Who are We Running Against Feingold? (Vanity)

Vanity | 05/07/03 | Pubbie

[Pubbie]

Feingold barely won in 98, which was a good year for Democrats.

He's clearly vulnerable, but so far I haven't heard that ANYONE in Wisconsin is going to challenge him.

Tommy Thompson has said no, Mark Neuman, who nearly defeated Feingold, says no, and Paul Ryan says no.

If we can just find even a decent candidate we should be able to take him out BUT we need a candidate and so far we've got zero.

So is anyone familiar with Wisconsin politics out there who can give us an idea of what the situation with your state?

Right now I'm praying that Thompson can be convinced to go into battle by Rove, but so far I only have hope.

[Ford Fairlane]

Find some conservative hunter / farmer to run & have the party pay for it all

Who knows, republicans could carry the whole state except for Madison

[Dave S]

Duh? You dont live in Wisconsin, you dont know state politics, and you want others to tell you who "we" can get to run. Who appointed you grand strategist? Do you really think you can do a better job of finding a candidate that can beat Feingold than can the state party, Carl Rove, and the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee Why dont you go work for someone or some issue locally and make a real difference. Welcome to FR.

[giznort]

I look forward to electing Russ Feingold's replacement. I want the Republican Party to put forth a likely candidate. Whenever the Wis. State Rep. party calls our house in search of $$, and I ask them first for an answer as to a replacement, I get a song and dance routine with no answer and another reach into my wallet.

We need a doer like Scott Walker in Milwaukee County. Repub. Party Wisconsin -- are you listening?

Disgruntled in Sheb. County.

[Pubbie]

I mean "We" as in Republicans, the Republican party voters, etc I didn't mean "we" as in the same sense as the queen of England uses the word to adress her subjects.

I'm just trying to be sociable and pleasant :)

[PMCarey]

Paul Ryan has said no? That's too bad, he would be a great candidate.

[Pubbie]

As far as working at the RNC goes, although I have only contributed money to the RNC, let me assure you that if I were running the RNC I would bring the Wrath of God down on the Democrats in '04.

: D

[Pubbie]

That is my understanding, although perhaps he can be converted, it's still pretty early, but there is no harm in speculating...

[jellybean]

ping

[JohnnyZ]

There appear to be 4 main candidates to run for the nomination to take on Feingold:

Opponent There are three main candidates for the nomination. The first is ex Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow, a longtime hero to pro-life advocates. Mark Neumann has already pledged his support for a Farrow candidacy. State rep. Terri McCormick received only a qualified endorsement from Wisconsin pro-life, but is pretty and seems to have strong political appeal. The only semi-announced candidate so far is state senator Robert Welch, who lost to popular Senator Herb Kohl in '96; the general sense is that he is an underwhelming candidate. Millionaire broadcast owner David Magnum of Magnum Radio (Mix 96, Beary 94, and AM 1460 WTMB) is a possible wild card in the race.

http://www.angelfire.com/mo/zdawg/2004/senate.html#Russ

Yes, I know: one two three four = three, plus a wild card.

[JohnnyZ]

and I ask them first for an answer as to a replacement, I get a song and dance routine with no answer and another reach into my wallet.

We need a doer like Scott Walker in Milwaukee County. Repub. Party Wisconsin -- are you listening?

Walker might run for governor in 2006, or I guess he could face off vs. Herb Kohl or wait for Kohl to retire. Secretary of State would be a good position for him and a good stepping stone to the senate if he has to defer to Mark Green in the governor's race.

Republicans have a wealth of candidates for coming years; unfortunately, the big guns haven't stepped up against Feingold. Green would have been ideal.

[Pubbie]

We need to do better at recruiting.

[JohnnyZ]

We need to do better at recruiting.

I don't know how much else the party can do. A lot is in the hands of individuals who decide whether they want to run or not: Reps Ryan and Green and Exec. Walker are young and may not want to risk their positions for a shot at the senate. Tommy Thompson would be a great candidate in 2006 vs. Kohl, come to think of it. (Correction: Welch ran in '94 vs. Kohl, not '96.)

I think Farrow will be a good candidate. She's a good conservative and very likeable and very difficult to demagogue:

I think the only question is whether she'd be an aggressive enough campaigner. At least she'd have Right to Life going full bore for her, and Mark Neumann, who's still very well liked. Then again, she's 68 years young, and might only get in one term in the senate.

[Roby]

Don't underestimate Welch. A leader on issues I care about, he's matured as a canadidate. He was only 35 when he ran against Kohl. www.votewelch.com