After a lackluster performance in the second GOP debate, a shortage of funds and disheartening poll numbers, Scott Walker decided to remove himself from the running for the Republican ticket.

“Today, I believe that I am being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race so that a positive, conservative message can rise to the top of the field. With this in mind, I will suspend my campaign immediately,” Walker said at a news conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

In his exit speech, Walker made it clear that Donald Trump was one of the reasons he had to pull out of the running. And now that he is gone, the Wisconsin governor wants other candidates to knock Trump out of the front-running spot so that a true Republican can have a shot at the presidency.

Walker removing himself from the race was certainly an integrity move, but whether or not the well-being of the Republican party was the main reason he dropped out is certainly questionable.

It seems as though funding issues ended up being the true reason for Walker’s demise. Like Walker’s, many newer campaigns are relying heavily on the donations of a few wealthy supporters, rather than focusing their efforts on convincing many smaller donors to contribute to their cause.

Walker’s exit follows former Texas governor Rick Perry’s, who had to withdraw from the running for similar reasons. Overall, this event should serve as a wake-up call to other GOP candidates.

The remaining campaigning time should be spent convincing voters how current conservative presidential hopefuls will uphold the tenets of the Republican Party in the most efficient way, focusing specifically on knocking Trump out of the lead.

In regard to funding, candidates cannot afford to be picky about who is donating to their campaign. Every candidate, with the exception of Trump, should focus on obtaining all possible voter donations, no matter how small.

Victoria Razzi is a sophomore advertising major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at vcrazzi@syr.edu and followed on Twitter @vrazzi.

Published on September 23, 2015 at 11:17 am