Back in July, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin was the big name in the Republican race, in charge in Iowa and at the top of the national polls. But in the space of just two months, Walker went from GOP frontrunner to also ran on the GOP side.
He exited with a call for fellow Republicans to improve the election message of their own party.
"Sadly, the debate taking place in the Republican party today is not focused on that optimistic view of America. Instead, it has drifted into personal attacks," said Walker, taking a jab at Donald Trump.
Walker said it was also time for other Republicans who are down in the polls to reconsider the GOP race.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
"I believe that I am being called to lead by helping to clear the race so that a positive conservative message can rise to the top of the field," Walker said to supporters in Madison, Wisconsin.
Walker's course left even political veterans surprised.
Even though Walker was at the top in the polls, he seemed to be constantly trying to take positions that would garner a lot of attention - against gay marriage after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, demanding that the President scrap a visit by the Chinese leader and tougher measures on immigration.
Some of those statements seemed at odds from previous positions, leading to a sense that he was an undisciplined candidate.
His somewhat quiet performance in the first debate - and the fact that Donald Trump had totally overshadowed him - left Walker with little choice but to try to break through in the second debate last week at the Reagan Library.
"America doesn't need another apprentice in the White House," Walker said during and after the debate.
It didn't work.
Afterwards in the debate spin room, Walker tried to talk up the line that he was aggressive in raising questions about Trump; but he was overrun by reporters who sensed that blood was in the water, that his campaign was in serious trouble.
"This is a job interview," Walker told reporters. "It's about who can connect with the American people."
Obviously, Walker was not able to connect once Donald Trump seized control of the GOP race.
Democrats were thrilled with Walker's demise.
Walker got in the race on July 13. He was out on September 21.
From the top to the bottom in ten weeks time.
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