Thirty-one percent believe a governor can handle his official duties while running for president, versus 65 percent who don’t.

As a result, Walker has reduced his out-of-state travel in 2014, reflecting his awareness that the perception that he is running for governor and president simultaneously could kill his chances at both offices. It would be nearly impossible for an unseated governor to be taken seriously as a national candidate.

Walker did make an exception for billionaire Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, whose closed-door event in March, sarcastically dubbed the "Sheldon Primary," attracted an array of wannabe GOP presidents, including Ohio Gov. John Kasich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.