Gov Walker campaign screens reporters' questions

The Presidential campaign for Gov Scott Walker (R-WI) is quickly building a reputation as the most press-averse group in the Republican field. On Aug 18, Gov Walker's policy team held a press call with reporters to discuss the Wisconsin governor's health care plan, as well as his intention to repeal and replace Obamacare. But when reporters tried to submit a question, they were greeted by a press aide who demanded to know what question each reporter intended to ask. "Was on Gov. Walker health plan press call. First time as a reporter I've ever had my questions pre-screened before I could ask them," Stephanie Armour, The Wall Street Journal's health care policy reporter, tweeted after the call.

It goes without saying that Gov Walker has held his share of press interviews and media scrums, but campaign reporters have noted the cautious attitude among his team -- which is especially notable given the governor's reputation in the Madison Statehouse, where he was known as a press hound who relished the attention of reporters. Gov Walker spokesperson AshLee Strong acknowledged that an aide had fielded incoming calls, which she described as "standard." "All reporters on the call were able to ask questions and we even had time at the end in which we were actively soliciting more inquiries," she wrote. "No reporters were denied questions."