By JUANA SUMMERS & MAGGIE HABERMAN

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker thanked a slew of potential GOP presidential hopefuls for standing by him this morning, as he hit “Fox News Sunday” for an interview amid the raging protests over a bill to help slash his state’s red ink by curbing pricey collective-bargaining rights

Walker’s remarks came after days of supportive statements, in public and in private, from some of his fellow current and former governors — at least three of whom are seen as possible contenders in next year’s presidential primary.

Asked if he’s spoken with other governors during the past week of protests, Walker told Fox News, “Absolutely. Whether it’s [Ohio Gov. Kasich], or Chris Christie or Mitch Daniels, or Tim Pawlenty, they’re saying hang in there, you’re doing the right thing.”

The latest support from a 2012 helpful came from former Rick Santorum, who put out a statement late Saturday offering up high praise for Walker.

“I commend Gov. Walker for having the fortitude to stand up against the fiscal irresponsibility that is plaguing our country,” Santorum. “He is showing tremendous courage to put an end to spending that his state and many like his can simply no longer afford. Americans are looking for this kind of commitment to fiscal responsibility in Washington and in state houses across the country.”

Late last week, Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, issued a similar statement praising his fellow Republican for making “tough choices needed to avoid financial ruin.”

“The nation’s governors don’t need a lecture from a President who has never balanced a budget,” Pawlenty said, referring to the White House’s support for the labor members, Democratic lawmakers and others who are opposing Walker’s actions.

Mitt Romney tweeted that he supported Walker “for doing what’s necessary to rein in out-of-control public sector pay and benefits.”

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the Madison capitol for days, determined to stop Walker’s proposal that would strip many public employee unions, including the teachers, of much of their collective bargaining rights, as well as putting in place measures that would cap any salary hikes.

Teachers have called in sick for days to protest the cuts and Senate Democrats bolted the state to prevent a vote on the bill.

“I support Gov. Walker’s strong action to balance his budget,” Christie, who has waged his own battle with public employee unions, told the New Jersey Newark Star-Ledger. “I’m not going to micromanage Wisconsin from New Jersey.”

He added about the governor, “I know him and I trust him and I support him.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49874.html#ixzz1EXaoaIKC