Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) dies.
By on Jun 4th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) dies.
“Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas, a three-term conservative Republican who stayed clear of the Washington limelight and political catfights, died Monday. He was 74. The senator’s family issued a statement saying he died Monday evening at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He had been receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia.”
UPDATE: Michael Froomkin explains how Thomas’ seat will now be filled.
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My condolences to his family.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:18 pmMay he rest in peace and I feel for his family.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:19 pmRest in peace.
-GSD
June 4th, 2007 at 11:24 pmI extend my sympathies to those saddened by his loss.
Since this is a political venue though, it does seem relevant to point out that while at the founding, the difference between the number of residents in the largest and smallest states was roughly eleven to one; today, the difference between the number of residents in California and Wyoming is over seventy to one. As a result, less than twenty percent of the electorate could theoretically choose the majority of the Senate. That these voters are governed largely in a sort of feudal arrangement between farming/mining/corporate owners and loner type truck drivers tends to lend itself to getting a reliable vote that will "stay out of the lime light." That's a perversion of representative democracy.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:28 pmI am sorry for the loss to those who loved him.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:30 pmSorry to be heartless, before the corpse is cold, by how does WY deal with an open Senate seat? Special election? Governor appointed? Anyone? Do we have a chance of picking up a democratic seat and kicking LIEberman to the curb?
June 4th, 2007 at 11:31 pmMy sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:32 pm"Any man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind."
My condolences to his family for their loss.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:34 pmDEM Governor appointed, Frank R.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:36 pmAccording to Kos:
"Gov. Dave Freudenthal will appoint his successor after the state Republican party submits three names for consideration."
June 4th, 2007 at 11:36 pmFrank > Wyoming Governor is a Democrat, but the Republicans get to choose 3 candidates to replace Thomas, then the Dem Gov. gets to choose one of them. This means ZERO change in the Senate, so LIEberman is still a big problem. Now if Joe died nobody would care.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:37 pmTo Frank R:
The Governor (who's a Democrat) will choose from 3 names put forward by the Republican party in WY.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:38 pmThis is a geat loss. Senstor Thomas hated homos and loved Ameriva. Just watch how the Democowards crow! You will neber be the patriot that Senator Thomas was. He will probably be replaced by some liberal. I think I will have another drink and clean my guns in his homor.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:38 pmFake "Jake".
June 4th, 2007 at 11:41 pmJake,
Please show a little respect for the man. Your all-partisan, all the time schtick is not appropriate.
Give it a rest, we are all the same under the skin.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:42 pmI wonder if another couple million Jews were killed, would nobody care about that either?
June 4th, 2007 at 11:42 pmJake > the GOPers in Wyoming get to choose 3 candidates to replace Thomas, then the Democrat Gov. has to choose one of them, so the replacement will be another Republican.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:45 pmYou've gotta be kidding me. Condolences?
This was a (re)'publican. This is one of those who stood by while traitors installed george w. bush to be the (p)Resident, who brought us the "no child left behind" act, the (p)rape-treat act, the never-ending occupation of Iraq, and a national debt your great grandchildren will be struggling to pay.
The Grim Reaper has rid this good earth of another one of the creeps. Good Riddance! Looking forward to your return to harvest a few more.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:47 pmComment by Robert — June 4, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
He was a human being, and he had a family.
We don't have to become less than human by dancing on his grave.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:56 pmRobert > if LIEberman died, then I would have to hold my tongue, because I dislike Traitor Joe. Sen. Thomas was one of the milder GOPers in the Senate, so best to give condolences to his family.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:03 amSince when does a governor have to replace an open Senate seat with someone of a party choosing?
Sound like bull to me.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:05 amEasyRider > each state gets to chose the rules of how to replace a Senator who dies. All the rules need to be federalized to make it the same for every state, but at present Wyoming can do it this way.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:08 amSince when does a governor have to replace an open Senate seat with someone of a party choosing?
Sound like bull to me.
Comment by EasyRider
Rachael Maddaw was talking about this... The Dem governor will choose from the 3 candidates the republicans put out there. This could be grim change in the senate as Thomas was one of the moderate ones.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:17 amComment by Jay Randal — June 5, 2007 @ 12:03 am
you're a better man than many.
RIP Craig.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:17 amMy condolences to those who loved him and to those he represented in the Senate.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:20 amMy condolences to those who loved him and to those he represented in the Senate.
Comment by Mr. President — June 5, 2007 @ 12:20 am
This is bullshit, there is no way I would say something like this. I don't give a f*ck about some douche politician.
Is this Shane?
June 5th, 2007 at 12:27 amPlease, if you can't respect death, you can't respect life. But this replacement process concerns me. Who picks the potential replacements? And the governor is bound by this? It stinks. I don't care whether it's either political party calling the shots, it stinks. Political parties = corporate interests = subversion of democracy.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:27 amWow, that was fast. He just fell ill yesterday. I feel for his family.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:31 amMr. President, you wouldn't send your condolences to those that loved him and those that voted for him? Surprise, surprise.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:32 amWow, that was fast. He just fell ill yesterday. I feel for his family.
