The Tea Party's Wisconsin hope

NY Post ^ | May 29, 2010 | George F. Will

[Scanian]

Before what he calls "the jaw- dropping" events of the last 19 months -- TARP, the stimulus, Government Motors, the mistreatment of Chrysler's creditors, ObamaCare, etc. -- the idea of running for office never crossed Ron Johnson's mind.

He was, however, dry tinder -- he calls Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" his "foundational book" -- and now is ablaze, in an understated, upper-Midwestern way. This 55-year-old manufacturer of plastic products from Oshkosh is what the Tea Party looks like.

He is trim, gray-haired and suddenly gray-suited. For years, he has worn jeans and running shoes to his office, but now, under spousal duress, he is trying to look senatorial -- "My wife upgraded me to brown shoes." He has been endorsed by the state party, and will almost certainly win the September primary for the Republican nomination to run against Russ Feingold, who is seeking a fourth term in a year in which incumbency is considered a character flaw.

Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson led Feingold in polls and froze the race on the GOP side before deciding not to run. But in this season of simmering resentment of the political class, a neophyte such as Johnson might be a stronger candidate than a recycled executive.

Johnson can fund himself. Asked how much of his wealth he will spend, if necessary, his answer is as simple as it is swift: "All of it."

[Northern Yankee]

WTMJ's own conservative talk show host, Charlie Sykes, read this article over the air a few days ago.

Now Russ Feingold has already started attacks on Ron Johnson, calling him extreme right wing, and in the pocket of big business.

Sounds like little spoiled Russy boy can't handle competiton.

Good Morning!

[Trteamer]

Here is a tasty little bit of info about Russ Fiengold.
Back in I think 1992 when they were debating the Clinton budget, my wife and I were watching C-Span and Fiengold was speaking about the budget. He said something like “Although the calls to my office are running 10 to one against the budget, I know what is best for my constituents and I am going to vote for it anyway....”.

Someone should dig up that old footage and run it in and ad.

Just trying to help......

[NoGrayZone]

"Johnson can fund himself. Asked how much of his wealth he will spend, if necessary, his answer is as simple as it is swift: "All of it."

I would trust a man who puts ALL his money where his mouth is. I thank God for giving strength and courage to those "ordinary" people stepping out of their comfy lives to take on the beast.

God bless them all.

[Hans]

These dear people, being cruelly hounded from office.
Ruined the country. Russ Feingold is a snake. Dump
the lot.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

While I'm sad to see Terrence Wall leave the race, I'm now realizing that he's NOT the best candidate to defeat Feingold. Feingold must be peeing his pants over this, LOL! Wisconsin is no longer in Socialist Lock Down. The Conservative prisoners of this state are beginning to strain against their shackles! Wish us luck!

Wisconsin Conservative Politics Ping List Ping!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson led Feingold in polls and froze the race on the GOP side before deciding not to run

And that is precisely what is wrong with the Republican Party in Wiscoonsin and why we can't win elections any more. Tommy has been a spoiler for years.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Good tip.

[jellybean]

Ron Johnson's website.

Convention Biography Video -- In addition to Rons biography, this video contains segments from the Charlie Sykes show in which Charlie is reading excerpts of Ron’s speeches on the air…

[Trteamer]

After thought, Feingold probably made the statements on the house floor during the very first Clinton budget floor speeches. C-Span has to have this in their archives.....

[redhead]

I am always a bit amused (and a little irked) when I see a headline that talks about the "Tea Party" "hopes," "plans," etc., as if the Tea Party movement was an organization with its own leadership, officers, and business.

When I go to a Tea Party, I am not going as a "member" of a Tea Party "organization," but as an independent citizen attending a party; not joining one.

[tillacum]

I remember when he first ran...he said he would take NO MONEY, so all the news networks worked him into their prime time “news” spots. I thought that was a clever move on his part knowing the screaming media would come to his aid.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

BUMP!