Xoff's Blog

Commentary on state politics by Bill Christofferson, who often uses Xofferson or Xoff to shorten his 14-letter last name.

Christofferson, a recovered journalist and ex-political reporter, has been a Democratic strategist and consultant for 20 years and is now retired. He lives in Milwaukee.
He is the author of a political biography, "The Man From Clear Lake: Earth Day Founder Sen. Gaylord Nelson," published by the University of Wisconsin Press.

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Latest report from that 'great' Tommy campaign

It's been at least a week since the Journal Sentinel ran its regular "Tommy Says His Campaign Is Going Great" story, so we will fill you in.

First, there's the great fundraising news.

While John McCain is downsizing his campaign and trying desperately to stay afloat after raising only $11.2-million in the last three months, Tommy's bragging about raising less than $500,000.

His campaign says it's great news, since he raised even less the three months before that. His total is now about $800,000. McCain has raised 31 times as much in the last six months, and he's the one in trouble???

Steve Grubbs, Senior Advisor to the Thompson campaign said, “We saw a strong growth in fundraising. Granted, we're not swimming in Barack Obama money, but we have what we need to execute our strategy. We asked our supporters to give us a chance to run the type of campaign we need and they came through for us.”

It makes you wonder if the Thompson campaign can afford all of the ice cream, doughnuts, and other junk food it's promising voters in the next month.

Mary Ann Akers on her Washington Post blog:

When you're a third-tier candidate, sometimes you have to ditch the "practice what you preach" mantra, throw caution to the wind and do whatever it takes in the face of hypocrisy to woo voters. For GOP presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson, that means eating his way through Iowa... [A long list of food-based events follows. -- Xoff]

Between events, Thompson's spokesman, Rennick Remley, tells us the ex-governor "loves the caramel frappuccinos from Starbucks" and vanilla ice cream cones at Dairy Queen.

"And he rather enjoys...pulled pork sandwiches," Remly added. "And raspberry pie is his favorite."

So how does Thompson go from railing against child obesity and advocating healthy eating as preventive health care to porking out on pizza, ice cream, donuts, Frapps and pie?

"Salads don't go over well with voters," Remly explained. "The [junk] food gets the voters out."

The American Mind notes:

It’s obvious Tommy’s not campaigning in Wisconsin. No mention of bratwurst, cream puffs, or frozen custard.

Finally, Tommy and other candidates were on C-Span this week at a forum sponsored by a right-wing taxpayer group and the Iowa Christian Alliance.

Wisconsinites would not have recognized the Tommy who spoke -- or yelled at -- the audience that he's a reliable conservative. His tone was angry (not intentionally; he mistakes that for being forceful) as he ran down the litany of wingnut positions he supports.

And he totally, totally pandered on immigration, saying he's for one flag, one language (English of course), and more.

His responses are listed here, but this was my favorite, as he misspeaks again:

I lower taxes, I don’t increase them. I lowered $16.5 billion in taxes in Wisconsin, more than all the other candidates together. I veto tax cuts, and I will veto any tax increase. No other candidate can make that pledge. The only way we can continue this prosperity is to have the taxpayers in America to have the money in their pocket. I am committed to continue this prosperity.

Tommy, give it up. Or quit telling people you're from Wisconsin. You are an embarrassment. It's not even funny any more; it's pathetic.

Average: 4.5 (2 votes)

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