Former Governor Tommy Thompson

Who Is He?: Tommy Thompson was born November 19, 1941 in Elroy, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1966 and was shortly elected to the Wisconsin state legislature. He began his 14 year term as governor of Wisconsin in 1987. In 2001, he was named secretary of health and human services by President George W. Bush. He left that office in January of 2005.

International Experience: As secretary of heath and human services, Thompson represented the United States in a number of international capacities. He interacted regularly with the World Health Organization and served as chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Foreign Policy Positions: Thompson is a supporter of free trade and "fast track" authority for the president to negotiate free trade agreements. In 2005, Thompson taught a course at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government on "medical diplomacy," where he advocated using our medical expertise to "win the hearts and minds" of people in the developing world. He is seen as a strong supporter of Israel.

Tommy Thompson's Foreign Policy Statements:

• The Cure for Tyranny, a Washington Post op-ed, October 2005
• Remarks to the Partnership Forum of the Global Fund, June 2004
• Thompson Affirms U.S. Ties With Israel , November 2001

Campaign Links:

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The Competition: Explore the foreign policy background of all major 2008 presidential candidates.