When you lie down with pigs . . .

So Scott Walker, the MILWAUKEE County executive, has decided that the way to run for governor is to "stick it to Milwaukee."

How else to explain his comments that undo the regional economic cooperation that's just starting to happen?

"You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig," Walker said of the regional economic development promotional strategy sponsored by the area's business elite and elected officials, including Walker.

Eye on Wisconsin has a good take on who's the swine in this picture.

Even Mayor Tom Barrett, who seldom has said a discouraging word, fired back, saying he hoped Walker wouldn't take a (taxpayer-paid) motorcycle trip around the state to trash Milwaukee. (Wasn't Tommy Thompson on a cycle ride when he made his famous "Stick it to 'em" comment?)

There's a lesson here about "cooperation." I've written about it before, and will have more to say later. But Walker's candor says a lot about why we can't all just get along.