Posted on 03/03/2010 2:51:34 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Will he or won’t he? This question usually indicates one of two things around these parts: Either it is the NFL offseason or we are approaching an election of some sort. Brett Favre and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson could easily be cousins. Both have been transplanted only to become Wisconsin golden boys. Both have retired, but both have had to consider whether they are happy with that status several times. Both can “still play.” Perhaps most significantly at this point, both are holding their respective organizations in suspense while they ponder their futures.
Tommy Thompson has reportedly been considering a run against Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, in the upcoming midterm elections for some time now and is apparently getting more serious about it, even as he takes actions that would indicate otherwise. Thompson has been in contact with some of his former political associates and claims he has already raised $200,000 for his hypothetical campaign. But on the other hand, he joined Peak Ridge Capital Group as an adviser only about a month ago. What is he going to do? At this point it is unclear. It is even more unclear considering the fact that he has dipped his toes in the waters of politics multiple times recently, only to decide against proceeding further. Similar to his football-playing counterpart, the deadline for his decision remains quite a distance away.
The reason Republicans are entertaining the prospect of a Thompson campaign is clear. He is their best shot at taking Feingold’s seat. According to a recent Rasmussen Reports poll, Thompson leads Feingold by 5 percent while neither of the alternative Republican candidates are serious contenders. Even if he runs and loses, Thompson would force the Democrats to back a candidate in a contentious race
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycardinal.com ...
Thompson needs to make a decision soon. His waiting is benefitting no one except Russ Feingold.
Here we go again, the GOP establishment gets behind a dinosaur, while there’s already a grassroots candidate running. Sticking their noses into yet another primary election. Said grassroots candidate will get pressured to drop out. Thompson is too old to run for Senate and we all remember the inept job he did as HHS Secretary.
One can make the case that Thompson is the wrong choice. But the Republicans need someone with some kind of name recognition. Some stuffed shirt businessman whom no one has ever heard of isn’t satisfactory.
So what is the alternative? Thompson is outpolling incumbent Feingold. Is it better to lose with an unknown grassroots candidate and keep Feingold in the Senate or do we select someone with the best chance to win to rid the Senate of Feingold? How much do you know about the grassroots candidate?
That being said, I'm quite weary of Tommy playing footsie with running for office when it's merely a ruse to pump up his overinflated ego. And while I'm at it, I'm none too pleased with Mark Neumann either. While he's quite entitled to his run for governor, beating up on Scott Walker is not going to help either of them beat the Obama-strong-armed reluctant candidate Barrett.
For all the opportunity that is presented to finally get rid of some of the leftist leanings in WI, we certainly need to hop to it.
‘The Daily Cardinal’ is concerned about this? Hells Bells! Tommy just might have a chance, LOL!
Agreed, Triple E! They did the same thing to Scott Walker last time around for Governor! It was insanity. They take a WINNER and dump him/her for a LOSER time and time again!
Grrrrr!
“Some stuffed shirt businessman whom no one has ever heard of isn’t satisfactory.”
T. Wall is hardly a “stuffed shirt,” LOL! He’s a hard-hat guy all the way.
Well said! YOU need to run for Senator, CongressWoman or Governor. AT least YOU get it.
Yeesh! The inept WI GOP makes me want to poke my eyes out!!
I would say the same for you my FRiend! You have an impressive resume! (and if you look up “I get it” in the dictionary, I would venture you’d find your picture there :o)
LOL! Thanks! :)
I attended the state convention last year and all the meetings emphasized getting young people involved, finding smart, energetic people to run for office. And now the state party turns its back on them in pursuit of a temporary solution.
They can always run for city council, county commissioner, or state legislature. That’s how such people usually start getting involved in politics.
Look, Thompson is far more likely to beat to beat Feingold than anyone currently in the race. Like it or not that’s a fact.
He may have not been great in the cabinet (seems like few are, pretty thankless job serving in the cabinet) but he was a pretty good Governor. Aside from being a little old there is nothing wrong with him.
Anyone serious about getting rid of that raging moonbat Feingold should be begging Thompson to run.
I don’t think it’ll be a cake-walk. Russ is entrenched, has a lot of wing-nut friends and Tommy has a LOT of baggage. He really didn’t exactly leave our state in good fiscal condition when he left in 2001. Lots of damaging things in his closet.
I loathe Feingold. I had to go to our Capital and BEG him for a lousy $30K for military families once. He’s a total socialist prick. And I’m being kind, LOL!
This mornings local news is reporting a 70% chance he’ll run.
Be careful what you wish for. :)
Maybe I’m mistaken, but I’m not aware of anyone else who has a realistic chance of defeating Feingold. As for Thompson, I say let him run and win a single term, then retire (he’ll be long in the tooth by then). After that, a better Republican can run and win.
Well, buckle in. It’ll get pretty ugly and I’m not convinced that Thompson would win.
>> Thompson needs to make a decision soon.
{grin}
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