Republican presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson, Bush’s former HHS Secretary and a four-term governor of Wisconsin, seems to have developed an awkward foot-in-mouth disease. He’s a bit of a long shot anyway, but this really isn’t helping.
In April, Thompson had to backpedal after telling a Jewish group that earning money is “part of the Jewish tradition.” He later said he was “tired,” which led to a careless choice of words.
At the Republicans’ first presidential debate, in response to a question about discrimination, Thompson said private employers should be able to fire gay employees, regardless of job performance. He later said he misunderstood what he’d been asked.
Last night, he elaborated on the point, saying he flubbed the question because he had to go to the bathroom.
“I’ve been very sick. … I was very sick the day of the debate. I had all of the problems with the flu and bronchitis that you have, including running to the bathroom. I was just hanging on. I could not wait until the debate got off so I could go to the bathroom.”
Thompson said he thought he was being asked if there were enough laws already to address discrimination in the workplace. The question at the debate was, “If a private employer finds homosexuality immoral, should he be allowed to fire a gay worker?”
Feel the Tommentum.
There’s more on this and other campaign-related news in the Election Central Sunday RoundUp.
