Associated Press
The U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin is one of the nation's most competitive, with most polls showing Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) with a narrow lead over former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R). It increasingly appears that the Republican isn't handling the pressure well.
Over the weekend, Thompson attacked Baldwin for having switched positions on new U.S. sanctions on Iran -- the congresswoman supported the sanctions three months ago, after having opposed them previously -- which certainly seems fair game. But in making the attack, Thompson said of his rival, "She's anti-Israel, she's anti-Jewish."
First, let's note that if you're going to accuse someone of anti-Semitism, it's important to have at least some proof. Skepticism about sanctions on Iran does not make someone "anti-Jewish," and for Thompson to push this line suggests an ugly degree of desperation.
Second, this reminds me of my favorite Tommy Thompson story.
In 2007, Thompson was in the middle of an awful presidential campaign. As part of his voter outreach, Thompson told a Jewish group that earning money is "part of the Jewish tradition." It was his idea of a compliment.
"I'm in the private sector and for the first time in my life I'm earning money," Thompson told the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. "You know that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition, and I do not find anything wrong with that."
After he left the stage, someone apparently told Thompson, who is Roman Catholic, that this was an incredibly dumb thing to say, so he went back to the podium to "clarify."
"I just want to clarify something because I didn't [by] any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things. What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding businesspeople and I compliment you for that."
In the same speech, Thompson boasted about having purchased "Jewish bonds" (he apparently meant Israel Bonds) and his long-standing support for the "Jewish Defense League" (he apparently meant the Anti-Defamation League).
And now this guy wants to attack his opponent as "anti-Jewish." Hmm.
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After returning for a third time to the podium, Thompson further explained, "Hey, some of my best friends would be
yidsJews, if I knew any!"And this:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/10/15/tommy-thompsons-son-tells-birther-joke-about-sending-obama-to-kenya/
What a family.
He didn't say Barack Hussein Obama! Shame! You call yourself a birther?
I'm guessing this is a national donor appeal on Thompson's part because the Jewish population of Wisconsin is estimated to be about one half of one percent, which actually mirrors the Muslim population of the state.
Maybe he's reaching out to evangelical Christians?
The Jewish population of my home state of Wisconsin may be even lower than our American Indian population.
Thompson may have been paying back his out of state donors. I would not be surprised if Sheldon Adelson is among them.
What is profoundly tragic is that for a very long time both of our Senators were Jewish and their opponents' campaigns were free of antisemitism.
Thompson was very disrespectful to claim that his opponent's position in support of a two state solution is "anti-Jewish". A significant number if not a majority of American and Israeli Jews support peace based on two states. The disagreement is over the details and timing
Anonymous
That is surprising to me that the Jewish population is so low. There used to be a good size population in Racine and Milwaukee where my dad's family is from( My grandmother and dad Racine my grandfather from Milwaukee). There is still family in Racine and I think still one cousin in Milwaukee.
Mighty Casey preferred to remember his grand slam on that particular day in Mudville . When advised of a different memory of the day , an apparent urge to clean up his room suddenly overtook the great man .
Which all goes to show that it is the epitome of pettiness for you to remember what I said , and what I did , tsk . When I remember something else , ahh , now that is a work of art .
Desperation, grabbing at straws, lying - the GOTP have no sense of morality or shame! SMH!!
Being against (or for) the current Israeli governments policies and positions doesn't make a person anti-Jewish or anti-Israeli. If it did, we would have to conclude that a large portion of the Israeli citizenry is anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish.
Yup. Being pro-Israel doesn't mean you're pro-Netanyahu policies. Sort of like here. Sort of like most democracies.
Unfortunately there are Jews for which these positions do add up to "anti-Semitism." But they're mostly the wingnut Addledson types who prove even Jews can be idiots, so they wouldn't be voting for Baldwin to begin with.
I am often by mr.thomas Jew comment as a Jew it is the most racist thing I have heard in a long time my family is full of many religions and we do not believe that Tammy Baldwin is against Jews and Israel!!!!!!
And those Jews are really good dancers, too! No, wait...
Great, you're bringing Robert Gibbs to tell us the truth...are you kidding me?