Wisconsin GOP Campaign Snapshots: Republican Candidates Ron Johnson and Tim Michels in Green Bay

The entire slate of Republicans passed through Green Bay on Friday morning, featuring a surprisingly deft performance from Tim Michels. Having interviewed Michels a couple of months ago, I was fascinated by his improvement on the stump and during the media availability. He’s not a natural talent, but he has moved from reading a 3×5 index card behind his eyes to delivering a more uniform, confident speech with smoothed transitions. Since it was Green Bay, may I offer an analogy? If we were to draft politicians on polish, Michels would have shifted from a late sixth-rounder to a mid-fourth-round pick — serviceable and expected to see the field this season, but with a modest ceiling.

The protesters that Wisconsin Democrats had requested to interrupt the event never materialized, so the grey morning did not see the sort of demonstration that I had expected. However, the head of the GOP office kept a list of those who would be attending and observed it with zeal, so it may be that such obstreperousness was headed off at the gate while the candidates spoke on the controlled back lot.

About the Author

Luther Ray Abel

Luther Ray Abel is an Associate Editor for National Review. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Luther is a proud native of Sheboygan, Wis.

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The entire slate of Republicans passed through Green Bay on Friday morning, featuring a surprisingly deft performance from Tim Michels. Having interviewed Michels a couple of months ago, I was fascinated by his improvement on the stump and during the media availability. He’s not a natural talent, but he has moved from reading a 3×5 index card behind his eyes to delivering a more uniform, confident speech with smoothed transitions. Since it was Green Bay, may I offer an analogy? If we were to draft politicians on polish, Michels would have shifted from a late sixth-rounder to a mid-fourth-round pick — serviceable and expected to see the field this season, but with a modest ceiling.

The protesters that Wisconsin Democrats had requested to interrupt the event never materialized, so the grey morning did not see the sort of demonstration that I had expected. However, the head of the GOP office kept a list of those who would be attending and observed it with zeal, so it may be that such obstreperousness was headed off at the gate while the candidates spoke on the controlled back lot.