FOX 11: Thompson, Baldwin courting veterans' vote

 SOURCE: WLUK-TV, FOX 11, Green Bay, Wis.
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/fox_cities/tommy-thompson-tammy-baldwin-courting-veterans-vote

Thompson, Baldwin courting veterans' vote

Thompson, Baldwin courting veterans' vote

Updated: Friday, 05 Oct 2012, 5:16 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 05 Oct 2012, 12:57 PM CDT

• Chad Doran, FOX 11 News

APPLETON - The U.S. Senate race descended on Appleton today.

Both former Governor Tommy Thompson and U-S Representative Tammy Baldwin were courting veterans at the statewide Disabled American Veterans Conference.

Issues facing disabled veterans took center stage in the U.S. Senate race this morning.

"I think it is very important to just hear about veterans issues none of the other stuff that is political and stuff that's going on today," said John Fredrickson, Wisconsin Commander of the Disabled American Veterans.

Former Governor Tommy Thompson spoke to the group about his goal to get vets the best care possible.

"It is a commitment of mine as a citizen to give my best to those people who have given so much," said Thompson.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin said she wants troops overseas to come home and the money spent on the war to be funneled into programs for vets.

"When they return home, they need someone to fight for them and I am committed to do that everyday," said Baldwin.

Both candidates say veterans issues are an important part of this race and paying for them is equally important. They say that starts at the federal level by balancing the budget.

"We are needing to take a balanced approach to get back on solid economic footing as well as begin to reduce our debt," said Baldwin.

"Tammy Baldwin has never seen a bill she could not increase spending on or a tax bill she did not like, so it's impossible for anyone with that philosophy to consider," said Thompson.

The candidates also touched on unemployment and the need for job creation.

"For me I'm not satisfied, it's not fast enough. Obviously we want to see the recovery continue because middle class families in Wisconsin are still struggling," said Baldwin.

"While I cut taxes, she raises taxes, while I cut regulation she increases regulations, while I am building Wisconsin she is causing people to become unemployed," said Thompson.

Whether the economy or veterans issues, it's a race where voters will have to choose who presents the best plan to fix the problems facing Wisconsin.

In not endorsing either candidate, the veterans group described itself as non-partisan focusing on providing care to disabled veterans throughout the state.