Governor Scott Walker took some time out for an appearance on ABC’s This Week and faced the inevitable questions about the stable of GOP candidates in 2016. Give him credit for one thing… he didn’t go out of his way to be subtle.

“I think it’s got to be an outsider. I think both the presidential and the vice presidential nominee should either be a former or current governor, people who have done successful things in their states, who have taken on big reforms, who are ready to move America forward,” Walker responded when asked by Karl to describe the “ideal Republican presidential candidate in 2016.”

During the interview in Madison, Wis., Karl asked the governor specifically about Rubio, Cruz and Paul. Walker implied they were all too closely associated with the Beltway to be the ideal nominee.

“All good guys, but … it’s got to be somebody who’s viewed as being exceptionally removed from Washington,” the Wisconsin governor said.

He also managed to rule out Paul Ryan, as you’ll see in the video below, but did point out that he really “loves” him.

Is this a serious pitch to test the waters? It never hurts to have some buzz going whether you really plan to run or not… particularly when you have a new book out that you need to pitch. But the other thing Walker and any supporters have to keep in mind is that he still has a potentially tough reelection battle coming up. It’s not that he shouldn’t win that one, but it’s going to be a bruising battle and a loss would effectively take him out of 2016 consideration.

In the end, governors have historically done better in presidential bids than members of Congress (or complete outsiders) but nothing is really a disqualifying mark in those terms. Still, he may indeed have his eyes on the prize already. Here’s the video so you can judge for yourself.