This is big, bad news, in danger of slipping under the radar.
Former Wisconsin Governor and Bush Administration HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said yesterday that he'll make an announcement next month about his political intentions in Wisconsin.
The only real question is whether he'll take on (D) Senator Herb Kohl, or (D) Governor Jim Doyle. In either case, we should be extremely concerned. More over the bump.
From the
WISC-TV (Madison) website:
Former Wisconsin governor and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said that he'll announce his political intentions at the state Republican Convention in Appleton in May.
Thompson, in a satellite interview from Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, continues to fuel speculation that he might run for governor again or the U.S. Senate, WISC-TV reported.
Although some of his closest advisors have expressed serious doubts about whether he'll run again this year, Thompson hasn't put the rumors to bed.
Thompson said that Wisconsin needs a new direction and that he and incumbent Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle have never gotten along in politics.
"I'm ready for anything that's going to be thrown at me in this coming year," he said. "Whether it be governor, or U.S. senator or running for mayor of Elroy or just being a private citizen supporting other people."
As you may know, Thompson is wildly popular in Wisconsin. He's viewed as an eye-level, folksy moderate. While I haven't seen any recent polls, I can tell you that he easily dispensed of anyone challenging him for the Governor's seat. He was Wisconsin Governor from 1987 til he left for the Bush Administration port in 2001.
In either race -- against Kohl or Doyle -- Thompson would be getting in awfully late. But he's a fundraising machine, and would have no problem catching up.
Kohl started running TV spots back in January already, and conventional wisdom has been that he'd be largely unchallenged for another term in the Senate. Wisconsin loves Kohl as much it loves Feingold.
Doyle, meanwhile, will find the going tough against State Representative Mark Green. Doyle's approval rating (in the mid-to-upper 40's, depending on who you believe) appears vulnerable.
So which seat does Thompson want -- Governor or Senate?
On one hand, challenging Kohl would be less messy because no Republican contender has caught on. However, Kohl is filthy-rich, and won't hesitate to whip out the big bucks.
On the other hand, Doyle is vulnerable. Thompson has already had nice words publicly for Mark Green.
If I was a betting man, I'd say he lets Green or Walker challenge Doyle, and Thompson challenges Kohl. In that case, a Senate seat that we thought was extremely safe...wouldn't be.
This hasn't made national news yet, because no official announcement has been made. But when the announcement comes (at the state Republican Convention May 19-21), we need to be prepared to fight hard.
Recommends appreciated to help get word out.