Walker plays Santa on taxpayers' tab

This Green Bay Press Gazette story, headlined "Walker offers press a free ride," certainly raises some interesting questions.

We've already asked, in previous posts, whether Walker's statewide Harley ride, visiting every media market, is nothing more than an ill-disguised campaign trip. The answer, of course, is yes, although somehow Walker has smooth-talked the ethics and elections board folks -- otherwise known as the toothless tigers -- and convinced them otherwise.

"Just promoting Milwaukee County," Walker says, and the ethics and elections boards say, "Have a nice trip, Mr. Walker. No problem that you're doing it all at taxpayer expense and even taking along several highly-paid people who work for you." (Did they get overtime or comp time for the weekend?)

"No matter that most of the questions you get and most of the stories about your trip are about the governor's race, not the Milwaukee Mile. Not your fault if the media wants to talk about the "wrong" stuff, is it? "

(From the Press Gazette story: "During his stop in Green Bay, Walker told a Press-Gazette reporter that he was there to promote Milwaukee and not to comment on his candidacy for governor. After clarifying his position, he then answered questions about the gubernatorial campaign.)

So, what better way to promote Milwaukee County than to drop $500 worth of free tickets on the reporter who's interviewing you?

No problem, apparently, unless it's Karen Michel at the Press-Gazette, who asks embarrassing questions in print and says things like:

"When Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker let his staff give journalists more than $500 worth of complimentary tickets to Milwaukee attractions last week, political watchdogs say the gubernatorial candidate also gave the public a free pass to debate his ethical conduct."

“We’ve done this for two years now and nobody had a problem with it; nobody raised a concern,” Walker said in a telephone interview Friday. “The only thing that’s changed is that I have announced my intention to seek a different statewide office. Now it appears, at least for some, the rules have changed since last year. It’s interesting how people are conveniently looking at it differently now.”

Actually, what's amazing is that no one asked the question before. Walker wasn't an announced candidate for governor last year, but he was certainly running.

But even if they gave him a pass last year and took him at face value -- "Just promoting Milwaukee, ma'am" -- it is different now, whether Walker understands that or not. When you become an active candidate, the rules change.

One of the interesting questions this story raises is: What were journalists in other media markets around the state thinking when Walker distributed his largesse -- free tickets to the zoo, state fair, Milwaukee Mile race, art museum, and more? Did they just pocket the loot? Did anyone see anything questionable about it?

There does not appear to be much reason to file a complaint, since the ethics and elections boards already have given Walker a pass.

But if this isn't against the rules, it is time to change the rules.