Thompson, Hovde Spar as U.S. Senate Primary Battle Heats Up
As the campaign for Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seat intensifies, Tommy Thompson's new ad claims opponent Eric Hovde made a 'profit from taxpayer bailouts' as a bank owner. Hovde blasts back and calls Thompson 'hypocritical.'
A day after Republican Senate candidate and former governor Tommy Thompson called for an end to attack ads in an open letter, he released an ad ripping fellow Republican Senate hopeful Eric Hovde for what Thompson calls profiting from the financial crisis.
Thompson's ad released Saturday morning, titled "Washington Games," is set on a Monopoly-esque game board with a game piece — with Hovde's photo — skipping around collecting money. Here are some excerpts from the ad:
Hovde ran a hedge fund that used Uncle Sam to buy banks. He traded on government contacts to profit from taxpayer bailouts.
Hovde gamed the system and bet against American companies and homeowners. After financial markets collapsed and families lost their life savings, Hovde bragged that he made a forty percent profit.
Eric Hovde: He wins, taxpayers lose.
The ad focuses solely on Hovde, showing that Thompson may be shifting his focus onto Hovde. Though GOP candidates Mark Neumann and Jeff Fitzgerald will be on the Aug. 14 primary ballot, recent polling data shows Thompson and Hovde leading the field by a wide margin.
The ad came one day after Thompson wrote a letter to both Hovde and Neumann, blasting both candidates for negative ads that aired this week.
"Gentlemen, this brand of politics is what is wrong with this country," Thompson wrote. "This approach was used to try to destroy Scott Walker only two years ago by you, Mr. Neumann, and now, Mr. Hovde, you are using it to tell the people of Wisconsin blatant lies about who I am, and even more, who you are."
The letter concluded: "I will defend my record."
Sean Lansing, Hovde's press secretary, on Saturday called Thompson's new ad "disappointing and disingenuous" — especially in light of Thompson's open letter. Moreover, he said, there are some inconsistencies with Thompson's claims.
Lansing acknowledged that some banks in which Hovde's asset managers invested took money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, but he said most banks, including larger ones, all did the same.
He also claimed that Thompson has personal investments in banks that took TARP money, calling Thompson's ad "hypocritical."
Hovde on Friday released an ad called "Missed Me," in which he accused Thompson and Neummann of distorting his record.
In the ad, Hovde dodges as mud is flung at him and says: "What do career politicians do? They sling mud. Mark Neumann and Tommy Thompson are slinging mud to distract from their own weaknesses."
Thompson strikes again
In another attack on Hovde Saturday, the Thompson campaign issued a press release concerning Hovde's Friday appearance on a conservative talk show hosted by Charlie Sykes.
During the show, Hovde explained that he was strong-armed by former governor Jim Doyle to make a donation to the Democrat.
Thompson's campaign said Thompson would never give in to something like that, but they also called for a better explanation:
"Hovde's latest explanation of the Doyle contribution resulting from being 'strong armed' conflicts with his own previous dismissive public accounts in which he claimed 'not to remember the contribution.'"
Farrow weighs in
Former lieutenant governor Margaret Farrow, who has endorsed Thompson, highlighted the battle between Thompson and Hovde Friday with a statement through the Thompson campaign.
Farrow's statement echoes Thompson's new ad, claiming that Hovde has been busy making money in Washington, and she goes so far as to call Hovde arrogant:
(Hovde) owes an apology to Tommy and Wisconsin for his arrogant, condescending comments.
Governor Thompson has dedicated his life to making Wisconsin a better state, and not mastering how to profit within the government bailout sector.
Mr. Hovde's arrogance is stunning, as it takes both an understanding of Wisconsin's past and present to be a U.S. Senator and a genuine humility that allows one to be a public servant.
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Correction: This article originally stated that Lansing acknowledged that Hovde's banks took TARP money. This was incorrect. Changes have been made to reflect that Hovde's asset managers invested in banks that benefitted from TARP. We apologize for the error.
