Thompson goes after Baldwin in Wis. Senate debate
Election 2012
Click here for all of the election results with stories, galleries, podcasts and more.
Photo
In this Aug. 14, 2012, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson speaks at his primary election night party in Waukesha, Wis. The Republican Wisconsin U.S Senate candidate debated his Democratic opponent, Tammy Baldwin, on Friday in Milwaukee.
MADISON — Tommy Thompson worked to revive his U.S. Senate campaign during a debate with opponent Tammy Baldwin on Friday, labeling the Democratic congresswoman an extremist who has done little in Washington except raise taxes and criticize others.
Thompson, a Republican, spent most of the debate at WMVS-TV's Milwaukee studios on the attack, casting himself as a visionary reformer and branding Baldwin "a taxer and a spender."
"When you don't have a record, you attack the other person," the former Wisconsin governor said. "I get things done. I don't criticize the other side. I make sure things happen."
Baldwin pushed back, saying Thompson wants to cut taxes for the wealthy and dismantle Medicare. She implored voters to get beyond Thompson's fame.
"Look past what my opponent did in the '70s and '80s," she said.
Republicans are counting on Thompson, one of the most popular politicians Wisconsin has ever produced, to win the seat and help the GOP regain control of the Senate. He was first elected to the state Assembly in 1966, then went on to serve four terms as governor before joining President George W. Bush's cabinet in 2001. He's still known around the state simply as "Tommy."
Baldwin, in contrast, has served seven relatively low-profile terms in the U.S. House.
A four-way GOP primary drained Thompson's campaign coffers, though, forcing him to concentrate on raising money and curtail appearances and ads. Baldwin has swooped into the void, making personal appearances around the state and running television spots.
Recent polls have showed the race either tied or with Thompson behind.
The debate, sponsored by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation, marked the first time the two candidates have faced each other in person. Three journalists led the candidate through an hour-long question-and-answer period.
Thompson opened up by declaring he'd cut taxes dozens of times and created more than a half million jobs during his 14 years as governor. He labeled Baldwin the top spender in the U.S. House. He ripped her for allowing the nation's debt to grow to $16 trillion.
"My opponent is a taxer and a spender," Thompson said.
Baldwin blamed former President George W. Bush's administration for adding $3.5 trillion to the deficit, in part through tax cuts and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"They call that conservative? Those words have lost their meaning," Baldwin said.
Asked how they could tamp down partisan quarrels in Congress, Thompson boasted he accomplished "great things" when he was governor by talking with Democrats. Baldwin, he said, is too extreme to work with the other side.
"She's not in the mainstream," he said.
Baldwin acknowledged Congress has grown too partisan but insisted she can work with Republicans.
Thompson blasted Baldwin as the discussion turned to health care, accusing her of failing to push any legislation to fix funding shortfalls in Social Security or Medicare. Baldwin countered by accusing Thompson of supporting Republican vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan's plan to overhaul Medicare by introducing a voucher-like plan that future retirees could use to buy private health insurances. Critics maintain the changes would create a massive cost shift to beneficiaries.
Baldwin, who would be the first openly gay U.S. senator if elected, also jabbed Thompson for his plans to repeal President Barack Obama's signature health care reform law, saying the last thing the country needs is for Thompson and other Republicans to rip it up. Thompson parried by saying Baldwin wants the government to control people's health care choices.
The two also traded swipes over jobs, with Baldwin insisting the public sector can foster private jobs by facilitating education, research and infrastructure and Thompson would hurt those efforts by giving too many tax breaks to the wealthy. Thompson said Baldwin has nothing to show on job creation.
Thompson and Baldwin are scheduled to face off in two more debates ahead of the Nov. 6 election.
Since the Aug. 14 primary, Baldwin has poured about $1.7 million on ads compared with about $750,000 from Thompson's campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Campaign. Outside groups have spent an additional $5.3 million for Baldwin this year compared with $3.2 million for Thompson, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
One poll last week showed Thompson and Baldwin tied. Another conducted by the Marquette University Law School showed an 18-point turnaround, with Thompson going from a 9-point lead in August to 9 points down in September. The margin of error for both polls was about 4 percentage points.
