Can any Dem beat Kohl in the primary?

[undeterred]

And is there anyone likely to try?

[safi0]

1. No and No

And for the same reason why the Republicans aren't going hard after his seat:He has too much damn money

[MadAsHell]

2. anyone who runs would ....

have to have a political death wish ...

Run against the closest thing to a sure thing the Democrats have and by doing so, suck the oxygen out of the Governor's race. That makes about as much sense as Ralph Nader's second run.

Kohl's campaign will be a boring TV thing that will succeed in bringing a lot of feel-good keep-the-status-quo feelings to the polls in November and that is exactly what the Doyle campaign will need.

So if a candidate ever wants any support from anyone on the Democratic side again, they will cheer and campaign for Herb Kohl.

[eyesroll]

3. Ben Masel is running as a Dem this time.

And, no, he won't beat Kohl. But he could make things fun to watch.

[thedogs]

4. No, but he could be beaten in the general

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2005/10/22/thompson_would_be_credible_challenge_to_kohl.html


Word is he is SERIOUSLY interested.

[MadAsHell]

5. Thompson couldn't beat Herb Kohl with a stick ...

and what's more he won't run because his ego couldn't take the bruising.

Last night, at a public meeting, I listened to an ultra-rightwinger gutting Thompson for budget shenanigans he pulled during his governorship. Besides Thompson has never run against a well funded opponent, never.

[thedogs]

14. Thompson Overtakes Senator Kohl in Wisconsin

Want to bet? And, he has been out of the limelight, and hasn't run for anything in Wisconsin in years. This is trouble.


http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewItem&itemID=9892

[MadAsHell]

18. Brought to you by the same people who thought Feingold was so beatable

If I recall correctly, he was declared the most likely to lose by the RNC, yet he won his seat against a well-funded challenger by more than 10%, his biggest margin ever.

Careful, kool-aid may be dangerous to your health.

[Jimbo S]

15. Why do you say that?

Thompson is very popular in Wisconsin. His support came from swing voters. The ultra-RW you mentioned is irrelevant.

Don't underestimate his popularity.

[thedogs]

16. You're Right

Look at my post above yours.

[sybylla]

17. Ah, political memory is so short

1) Thompson left this state in a huge mess fiscally. He left it to his incompetent Lt. Gov. It wouldn't take much of a reminder on Kohl's part to paint a rather negative and fairly accurate portrait of the incompetence, 3.2 billion dollars of incompetence, of Tommy-boy - who had a puke legislature to work with most of that time.

2) Kohl's pockets are bottomless. Thompson hasn't even started fundraising. And I freely admit that money doesn't always equate with winning, but if Thompson was going to do it, he needed to announce that a year ago and begin fundraising. If he decides to run now, it's because his oversized ego won't let him walk away from his "adoring" masses who have a seriously delusional pipedream. I can't even imagine there are many pukes with a real understanding of politics calling for him to run. This trial balloon has really gone pretty flat a year out.

3) There was a considerable amount of negative press on Thompson when he left the chimp's administration - lies about air quality/safety after WTC towers came down, anthrax, cipro, lack of preparation for bio-terror which made him a bit of a persona non grata in the RNC for the black eye it gave the administration, more bungling I can't remember at the moment but I'm sure a bit of research on the part of interested parties will easily amend this post.

4) Thompson has really never run against a well-funded candidate. It's easy to throw mud when your opponent can't afford to throw it back. Money gave him the illusion of being a good campaigner. I'm pretty sure Kohl would have no problem drawing back the curtain on that one.

5) Chimp's popularity is below 40%. A current poll says over 70% of voters want their reps to be Dems to counter the chimp's administration. Not a good year to be a puke running against a Dem who won every senate election by bigger margins than Thompson ever won the governor's seat.


On edit: yeah, dogs, I'll take that bet. Kohl over Thompson as long as Kohl wants the seat.

[sybylla]

6. Ha ha ha. Ah ha ha ha. Ah ha ha ha ha ha.

:rofl:

[newyawker99]

8. Hi thedogs!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[gizmo1979]

7. Has Kohl actually ever done

anything? I don't remember if he has.I don't care for him,but for party I will vote for him.

[undeterred]

9. I don't think he's ever done anything

except vote like a Republican. As a "Democrat" he's just taking up space that could be used by someone with real progressive values.

[Broca]

10. Kohl certainly has not been as good as Feingold

on some issues. In the 108th congress second session the League of Conservation Voters gives them both a 100% http://capwiz.com/lcv/dbq/vote_info/?command=results&sort=District&lvl=C&bzip=&azip=54426&x=11&y=11

In some ways he has mirrored Feingold. Both have consistently voted against increased CAFE standards (Combined Automobile Fleet Efficiency) (the autoworkers unions are big contributors to both). Kohl has a tendency on occasion to favor corporate interests more. With the bulk of legislators declining in quality it makes Kohl look better by comparison.