James R Hoffa
7:04 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Thompson just shot himself in the foot by 1) taking the extreme low road; 2) not even being honest in the negative ad; and 3) doing so after issuing an open letter asking for the negative ads to stop.
What was Tommy thinking?
Hovde has been consistent throughout and is staying focused on the real issues - he has Hoffa's vote!
http://www.anybodybuteric.com/
HOVDE FOR SENATE!!!
Jan Luling
7:38 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
I totaly agree. Thompson did not to much good for the state. Hovde is a breath of fresh air.
Steven cleveland
12:13 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Hovde is a total hypocrite. He says hes against gov bailouts but accepts tarp fund$. He says hes against agriculture subsidies but takes them for...tobacco! He says hes going to focus on issues and not go negative...but was the first to do so. Hes bad for WI and for the republican party. Get back on your jet hovde go home to Washington you carpetbagging hypocrite. Your crony capitalism ad is so hypocrite when you helped JIM DOYLE get elected and reelected. DONT WASTE YOUR VOTE ON THIS POS HYPOCRITE!
James R Hoffa
12:31 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
@Steven -
Let's take a look at your list of complaints:
"He says hes against gov bailouts but accepts tarp fund$."
Hovde didn't directly accept any Tarp funds - institutions that he was invested in received Tarp funds. Most banks did. The fed actually forced banks to take Tarp funds, even if they were healthy. This is little more than extreme spin - don't be fooled.
"He says hes against agriculture subsidies but takes them for...tobacco!"
Once Hovde was made aware that a subsidiary of his that he does not personally manage was doing this, he stopped it and paid back all the subsidies to the feds. It takes a person of great character to admit when they've made a mistake and to take action to remedy the situation. Hovde did both. Case closed!
"He says hes going to focus on issues and not go negative...but was the first to do so."
No he wasn't. Neumann and Thompson started the negative crap long before Hovde did. And even then, Hovde is mostly responding as opposed to launching original attacks - big difference!
"... you helped JIM DOYLE get elected and reelected."
I'll admit that I'm not really sure what this is all about. But Thompson also made contributions to Democratic candidates. I'm not sure what this proves exactly - are you saying that Hovde is some kind of liberal in disguise? And money doesn't vote, only people do. This is a red herring issue with little to no substantive value.
Thompson's record isn't conservatively stellar, is it?
Steven cleveland
12:31 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Anybody but Eric or Tammy. Hovde has done NOTHING for WISCONSIN and nothing for conservative causes. Case in point is his cnbc statements on supporting higher taxes, and his support for JIM DOYLE. And for taking farm subsidies when he doesn't EVEN FARM! taking money meant for real farmers was it worth it Eric? Didn't he make enough $ by fleecing the government on bank bailouts? Sickening. Google hovde tarp banks, hovde tobacco, hovde doyle for more information on a few of eric's hypocrisies.
Steven cleveland
12:37 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Hoffa if your crook was staying focused on the issues as you say he'd be running only commercials on why we should vote for him, not why we shouldn't vote for the other guys. If you want Baldwin to win Eric Hovde is your man.
James R Hoffa
12:44 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I honestly hope that no one would base their vote merely on the content of campaign commercials!
Whoever takes the GOP nomination will win the seat - the results will be similar to those seen in the Walker recall election.
Steven cleveland
1:16 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Wrong. As much as I hate to give her any points, Baldwin has done more for wisconsin than Eric hypocrite hovde. All 3 other candidates are 1000 times better than Eric and are lifelong wi citizens who achieved in this state. So tell us hoffa what has Eric done in his record thats proof he would be the best choice for senator? Sell us the sizzle of a DC hedge fund wall street bank bailout predator crony capitalist who voted for the first time here this year? See my point? Or are you brainwashed by his millions spent on 30 second ads?
Steven cleveland
1:37 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Doyle campaign support to me is offensive, I voted for mark Greene and Doyle beat him. While he lived in DC Eric was supporting liberals in wisconsin, my home, with his money. What does that say about him?
