New Video Exposes Thompson’s “No Comment” Campaign
Yesterday, Washington, D.C. insider Tommy Thompson made a rare public appearance on the campaign trail in Wisconsin but as Milwaukee’s Fox 6 reported, “A Thompson staff member told reporters the former governor would not take questions from the media Tuesday.” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also reported, “He did not take any questions from the media.”
But this is nothing new. Thompson has been avoiding questions from the media since he entered the general election in September. Today, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin released a new web video highlighting Thompson’s “No Comment” campaign.
Watch the new video here.
The Associated Press reported last week that Thompson has made “only a handful of appearances” since he won the GOP primary in August. State Senator Dale Schultz was reported as saying, “Obviously I’m concerned. If we really want to win this seat, I think we have to dig a little deeper, work a little harder.”
In an interview with National Review Online, Thompson said, “I was exhausted.” National Review Online also reported, “In Washington, Thompson’s financial and political troubles have alarmed Republican leaders.” And right wing talk show personality Charlie Sykes has said, “Well, Tommy Thompson has been running a brilliant campaign, if it was 1998. But it’s not 1998 anymore.”
“Tommy Thompson wants to work for Wisconsin but says he is exhausted. He is a multimillionaire who whines about being broke. He blames Mitt Romney for his own problems. And he continues to run from the media,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said Wednesday. “It’s clear he doesn’t want to get too close to voters or the media because then he would have to explain why he is so close to special interests who have too much power and influence in Washington. When you have no answers, you don’t take questions.”
Background
“Tommy Goes Quiet On U.S. Senate Campaign Trail.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 9/15/2012]
“Tommy Thompson Keeping Low Profile After Primary.” [La Crosse Tribune, 9/15/2012]
“Tommy Thompson Backers Worry About Recent Swoon.” [Associated Press, 9/27/12]
Charlie Sykes: “Tommy Thompson Has Been Running A Brilliant Campaign, If It Was 1998.” In September 2012, pundit Charlie Sykes said: “Well, Tommy Thompson has been running a brilliant campaign, if it was 1998. But it’s not 1998 anymore.” [Sunday Insight with Charlie Sykes, 9/23/2012]
AP: Thompson “Blamed His Decline On Romney.” In September 2012, the AP reported: “Thompson last week blamed his decline on Romney, who he said has become a drag for other Republicans in Wisconsin” [Associated Press, 9/27/12]
Thompson: “I Was Exhausted” After The Primary. In September 2012, the National Review reported: “‘I was exhausted,’ Thompson says of the post-primary period. ‘I used to box in school, and there’s an old adage that when you get so tired that you can’t hold your arms up, you just drop them, and you hope that the other guy gets tired and stops hitting you.’” [National Review, 9/30/2012]
National Review: “Thompson’s Financial And Political Troubles Have Alarmed Republican Leaders.” In September 2012, National Review reported: “In Washington, Thompson’s financial and political troubles have alarmed Republican leaders.” [National Review, 9/30/2012]
Thompson “Has Held Fewer Than A Half Dozen Official Public Campaign Events In Wisconsin” Since The Primary.” In September 2012, the Wisconsin State Journal reported: “Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, 70, meanwhile, has held fewer than a half dozen official public campaign events in Wisconsin.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 9/15/12]
Mordecai Lee: “I Can’t Recall Ever Seeing This Big A Difference” Between Baldwin and Thompson’s Level Of Campaigning. In September 2012, the Wisconsin State Journal reported: “One would assume Tommy is sitting on the ball a bit, trying to ride out the clock,’ said Mordecai Lee, UW-Milwaukee political science professor and former Democratic state lawmaker. [Wisconsin State Journal, 9/15/12]
