It might sound like a non sequitur, but is it really absurd for Walker to suggest that — just as he was courageous in standing up to the unions — he might also be courageous in standing up to other foes? Consider this New York Times op-ed about Reagan’s handling of the striking Air Traffic Controllers union:

“He showed federal workers and Soviet leaders alike how tough he could be. Although there were 39 illegal work stoppages against the federal government between 1962 and 1981, no significant federal job actions followed Reagan’s firing of the Patco strikers. His forceful handling of the walkout, meanwhile, impressed the Soviets, strengthening his hand in the talks he later pursued with Mikhail S. Gorbachev.”