Kay Pluemer
10:50 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tommy Thompson = Agenda 21 Don't know what this is? Google it, better yet YouTube it. It will scare the SH** out of you. He signed it into law when he was Gov. in Germany. This will be the downfall of the U.S.
robert nelson
1:58 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Kay I checked and governor thompson never passed a law in Wisconsin called agenda 21. As for the UN agenda 21 thompson is on record as having never been for or infavor of it, a comprehensive un effort to centralize land management and planning. Thompsons record for wi property owners is exemplary in reducing property taxes and equalizing tax burdens for property owners. Your conspiracy is as false as the notion UN inspectors will be showing up at my doorstep.
David Tatarowicz
12:43 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Hovde wants us to believe he is just a regular Wisconsin guy, who worked his way up from rags to riches.
He actually comes from a family of 3 generations of a real estate dynasty in Madison, WI --- he made his money the old fashioned way --- by starting with money he was born to and didn't earn.
He has lived the past decade in Washington DC NOT Wisconsin !!! Hmmmm wonder what he was milking in DC ??
He is no outsider to DC politics, his father was in the Reagan Administration.
Oh, and for having such concern for our political welfare, it is reported that while living in DC for a decade, he only voted twice !!
He is a Wisconsin born rich political insider family, who left his home state behind to play in the big sandbox, and then he carpet bags back to Wisconsin to put a long stem of grass in his mouth, stand in front of some cows, and say he is just a regular guy from Wisconsin .............
Steve ®
12:55 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
you're voting for Baldwin
Bren
4:00 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
David, I think it's another case of "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" ; )
James R Hoffa
4:17 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@David -
"Hovde wants us to believe he is just a regular Wisconsin guy, who worked his way up from rags to riches."
Ummm..., actually, everything that you mention here is fully disclosed on Hovde's website under the 'About' menu, in the 'About Eric' tab.
http://www.ericforsenate.com/2012/03/about-eric/
So, how exactly is he trying to deceive people, as you've asserted here?
"He actually comes from a family of 3 generations of a real estate dynasty in Madison, WI --- he made his money the old fashioned way --- by starting with money he was born to and didn't earn."
So, how exactly do you feel about inheritance or continuing legacy interests?
David Tatarowicz
2:13 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I know that Hovde's father worked in the Reagan administration --- which was 17 years after Eric was born --- but I wonder if his father had any other jobs in DC -- perhaps 17 years earlier in April of '67 ???
Was Eric really born in Wisconsin?
I would like to see his original Birth Certificate --- there have been just too many mis-representations about him, that I think we should make sure that a Wisconsin birth was really true.
Steve ®
2:33 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
You're voting for Baldwin
James R Hoffa
3:51 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@David -
Why does Hovde's place of birth matter? You don't have to be born in a state in order to represent that state in federal public office.
Nancy Pelosi - Born in Maryland, represents California.
Elizabeth Warren - Born in Oklahoma, running for US Senate in Massachusetts.
Are you what the media refers to as a birther?
David Tatarowicz
4:07 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@JRH Yes you are right you do not have to be born here to be a US Senator from here --- but this is a matter of veracity --- Hovde has fibbed on so many other things (in a Gableman sort of way on many) that I would like to know that he is at least telling the truth about this !!
James R Hoffa
4:19 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@David -
Could you provide examples of Hovde's fibs?
Steve ®
4:37 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Obama born in Hawaii senator of Illinois...... But Obama is the best guy every and every and rainbows and sunshine.
Again you're voting for Baldwin so please copy and paste a few more things from her blogs.
Jay Sykes
5:16 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Maybe, we could start a Patch fundraiser to send David to Madison, to look and report back to us, on an authentiction of the 'original Hovde birth certificate'. The High-Speed Badger Bus is about $36 Bucky's round trip.
Steve ®
5:55 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Too bad we didn't have a car speed rail system, we could have paid $69 one way and kept 84 people working. walker is evil and stuff
David Tatarowicz
6:10 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@Jay Thanks I would really enjoy doing research in Madison. Please make sure you get enough donations so that I can stay at a hotel in the style I would someday like to become accustomed to ... and of course meals and entertainment --- actually, I am sure whatever a US Senator would get will work just fine --- Thanks Again
Bren
3:29 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I have great respect for Margaret Farrow. Like Barbara Lawton, Ms. Farrow was a tremendous and tireless champion for our state. Unlike the current inhabitant.
