Craig Gilbert over at the MJS
just posted his latest column about the
Republican Neo-Stalwart primary for Senate with a focus on Tommy Thompson's popularity with conservatives. His article is well worth the read and provides plenty of charts and graphs for those of you who are more visually inclined to digesting information. Say what you want about the MJS (and there is more than plenty), Craig is still a straight shooter and someone whom all "Wisco Political Monday-Morning Quarterbacks" should read.
Craig goes to great lengths to show that the numbers back up the fact that Tommy's still popular with Republicans in this state, and that his popularity is actually higher with Tea Party types than Republicans who don't support them. However, the perception that the former four term Governor of Wisconsin has a problem with base voters isn't derived from thin air... I believe it's a real and genuine problem. Mr. Gilbert's column does cover this, and the fact that there are many who may hold a favorable view of Thompson, but just aren't into voting for a 72 year old to the Senate for his first term. Plus, there are
countless instances of issues
over the last few years, even back to his
heyday of the 1990's, where he was supportive of Democrats ideas.
Aside from just policy, the reason for so many undecided
Republican Neo-Stalwart voters could very likely be that age attached to Thompson.
Here is a great blog post that I found which chronicles the oldest elected officials to office in Wisconsin History. (Why it's a blog from the University of Minnesota is beyond me.) I also did a little digging online and found that Tommy would be well short of Senator Rebecca Felton's age at 87 when she was appointed in 1922 to her freshman term. However, It should be noted she was taking over for her husband who had died.
So what about Tommy's chances? I still don't think he's winning. We will have to see what shakes out over the next few weeks, as I think by the beginning of August we will have a much firmer understanding of what the electorate is doing. Eric Hovde's commercials are certainly whittling away at people & increasing his name recognition. Let's not forget our old friend "laser eyes" Mark Neumann as he does have a lot of national conservative backing. Myself? I'm just glad this week has been politically quiet in Wisconsin. Gives me more time to rest before my surgery and continue
my reading about the history of Wisconsin during the original period of Stalwart dominance.
*Big thanks to
Illusory Tenant for the Tommy Thompson picture. It is located on his blog
here
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