The Bader Blog

Robert De Niro is going to play Vince Lombardi in an ESPN Films theatrical release. I absolutely love De Niro. And this story is right; it's an icon playing an icon. For some reason though, I just can't visualize it. On paper though, it seems perfect. One thing to consider, Lombardi was in his late 40's when he took the job at Green Bay; De Niro is 67.

As Jim Doyle, et. al continue to pout over losing "The Race to the Top" our friends at the MacIver Insitute are saying "we told you so." They saw the writing on the chalk board months ago...Why didn't the Doyle administration?

8:30 to 11 AM, 97.5 FM, 1360 AM Green Bay, 9 to 11 AM, 1330 AM Sheboygan, Streaming live at wtaq.com/whbl.com. Topics subject to change:

Congressional Candidate Dr. Marc Trager

5 words President Obama won't say.

Did ABC stage Toyota acceleration story.

Dan Rather says "Obama couldn't sell watermelons."

Follow-up on yesterday's discussion on a proposed Sheboygan County Mosque

ACORN workers charged with felony voter registration fraud in Wisconsin.

According to Toyota, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, ABC's report on potential acceleration problems shows the tachometer at 6,000 RPM when evidence of the vehicle shows it is in park. ABC has replaced the video (never a good sign). Further, this story involves a manipulation of the electronics in question. Toyota's counter offensive came on the same day an out of control Prius was stopped with help from police on a San Diego freeway.

Whether or not Toyota product has rapid acceleration problems is becoming the "Elvis sightings" equivalent of the automotive industry. As such, it could be a reputation, fairly or unfairly, that lingers with Toyota for a long time.

This comes on the same day Toyota goes on the counter-offensive claiming its vehicles are safe.

On the heels of a report that former Governor and George W. Bush administration member Tommy Thompson is getting more serious about a run against Senator Russ Feingold, Feingold rips Thompson today. SPOP (standard political operating procedure) here would be to ignore the opponent that is not yet an opponent. This is telling. It doesn't mean Thompson is seriously considering a run; it means Feingold is seriously worried about a Thompson run. Observers outside Wisconsin don't consider Feingold's seat in play at present but do consider it in play of Thompson jumps in.

And Feingold knows the real reason Thompson is being urged to run is that he'll give Feingold one heckuva fight. My inclination is still that Thompson won't run for senate. I could be wrong about that and Feingold already engaging an opponent that doesn't exist shows exactly how afraid Feingold and dems in general are of a Thompson run. One can only hope this further encourages Thompson to get in.

Hey, Hey! We're the Capitol of the "beer belly belt."

Despite this piece in the Wisconsin State Journal, I still believe it's unlikely Tommy Thompson will run for U.S. Senate. Bill McCoshen is definitely a guy in a position to know whether Tommy is getting more serious about this. The worst thing that could happen right now is false signals that Thompson is serious about this, which will freeze up money and energy, not just in this but other races, only to have the air go out of the balloon if Thompson doesn't run. The longer this decision takes, either way, the more potential damage Thompson does to overall GOP prospects in Wisconsin this fall.

I don't think he's going to run. I hope I'm wrong. Whatever his decision is, it would serve the conservative movement best if Tommy would make it sooner rather than later.

8:30 AM to 11 AM: 97.5 FM, 1360 AM, Green Bay, 1330 AM, streaming live at wtaq.com/whbl.com. Topics schedule to change:

Should the Catholic Church advertise to get non-practicing Catholics "back into the fold?"

Should local officials in Sheboygan County allow development of a Mosque over the objections of residents who fear terrorism?

A Manitowoc doctor wants to turn a former health food store into a Mosque in the Sheboygan County Town of Wilson. The town hall was packed by locals during a recent hearing. They were concerned the Mosque could be a breeding ground for Islamic terrorism. That could be true. Should public outcry stop the local government, in this case the Town of Wilson board, stop the development of a place of worship? Is this constiutional? We'll take it up on the show today.

Aaron Kampan has reportedly signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Whatever happens with the 3-4 defense in Green Bay, it'll be hard to justify what the Packers did with Kampman, even before his injury.

This story actually has been out there for a couple of weeks. As was the case with the "Wall Street wailing" bonuses is a bit of a misnomer. Secondly, the union can cry all it wants about giving Merc what it wanted. If it didn't, Merc would be gone, Stillwater Oklahoma would have the jobs, and these salaried workers would still be getting the bonuses.

These employees by the nature of their employment are incentive based. To compare this to the rank and file concessions is apples and oranges. But I know the union will never accept that.