NEWPORT BEACH – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, in Orange County to meet with wealthy donors, cracked a hint of a smile when he was read President Barack Obama’s quote admonishing his state’s new anti-union bill.

The “right to work” law, which Walker signed into law Monday, bans private-sector unions from requiring dues-like fees from non-union members. Obama called it “inexcusable” and “anti-worker.”

Walker, who shares the lead with Jeb Bush in recent polling for the Republican presidential nomination, was pleased to attract the president’s attention.

“It makes me think that the president and his party must be afraid that we make a convincing case to voters far beyond just the Republican base,” Walker said in an interview Tuesday at Fashion Island’s Island Hotel. “I don’t remember the president saying the same thing when Mitch Daniels signed this three years ago in Indiana or Rick Snyder did 2 1/2 years ago in Michigan. So it’s really unique.”

Walker has become a champion for pulling in the reins on public employee unions and has become a target for union supporters, thanks primarily to his successful 2011 drive to reduce the collective bargaining powers of the public employee unions in his state.

He subsequently fended off a recall effort, won re-election and emerged as a top contender in the early going for the GOP presidential nomination. Walker told the Register he thought his union-related efforts would serve him well should he make the final commitment to run for president.

“It’s not because Americans are looking for an anti-union (candidate),” he said. “It’s leadership. I’m the guy who shows he’s willing to take on the sacred cows, willing to take on the big government special interests, willing to take on things people despise about Washington.”

Walker’s Orange County stops included a luncheon hosted by the New Majority. The group, with $10,000 annual dues, has a membership of broad-ranging Republican business interests and a board of directors that includes developers, bankers and lawyers.

Walker, who has threatened to sue the federal government in an effort to reduce carbon emission restrictions, said Tuesday that he “absolutely” believes that human activity is contributing to climate change.

“The question is to what degree,” said Walker, a supporter of the Keystone pipeline. “For us to be environmentally sustainable, we need to be economically sustainable. We shouldn’t have to choose between a strong environment and a strong economy. There’s got to be a balance.

“Some of the recent things concern me. For a minimal amount of advancement, we have a big economic impact on our economic resources.”

Many California Republicans are concerned about expanding the party’s base, given Democrats’ 15-percentage point advantage in voter registration. To that end, the state GOP voted this month to charter the Log Cabin Republicans, a long-standing group of right-leaning gays and lesbians.

But don’t expect Walker, who supports his state’s constitutional amendment banning same-gender marriage, to take sides when it comes to recognizing the Log Cabin Republicans.

“I’ll have my hands full in terms of politics should I choose to be a candidate for president,” he said. “I’ll leave party politics to them.”

Contact the writer: mwisckol@ocregister.com