Salon.com > Tommy Thompson

The fake cure for Akin-ism

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:47:00 +0000

There’s no denying that Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock were embarrassments for the Republican Party in 2012, and that their nominations cost the GOP otherwise winnable Senate seats and complicated its efforts to take back the chamber. Similarly, there’s no doubt that Christine O’Donnell and Sharron Angle and Ken Buck were embarrassments for the GOP in 2010 and lost races that should have been gimmes for the party.

But a fight is breaking out on the right over the precise significance of these defeats, and what can be done to avoid a repeat in 2014.

In the wake of this month’s election, the outgoing chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, suggested the committee might junk its hands-off approach to Republican primaries going forward.

“What is the goal here?” he asked. “I think the goal is to elect principled conservatives in November, not just nominate somebody in the primary that has very little chance of getting elected in November. That doesn’t advance the conservative agenda, because you have to get elected before you can govern.”

Tammy Baldwin: On the brink of victory?

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Wisconsin Rep. Tammy Baldwin has a great shot on Tuesday at becoming the first openly gay candidate elected to the United States Senate, and if the Wisconsin Democrat does end up beating her GOP opponent, former Gov. Tommy Thompson, it will be in no small part because, early on, the LGBT community recognized her potential to make history and decided to go all-in on her behalf.

It's been striking that Baldwin's sexual orientation has been a non-issue on the campaign trail, but LGBT groups like the Human Rights Campaign, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and the new Lesbian Super PAC have provided what might prove a decisive boost, including millions of dollars in bundled campaign contributions from a roaring activist base.

The cash infusion allowed Baldwin, a seven-term congresswoman from the liberal college town of Madison, to overwhelm Thompson on the television airwaves for a critical period this August, framing the debate on her own terms – she’s a populist fighter while Thompson, a once-beloved governor, “is not for us anymore” -- as the Republican struggled to refill his own coffers after the rigors of a brutal Tea Party primary.

Washington Times columnist: Tammy Baldwin is a “radical lesbian”

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:10:00 +0000

Jeffrey Kuhner, a columnist for the conservative Washington Times, referred to senatorial candidate Tammy Baldwin as a "radical lesbian" in a column about the Wisconsin race.

The column is called "Radical lesbian knocking on Senate door," and warns readers that Baldwin's election "would mark a watershed for the homosexual movement — and a major blow against traditional America."

Baldwin, who, if elected, would be the first openly gay senator, is running against former Gov. Tommy Thompson.

From Kuhner's column:

Wisconsin Senate candidate’s son: “Opportunity” to send Obama back to Kenya

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:11:00 +0000

“We have the opportunity to send President Obama back to Chicago — or Kenya," said Jason Thompson, the son of former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, at a brunch this morning.

The campaign for the elder Thompson, who is running for Senate against Tammy Baldwin and was not at the event, told BuzzFeed: “The Governor has addressed this with his son, just like any father would do. Jason Thompson said something he should not have, and he apologizes.”

GOP Senate hopeful forgets how many homes he owns

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:19:00 +0000

Tommy Thompson, running for Senate in Wisconsin, had trouble remembering just how many homes he owns.

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Thompson was asked for the number:

"'Three,' the veteran Republican responded last week at a campaign event.

Thompson has three houses? Isn't there another one?

'No,' he answered without hesitation."

His campaign later clarified that there is, in fact, a fourth house.

During the 2008 presidential race, John McCain also had to double-check on that. "I think — I'll have my staff get to you," he said. "It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you."

Tommy Thompson: It’s Mitt’s fault I’m losing

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:29:00 +0000

The most recent polling in Wisconsin shows that Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson has fallen behind Democratic opponent Tammy Baldwin in the race for Senate. Thompson's explanation? Mitt Romney's also been flailing.

"The presidential thing is bound to have an impact on every election," Thompson told WKOW in Madison Wednesday. "You know, whether you're a Democrat or Republican. If you're a standard-bearer for the presidency is not doing well, it's going to reflect on the down ballot."

The poll was out from Marquette University Law School, and showed that Baldwin is leading Thompson, the former governor, by 9 points. Last month, another poll from MULS showed Thompson ahead by 9 points.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin attacked for dancing at gay pride parade

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:01:00 +0000

Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., could become the first openly gay U.S. senator if she wins the election against former Gov. Tommy Thompson. But Thompson's political director implied that a seat filled by Baldwin might not reflect "heartland values."

Baldwin had used the term "heartland values" to describe the contents of her DNC speech, which she delivered Thursday night. Beforehand, Mike Juley of the Milkwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports, Thompson political director Brian Nemoir sent out an email with a video of Baldwin dancing at a gay pride parade in 2010, alongside a fake Wonder Woman. "Clearly, there's no one better positioned to talk ‘heartland values’ than Tammy,” Nemoir wrote in the email.

Here's the video in question:

The Journal-Sentinel asked Nemoir about the email, and he replied: “I think there are issues in this race that are extremely significant that will be generated on a day-to-day basis and I look forward to coverage of those issues.”