Former Wisconsin Gov. Thompson (Republican presidential hopeful) tells Iowans GOP has lost its way

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=2341446

Published Sunday | March 4, 2007
Thompson tells Iowans GOP has lost its way

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) - Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson may not have drawn huge crowds during campaign stops across southern Iowa Saturday, but some of the Iowans who saw him liked his message.

The Republican presidential hopeful covered several domestic issues and detailed his plan for handling the Iraq war to about three dozen people at the Iris Restaurant in Mount Pleasant.

"The guy has got something that we need," said Bill Layne, a Mount Pleasant Republican. "We need intelligent leadership. We need capability in the governing offices."

Diane Brinkmeyer, of New London, was a Thompson supporter before meeting him. A self-described avid reader, she has kept track of the campaign in the early months and has come to like the former governor.

"I like what he did for welfare in Wisconsin," Brinkmeyer said. "Also, he's personable, and I know that doesn't say a thing about your brains, but to get elected in the United States, you'd better be."

Thompson said he thought Republicans in Congress had lost their way and it cost them seats in November.

"We went to Washington to change Washington, and Washington changed us," Thompson said. "We tried to spend money as fast as Democrats, and you can't spend money as fast as Democrats."


Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson

Thompson was elected governor of Wisconsin in 1986. He left office in 2001 after serving four terms to become President Bush's first health and human services secretary. He held the job four years and oversaw creation of the federal prescription drug program.

Thompson didn't back away from his relationship with Bush but didn't hesitate to point out where his views differ.

FULL story at link.

[terisan]

1. Still trying to portray us as spenders......how many Republican trillions later?

The difference between Republican mega-spending and Democratic spending? When Democrats are in charge of spending, taxpayers get something for our money, we get some idea of where it is going, and we are willing to pay for it when we spend. It is called fiscal responsibility. We have it and they don't.

[Skittles]

6. you are correct

Democrats are much more willing to spend money on prevention - for example, intervening with jueveniles in trouble with the law and getting them help before they become felons and cost us MEGA-BUCKS in prison. Repukes scoff at this idea and spend wads of money building new prisons.

[hippiechick]

2. Hey Tommy, how's that drinking problem ?

:beer: hic!!! :beer:

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Look at that face. Look cosely. You've seen it before.

He's Howdy Doody's evil twin.

[EST]

4. My father used to tell me a story.

A common one, that almost everyone has heard. His spelling wasn't the greatest, but he was one of the most practical minded men I have ever met.

He would have termed this man an expert, then explain that X represented the unknown and a spurt was a drip under pressure.
This unknown drip, under pressure, is entirely too well known.

Knowing what little I do about politics, it appears to me his role is that of a place holder and is of little consequence.

We are fortunate and so is he, I suppose, that he drew all of three dozen people.

[Skittles]

5. no they did NOT lose their way

they've been heading this way for a LONG, LONG TIME