Posted on 12/16/2006 12:40:38 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE - Former Gov. Tommy Thompson is proceeding with preparations for a possible run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, a spokesman says.
Thompson, who resigned as Wisconsin governor to become U.S. health and human services secretary when President Bush took office in 2001, has formed an exploratory committee looking ahead to a possible campaign for the White House.
The committee delivered paperwork to the Federal Elections Commission Wednesday as part of the process, said Thompson spokesman Tony Jewell in a telephone interview Friday night.
"This allows the governor to begin raising money and hire a staff should he decide to run for president," Jewell said.
He said Thompson wouldn't make any decision until sometime next year.
For now, "the next step is he's going to enjoy his holidays," Jewell said.
But he said Thompson, who turned 65 last month, was meeting with people Friday in Iowa, where precinct caucuses early in the election year traditionally launch the presidential nominating season.
Jewell also noted that Thompson has hired Republican activist Steve Grubbs of Davenport to help with his Iowa campaign efforts.
"He'll continue to travel to Iowa and meet with people, talk with as many people as possible and sometime after the first of the year, he'll be making a decision on how to move forward," Jewell said.
Thompson has gone into a number of private-sector enterprises, many in the health care field, since he left the federal post at the end of Bush's first term.
Iowa political blogs have been talking about the Tompson/Grubbs match up for about 48 hrs.
I know Steve Grubbs. He knows his way around the Caucus circuit. It will be interesting to watch.
When Tommy announced to the world that our food supply would be easy to sabotage and he "didn't know why the terrorists hadn't tried it," on his last day in office in 2004 as Sec. of Health and Human Welfare, he lost any remnant of confidence I ever had in him.
When Tommy announced to the world that our food supply would be easy to sabotage and he "didn't know why the terrorists hadn't tried it," on his last day in office in 2004 as Sec. of Health and Human Welfare, he lost any remnant of confidence I ever had in him.
"..are there any RINOs who aren't running for President?" Well. to start with there are about 40+ more Senators, 250 or so Reps, etc, etc.
I've met him on several occasions. He was a staunch ally for us during Operation Desert Storm when I was still in the Army and ran eight Family Assistance Centers throughout Wisconsin.
He always gave us what we needed and then some. :)
Glad to hear it. I have nothing to lose if he runs. Man, I can't believe how bent some Freepers are getting over this.
I'd like to see any one of them belly up to the bar and run for SOMETHING. Even Dog Catcher, LOL!
I've worked on campaigns and it's a lot of work for no thanks...even when you WIN.
I like the guy. He was a good Governor and major Cheerleader for our state. What we have now under the 'Rats is 'Death By A Thousand Cuts.' And I'm not talking Tax Cuts, either.
Who wouldn't have left their post had President Bush asked them to head up HHSS? It's the VOTERS of Wisconsin that threw it to the LibTards, not Thompson's decision to seek a more lucrative position.
Do these same Freepers blame the downfall of companies when someone great leaves as the CEO to start another venture or cash in their retirement to contemplate their navel on a Desert Island? Hardly. *Rolleyes*
Well, they're still married after 30+ years. And I believe they care for one another more than the Klintons do. ;)
Sue Ann Thompson is a very nice and accomplished person in her own right and she's never let Tommy's aspirations get in the way of her own. But you're right...it might be hard to talk her into it. She'd be another Laura Bush; not QUITE as wonderful, but as close as we could hope for these days. ;) She seems to like the quiet life of Northern Wisconsin where she's taught school for many decades.
Look at the others we have to choose from? Which other Republican [sic] contender doesn't have a divorce behind them? Rudy's had two hasn't he? McCain was divorced. Newt was a real @sshole to his critically ill ex-wife, etc. I don't see a SINGLE wife with "First Lady" written on her in the current crop.
But, the way society has been slashed apart over the last few decades, I wouldn't be surprised if the next "First Lady" is just considered a part-time job, or else we'll have the ABJECT HORROR of having that old rapist, Slick Willie, as our "First Man." (SPIT!)
Tommy or Dave Z bump
Why do people run for president when they can't even be bothered to run for the Senate?
Ah, the great Welfare Reform. Which was in place and WORKING for several years in Wisconsin before Xlinton "the genius" swiped it and didn't give Tommy credit for.
...or else we'll have the ABJECT HORROR of having that old rapist, Slick Willie, as our "First Man." (SPIT!)
I was getting used to having a First Tree without condoms on it. I also like a First Tree that is decorated in red. *sigh* I guess we'll have to go back to blue...
Pun intended.
"Why do people run for president when they can't even be bothered to run for the Senate?"
If this was a serious question, here's your answer:
Because Senators NEVER win the Presidency. The last one to win was John F. Kennedy. The voters prefer someone who has run a State first, has proven themselves and then can move up to run a Country. You'll see lots of posturing and putting out of "feelers" by Governors in this next year.
Is there seriously a single CongressCritter (House or Senate) you would vote for at this early date? Or ever? And this outgoing Congress and the incoming one in January are two of the WORST this country has ever seen, chock-full of RINOS and 'Rats! *SHIVER*
Why would he waste his money on the Senate race when it's not a stepping stone to the Presidency? He knows the route to the White House, and it ain't through the Senate. He doesn't have an endless supply of cash ala John F'n Kerry, et al. ;)
Yes, but Republican governors are often "pragmatists" and moderates too. Usually, in fact. I know Thompson was better than many, but while governors are more electable to the presidency, they're not necessarily better conservatives than senators.
I would look at Thompson's presidential candidacy differently if he seemed likely to generate real support. I don't think he will. Whereas he would have had a chance to be elected to the Senate (not this year probably, but in '04 against Feingold). And obviously this would have been helpful to us.
"And obviously this would have been helpful to us."
Agreed. :)
Always thought he was a good guy.
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