Scott Walker dips in poll; policy positions murky on campaign trail

In February, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was polling at 25 percent in Iowa — topping the GOP presidential field. On Friday, Mr. Walker took in 3 percent of the Iowan vote, placing him in 10th place.

Mr. Walker has since canceled speeches in Michigan and California to spend time in Iowa, along with South Carolina, The Washington Post reported on Saturday.

So what’s behind Mr. Walker’s fall?

Well, out on the campaign trail, not all of Mr. Walker’s policy positions have been clear – sometimes they’ve been downright murky. Sometimes he’s needed a week to formulate a firm answer.

See for yourself how Mr. Walker approaches the daily barrage of questions he faced with on the trail – and if you know where he stands.

Syrian refugees:

“I’m not president today and I can’t be president today. Everybody wants to talk about hypotheticals; there is no such thing as a hypothetical.” – Sept. 7, during the press gaggle when ABC News asked what he would to address in the current refugee crisis if he were president.

Then, after two days of getting dogged by the press on the same question (and after other candidates in the field had given an answer), Mr. Walker clarified his position.

“No, we shouldn’t be taking on any more Syrian refugees right now. In the last year, America has received almost 70,000 refugees of which nearly 2,000 are from Syria. We’ve spent something like $4 billion in humanitarian relief in terms of helping the situation in Syria. So we’re doing more than any other country in the world, and it’s got to be clear that the problem that has to be addressed is not the refugee issue — that’s a symptom. The real problem is this administration fails to deal with taking on ISIS.” – Sept. 9, while speaking with reporters at the Governor’s Small Business Summit in Eau Clair, Wisconsin.

Kentucky clerk:

“It’s a balance that you’ve got to have in America between the laws that are out there, but ultimately ensuring the Constitution is upheld. I read that the Constitution is very clear, that people have the freedom of religion. That means you have the freedom to practice your religious beliefs out there.” – Sept. 3 interview with radio host Laura Ingraham.

Building a Canadian border:

“[Voters] raised some very legitimate concerns, including some law enforcement folks that brought that up to me at one of our town hall meetings about a week and a half ago. So that is a legitimate issue for us to look at.” — Aug. 30 on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when asked by moderator Chuck Todd if we wanted to build a wall north of the border as well as south of the border for security reasons.

“This is just a joke in terms of how people react to things. I’ve said for some time that we need to secure the southern border. I’ve talked about the infrastructure, the personnel and the technology needed there. I’ve talked about enforcing the laws. … I’ve never talked about a wall at the north, I’m certainly not now. That’s just what happens when things get run amok.” – Sept. 1 interview on “Fox and Friends.”

Birthright citizenship:

“I think that’s something we should, yeah, absolutely, going forward..” – August 17 in response to MSNBC reporter Kasie Hunt’s question if he thought birthright citizenship should be ended.

Then later that day came some backtracking.

“I think before we start talking about anything else beyond securing the border, enforcing the laws and having a legal immigration system that works and gives priority for American working families, Americans aren’t going to trust politicians to talk about other things until they feel confident they’re going to do those things. So I think we need to reform that first. …” – Aug. 17 in response to The Washington Post asking the same question.

And then later that week, no position.

“I’m not taking a position on it one way or the other. I’m saying that until you secure the border and enforce the laws, any discussion of about anything else is really looking past the very things we have to do.” – Aug. 21 in an interview with CNBC’s John Harwood.

And then, a few days later, a firm “no.”

“No. My point is that any discussion that goes beyond securing the border and enforcing laws are things that should be a red flag to voters out there who for years have heard lip service from politicians and are understandably angry.” – his response to George Stephanopoulos asking on ABC “This Week on Aug. 23,” if he was seeking to repeal or alter the 14th amendment.

Comprehensive immigration reform:

“I don’t believe in amnesty, and part of the reason why I’ve made that a firm position is I look at the way this president has mishandled this issue,” Mr. Walker said to Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday” in March, before he announced his candidacy for president.

When Mr. Wallace cited a 2013 Wisconsin editorial board interview where Mr. Walker said he supported comprehensive immigration reform, Mr. Walker acknowledged his flip on the issue.

“And my view has changed. I’m flat out saying it. A candidate can say that. Sometimes they don’t,” Mr. Walker said.