Scott Walker’s challenge: Keeping the momentum

He’s rocketing to the top-tier of potential 2016 GOP contenders following a strong appearance in Iowa last month and surging to the front of the pack in a handful of polls.

But coming off a 2012 cycle that saw Republican candidates rise and fall with the regularity of a finely-made Swiss watch, Walker’s challenge now is figuring out a way to sustain the momentum.

If he can seize that opportunity, then he could cement himself as one of the leading prospects for the GOP nomination, presenting himself to Republican voters as a more conservative option to establishment candidates such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

One thing to keep an eye on Thursday is how much Walker plays up his pushback with the media, an argument that tends to be a winner in a room full of conservative activists like he will have at CPAC. If Walker can further solidify his reputation as a fighter – not just against unions, but the media as well – that is a strategy that could allow him to remain near the front of the pack going forward.

The deflections on questions about evolution and Giuliani haven’t hurt his chances so far. The latest Quinnipiac University of Iowa GOP caucuses-goers this week showed Walker leading the potential field with 25 percent, nearly double his next closest competitor.

CNN