Eye on 2024: Bold Ideas Beat Strong Records

“The lesson from my failed [2016 presidential] campaign is simple: Bold ideas trump strong records,” concludes ex-Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) in The Wall Street Journal. “Everyone knew what [then-candidate Donald] Trump wanted to do: ‘Build the wall,’ ‘lock her up’ and ‘drain the swamp.’ ” Repeating such phrases often, Trump “captured the attention of caucus and primary voters and ultimately that of general-election voters.” A strong record of conservative policies may get candidates on the debate stage, “but you must build on those successes with equally tenacious proposals to go further.” Candidates should be ready to “take a risk and lay out a bold vision for the country. Sell it directly to the voters.” Otherwise, “you may well find yourself in the dust.”