In a late night statement, President Barack Obama criticized Republican Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin for signing right to work legislation in his state.
Obama said he was “deeply disappointed” with Walker’s decision, calling it an “anti-worker law” that was “stripping their rights.”
“[E]ven as its governor claims victory over working Americans, I’d encourage him to try and score a victory for working Americans – by taking meaningful action to raise their wages and offer them the security of paid leave,” Obama lectured.
By attacking Walker unprompted, Obama’s statement thrusts him into the center of the 2016 conversation, distracting media attention from the issue of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s emails.
“This sends a powerful message across the country and across the world,” Walker said, after signing the legislation. “‘Wisconsin is Open For Business’ now is more than just a slogan. It’s a way of doing business.”