Tommy Thompson Believes in What He’s Doing
George Will wrote an interesting column about Republican candidate Tommy Thompson. He highlights Thompson’s resumé and describes Thompson’s ‘plan of attack’. In short: no Republican candidate is going to win Ohio. Instead, the Republican nominee should focus on carrying Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. So, Republican voters should consider who, of all the Republican candidates, understand this and is able to do it. Thompson’s answer: Tommy Thompson.
Well, I am happy for Thompson that he is confident about his own abilities. Without this confidence the race would have already been lost for him.
That being said, there is – of course – no chance whatsoever for Thompson to win the Republican nomination. But, since he is running, it is nice to spend some attention to him, and people like him (say a Huckabee and a Tancredo) every now and then.
At least they’re trying to make a difference.
Oh, and there is certainly something to say for his reasoning regarding Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. I think, however, that other Republicans will be able to carry (some of) those states.
10 Responses to “Tommy Thompson Believes in What He’s Doing”
Well, funny things can happen with a year to go. The leaders have proven themselves able to commit political suicide, and FT could get sick, so Thompson has a real shot. The party would be smart to consider him as a VP.
I don’t know much about Thompson, but he sure did pull a fine macaca moment the other day.
I’m actually enjoying this.
Hey lynx. Y’know, I thought the macaca thing was overwrought, but I thought this one is even a more overwrought when I saw it earlier in the week. I could see the connection, but saying people are good with money isn’t like calling them money grubbers or something horrible.
bellisaurius I too am against the “gotcha” ways of politics, whereby one brain fart means more than the rest of your career (Kerry, Biden and Allen have all been victims of this). I’m not saying he should be rejected because of this statement, I’m pointing out that, given the reality of politics today, it’s going to count against him. I think I’m not an overly sensitive person, but saying that making money is “part of the Jewish tradition” is anti-semitic, even if involuntarily so. He may well have meant it as a compliment, or as a good natured joke, but unfortunately the statement bases itself on a classic stereotype of the Jews that has never, ever, been used to be nice to them. Again, it’s quite possible he didn’t even know that, and if he were a regular person it’d be fine if, once the reality was explained to him, he apologized for the gaffe and moved on. But we live in the times of YouTube and tape recorders and fake outrage, so it’s going to hurt him.
Can’t help but say I agree. As much about the brain fart issue, as the fact that there was a stereotype to be considered. I guess it didn’t get a lot of media traction, and I don’t think it should pass unmentioned, so this was probably pretty OK as these things go.
On the other hand, I wonder if the persistence of the “gotcha’s” is going to result in even more fatigue to that sort of comment by more reasonable minded folks. Heaven knows youtube’s not going away anytime soon, and to be honest, it’s brought a lot of stuff to my attention that I might have otherwise brushed aside so I probably don’t even want it to, and I just have to accept the childish part as a side effect.
While Minnesota isn’t the bastion of liberalism it might once have been considered I seriously doubt that any Republican stands a chance of winning it in 2008.
The Republicans are such an inept group these days that Senator Obama could probably nominate Al Sharpton as his running mate and the Democratic ticket would still win.
Since all of the Republicans are such damaged goods it does not really matter how they nominate or who the Republicans running is.
> The Republicans are such an inept
> group these days that Senator Obama
> could probably nominate Al Sharpton
(Pretty much equally serious candidates, even if the dewy-eyed children hate to be told that.)
> as his running mate and the Democratic
> ticket would still win.
At this point, it really looks that way.
He was making good money as governor and HHS secretary. But he was in front of “really rich people” apparently, so he could talk about “really making money now?” Hmmmm.
And the Israeli paper Haaretz account is that he went back out and apologized: “What I was referring to, ladies and gentlement, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion and the Jewish people. You have been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that and if anyone took what I said wrong, I apologize. I may have mischaracterized it. You are very successful. I applaud you for that.” Some apology; he repeats the mistake, digs himself deeper! That seals it for me.
I think he is a clod who wants to be well-meaning perhaps but in spite of his experience is not worldly enough to be a president today. I’m repelled too by the gotcha stuff. With Imus, who put themselves in front of the camera as the most outraged? Sharpton and Jackson. The perpetuallay, professionally outraged. The b-ball players and coach conducted themselves with the dignity and humor classy people have.
But with Thompson, you don’t say that kind of canard in the first place; Lynx is right, it has NO good connotation. Like “Hymie town,” for that matter. Get this clear that I think Thompson is an oaf who isn’t qualified.
Off to lunch!