Somehow I got the impression that Tommy Thompson’s son Jason was in high school. Maybe I got that idea because when a furor arose over mud-slinging remarks he made while campaigning in support of his father’s Wisconsin Senate race, he was said to have made an apology to his father. Mistake made, apology made, apology accepted, end of story. You know, ‘I had a little talk with Jase. I think I can promise that it won’t happen again. Kids!’

What Jason said was that Republican voters have a chance to send President Obama “back to Chicago – or Kenya.” This is apparently material he’s been honing. On October 6, he used the “back to Chicago” part before an audience in Fond du Lac, and someone shouted “or Kenya!” He laughed and said “That would be even better!” Now he’s added the Kenya part to his shtick – he said it himself before donors in Kenosha.

Here’s the thing: by pandering to the idea that Obama comes from Kenya and can be sent back there, he’s pandering to a far-far-right conspiracy myth and giving strength to a lie.

Tommy Thompson, 2010, at Tea Party Rally. Image of son not found.

The senior Thompson told reporters his son feels “miserable” and has apologized to him. “He has already apologized and that’s enough.” He told reporters there was no reason for Jason to apologize publicly or to Obama. He added that “He didn’t say it. Somebody in the audience said it and he repeated it and I’ve talked to him about it, and he’s apologized, and that’s it.”

Oh no! Lost opportunity for good parenting!

I thought that was poor parenting when I was visualizing Jason as an over-eager 16-year-old. I thought Tommy should make him face the public to apologize. Sort of like taking a kid back to the candy store to apologize for stealing gum. When I realized that Jason’s a grown-up attorney, I was startled.

Then I realized what Jason must have apologized for. He’s not apologizing for what he said, for passing on a lie, or for pandering to ignorant audiences. He’s apologizing to his father for messing up on the campaign trail and creating a flap. Maybe just for being caught on tape.

Huh. The caption has “cut the tree,” not “cut down the tree.” The picture shows barely a flesh wound. Revisionism!

If his father’s the only one he injured, then naturally his father doesn’t see why Jason should apologize to anyone who isn’t involved. Like Obama. Or the public.

Neither Tommy nor Jason Thompson gets it. They think it’s just between the two of them.

Jason Thompson didn’t hurt my Senate campaign. But I think mud-slinging, smears, and false insinuations hurt us all. I think both Thompsons owe us an apology.