Election 2012

Santorum’s exit shortens GOP race

April 11, 2012 By Andrew Beckett

Now that former Senator Rick Santorum is out of the race for president, voters should expect the primary season to switch over to campaign mode. That’s the feeling of Marquette University Law School public policy professor Charles Franklin, who says Santorum’s exit on Tuesday should clear the way for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to lock-up the Republican nomination.

With the primaries that remain in other states, Franklin says Romney will most likely be able to claim the delegates necessary to win the nomination. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Congressman Ron Paul remain in the race, but Franklin says they are not considered a threat to Romney’s bid.

Franklin says Santorum’s decision was likely influenced by his loss to Romney last week in Wisconsin’s primary. He says Wisconsin ended up having “the last word on the campaign.”

Santorum had remained in the race despite a string of losses to Romney in the Midwest, leaving him with almost half as many delegates. Franklin says leaving the race now allows Santorum to bow out on his own terms and avoids dragging out the primary into a fight that could damage the chances of the eventual nominee defeating President Obama next November.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:06)

Thompson offers tax reform plan

April 10, 2012 By Andrew Beckett

Republican U.S Senate candidate Tommy Thompson is detailing his tax reform plan. The former governor says he wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, reduce corporate income taxes, and exempt families from taxes on less than $100,000 in capital gains. Thompson also wants to repeal federal taxes on Social Security benefits and phase in a flat income tax.

Thompson says the current federal tax system is dysfunctional, and the complexity intimidates families. Also, he argues it gives businesses an incentive to find loopholes so they can stay globally competitive.

Thompson says his plan would simplify the lives of Americans and help get federal spending under control.

The state Democratic Party was critical of Thompson’s proposal, saying it shows Thompson’s “desire to make Washington work for him, not Wisconsin.” Party chairman Mike Tate says “Thompson’s flat tax gimmick would result in a massive tax break for wealthy people like himself, while largely ignoring the needs of the middle class.”

Thompson is seeking the GOP nomination in the U.S. Senate race. He’s running against former Congressman Mark Neumann, state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, and hedge fund manager Eric Hovde.

Neumann calls for Congressional term limits

April 9, 2012 By Andrew Beckett

A Republican candidate in the U.S. Senate race argues there are too many career politicians in Washington D.C. and federal lawmakers should impose term limits for future members.

Former Congressman Mark Neumann says he wants to see federal legislation passed that would limit elected officials to serving 12 years in a single office. Neumann says he believes term limits are needed because “our founding fathers did not intend for this nation to be run by career politicians.”

Neumann, who served two terms in the U.S. House, says term limits would allow people with new ideas to take office. He points to Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), who had little political experience before running for office in 2010, as an example of how someone outside of the established political structure can bring a new perspective.

Most of Wisconsin’s current Congressional delegation has been in office for more than 12 years. Neumann says he is open to grandfathering in existing members, even if he thinks it may be best for them to step aside. He notes that his proposal would not prevent them from running for a different office, such as moving from the U.S. House to the Senate.

Neumann on Monday also announced a proposal that would require retired members of Congress who go on to work for lobbying firms or special interests to forfeit their federal pensions and benefits. Neumann says taxpayers should not have to supplement the incomes of those making millions of dollars trying to influence the government.

Neumann is running in a four-way primary for the GOP Senate nomination.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:09)