Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tony_Balony]

Tommy Thompson was a greatly underrated presidential candidate and a spark of hope for the US. He was a Republican but didn't come with Moral Majority type baggage so we were free from subsequent related dumb issues. He wasn't a workaholic, we was an effective-a-holic. His 4 terms as governer were scandal free and brutally effective. He is also charisma free. He didn't shy from complex, unattractive or substantial issues. Our bad judgement, our bad.

[stevemcgarrett]

Tony Balony:

I'm guessing from the Oscar Meyer's luncheon meat and your interest in Thompson that you're from Wisconsin, since OM is based in Madison? (I love and miss OM cold cuts--especially "Old Fashioned Loaf").

Tommy was a good, solid governor, as you know elected to office four times. He spearheaded welfare reform, which later became the model for the Clinton Administration after Gingrich and the '94 Congress nudged him to see the light. He is not an idealogue, as you correctly observed.

But he has little charisma, which is almost necessary to become president in the media sound byte age. I rooted for him as a favorite son but felt from the get-go that the prospect was bleak.

Wisconsin hasn't had a viable presidential candidate since Bob LaFollette on the Progressive Party ticket back a century ago.

Senator Russ Feingold fancies himself in this role but it ain't going to happen. He's divorced, nasty at times, and too partisan, though admittedly very bright

[Tony_Balony]

stevemcgarrett I have to compliment you on yet another excellent post Steve. All good on all points. Feingold isn't going anywhere. He went on a few exploratory introductions trips to red states but was not well recieved.


Yes, OM is Madison is a based company and to be honest, I can't think of any other baloney companies. Thats credit to OM's weinermobile ad campaign and catchy song.

[sundubuman]

I don't think the state of Wisconsin, nor the country for that matter, not to mention the world at large....

was quite ready for a cheesehead-in-chief....

Maybe in another couple generations people can imagine a Wisconsinite as President.....maybe....

[stevemcgarrett]

sub:

I know you're comment was made half in jest but the cheesehead thing was started by rabid Green Bay Packer fans years ago and quickly caught on as a form of fun and self-deprecation, something East Coast snobs (not saying you're one) could learn from.

At the risk of being overly defensive, Wisconsin has one of the finest public school systems in America, consistenly ranks first in SAT scores, and is home to one of the top universities in the world in Madison.

So we're hardly a bunch of hayseeds.

In fact, I think the country desperately needs a true Midwesterner at the helm (Reagan came from small town Illinois but was too influenced by California). Midwesterners are known for common sense and a level-headed opinion of themselves. Eisenhower and Truman were both from the Midwest. Need I say more?

[keane]