Gay remark effect called low for long-shot Tommy

[rodeodance]

Source: The Capital Times



Gay remark effect called low for long-shot Tommy
Judith Davidoff

The political fallout from former Gov. Tommy Thompson's remarks on the firing of gay employees is likely to be minimal because, well, he's such a long shot for president anyway, say nonpartisan political observers.

.........
Thompson's initial comments surprised many who know him as one of the more gay-friendly Republican leaders in the nation.

"I was shocked when he gave that response because it certainly was not a reflection of how he was as governor," said former state Rep. David Clarenbach, who authored the nation's first law protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination in employment, housing and accommodations and is gay.
"He signed more anti-discriminatory legislation that protected the rights of gays and lesbians than any governor in Wisconsin history," said Clarenbach, noting that Thompson signed off on a hate crimes bill and a state Bill of Rights for people with AIDS and HIV infection.
And while Thompson, then minority leader in the state Assembly, did not vote for Wisconsin's 1982 anti-bias law, he did not stand in its way, Clarenbach said.
.........
E-mail: [e-mail]
Published: May 5, 2007

Read more: http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=...

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. but his hearing aid came out

[54anickel]

2. He heard the question the way he hears any question regarding business -

Should the owner(s) of a private business not be allowed to do any damned thing they want with regards to that business (after all they do own it)?

[Jackpine Radical]

3. That sounds like the correct interpretation.

Toxic Tommy the Twit. Anything for business, like gutting environmental laws. It's not that he hates the environment, or gays, he just loves the money boys more.

[Oddball]

5. Of Course, But

They outlawed slavery in the 1800's. Darn.

[rocktivity]

7. The correct answer is: "Only if he's running a brothel."

As long as employees aren't having sex when they should be conducting the employer's business, it simply ISN'T the employer's business!


rocknation

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Most likely, Tommy was just pandering to that 30% "backwash."

[Oddball]

6. If you have to ask...

...is HE running? Then it really doesn't matter much.

[Zynx]

8. If anyone cared about Tommy, we'd be hearing about the womanizing.

[saltpoint]

9. Thompson reminds me of someone who might have lived in the

SCOPES trial era, who scowls at "them folks back east" when they come into his little town and start talking about Charles Darwin.

I can't decide if he said what he did here to rouse ultra-conservatives to his candidacy, or if he's just thick as a brick.

He's offended at least two major voting blocks -- Jews and LBTQs -- inside two weeks. I wouldn't consider that a very good on-ramp speed for someone who says he wants to be the President of the United States.

[54anickel]

11. Definitely brick. He once said something to the effect of "them folks back east"

when his was "up north". Pretty sure it was about the additional sales tax to cover the Milwaukee Stadium...."this is your chance to stick it to them city-slickers down south"....something to that effect. The counties in the greater Milwaukee area would be the only ones paying the Stadium tax and he needed to rouse up some support from those not effected by the tax. He would generally scowl about what he called "city-slickers" whenever he was around his hometown area of "up north". Pretty much anything north of the Dells was treated as part of his hometown of Elroy.

[saltpoint]

13. 54anickel, that's a great insight into Thompson.

I love you line, "Pretty much anything north of the Dells was treated as part of his hometown of Elroy."

That is one of the best observations I've seen on DU or anywhere else about politics in years.

Hat's off, and bravo.

[54anickel]

15. Only thing he was ever good at - being a divider. That and catering to

to wishes of "bidness".

[rodeodance]

12. no matter what he heard as the question--you do not answer that way unless

you want to attract the RW

[saltpoint]

14. Hi, rodeodance. Is this guy gunning for the veep slot, or what?

Because when I look at him or listen to him, I'm not getting "president."

I'm not even getting "human," in fact.

[queerart]

10. I'm Shocked At His Reply......

Simply Shocked I Say...........