Walker punked by alleged backer

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MADISON, Wis., Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker apparently got scammed Wednesday by a New York blogger who convinced Walker he was talking with a major backer.

The Madison Capital Times said Walker's office confirmed the conversation took place as Democratic lawmakers remained on the lam, preventing the Legislature from dealing with budget matters. The Wisconsin capital has been roiled by a week of demonstrations against a Walker budget plan that would gut union collective bargaining rights for most public employees.

The Buffalo Beast, a Buffalo, N.Y., blogger, contacted Walker about 9 a.m. CST and convinced Walker he was talking to David Koch, a major Walker backer. The two talked for 20 minutes about the Capitol antics.

"Well, I tell you what, Scott: Once you crush these bastards I'll fly you out to Cali and really show you a good time," the bogus Koch said.

"All right, that would be outstanding," a transcript showed Walker responding. "Thanks for all the support … it's all about getting our freedoms back."

"Absolutely. And, you know, we have a little bit of a vested interest as well," the fake Koch said.

A little later Walker bragged about a plan in the works to dock lawmakers if they don't show up for two consecutive days when the Legislature is in session and force truant lawmakers to pick up their checks in person.

The transcript also shows Walker bragging about being stubborn and saying he has a baseball bat in his office as a persuasion device.

The Capital Times said Walker's office tried to put a heroic spin on the conversation, saying it "shows that the governor says the same thing in private as he does in public."