAL ABOUT THAT BEING INCLUDED IN THE CONSTITUTION AND THAT, MORE THAN REHASHING SOME OF THESE OTHER DEBATES IS IMPORTANT. JOSH: ALL RIGHT. THIS ONE COMES FROM CAROL GARHART. TAKE IT AWAY. CAROL: GIVEN THE YOUNG STAR PROGRAM -- I HAVE READ ABOUT WISCONSIN NOT ACCEPTING FEDERAL PRESCHOOL GRANT MONEY, AND IT SEEMS A BIT MIXED. I AM WONDERING IF YOU COULD TAKE A COUPLE MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT YOUR VISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN AMERICA AND HOW WE CAN FUND HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS FOR ALL CHILDREN? GOVERNOR WALKER: GREAT QUESTION. FIRST, WE PUT IN PLACE A RATING SYSTEM TO ACT IN CONCERT WITH THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR. WE MADE SURE THAT FOR THE ASSISTANCE WE PROVIDE FOR CHILD CARE AND OTHER THINGS, IF WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS QUALITY HEALTH CARE. NOT ONLY THE STAR RATING, BUT INCREASED PAYMENT ACED ON THE QUALITY -- BASED ON THE QUALITY CARE. NOT ONLY TO PROTECT -- BUT LITERACY AND WE KNOW IF CHILDREN ARE NOT BEING PREPARED TO READ AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL, PARTICULARLY BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE IN KINDERGARTEN GOING THROUGH THIRD GRADE, THAT IS ONE OF THOSE CRITICAL TIMES. THAT AFFECTS THE REST OF EDUCATION WHICH, OF COURSE, AFFECTS THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. YOU GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO GET A GOOD JOB. SO, WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE IN THAT REGARD. WE NEED TO DO MORE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE OTHER POINT GOES TO ONE I HAVE MADE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ALL TOO OFTEN SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMES WITH STRINGS ATTACHED. AND THE STRINGS ATTACHED LEAVES STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION. MY BELIEF IS THE MORE WE SPEND ON RESOURCES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, SEND THOSE DOLLARS BY TWO STATES AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS WITHOUT OVERWHELMING THEM WITH STRINGS ATTACHED. THEY CAN MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT IN THAT COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT A PRIORITY TO DO IT IN THE UNITED STATES, WHETHER IT IS NEW HAMPSHIRE OR WISCONSIN. JOSH: A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A BLOCK GRANT SITUATION AND LET THE STATES DECIDE HOW TO SPEND IT BEST? GOVERNOR WALKER: ABSOLUTELY. MANY STATES SAID, GIVE US THE AUTHORITY TO RUN MEDICAID ON OUR OWN WITHOUT STRINGS ATTACHED. WE WILL DO WHAT IS BEST. STATE-BY-STATE THERE IS TREMENDOUS -- EVEN IN THE NORTHEAST, NEW YORK STATE IS A LOT DIFFERENT FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE OR VERMONT OR MAINE. THEY ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN THE SAME GEOGRAPHICAL AREA. I JUST THINK YOU NEED TO MAKE IT A HIGHER PRIORITY. NOT JUST MEDICAID, BUT A WHOLE SLEW OF OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES. EDUCATION IN GENERAL. INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, YOU NAME IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SEND IT BACK TO THE STATES, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR FOUNDERS INTENDED WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT THE 10TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. IF IT IS NOT SPELLED OUT IN THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, THOSE INHERENTLY BELONGED TO THE STATES AND THE PEOPLE. JOSH: AND YOUR TAKE ON COMMON CORE -- I CAN GUESS WHAT THAT IS. GOVERNOR WALKER: I OPPOSE IT. I AM ALL FOR HIGHER STANDARDS. GETTING RID OF SENIORITY AND TENURE, ALLOWING SCHOOLS TO HIRE AND FIRE BASED ON PERFORMANCE -- GRADUATION RATES ARE UP, THIRD GRADE READING SCORES ARE HIGHER. I AM ALL FOR HIGH STANDARDS. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE SETTING THEM LOCALLY. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN COMMON CORE. I DO NOT SUPPORT COMMON CORE. I DO NOT SUPPORT A NATIONWIDE SCHOOL BOARD. I THINK THE MORE YOU TAKE POWER AND MONEY OUT OF WASHINGTON AND SEND IT BACK TO THE STATES AND THE SCHOOLS AND THE PEOPLE, THE BETTER OFF WE ARE GOING TO BE. JOSH: JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME FOR THIS HALF-HOUR, BUT WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN CHOOSING A RUNNING MATE? GOVERNOR WALKER: I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS GETTING SOMEONE LEFT THE CAPACITY TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. YOU ARE PICKING SOMEONE TO RUN WITH YOU. I DON'T WANT SOME THE DO HAPPEN, GOD FOR BID I WERE INCAPACITATED -- I WANT SOMEONE WHO COULD BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I THINK THAT IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY GOVERNOR WALKER: GEOGRAPHICAL OR POLITICAL CONSIDERATION. I WILL PICK A MAN OR A WOMAN WHO WAS CAPABLE AND ABLE TO BE THE PRESIDENT IF CALLED UPON. AND ALONG BACK, SHARES MY BELIEF THAT POWER IS VESTED IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THAT BELONGS IN THE HALLS OF THE CAPITOL. JOSH: ALL RIGHT, WHERE THAT HELMET WHEN YOU ARE ON THE MOTORCYCLE. GOVERNOR WALKER: I WILL DO THAT. JOSH: THAT IS ALL HER TIME FOR