The Tommy Thompson Files


Scott Spradling, WMUR TV: "Gentlemen, last night, we asked Democrats, if they were elected, what role would they use former President Clinton. I'm not going to ask you that. But Governor Thompson, I'd like to know, seeing as how you were a member of President Bush's cabinet as Health and Human Services Secretary, How would you use George W. Bush in your administration?"
Tommy Thompson: "I certainly would not send him to the United Nations."
--at the Repub presidential candidates' debate, June 5, 2007

January, 1987: Dept. of Natural Resources The cartoon at left dates from Tommy Thompson's first month as governor of Wisconsin, regarding his proposal to turn the state's Department of Natural Resources into a cabinet agency.

There is no particular correlation between the cartoons below and the quotations by Tommy Thompson between them. I hope that I've selected cartoons which pretty much explain themselves.

April, 1990: Environment vs. Jobs

"I think Arnold Schwarzenegger's, Governor Schwarzenegger's speech last night was one of the finest I've ever seen at a convention, and I've been going to conventions for 28 years. His speech was outstanding, he gave a portrayal, he painted a picture of why people should be a Democrat, better and more ably than any person I've ever heard before."
--Health & Human Services Secretary (and former Wisconsin governor) Tommy "Stick It To 'Em" Thompson, on CNN American Morning with Bill Hemmer, September 1, 2004. It is quite possibly the most intelligent thing he's said in 28 years.

May, 1990: Pro-Life, But

JOHN HARRIS: Governor Thompson, same theme. If a private employer finds homosexuality immoral, should he be allowed to fire a gay worker?
TOMMY THOMPSON: I think that is left up to the individual business. I really sincerely believe that that is an issue that business people have to got to make their own determination as to whether or not they should be.
JIM VANDEHEI: Okay. So the answer’s yes.
MR. THOMPSON: Yes.
--Exchange between moderators and former WI Governor Tommy Thompson during the Repubble presidential candidates' debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, May 3, 2007.

September, 1990: Dog Track $$

TOMMY THOMPSON: I made a mistake. I misinterpreted the question. I thought that I answered it yes when I should have answered it no. I didn't hear, I didn't hear the question properly and I apologize. It's not my position. There should be no discrimination in the workplace and I have never believed that. And, in fact, Wisconsin has one of the first laws, which I supported.
JOHN ROBERTS: Right.
THOMPSON: So, I just made a mistake and that's all I can say. I'm sorry and I misinterpreted the question and I answered yes, when it should have been no.... It's not my position, it never has been. I have always been against discrimination and prejudice. In fact if you would have listened to the debate, they asked me a question about racism and I said that the president of the United States, whoever he is, has to take the point and has to be the person that does not allow discrimination or racism in any degree, whatsoever.
--Telephone interview on CNN the May 4, 2007.

November, 1994: UW Tuition

"I'm in the private sector and for the first time in my life I'm earning money. You know that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that."
--Former Governor (R-WI), and HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, currently running for president, speaking to the Washington convention of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, April 16, 2007.

December, 1996: Tobacco Suit

"I just want to clarify something because I didn't in any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things. What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that."
--from Thompson's apology to Jews for those remarks later that day. Coverage in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz here. Wisconsin taxpayers are still waiting for an apology for 14 years' worth of salary paid to Thompson as governor that he didn't earn.

April, 1997: Taxes and Fees

"Stick it to 'em!"
--Governor Thompson's infamous quip to an northern Wisconsin audience in August, 1996 explaining why they should be in favor of establishing a taxing district for Milwaukee County and the four immediately contiguous counties to pay for the Milwaukee Brewers' Miller Park. The governor was touring U.S. Hwy. 53 on a Harley as part of a major media event to drum up support for the plan, yet he seemed to think the citizens of southeastern Wisconsin wouldn't find out how he felt about them.

October, 1998: So Darned Passionate


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Tommy Thompson heads to Washington. January, 2001

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