Tommy For Senate?

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Politico and several other political news sources are reporting that Fmr. Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-Elroy)is considering making a run for U.S. Senate against 3 term U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (just he considered running in 2008, 2006, 2004, 2000, and 1998).

On paper one would think that this is a viable race for the state GOP, a popular moderate governor, with 95% name id running against an incumbent in an anti-incumbent year.

Yet one one looks closer you can see some problems for the GOP, as Governor at the same time he made welfare reform his signature issue (used as a model for President Clinton's welfare reform) Gov. Thompson created a massive new entitlement program for the poor (Badgercare) and a state child-care program (Wisconsin Shares), you add that with his fervent support of Milwaukee light-rail (anathema to the likes of Charlie Sykes and Mark Belling) his support of high speed rail (something his fellow Republicans on the ballot are against) and his support of health care reform, one gets the sense that he may not exactly be a "Tea Party" conservative, and in a three way primary a "true conservative" may upset him.

Then again it is quite possible that his Wisconsin "charm" would win out.