Reform makes Tommy run less likely

[Robbie88]

Source: The Capital Times

Tommy Thompson is, by all accounts, still thinking about running for the U.S. Senate.

But he is suddenly weighing a lot of new arguments against taking on Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., this fall.

Here’s why:

1. The passage of health care reform legislation caused hospital, nursing home and pharmaceutical company stocks to soar, as businesses with which Thompson has been closely aligned in his lobbying career prepare for what their financial analysts see as a period of major expansion. There will be an awful lot of money to be made by health care lobbyists in the years to come -- even more than during the recent debate.

Coming off his service as former President Bush’s secretary of Health and Human Services, Thompson has positioned himself as a top industry lobbyist and corporate board member. He’s a moderate Republican with good ties to many Democrats and has worked closely with business, nonprofits and key players in government on health care promotion and regulation. A Senate run would, at least temporarily, cause him to miss out on a bonanza.

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_55e3e58f-e853-5581-8759-d718e6e6f473.html">Read the rest...

[saltpoint]

1. Tommy hasn't rung me up for my input, but if he does I'm going to tell him

to stay out of the public sector altogether forever and ever amen.

He's thick as a brick and unfortunately would draw significant support. Whether he could defeat Feingold remains debatable. I think Russ would outfox Tommy in a Senate matchup.

I don't think Thompson is cut out for the Senate, I don't think he'd want to begin this late in his political career as a junior Senator among 100 people with more seniority and know-how, and I don't think he has the integrity to walk away from lucrative contracts in the private sector.

My hope is that Feingold cruises to re-election and the upper chamber will have the benefit of his presence and participation there for many years to come. Go, Russ.

[HelenWheels]

2. I'll say it again

Terrible Tommy would run and if elected would pull a Palin and resign.

[closeupready]

3. Capital Times, Thompson is most certainly NOT a moderate; he is hard right.

Please don't insult us by pushing GOP propaganda.

[Broca]

4. After getting as much press as he could

Tommy declined to run again.

I have yet to see the reports of how the Tea Party crowd welcomed him in Madison today.

[sybylla]

5. Yeah, big surprise.

This is like the 3rd or 4th time he's pulled a Lucy and teased the Pukes, then yanked the football away.