Who would’ve thought some unknown businessman named Ron Johnson could take out one of the left’s most prominent Senator ? At least this guy has electoral experience (I see he also beat Dawn Marie Sass, who was an upset Dem winner for statewide office in ‘06, and he succeeded Margaret Farrow in the Senate, who became Scott McCallum’s Lieutenant Governor). At 50, he’s also a much better age to make that run. Even if Thompson runs, he can be attacked on his age and that he won’t be able to accrue seniority with respect to two or three terms (I sincerly doubt he’ll be running for the latter at the age of 83/84), which would make him an instant lame duck (were he to win). He should’ve run in the ‘90s. Now is just ridiculous (similar situation with Mike Castle).
Good point. His viability will depend on his ability to achieve name recogniton. Also, the billion dollar question is who will the opposition nominate. If they choose Tammy Baldwin, I think he’ll win.