Yesterday, Marquette University released a poll showing Tommy Thompson trailing Tammy Baldwin, making it the ninth poll confirming Thompson’s sagging fortunes in the U.S. Senate race. Thompson and special interests supporting him have spent over $3 million since the last Marquette poll, but Baldwin, who is campaigning with President Obama today, has maintained her lead.
Thompson has blamed Mitt Romney for his fall in the polls despite an outpouring of Republican criticism of Thompson and his campaign, with many raising questions about Thompson’s lack of effort on the campaign trail.
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In an interview with National Review Online Thompson said, “I was exhausted,” and they also reported that, “In Washington, Thompson’s financial and political troubles have alarmed Republican leaders.” 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 blames Mitt Romney for his own problems. He wants to work for Wisconsin, but says he is exhausted. He is a multi-millionaire who whines about being broke. And he continues to runs from the media,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate. “It is 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 nine polls show you losing, the message is pretty clear — you are losing.”
Background
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]
“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]
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]
