Wisconsin Family Action rates Hovde, Fitzgerald tops for Senate race

Fitzgerald, Jeff (R)	Grade: B+
Hovde, Eric (R)	Grade: B+
Neumann, Mark (R)	Grade: B
Thompson, Tommy G. (R)	Grade: C

Via YourWisconsinVote.org

There are more details on the scoring there, but you have to put in your address.

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Senate schmenate

Election season, yeah, it's never-ending.  Nationally, the Republican National Convention is August 27-30 in Tampa.  We may have to wait until then to find out who Romney's VP candidate will be.  Perhaps not Paul Ryan, but another conservative Catholic is on the list, Bobby Jindal.  There is still the Ron Paul secret delegates story in play, will be interesting to see if anything comes of that. 

Wisconsin has an open US Senate race.  Ho Hum.  Not thrilled about any of them.  None of them endorsed as 100% pro-life. 

Tommy Thompson is not a conservative.  At first a staunch advocate for embryonic stem cell research, he has since somewhat backed away from that in support of adult stem cell research(but not because embryonic stem cell research is unethical).  Thompson also loves taxpayer funded contraception programs, and worked for pharma companies that produced contraception and abortion inducing drugs. From CapTimes:

Thompson’s record as governor of Wisconsin was that of an advocate for expanding — and maintaining — access to contraception. As a recent review of his approach to the issue by the Think Progress website well notes: “(As) governor, Thompson established a state family planning program — still in effect today — that spends taxpayer dollars to provide birth control and family planning to poor women. Thompson reportedly said at the time that ‘a pregnant teen is a one-way ticket to poverty.’ ”

Nice, yeah, he's Catholic.

Mark Neumann, former gubernatorial candidate, has since gotten quite negative burning bridges even amongst allies.

Republican candidate for governor Mark Neumann said Friday he opposes abortion in all cases but does not agree with a group that endorsed him that believes birth control is wrong.

Pro-Life Wisconsin’s political action committee last month endorsed Neumann and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, the two Republicans in the race. The group opposes abortion and all forms of birth control.

“I do not agree with them on that issue,” Neumann said Friday on their opposition to birth control. “When it comes to birth control, obviously that’s something – I’d have two dozen children by now.”

Neumann, with his wife, Sue, by his side, spoke to reporters after turning in his signatures to get on the ballot. After making the comment, he joked, “If you’re going down that line, I’m going to ask my wife to leave.”

For the record, Pro-Life Wisconsin doesn't ask candidates if they are "against birth control," but they do ask if they will protect conscience rights.  Since it's so great, maybe Neumann supports public funding for contraception, ala TomTom.  The phrase is "no comment." 

Then there is Eric Hovde, not a career politician, a business owner, more or less the Ron Johnson of this primary.  He's not 100% pro-life, but he seems to be maybe the best fit.  He's polling well.  Does anyone know what religion he is?  I like the idea of an outsider coming in.  Career politicians are not in right now.  And Wisconsin voters picked Ron Johnson I think because he was a businessman and not involved with politics.  That theme resonates well with the casual voter.  Even candidates who believe in ethical exceptions in abortion legislation, anywhere from rape to birth "defects" can be educated on why they are not needed.  Personal testimonies have only strengthened the 100% pro-life cause.

So I'm still not totally decided. The primary is August 14th. 

I owe you one interview with a Sconnie candidate for congress.

MarquettePoll: Tommy Thompson leads Baldwin 49-41%

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson maintains his lead among likely GOP primary voters and leads U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin in a potential general election matchup in the latest Marquette Law School poll.

In the GOP primary, Thompson led the field with 34 percent, followed by former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann with 16 percent, businessman Eric Hovde with 14 percent and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald with 10 percent.

Among all likely voters, Thompson led Baldwin 49 percent to 41 percent. Baldwin and Neumann were tied at 44 percent, while Baldwin lead Fitzgerald 45 to 39 percent and lead Hovde 45 to 36 percent.

WisPolitics

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Mark Neumann receives pro-life endoresement in Wisconsin senate race

Also Wednesday, the Republican National Coalition for Life PAC endorsed former congressman Mark Neumann for the U.S. Senate. The group “supports Republican congressional candidates who are unconditionally pro-life.”

Thompson and Neumann, as well as businessman Eric Hovde and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), are running for the Republican nomination for Senate. The winner will face U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the lone Democrat in the race.

U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) is retiring.

MKE JS