Comment by JPark
Apparently he'd been ill for a while with cancer, but an infection took him quickly.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:32 amSenator Thomas, thank you for your service to this country. My condolences to your family, your colleagues in the United States Senate, and to those who called you a friend.
And good night, all.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:34 amRepublican or Democrat, dying of cancer is a horrible thing for the deceased to go through, and their family.
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
His successor will be a Republican, maybe he'll want to get re-elected, hopefully will listen to the people of Wyoming (except Darth Veeper).
June 5th, 2007 at 12:35 amMr. President, you wouldn’t send your condolences to those that loved him and those that voted for him? Surprise, surprise.
Comment by JPark — June 5, 2007 @ 12:32 am
I normal wouldn't post on one of these threads, but someone thought it would be funny to forge my signature... any ideas who it might have been?
I think shane has in the past.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:36 amAnd good night, all.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider
Hi, Wayne!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:37 amGoodnight, Wayne!
Ahh, thanks, Zoo, I didn't know that. At least he went fast. There is nothing worse than lingering.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:37 amThomas was "my" senator, and he learned of his illness just before the November election when he won another term.
I only met the guy once--at Cheyenne Frontier Days, which wasn't the place to talk politics--but I wrote and challenged him often. He always responded and his letters, although usually the Republican talking points, were always written in a thoughtful and polite manner, unlike Wyoming's other congresscritters.
It will be interesting to see whom our governor appoints from the three who will be nominated by the state's Republican Party. Gov Dave is a Democrat, so he is likely to avoid a hard right-winger.
It will also be interesting to see what role Cheney is given in the wake and funeral. He was just in Wyoming give the kids at Boys State a scary speech.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:42 amMr. President. So...you wouldn't send your condolences? I thought it was a rather respectful post...then you disavowed it. You don't really give a damn if anybody suffers or dies, do you?
June 5th, 2007 at 12:42 amIt should be changed nationally that when a Senator dies, or resigns, then the successor must be chosen by a special election. Senate is run as a club for the elite, so this must stop.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:45 amMr. President. So…you wouldn’t send your condolences? I thought it was a rather respectful post…then you disavowed it. You don’t really give a damn if anybody suffers or dies, do you?
Comment by JPark — June 5, 2007 @ 12:42 am
I care about suffering. But death, who knows?
I'm really just pissed that someone forged my name.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:48 amMy condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:50 amMr. President, I don't really feel for the dead, I feel for those who loved them. You wouldn't understand, I am sure.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:51 amMr. President, I am not a fan of name-jacking but jeez, it almost made you seem human.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:52 amMr. President, I am not a fan of name-jacking but jeez, it almost made you seem human.
Comment by JPark — June 5, 2007 @ 12:52 am
I've actually lost several loved ones in the past few years and I don't feel comfortable with this topic.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:57 amMy father died when I was 8, Mr. President. And the following BS is one reason I HATE righties so much. Reagan was a huge a$$hole. Why is honoring the dead (especially a Republican) a problem?
June 5th, 2007 at 1:05 amA former colleague of mine, with whom I kept in touch even after we both moved on to other workplaces, died of leukemia on Saturday. I just went to his funeral. My condolences to all those who were close to Senator Thomas.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:16 amComment by JPark — June 5, 2007 @ 1:05 am
Well, I can only speak for myself (neither rep or dem). I have a problem with death because of the circumstances of my girlfriend's death a year and a half ago, and those of my friends last year.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:22 amLora, I am sorry for your loss.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:22 amThank you, JPark. He was a good longtime friend.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:26 amMr. President, don't expect me to feel for you. You and your right-wing friends don't give one F^ck about anybody but yourselves. I can't bring myself to sympathise.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:46 amComment by JPark — June 5, 2007 @ 1:46 am
I didn't ask for your sympathy, I simply told you why I had a problem with death. Chill out.
Remember, you were the one who asked:
"Why is honoring the dead (especially a Republican) a problem?Comment by JPark — June 5, 2007 @ 1:05 am"
June 5th, 2007 at 2:09 amDeath is apolitical. Peace
June 5th, 2007 at 2:11 amMr. President, you ARE the one with a problem with death. You have absolutely no sympathy for those who are mourning Thomas. You only think of yourself.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:17 amWell, it's a shame whenever someone dies, but I'm not going to shed any phony tears over Thomas. He was a do-nothing politician who supported the Iraq War. He was highly connected to Blackwater USA, the mercenary firm we use in Iraq, and he was a supporter of privatizing the military even more (to make it more profitable for the private corporation who win those contracts). He also supported Bush's Social Security privatization plan.