Bob McBride
3:41 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
What Steve said.
James R Hoffa
3:41 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@Bren -
I'm still waiting for all those citations that you owe me. Or are you willing to admit that you were wrong?
Bren
3:59 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Bob, I appreciate that you "skim" rather than read articles and posts. Margaret Farrow isn't running in this election.
Mr. Hoffa, of course I'm not wrong. But since I have found you to be a "skimmer" I'll do it at a time more convenient for me as I'll basically be wasting my time.
James R Hoffa
4:09 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@Bren -
Hoffa was trained to read for detail!
Citation to where in the Ryan Path and/or budget that he expressly exempts members of Congress.
Citation to where in the Ryan Path and/or budget that he expressly authorizes $43B in tax breaks for oil companies.
Citation or link to a primary source indicating that Georgia Pacific and Diane Hendricks received tax breaks from the Walker administration, other than any consequential breaks received under the job creation program.
Link to evidence linking Holmes' actions to the comments of Rush Limbaugh.
Why don't you just put these issues to bed once and for all?
If you prove Hoffa wrong, I'll openly admit that and apologize. So, waiting Bren...
Bren
4:19 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
But Mr. Hoffa clearly doesn't exercise his skills here on Patch. The P2P budget plan as you know lacks that specificity of detail (although slightly more than the summative document you presented as evidence the information in question did not exist). What we are looking for are the foundations for such exemptions.
Although why I'm taking time to respond to a "skimmer" is unclear.
Bob McBride
4:19 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
You're right, Bren. Even though you won't be voting for any of the candidates mentioned in the article, I should have just posted "Nobody cares".
You're letting your obsession with Rebecca Kleefisch get the best of you.
Bren
4:28 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Bob, thank you for actually reading my post and responding to it. I, and all Wisconsinites, must live with the results of every election so every one of us should care.
Rebecca Kleefisch represents a breed of politicians who runs for self-benefit, not public service. When our state is cutting necessary programs and services for people in need, I will admit to being irked at opportunists like Kleefisch. Especially when Lt. Governors like Farrow and Lawton set the gold standard for that position.
Bob McBride
4:30 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Good. Now I can post what I should have originally.
Nobody cares.
James R Hoffa
4:32 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
@Bren -
You've definitively asserted time and again that Ryan, as a member of Congress, would not be personally affected by the budget proposals he's made. You and morninmist have definitively asserted that the Ryan 'budget' gives $43B in tax breaks to oil companies.
So, where's the proof of these assertions in the primary documents?
You have definitively asserted that the Walker administration has given tax breaks to Georgia Pacific and Diane Hendricks.
Where's the proof?
You asserted the possibility that Holmes may have been influenced to do what he did by the comments of Rush Limbaugh.
On what did you base such a premise?
You claim that you're right, so provide us with some primary sources!
I've asserted that you can't prove any of the above mentioned conspiracy theories that you've been pushing here on the Patch.
Either admit that Hoffa is right or look a disingenuous fool with no integrity to speak of.
James R Hoffa
4:37 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Finally, why do you keep on referring to Ryan's actual budget bill as a "summative document."
H.CON.RES.34 : Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021.
Sponsor: Rep Ryan, Paul [WI-1] (introduced 4/11/2011) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Budget; Senate Budget
House Reports: 112-58
Latest Major Action: 5/25/2011 Senate floor actions. Status: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 40 - 57. Record Vote Number: 77.
http://paulryan.house.gov/Legislation/Sponsored.htm
This is what is known as a primary document. It is 100% factual. It is the end all source.
So, what's it going to be Bren....
Seekthetruth
6:17 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Ask Hovde how many employees he's terminated at his hedge fund and how he treats his employees when he's unhappy. You'll be shocked to hear how poorly he can treat those who make him rich.