This questionable assessment from: http://www.modernvertebrate.com/elections/2006-national/

Wisconsin (Kohl-D) - Now that he has resigned as Bush's Secretary of Health & Human Services, former Gov. Tommy Thompson may be looking to take on Kohl, in which case, the popular Thompson would win handily. If Thompson doesn't run, Kohl may face former Rep. Mark Neumann (R). Attorney Robert Gerald Lorge (R) is running. Kohl, who was born Feb. 7, 1935, and will be 71 on election day in 2006, may also retire.

[undeterred]

11. Kohl's voting record

Not as bad as I thought, though I can't think of a single issue that he stands for.

http://activote.ontheissues.org/AVA/Senate/Herbert_Kohl.htm

Herbert Kohl on Abortion
* Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
* Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
* Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
* Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
* Voted NO on disallowing overseas military abortions. (May 1999)
* by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
* Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)

Herbert Kohl on Budget & Economy
* Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
* Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
* Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)

Herbert Kohl on Civil Rights
* Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
* Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
* Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
* Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
* Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
* Voted NO on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
* Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
* by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)

Herbert Kohl on Corporations
* Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
* Expand microloans to small businesses. (Apr 2002)
* by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record. (Dec 2003)

Herbert Kohl on Crime
* Voted YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
* Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
* Voted YES on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
* Voted NO on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)
* Voted NO on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms. (May 1994)
* Voted NO on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)
* by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation. (Dec 2000)

Herbert Kohl on Drugs
* Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
* Voted NO on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)

Herbert Kohl on Education
* Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
* Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
* Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
* Voted NO on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
* Voted NO on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
* Voted NO on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
* Voted NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
* Voted YES on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
* Three R’s: $35B for Reinvestment,Reinvention,Responsibility. (Jan 2001)
* by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

Herbert Kohl on Energy & Oil
* Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
* Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
* Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
* Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
* Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
* Voted NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
* Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
* Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
* Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
* Voted YES on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
* Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)

Herbert Kohl on Environment
* Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
* Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
* Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
* Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
* Voted YES on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
* Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
* by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
* EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)

Herbert Kohl on Families & Children
* Voted NO on restricting violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
* by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
* Fund 2,500 Boys and Girls Clubs in underserved areas. (Dec 1997)

Herbert Kohl on Foreign Policy
* Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
* Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
* Voted NO on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
* Voted YES on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
* Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
* Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
* Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)
* Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)

Herbert Kohl on Free Trade
* Voted NO on establishing a free trade agreement between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
* Voted NO on establishing a free trade agreement between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
* Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
* Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
* Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
* Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
* Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
* Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
* Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
* by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)

Herbert Kohl on Government Reform
* Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
* Voted NO on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
* Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions and corporations. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on continuing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
* Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
* Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)

Herbert Kohl on Gun Control
* Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
* Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

Herbert Kohl on Health Care
* Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
* Voted YES on allowing importation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
* Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
* Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
* Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
* Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
* Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
* Voted YES on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
* Voted YES on medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
* Increase funding to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. (Mar 2003)
* by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
* Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998)

Herbert Kohl on Homeland Security
* Voted YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
* Voted NO on deploying missile defense as soon as possible. (Sep 1998)
* Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
* Voted NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
* Voted NO on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
* Voted NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)
* by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
* School assistance to survivors of injured federal police. (Oct 1996)

Herbert Kohl on Immigration
* Voted NO on allowing more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work. (Jul 1998)
* Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
* Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)

Herbert Kohl on Jobs
* Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
* Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
* Voted NO on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
* Voted NO on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)
* Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003)
* by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-labor voting record. (Dec 2003)

Herbert Kohl on Principles & Values
* Religious affiliation: Jewish. (Nov 2000)
* Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2000)
* New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate. (Nov 2000)
* Profiled in "Jews in American Politics". (Jan 2001)
* Member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition. (Jan 2001)

Herbert Kohl on Social Security
* Voted NO on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
* Voted NO on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
* Voted NO on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
* Voted NO on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)
* by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)

Herbert Kohl on Tax Reform
* Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
* Voted YES on cutting taxes by $1.35 trillion over 11 years. (May 2001)
* Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
* Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
* Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
* Voted NO on $792B tax cuts. (Jul 1999)
* Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
* Voted NO on FY99 tax cuts. (Apr 1998)
* by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)

Herbert Kohl on War & Peace
* Voted YES on $86.5 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
* Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
* Voted YES on allowing all necessary forces and other means in Kosovo. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
* Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)

Herbert Kohl on Welfare & Poverty
* Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
* Voted YES on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
* Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
* Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)
* Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003)

[Zynx]

12. Kohl doesn't really do much. He just is basically another left-of-center

vote in the Senate. That's good enough for me.

[ewagner]

13. No.

Kohl cannot be beaten in a primary.

Even though there is some rank-and-file dissatisfaction with Kohl, most Dems will rally around him just for the sake of party unity.

Thompson running against him? I've heard the rumors too. But I think Tommy has too nice of a gig going as a consultant to risk it running for Senate.

[mb7588a]

19. Tommy is no longer viable.

Think about it...

The drugs
The sex
The alcohol
The rumors
The shit he said as HHS Secy.

He would be formidable competition, but he knows he's no longer viable, and could never raise enough money to take on Kohl. Nobody can do that.

[safi0]

20. The first 4 can't be used

Against Kohl because of the gay rumors. The last one would hurt him quite a bit though.