Was he AS BAD as fellow Republican from Wyoming, and personal friend, Dick Cheney? No, but he didn't use his position of power to help people either. He used it to support war and to support big energy and pharmaceutical companies.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:32 amIs it your egos or just your attitude of self importance that causes you to go online at a blog never read by anyone connected with Sen. Thomas and post stuff like "My condolences to the family", "I'm sorry to the family for the loss", etc.. I mean who the hell are you talking to and why would you feel the need to say anything about it? Like your feelings should mean anything as if some entity is saying, "oh look, so and so is talking again, we should all take heed. Is it just that it's the internet that makes people feel they are actually included or in the midst of the ordeal. Does it strike anyone else as weird and bordering on schizophrenia. I flipped over here to see how he would be replaced in the Senate and thought , "why are they saying that? How very strange".
June 5th, 2007 at 2:48 amI will shed no more tears for him than I would for an Al-Qaeda leader because they both are war criminals in my book, because I am not a HYPOCRITE.
Saying I am against the Iraq war but support the troops because the leaders told them to do it, is just as ILLOGICAL as saying that I am against Al-Qaeda but support their troops because their leaders told them to do it.
Hitmen do not get off the hook because the mob boss told them to do it, because they could have refused to do it, just like an Al-Qada/American/British or any other soldier could refuse and like the 10,000 American soliders who are the true HEROS did refuse!
June 5th, 2007 at 6:51 amGod Bless the Senator's family. Craig, you were a great representative of your state.
Rest in Peace.
June 5th, 2007 at 6:52 amMr. President,
Your losses are quite unsettling. I hope you're somehow able to cope well with losing all those that you've loved in such a short time frame. That's a hell of of a lot to take in at once. God Bless.
June 5th, 2007 at 6:56 amIs it your egos or just your attitude of self importance that causes you to go online at a blog never read by anyone connected with Sen. Thomas and post stuff like “My condolences to the familyâ€, “I’m sorry to the family for the lossâ€, etc.. I mean who the hell are you talking to and why would you feel the need to say anything about it? Like your feelings should mean anything as if some entity is saying, “oh look, so and so is talking again, we should all take heed.
Comment by Bjobotts
I am sure most--perhaps all--of us are aware that people connected with Senator Thomas are not reading this. Maybe we're just nice people who want to express our sympathy anyway. As for our feelings meaning anything, how about you? To paraphrase one of your sentences: "Like your opinions should mean anything."
June 5th, 2007 at 7:00 am"I'm glad he's dead!"
That's what the wingers of the world would be saying if Thomas had been a liberal. The Right are sociopaths.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:04 amWhile I give condolences to his family and friends for their loss, lets not forget that 6 soldiers died in Iraq yesterday for which there will be no news broadcast, no commentary, and no on-air funeral procession.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:30 amI am a rare and wonderful thing: a true liberal Wyoming native. I am an almost obsessive visitor to this site. I also am a friend of Craig Thomas, someone I've known longer than I've known my husband of 22 years. I would like to offer a few informed observations about this good man.
Anyone who knew Craig knew for certain these things:
-- He was a man of principle who used that as his foundation in voting and in life.
-- Common sense was his guide. He was very practical in assessing a situation and in responding. It's the Wyoming way.
-- He faithfully represented his constituents, even when the will of Wyoming's people clashed with the Republican party.
-- As one of his constiuents who frequently found herself on the opposite site of an issue, I had the assurance that he listened to my concerns.
Actually, with one notable exception (our current representative, an idiot who HAS memorized the administration's talking points and votes accordingly), that last bullet point has been true of virtually every federal representative sent to DC by our citizens in recent decades. They are accessible, and they listen. They may not agree with us. But we will be heard, and they will respond to us with respect.
I'll spend too much time revisiting the site, as I always do. But I think I'll avoid this thread. I'm too busy mourning my friend.
June 5th, 2007 at 8:08 amHe also lived to the age of 74. There are at least a thousand Americans in Iraq who may not see their next birthday. Where's their 24 hour news cast? Where's their individual memorials? Where's their flags at half staff? Where are their congresspersons?
I get the point, he was a good man. He's also lived 3 times as long as the 3,498 soldiers that died in Iraq. A war which he supported.
June 5th, 2007 at 8:20 amRepublicans change the rules once the got themselves a Democrat for Governor. Use be to the Governor picked the replace if a senators dies. republicans are scumbags. CHANGE THE RULES SO WE CAN WIN.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:02 amOnly about 6 unhinged haters on this thread. I am pleasantly suprised.
Thank you Zooey and others for your decency.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:52 amCondolences to the family.
June 5th, 2007 at 4:18 pmToo bad it wasn't Lieberman.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:46 pmI don't see how any of you can say things like this about this man. He was a good person and shouldn't have people praising his death. He is a PERSON, and has a FAMILY. Regardless of his party affiliation. He should be treated fairly by all. I guarentee that all of you who say his death was a good thing, wouldnt be able to walk half a step in his shoes. Senator Thomas did support this war. But at least he served his tme in the military, and the Marine Corps nonetheless. (on top of that he was a Captain) This man should be given the respect he deserves. Stop being motherless assholes, and be a fucking human being.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:48 pm