The idea of Scott Walker

By Richard K. Barry

Everything is going to be about Hillary Clinton this weekend, but there are other things going on.

A new poll was released on Friday that shows the union-bashing governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, leading all GOP challengers in New Hampshire.

The NH1 poll released Friday shows Walker, the Wisconsin governor, leading Bush, 23 percent to 17 percent – outside the margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Paul, the first-term Kentucky senator, is at 15 percent.

The three leaders are the only candidates to register in double figures. The next tier is led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (9 percent), who entered the race last month, and businessman Donald Trump (8 percent), who is toying with a potential candidacy for the second consecutive election cycle.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who is expected to join the race next month, is next with 7 percent, following by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 6 percent. Rounding out the field are former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (6 percent), businesswoman Carly Fiorina (2 percent) and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (2 percent).

We all know that if Jeb falters, Walker could be the guy to take advantage. He may be acceptable to establishment Republicans and remain attractive to hard-core conservatives, thus squaring the circle.

The problem is that we simply have not seen enough of Walker to know how he will perform. And the more he opens his mouth, the more core constituencies will have an opportunity to judge him.

As an idea, the man has legs. As a real flesh-and-blood candidate, we don't know yet.