NEWS BLOG (WSAU) My thoughts after the U.S. Senate debate in Wausau on Thursday: both candidates are so imperfect that it’s a 100% ideological race. The Republican electorate can’t be happy with Tommy Thompson. He’s been a lazy campaigner and a grouchy debater. In the primary almost two-thirds of the GOP voted for one of his opponents. Democrats realize that as imperfect as Thompson is, Baldwin was out-debated by him the first time they met. She did better on Thursday, but is still too far to the left to comfortably attract centrist voters.

So we’re left with the least-satisfying type of election. Republicans will chose Thompson because he’ll be another “R” in the Senate. Democrats will vote for Baldwin to get the “D”.

I still think Thompson will ultimately win this race. Wisconsin is tightening nationally. Thompson is a known quantity state-wide, Baldwin isn’t. Baldwin built an earlier lead when she had a cash and advertising advantage which she doesn’t have anymore.

With Senator Thompson, all we’ll get is another checkmark in the roll call votes. He does not appear mentally sharp enough that he’ll do any of the heavy lifting in the Senate, like writing bills and shaping policy. Should Baldwin win, her ideas wouldn’t get support from moderate Democrats, yet alone from the other side of the isle.

Herb Kohl will retire as a tired back-bencher. Wisconsin’s next senator doesn't seem likely to improve our state’s profile in that chamber.

Chris Conley
10/19/12

Some things about the state football playoffs don’t make sense. D.C. Everest was told to bring their “home” green jerseys for their road game tonight against Bay Port. It may just be a mistake from the WIAA, but green it is.

If Everest wins, they’ll likely get a home game against Hudson next week. Hudson is a 2-seed, but playoff rules say teams need to get additional home games to help their booster clubs raise money. Hudson is home tonight – they’ll be on the road next week.

I’d love to be wrong, but both D.C. Everest and Wausau-East are likely to lose their games tonight.

Tonight on Fox Sports 1390:
Wausau East vs Holmen, 6:30pm LIVE
D.C. Everest vsBayPort, 9:30pm TAPE DELAY