Delusions of grandeur: Former Bush cabinet member Tommy Thompson is apparently exploring a run for the presidency, according to Congressional Quarterly:
Tommy G. Thompson — a former Wisconsin governor who served in President Bush’s Cabinet — is officially exploring a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
The former secretary of Health and Human Services registered his Thompson Presidential Exploratory Committee – 2008 with the Federal Election Commission on Dec. 13.
Thompson first came to national prominence during a 14-year tenure as governor of Wisconsin, during which he made his biggest mark by overhauling the state’s welfare system. He first won the office in 1990, unseating Democratic incumbent Anthony S. Earl by 53 percent to 46 percent. Although Wisconsin is a partisan battleground, if not slightly Democratic-leaning, Thompson proceeded to win a record three re-elections, all by landslide margins.
After winning his last race, in 1998, Thompson resigned in February 2001 to accept his nomination by Bush to head HHS. He served through Bush’s first term, then resigned in January 2005 and was succeeded by former Utah Republican Gov. Michael O. Leavitt.
Thompson had mulled returning to Wisconsin politics to run for the Senate or governor, but decided against it.