Thompson has mounted a counter-offensive in recent days, releasing two ads last week and another on Friday. Two conservative groups, Karl Rove's political action committee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, spent $1.7 million on spots attacking Baldwin last week.
Oct 9, 2012 at 4:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Yeah Poobah House not Senate...typo - in any seat shes inconsequential, irrelevent, and merely a drain on society. I know and talk to her fellow legislators who speak of her as being a joke who is laughed at in the hallways (even from her own party). So good luck putting all your eggs in that basket. I love how you guys and your selected representatives are your own worst enemies. Saves us from doing all the heaavy lifting. Thanks ;-)
Oct 3, 2012 at 4:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Good grief 916WI, you really are clueless when it comes to sarcasm. Of course Tommy's not really dead, but his bid for a Senate seat soon will be. Tommy cost the State of WI millions in lost revenue when he agreed to the tobacco buyout as a stopgap measure to "balance" the States budget - big deficits soon followed. Thompson has nothing to offer Wisconsin so he is left with attacking his opponent instead.
Oct 2, 2012 at 9:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
wader8, you're just a few months early in your statement that Baldwin is a member of the Senate. She's a member of the House now.
Oct 2, 2012 at 12:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Is Tommy Thompson really the best the GOP has to offer?
Oct 1, 2012 at 5:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Tammy Baldwin is a coasting joke milking her gravy job and salary for all it's worth. Her involvement in legislation is virtually non-existent. She's a seat filling troll. By her party's own measure she is the #1 most extreme liberal democrat in the Senate. Let's get someone representing WI who will be effective in advancing legislation which will benefit Wisconsinites and represent the morals and ethics of the majority of citizens in our state. Baldwin is the epitomy poster child of the opposite of that
Oct 1, 2012 at 2:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
Careful 916WI, MidnightRide may come to take back your tri-cornered hat collection.
Oct 1, 2012 at 11:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
"extremist tea partier"??
More ignorance and stupidity......not surprising, but still sad nonetheless:(
Oct 1, 2012 at 11:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
916WI, as an extremist tea partier - you can not be happy with trotting out ole' Tommy Thompson.
Oct 1, 2012 at 10:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Btw, you want to take about a waste of legislative agendas, how about the HR taking the time to "reaffirm" the "In God We Trust" motto? It didn't exist before the red scare of the 50's, and we got by just fine. Not to mention that the Pledge of Allegiance was written by a self described socialist. Oh! The Horror!
What a joke.
Oct 1, 2012 at 10:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
"Baldwin's bill, which was introduced in 2010 and remains in committee, does not refer to doctors. It refers to surveys that those participating or applying for federal medical programs fill out. HHS uses a variety of surveys to evaluate public health and recognize trends. Her intention behind the bill is help track health disparities and gather more information on LGBT health.
Significantly, the bill sponsored by Baldwin also specifies that providing sexual orientation and gender identity would be voluntary."
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-...
So the bill that nicksmom is so incensed over has been in committee for 2 years and is completely voluntary. Yes, she sure is an "extremist".
Oct 1, 2012 at 10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
there...
Oct 1, 2012 at 10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
nicksmom: What is your source of this? It sounds like a great myth. If not, is their a purpose for the request? I'm willing to listen. How about you?
Oct 1, 2012 at 9:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Tammy's an extremist nut. I heard last week she's sponsoring a bill requiring DHHS to collect data on the sexual orientation of Medicare / Medicaid recipients. Clearly a pressing matter in these economic times.
Oct 1, 2012 at 8:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
schnibble: Do not know who put out that commercial. By not disavowing it, the Obama campaign silently endorsed it. The Romney campaign does the same by not disavowing some of the terrible attack ads put on by special interest outside groups. Both parties use it as cover so they can claim no responsibility. Last I knew about the Ryan plan, it was not to make any changes to people age 55 and over and then offer some..not all.. privatization choices for people under 65. Regardless of party, something has to be done including raising retirement age, means testing for full payment, less diversion of Medicare for other areas where not originally intended in 1938 when created, etc. Do not think the original sponsors in 1938 anticipated the increase in longevity in the last 70 years or all the ways the government would find to divert resources. I am an idependent and do not care for the extremes in either party. I continue to hope that they put aside politics and work for the good of this country before we go the way of some of the members of the Euro-zone for the sake of my kids and grandkids in addition to nieces and nephews and their children.
