Thompson was followed by his Lt. Governor McCallum who got blamed for some of the over spending by Thompson. There was the hullabloo over the Brewer stadium (at the end of Thompson’s administration) which caused the sacrifice of several Republican legislators. McCallum’s loss was just the next step. The stadium tax fell on counties outside — far outside — Milwaukee and the voters blamed the Republicans. Furthermore, Thompson did not lift one finger to help re-elect McCallum. We have to thank McCallum for Sheriff Clarke, however. Clarke was his appointment.
That history reminds me of the piss poor jobs both Bush Presidents did in setting up a successor. Quayle was such an idiot he didn’t have a prayer. Cheney may have been functionally a good VP, but was physically a risky bet as President. Horrible judgment on the part of both father and son.