Presidential races

Former Missouri senator to advise Walker on foreign affairs

Former Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) has signed on to advise Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on foreign policy and military issues as he considers whether to run for the White House, CNN reported Thursday.

He will join Our American Revival, Walker’s political committee that is seen as allowing him to build a campaign organization for a possible presidential run.

{mosads}”I’m pleased to be advising Governor Walker’s Our American Revival committee. He is a strong conservative, a proven leader and a proven winner,” Talent told the network. “I support his ideas and agenda and have been especially impressed with his interest and foundational understanding of defense and foreign policy issues. He believes in approaching the world from a position of strength, and he understands that the qualities of leadership needed in domestic and foreign policy are essentially the same.”

Talent is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he is the director of the National Security 2020 Project at the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies. He served on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He also advised former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) in both of his presidential bids.

Walker is likely looking to beef up his foreign policy credentials as he prepares to launch a likely presidential bid. Like many governors, he has less experience with foreign affairs — something that was highlighted this month when he was roundly criticized for comparing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to the labor protesters he has battled in the Badger State.