An Xoff Files exclusive:Listening in on the Walker-Green debate

Republican governor hopefuls Scott Walker and Mark Green held their first real debate this week on taxes and spending. It was on a private phone call, but fortunately the CIA, acting under its Patriot Act authority, had tapped it and prepared a transcript, and a White House staffer was more than happy to leak it.

GREEN: Hello, Congressman Green here.

WALKER: Hi, Mark, it's Scott Walker.

GREEN: Good to hear from you, Scooter. How are things in Milwaukee?

WALKER: I've asked you before not to call me Scooter.

GREEN: Sorry, it just slipped out. Hope that doesn't happen in the campaign. What's on your mind?

WALKER: It's the budget reconciliation bill that's up in the House this week.

GREEN: Yeah, pretty cool, huh? We're trying to cut $54-billion dollars from Medicaid, food stamps, child support, student aid, and some of those other wasteful, liberal, bleeding heart programs that are nothing more than social engineering. That'll make sure we have enough money to give that $70 billion in new tax cuts to the rich.

WALKER: Well, I have some concerns about the bill.

GREEN: I do, too. I've been saying that I want to look it over closely to make sure it cuts deep enough before I decide to support it. Great issue, huh?

WALKER: The thing is, the way it stands the bill would cut the money Milwaukee County gets to enforce child support orders. We'd lose more than half of our budget. In 2008 we'd lose something like $9.5-million. That's money we use to collect child support and make sure parents pay to support their kids. We need the money, or more people will end up on welfare.

GREEN: I thought we ended welfare.

WALKER: No, we ended welfare as we know it. But there are still poor people in Milwaukee, and a lot of them end up on some kind of public assistance programs. You should come to Milwaukee sometime and I'll take you on a tour of the central city. One of my staffers knows where it is.

GREEN: Let me get this straight: You're asking me to vote to spend more money? I thought you were the guy who wants to lower taxes.

WALKER: I am, I am. But this is money for a program that actually does some good. For every dollar we spend on enforcement, we collect $6.50 in child support.

GREEN: Why don't you just teach people about personal responsibility and family values? Do they go to church? Didn't they listen to Bill Cosby when he was in town? What about David Clarke? Can't he get 'em to pay up?

WALKER: It's not that simple. We really need that money.

GREEN: The thing is, Scoo-- Scott, it's not free money when you get it from the feds. It's still taxpayers' money, you know. We do print money in Washington, but there are limits. I don't think you want to run for governor as a big spender, do you? You're on Jim Doyle's side on this one. How are you gonna explain that to the Republican primary voters? They're gonna think you're a RINO.

WALKER: Well, you talk about "Wisconsin values" all the time. This cut will just push more people in Milwaukee farther into poverty, you know. That's not a Wisconsin value.

GREEN: Aren't you forgetting that those people don't vote for us anyway?

WALKER: That's right, and if we pass the photo ID law and end same-day registration, they won't vote period. Forget I said anything about this. Just vote your conscience.

GREEN: I'm not sure what you mean by "conscience," but I'll do the right thing -- probably the far right thing.

WALKER: Thanks. See you on the campaign trail.

GREEN: Glad to be of service.