Oct 1, 2012 at 5:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
"Good grief, it's that Tommy Thompson?! I thought he died years ago."
Really? You are seriously that clueless?? Yet another great example of the complete ignorance and total stupidity that is overwhelming much of the electorate in the state today......how sad:(
Sep 30, 2012 at 9:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Good grief, it's that Tommy Thompson?! I thought he died years ago.
Sep 30, 2012 at 11:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
schnibble: I do not know what Tommy's motives are but it is possible that he is running to help secure a better future for his children and grandchildren as well as those of other American families. As you said, he does not need the money ... Based on your life span averages, he could already spend 2 million a year for the next 6 years. Maybe he truly does want to spend some of his last years making things better for the future generation. This country is in serious trouble and the problems have continually been kicked down the road. If I had the name recognition and money, I would seriously consider running to do what I could to get back to the middle. I fear what is in store for my children and grandchildren. I watched the debate. He kept pointing out what he had done in Wisconsin and that he is not the one that has been in Congress the last 14 years. Got old after a while but still true. The bills Tammy Baldwin claimed credit for being a co-sponsor of with a Republican were "tug at your heart" items that would have gotten bipartisan support regardless of who introduced them. I did not hear of any concrete fix Medicare and Social Security bills that she sponsored during her 14 years. Neither party in power has done anything on this item other than Ryan. I do not agree with much of his proposals but it is at least a starting point or should be for negotiations. Yet he is demonized for even suggesting changes. YES, it will change Social Security and Medicare as we know it. But, Social Security and Medicare as we know it needs to be modified to last. But the ads show him pushing Grandma off the cliff and other scare tactics.
Sep 30, 2012 at 9:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Tammy Baldwin was one Democrat cleshay after another. I really don't think they can take no for an anwser. How many rejects will it take for them to understand we don't like their take and spend policies. For those of us who know Baldwin, she is left of Obama if that is even possible but has said on many occasions Obama doesn't go far enough. Don't believe any poll that puts her as the front runner. It's not going to happen.
Sep 30, 2012 at 8:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Baldwin was clearly no match for Thompson. Partisan hack who rubber stamped everything forcing more government control over the people.
Sep 30, 2012 at 8:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
Yada- Did you know that yada is actually slang for "boring and unworthy of repetition"?
http://computer.yourdictionary.com/yada-...
Sep 30, 2012 at 8:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
READ - This needs to be read about that girl from a liberal town.
"Baldwin's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $169,006 to $959,998. That averages to $564,502"
AND...POLITIFACT Statements by Tammy are looked AT...
MOSTLY FALSE CLAIMS
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
FALSE CLAIMS
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
PANTS ON FIRE CLAIMS
Interestingly politifact has decided to rate over 2 times the number of statements made by her senate rival...that alone raises questions.
Sep 30, 2012 at 8:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
READ - This needs to be read about that guy from a little town.
"Thompson's Assets Top $$$$13 Million"
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepoliti...
AND...POLITIFACT Statements by Tommy are looked AT...
MOSTLY FALSE CLAIMS
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
FALSE CLAIMS
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
PANTS ON FIRE CLAIMS
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/...
Sep 30, 2012 at 8:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
RAFF - Did you know that raff is actually British slang for riffraff?
http://www.yourdictionary.com/raff
Sep 30, 2012 at 7:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
just a simple farmer from Elroy.... only had a few sheckles when I left government.... Riiiiiiiiight... he has made his millions .... time to move on!!!
Sep 30, 2012 at 7:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
"$omething is fishy with Tommy’ agenda"
.
You mean the Koch agenda?
Sep 30, 2012 at 6:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
I do not care for either one both partys are for them selfs
Sep 30, 2012 at 6:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
There is a reason the call Tommy stick it to um Tommy
Sep 30, 2012 at 6:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
RAFF - Is the money you are going to bet with from Scott Walker's Criminal Defense Fund?
