Posted on 03/19/2007 6:28:12 AM PDT by areafiftyone
Marc Ambinder, in the National Journal, reports that some Republicans wonder whether Fred Thompson's presidential flirtations are part of a scheme to boost conservative support for John McCain:
"Until the middle of last month, however, [Fred Thompson] was a very informal adviser to close friend John McCain, and he would occasionally telephone donors and potential supporters on the senator's behalf."
"Some Republicans suspect that Thompson is an angler -- that his presidential flirtations will help him serve as a fishnet to scoop up conservatives and then dump them into McCain's basket. They think he'll raise his stature, muse publicly about the presidential race, build up anticipation, and then, presto change-o, announce that he thinks McCain would make the best president. A good many solid conservatives -- House members, donors, activists, and state party elites -- in the Thompson net would follow him to McCain. Or so the thinking goes."
Good find, Area. Intriguing theory...would love to hear comments.
I floated this possibility yesterday... and I certainly wouldn't rule it out. The longer Thompson sits on the fence... the more credence it garners.
No, those speculations are Rudy boosters trying to sandbag Fred.
Oh, Honey!! You came to the right place to hear comments!! Put your flak jacket on and get ready.
I am not sure on Thompson yet if he does run. Being affiliated with McCain in the first place is not a good sign. He could never get me to vote for McCain.
It won't work for me. Ronald Reagan and George Washington could endorse McCain from Heaven, and I wouldn't support him.
Fred Thompson I am sure is a great American, but I simply don’t like his friends. First there was McLoony, then Howard Baker, then some other clown whose name I can’t remember, and as of yesterday or so, Senator Frist is in the picture. Birds of a feather DO flock together. As of today, I’ve never known it to be otherwise.
I'm wondering if he is working towards being McCain's VP.
If Fred Thompson is a straw man for McCain, he will get nowhere. He will not be able to deliver votes to McCain. The people who oppose McCain will not change their vote just because of an endorsement or a friendship. The entire idea is absurd.
It's hard to tell who's more afraid of Fred Thompson; The Dims or the rudibots.
I don't know if he is. This is the rumor floating around in major Republican circles and it may be just that - A Rumor. We won't know until or if Fred decides to run.
Significant numbers of people are ***not*** going to throw their support behind McCain just because Fred Thompson asks them to. If anything, it would lower Thompson's image.
This is a hit piece that attempts to fog the sparkle of a potential Thompson run.
The reason Thompson became friendly with McCain is he was aghast at the corruption in DC and McCain was his mentor on the extent of the corruption. CFR had some good intentions but as most can see now it's just another case of the 'Road to Hell'.
Thompson recently showed remorse at backing CFR and offered the alternative of just posting all contributors on the web with tough enforcement for disclosure, a great and appropriate idea.
Still he needs to break from McCain and announce he is running. McCain if he has any sense left should drop out and support Thompson.
This has nothing to do with the Dems or the Rudibots as you call it. This rumor is going around Republican circles and the GOP as a whole.
This rumor is going around
Imagine that.
We are still awaiting an official announcement from Rudy Giuliani. So does that mean we aren't sure if he is running, either?
I think you're right on the mark. It's incredible to me how there appears to be so many people both in politics and/or actively involved with it who don't get this. Incredible.
Bingo!
The ONLY people to benefit from such a ploy would be the Democrats. If Thompson were ACTUALLY doing this for McCain's benefit, he would have none of the judgement or character that I, for one, believe he has.
While we may argue and squabble amongst ourselves- we do all seem to agree one one thing- McCain will NOT be our nominee. Period. Someone needs to tell him that and soon.
If Thompson jumps in, it will destroy McCain's chances. And I'd bet McCain would endorse Rudy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.