Is the statesmen, Frederick, an idiot?

Take away Josh Marshall at TPM:

In my post yesterday about the Republican debate in Iowa, I said I thought that Tommy Thompson was supposed to be a "sharp guy." And that because of that purported sharpness I was surprised that his answer to one of the questions about Iraq was one of the stupidest and more ignorant things I've heard on the subject in some time.

Well, a lot of TPM Readers in Wisconsin beg to differ. Like TPM Reader RK, for instance ...

My drink nearly came out my nose when I read your remark about Tommy Thompson (he's supposed to be a "sharp guy"). Those of us who have lived with him for decades here in Wisconsin know his reputation for being a mental midget, a clown, an inarticulate moron. I don't know where you're getting your impression, but -- as much as I love and respect you -- I can't share it.

We got several other emails in a similar vein. And I got the sense this wasn't your garden variety not liking a guy because you don't like his politics but a more considered appraisal that the man is in fact a doofus and a buffoonish moron.

So where did I get this idea? I think the root of my misapprehension is the sense I had back in the 1990s that as Governor of Wisconsin Thompson was something of an innovator in the world of conservative social policy -- with things like school vouchers, welfare reform and health insurance provision. I think I also had the impression that Thompson was someone who was interested in this stuff at the level of substance and because of that I jumped to the conclusion -- a flawed leap in light of what I'm hearing now -- that Thompson was a sharp guy when in fact he may be a real boob.

Late Update: Another TPM Reader dissents ...

As a news volunteer at Madison's community radio station, WORT, I interviewed Tommy Thompson when he was minority leader of the Wisconsin Assembly. I found him articulate, funny and charming, even though I knew even then (circa 1985) that Thompson was an early version of Newt Gingrich. I don't think Thompson is stupid, but I think that, like Mike Gravel, he humors himself by speaking unedited. He thinks this makes him authentic. As governor of Wisconsin, he came across as a clumsy, folksy gadfly, which was part of his political schtick. Something he probably copied from Proxmire, but which Proxmire did with much more actual authenticity.

Thompson's brother, who ran for governor last time as a libertarian, is an even more extreme gadfly. Pretty funny, but not taken seriously.

My brother who still lives near Lacrosse hates Thompson with a passion, quoting him shouting, "WisCONsin, where eagles soar and Harleys roar!!!"

As for all the Republican innovative policy clap trap -- that was rolled out by the Heritage, Bradley and Olin foundations. Thompson was smart enough to get out of the way.

Still, I wouldn't mind sitting around the Memorial Union's Rathskeller and sharing a pitcher or two with Thompson, not that I'd ever consider voting for him. Given how he came across in the interview, Thompson would probably be down for that.