Tuesday, August 14, 2012
11:17 PM
Thompson: 'Wisconsin is on a roll'
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson told a full crowd that the state GOP is "on a roll" and that the work of taking back the state begins tomorrow.
Thompson said that after his victory he received a call from VP candidate and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker. Walker pledged his support to push the candidate forward in the general election.
"He said, 'Tomorrow we start organizing so on Nov. 6 we carry the state of Wisconsin,'" Thomspon told an exuberant crowd.
Thompson thanked his family, including eight grandchildren, for their support in the race and his wife Sue Ann for giving political speeches throughout the state on his behalf. He pointed out his grandchildren by name and said he decided to run for Senate because of the need to preserve their future.
"We have always, in America, ladies and gentlemen, promised our children and our grandchildren that were going to give them a country that is stronger, freer, fairer, safer, with more options than we had," Thompson said. "We've always promised that. And for the first time, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time, I don't think we can fulfill that promise unless we take it back."
He also praised his competitors Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, who he called a "class act," former Congressman Mark Neumann, who he said "loves this country just like you and me," and nearest competitor Eric Hovde.
"He said, 'Go get em' Tommy,'" Thompson said of his call with Hovde tonight.
Thompson also made a point of thanking his supporters in the Sikh community, saying that the state needs to pray together in the wake of the tragic Oak Creek shooting.
Thompson also encouraged supporters to work harder to defeat Democratic competitor Tammy Baldwin and support the ticket of Ryan and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney in November.
"We're going to send Barack Obama, we're going to send him back to Chicago," Thompson said to cheers, as one person added "Or Indonesia!"
"And let him become a community organizer again, a job he may be able to handle."
-- By Jason Smathers
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