Vukmir and Nicholson Spar

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The increasingly acrimonious Republican Party primary for U.S. Senate has spilled over to the airwaves this week with Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir trading verbal jabs on talk radio.

One day after Nicholson appeared to dismiss the endorsements Vukmir has received from top Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, Vukmir went on air Wednesday to defend the party's senior leaders.

"What the grassroots in Wisconsin can't understand ... why is Kevin not complimentary of our conservative accomplishments, what we've achieved here in Wisconsin," Vukmir said.

...The interviews were conducted by Dan O'Donnell of WISN-AM (1130).

...During his Tuesday interview with Nicholson, O'Donnell pointed out the endorsements Vukmir received from the GOP leaders as well as backing from Gov. Scott Walker's family. The governor hasn't endorsed in the race and has promised to support the winner of the primary.

"Look, I'm the outside candidate, Dan," Nicholson said. "If you needed any verification, you got it. I could not be more comfortable with the way this race is breaking down. Look, I am not of the political class. And boy, does the political class know it and does the political class fear it."

...Later in the interview, Nicholson said: "If you want an establishment politician who is part of the inside class who is obviously trying to protect themselves as best they can from the citizenry, boy, don't vote for me."

He said he wasn't going to Washington to become part of the political class, adding, "The other members of the delegation, they can be nervous about this all they want but I'm not going there to be their friend."

On Wednesday, Vukmir said that Nicholson "can't have it both ways." She claimed Nicholson condemned Walker, her and her colleagues as insiders while also touting endorsements he has received from U.S. Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah.

...Vukmir was asked by O'Donnell if Nicholson had made a point that politicians who know each other simply endorse their friends.

"What that shows is he clearly doesn't understand Wisconsin, Wisconsin politics and let's face it, he hasn't lived here his whole life as I have," she said.

Nicholson, born in Milwaukee, attended the University of Minnesota and was in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended graduate school before returning to Wisconsin.

An opponent criticized me today & said: “he hasn’t lived here [in WI] his whole life as I have.” Yes, it's true. I joined the military, lived in Iraq & Afg & protected this country, including your right to attack me. Nonsense like this is the reason people hate politicians. pic.twitter.com/cAWivZx2yK

— Kevin Nicholson (@KevinMNicholson) July 11, 2018

I don't think Vukmir was referring to the time Nicholson spent in Iraq and Afghanistan serving in the military. (Did you know Nicholson was a Marine?)

I think Vukmir is referring to the time Nicholson spent living and working in Washington, D.C., as well as his time as a student in Minnesota and on the east coast while attending Harvard and Dartmouth.

It's not fair for Nicholson to suggest Vukmir is criticizing him for being out of Wisconsin during his military service.

Nicholson has to be careful about overplaying the Marine card to cover criticism for his past as a Democrat leader.

Moreover, we know Leah Vukmir. She's not a swamp-dwelling Washington insider.

I believe Vukmir is the best choice to defeat Tammy Baldwin in November. But without question, if Nicholson wins the primary, I will fully support him. I don't like the sparring. It bloodies both candidates, but it's unavoidable.

Bottom line: Anyone but Tammy Baldwin.

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From Politico: He’s the Republican Dream Candidate. There’s Just One Problem ...

Two decades ago, Kevin Nicholson was a rising star in the Democratic Party. Then he disappeared. Now he’s running for U.S. Senate — as a conservative Republican.