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.









