Now that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s Republican star appears to be fading, establishment GOP kingmakers have been looking for someone who can head off the tea party express in advance of the 2016 presidential campaign.

They thought they had one in Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Until now.

http://www.thenation.com/blog/178464/e-mails-charges-probes-chris-christie-no-scott-walker#

It turns out Walker’s office is in a bit of a jam on two fronts.

First, emails have surfaced that show Walker’s staffers conducting political business on public — meaning government — time. Which is against Wisconsin election law, as it is in Texas and all the rest of these United States, for that matter. The emails purport to show communication between Walker’s official staff and campaign staffers.

That, by itself, is a crime. People could get prosecuted and sent to jail if convicted.

Then there is the other, equally troubling, aspect of the governor’s staff behavior.

It involves some amazingly hateful emails the governor’s staffers shared with each other, also while they’re on the clock. They illustrate an outright disdain and near-hatred for, oh, gay people, immigrants, African-Americans, Jews, Muslims and, oh yes, Democrats.

These are the various demographic groups who reside in Wisconsin and who are subject to the laws enacted by the state’s government, which is led by their governor, Scott Walker.

That the governor would condone such behavior is utterly beyond my understanding. How could staffers feel emboldened to send these message to each other using public communications equipment? Is it because the governor has given his blessing, or has he chosen to ignore it?

Let’s not be coy about this. The feeding frenzy has started among those who are critical of the governor. It likely won’t end until Walker decides (a) fire those involved, (b) apologize to Wisconsin residents, or (c) announce he won’t run for president in 2016.

I’m thinking he’s got to do all the above.