Magnum reloaded

There is an eerie sense of déjà vu to the Dave Magnum campaign. Once again the local businessman has come out of the gate swinging, boasting of a surprisingly healthy bankroll for a Republican in a district gerrymandered to the left. And once again he is hoping to make that very fund raising a major topic, commenting in a press release:

Unlike my opponent, the support for my campaign overwhelmingly comes from fellow Badgers. I’m pleased with the strong response to my campaign and the desire for new leadership ... They’re also frustrated with Tammy Baldwin largely financing her campaign with donations from east and west coast special interest groups. Working families here deserve someone who has the best interests of Wisconsin in mind, instead of New York and California.

Of course, no Republican has given Tammy Baldwin a serious run for her money – pun very much intended – since Professor Sharpless took her on in the days of the old district lines. Now Ms. Baldwin has job security along with Paul Ryan and James Sensenbrenner, making a victory of any sorts of any GOP candidate extremely unlikely.

Mr. Magnum is a good candidate, skilled orator, decent human being and would probably make a good representative to congress. But I have to wonder if they people bankrolling the $100,000 he has in his war chest so far are investing in a potential congressman or a campaign of ideas.