Sep 29, 2012 at 10:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rick Raff, Rmoney wanted to bet Rick Perry $10,000. You're a republican wanna be with your measly thousand dollar bet.
Sep 29, 2012 at 9:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
For sure Tommy likes to redistribute the money of seniors on fixed income and hard working non-farm families to farmers. Just look at what he did in the year 2000 and after.
Tommy is shame and Wisconsin voters should vote for any on else besides Thompson.
Sep 29, 2012 at 8:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Again & again I heard Tommy accuse Tammy of bad-mouthing him, but he was repeatedly blaming her and others for the problems of this nation. Once again, "We like least in others, what we like least in ourselves." Tommy did not even live with his wife while he was Gov. As I remember, he lived in Madison and she continued to teach in Milwaukee. . . he is no true leader, but a great politician. He knows how to play the game. He took money from WRS to fund other budget needs, then those funds had to be repaid. He is no friend to the majority of WI citizens.
Sep 29, 2012 at 6:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
As clearly shown by Obama's snub of Baldwin during the health care debates, Baldwin's ideas are so off-the-wall she cannot work with Democrats, much less Republicans!
Sep 29, 2012 at 5:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Has everyone forgotten tommy's 14 years are what put Wi. in the hole in the first place. He is the guy that created the structural debt, that contrary to popular opinion we are still kicking down the road. It just won't show up until next year but it is still lurking in the wings.
Sep 29, 2012 at 5:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
ANY representative that will not release his tax returns has something to hide.
Sep 29, 2012 at 5:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Anything coming out of Tommy "I Let Us Run Out of Flu Vaccine" Thommpson's mouth is suspect!
Sep 29, 2012 at 4:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
I was at a listening party for the debate consisting of Democrats & Republicans and unless you were there you did not hear the audience response. When Thompson repeated for the third time "I created 742,00 jobs while I was governor and cut taxes by 91 million," there was a very noticeable groan and mumbles of "just answer the question". Even Republicans commented "we know what you did, now tell us what you’re going to do." It's a new day Tommy; people want specifics which neither candidate provided.
Sep 29, 2012 at 3:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Everyone goes after everyone and nothing gets done.
Sep 29, 2012 at 3:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Based on the debate, I wouldn't vote for either one. I would want a senator that can at least put a sentence together... What a couple of unpolished speakers.
Sep 29, 2012 at 3:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bye, bye Baldwin.
Sep 29, 2012 at 2:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
CHELLE/LOU - You are correct - so here is my reasons. Bush and the Re-FIB-licans got us in this terrible MESS!! It was a HUGE MESS because BUSH will go down as the worst Pres. ever in history. He tanked our economy and fought wars that did NOT have to be fought. He sent our brave soldiers into harms way for an unjust cause. There were NO Weapons of mass destruction. A vote for Tommy OR ANY RE-FIB-LICAN is a vote for more of the same Bush mistakes.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/jun200...
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-250_162-6461...
http://www.thedailypage.com/citizendave/...
Sep 29, 2012 at 2:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
RICKRAFF - have you thought about writing comedy - It is very clear that you were trying to be funny...that is...that is...unless you actually believe all the stuff your were shoveling with your LARGE tractor shovel. Ben Franklin said---> "Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn" - Tommy sounded like a gruff & overbearing grandpa.
Sep 29, 2012 at 2:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
How about telling voters what you want to do rather than bashing each other like a couple of two year olds? I don't care about what the candidate thinks of his/her opponent; I want to know what each candidate is going to do or work toward in fixing the problems of poverty, unemployment, excessive government spending, etc.
Sep 29, 2012 at 2:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Seriously, what HAS she done in her years in Congress? According to her Opencongress.org page, she was sworn in in 1999. In 12 years she sponsored 17 bills, NONE of which were passed and she co-sponsored another 227 with only 5 of those making it into law. Regardless whether a candidate is Democrat, Republican or any other party, whether they are male or female, gay or straight, if their time in Congress has been largely ineffective (as has Tammy's), then it's time to have someone else work for us!
Sep 29, 2012 at 1:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Interesting headline...makes it sound like Tammy did nothing. C'mon Gazette!
Sep 29, 2012 at 12:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
Wow. She's "legitimately raping" him in the polls.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.