I attended a luncheon for Tommy Thompson in La Crosse on Friday. He is as feisty as ever–even at 70. What he had to say answered any lingering questions about his ability to run a good campaign and go on to serve six years in the U.S. Senate. Some will say he is too old, but if you had listened to him you would swear he looks and sounds like he's not a day over 60. He looks even better in person than when photographed.

He tells a convincing narrative about who he is and what he’s done for Wisconsin during 38 years of public service. He’s clear as a bell explaining why he would like to be Wisconsin’s next senator. Without notes or teleprompter. His policy positions can be found at his website: http://tommyforwisconsin.com.

Taken together, they display an amazing command of issues we face as a nation: the out-of-control spending and spiraling debt, the threat from Iran and Obama's flagging support for our national defense, the disjointed energy policies and what it will take to solve them, and replacing Obamacare with workable health reforms. He knows that issue inside out.

Yesterday morning I listened to Eric Hovde being interviewed over Wausau radio while I drove back to La Crosse. He started off grousing about how the campaign had turned negative, and how Thompson and Neumann were slinging mud at him. If I recall correctly, some of Hovde’s earlier ads accused Thompson of being too much the Washington insider and having supported Obamacare (which he didn’t). Hovde himself spent much of his professional life in Washington, while Thompson served as Wisconsin governor until 2001, when called by Bush to head HHS.

According to Hovde, Neumann voted four times for extending the federal debt limit as a congressman. My understanding is any senator or representative will have cast enough votes after one term to provide more than enough fodder for his next opponent's campaign.

But my real concern with Hovde is what we don’t know about him. This is the first time he has run for public office and, in my opinion, he has not been properly vetted. To me that means there is an opportunity for the Dems to pour through dirty laundry–if there is any to be found. We just don’t know. But you and I do know the Dems are the world experts at playing that game. Remember how Obama got elected, thanks to David Axelrod and Chicago, Inc.

The other candidate being given a chance is Mark Neumann. I probably agree with Mark on more of the issues than with either Thompson or Hovde (I'd think) since he is also a strong social conservative. But if Neumann should win, more money will flood into the state for darling Tammy than anyone can imagine. It will come from California, New York, the DC area and anywhere else the libs may call home.

We absolutely must nominate someone who can beat her. It is a high stakes game winning back both the Senate and a four-year lease on 1600 PA Ave.

I hope you will be visiting the polls next Tuesday, and will vote for who you think is the conservative candidate with the best chance to beat liberal Baldwin. We don’t need another senator like mild Herb representing Wisconsin right now. Once in office liberals are very, very difficult to get rid of.