Taylor and Walker: Degrees of Separation

During Wednesday night's debate between Scott Walker and Lena Taylor, Patrick McIlheran points out that Taylor repeatedly brought up that she earned college degrees while Walker did not complete his degree.

He notes Greg Borowski's report for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

At the forums, one subtle but persistent theme from Taylor has been to suggest her own educational background makes her more qualified for the job than Walker.

Taylor has a law degree from Southern Illinois University. Walker left Marquette University about a semester before graduation for a full-time job.

On Wednesday, at least three times Taylor noted she has a college degree. At the Marquette debate, she mentioned her degrees before stressing she finishes what she starts.

Walker has said he intends to complete his degree, though an effort to take classes part time at Marquette a few years back was derailed when his mother-in-law became ill.

After Wednesday's forum, Taylor said it was important to "lead by example" on education. Comparing the county to a large business, she said that a corporation would pick the "most credentialed, most experienced candidate."

Walker said that view ignores the fact he has been doing the job for six years.

"I've kept all the promises I've made," Walker said. "I think they should judge me based on my record."

McIlheran asks: "Does Taylor really want to make snobby points about a guy being intellectually inferior because he's close to a bachelor's degree but doesn't quite have it, while she has a law degree?"

I don't think Taylor is going to score any points by citing her degrees and dissing Walker for being unable to finish up his degree. It seems especially nasty since the illness of Walker's mother-in-law kept him from completing his final credits.

Taylor tries to make the case that her education makes her a better qualified, more experienced candidate. That might work if Walker didn't have six years actually serving as county executive to his credit.

I certainly don't consider college or professional degrees to be the only significant measure of a person's abilities and intelligence.

I know people with degrees who struggle to write in complete sentences, let alone manage to express coherent thoughts. I also know people without degrees who were some of the wisest individuals I've ever known -- like my grandparents.

While candidates' levels of education are important to consider, they don't necessarily indicate one's superiority over another.

Taylor hurt herself by repeatedly jabbing Walker for not completing his college degree. Being a snooty elitist won't play well with the hardworking, taxpaying voters also lacking college diplomas. Among those voters, only the self-loathing would be won over by Taylor's boasting.

Walker has a college education and years of experience as county executive. Taylor doesn't.

More than their levels of education, the two candidates are separated by their positions on the issues.

Taylor will raise taxes. Guaranteed.

Do Milwaukee County residents want to elect a candidate with a law degree or one working to hold the line on taxes?

I don't think you need a college education to answer that.