[JediJones]

Tommy was a 14-year governor of the state, “having been elected to an unprecedented four terms.” Tammy appears to be an undereachieving leftist hack like Obama. Why is this race even close? What kind of negatives are they hitting Tommy with?

Tommy vs. Tammy. It’s clear who’s the best man for the job.

[Mouton]

I would be surprised if the commie won this race. The good news there is that should secure the state for Romney too. By my reckoning he needs to shore up about 34 votes for the win. This would be an important 10.

[Dr. Sivana]

Tommy was a 14-year governor of the state, “having been elected to an unprecedented four terms.” Tammy appears to be an undereachieving leftist hack like Obama. Why is this race even close? What kind of negatives are they hitting Tommy with?

Tommy is a 14 year governor and former HHS head who has spent a lot of time out of state over the last few years. In some ways, he is just viewed as a warm over. Not as mbad as Mondale in Minnesota was, but Baldwin gets to campaign as a fresh face.

For better or worse, Thompson has been pushing his being the architect of the Medicare prescription drug benefit, pointing out that Baldwin ran against it. This puts him in the position of running not as a Scott Walker reform type, or even a Mitt Romney policy wonk type, but more of a Geroge W. "Miss me yet?" type. That might be good enough to win the election, and I think he will. It just doesn't make for the blow out it should have been.

Don't underestimate the fact that Baldwin had no primary opposition and had many weeks of exposure while we were exhausted from the Walker recall attempt followed quickly by a four way primary. Thompson wisely kept his fire muted during the primary, but couldn't change gears quickly. There is also no straightforward way to get the warped proclivities of Baldwin to the "not into politics" general public without risking a big backlash.

Baldwin attacks Thompson on the usually, "he'll destroy Medicare", etc.

[mwl8787]

the race is close because Thompson came out of a bruising primary with zero cash, whereas Baldwin had an open field.

Fortunately, Thompson is finding his footing and is being assisted by Romney and the Walker machine.