Madison 360: Baldwin likely to forego safety for her dream of Senate seat

[undeterred]

PAUL FANLUND | The Capital Times | [e-mail] madison.com

She really wants to do it. That’s the precise phrase I’ve heard for weeks from elected officials, political professionals and supporters who know her. While the words are consistent, they are accompanied by differing tones and expressions, ranging from enthusiastic to not so much. This second group displays a scrunched face or subtle head shake, a fond but unmistakable "what’s she thinking?" semi-rebuke. But make no mistake, U.S. Rep. Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin, 49, is steaming toward a 2012 candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Wisconsin Democrat Herb Kohl.

In fact, it almost seems the only person who could alter her course is former senator Russ Feingold, who polling suggests would be the pre-emptive front-runner for the Democratic nomination should he run. But Feingold, only a half year removed from his unseating by Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, is said to be enjoying teaching law at Marquette University, working on a book and pursuing a personal life far removed from the political spotlight. Moreover, many see Feingold as the best Democratic candidate in a possible recall election against GOP Gov. Scott Walker. His admirers, it should be said, have expressed more enthusiasm for him in either job than has Feingold himself.

Baldwin’s thinking is much clearer. "I think I am likely to run," she says over coffee at Ground Zero on Williamson Street Saturday before heading off for a Sun Prairie parade and Rhythm and Booms fireworks. "I am gathering more data and I am going to be traveling around the state" helping Democrats — five of six of whom are women — challenge incumbent Republicans in recall elections in coming weeks. Baldwin’s name led a fund-raising appeal for the five from Emily’s List, a national political action organization devoted to electing progressive women.

The prospect of a Senate bid "is something I take very seriously," she says. "Should I run, I will have to give up my House seat. But I love this state, I love its people and I really want to see Wisconsin flourish again. It would be an amazing opportunity." Those who scratch their heads over Baldwin’s Senate aspirations do so for two apparent reasons, the first being her stranglehold on the 2nd District congressional seat she has occupied since 1999. She has won overwhelmingly since her early elections and polled 62 percent even in the GOP tidal wave of 2010. She says it has been an honor to represent her district, but she is confident of successors. "There are very good people who would stand up to run for my seat," she says.

The second, bigger issue, of course, is that she is openly gay and has a record of supporting everything the right wing abhors, from broad access to health care to protection of reproductive rights. The headline "Run Tammy Run" scrolls across the front page of the website of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a national political action committee that helps elect openly gay candidates. Last winter, Baldwin was among six Democrats who tied as the most liberal members of the House in the non-partisan National Journal rating for 2010.

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:patriot:

[GillesDeleuze]

1. oh tammy.

you will be missed in wisconsin politics. you have a seat for life. keep it.

[yourout]

2. While I would vote for her I fear she stands little chance in a statewide general.

[TheMightyFavog]

3. Yeah.

It's sad, but all the GOP opponent would have to do is rile up the fundies in the boondocks and the suburbs and she would be done.

[undeterred]

4. I think it will all shake out within the Democrats before that happens.

We have a very late primary in this state. Just as with the Governor's race last year, I don't think there is any way we're going to have two Democrats battling it out against each other for the nomination until September 2012. It just isn't going to happen. Too much money involved and too much at stake.

If Feingold wants to run, its his prerogative, of course. He can raise the money and win the seat.

If not... Kagen, Baldwin, Kind, Erpenbach ...whatever that process is that chooses a Democrat to run for an open seat a year ahead of the primary.... its going to happen like it did for the governor's seat. And they're going to pick someone they think can beat the Republican candidate, based on polling.

[dembotoz]

5. she would be prob be my favorite over anybody mentioned

but i really like her in the house where she is.

[lutefisk]

6. I would love to see her in the U.S. Senate, but the out of state money will crush her.

The right wing "think tanks" know how to damage good Democratic candidates and get people like Ron Johnson and Scott Walker elected. This will be too easy for the right wing secret money machine and the hate radio assholes. Bad move.

I'm sure the GOP will do everything they can to help her win the nomination, though...

[dragonlady]

7. Her speaking style could be a problem

I've heard her speak on an extended basis only once, at this year's state convention. My impression was that she has a rather old-fashioned, "oratorical" style that many people may not find interesting to listen to. The points she made were fine, but most political speeches just don't sound like that anymore. It could be a problem in getting voters excited enough to vote for her. Just my $.02.