Posted on 04/01/2007 7:27:10 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson on Sunday joined the crowded field of Republicans running for the White House in 2008. "I am the reliable conservative," he asserted.
Thompson, who was health and human services secretary during President Bush's first term, also said he is the only GOP candidate who has helped assemble both a state and federal budget.
Since announcing last year he was forming a presidential exploratory committee to raise money and gauge support, Thompson has lagged behind better-known rivals.
Asked Sunday whether he was running for president, Thompson said, "That is correct."
Thompson, 65, has focused his strategy on Iowa, which holds the nation's first caucuses for presidential nominees. He has made weekly visits to the state and sought to make the case that it will take a candidate who can carry the Midwest to win the nomination.
"I'm telling you, things are starting to coalesce," Thompson said Sunday, despite his single-digit polling.
He said his Iraq strategy would be "tremendously" different from Bush's and said he opposed the Democratic approach in Congress to start withdrawing U.S. troops based on timelines.
At a recent news conference in Wisconsin, Thompson called himself "the dark horse candidate. I was a dark horse candidate for governor. I was a dark horse candidate when I ran for the Assembly. I am the underdog, and I don't mind that."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Run, Fred, Run!!!
Maybe he's just hoping people will confuse him with the other Thompson (Fred).
There will be confusion.
But Fred is still being coy and I expect that is wearing thin on his supporters.
There'll be more candidates at the debates than audience members if this keeps up.
Tommy baby, your name is not Fred...chill a little!
how many Thompsons are we allowed?
I doubt Tommy can get there from here, although I would find him preferrable to Jiuliani or McCain.
I think the other Thompson would have a better shot across the board if he were to take a run at it.
Look long and hard at Tommy Thompson's entire record- starting in Wisconsin. There's lots he did that wasn't conservative.
Tommy Thompson? Wasn't he secretary of whitehouse flower arrangments or something for a while?
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, left, addresses the crowd gathered at Kelly's Irish Pub in Davenport, Iowa, Saturday, March 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Louis Brems)
Oh, how can I contain my excitement? (/sarc needed?)
> April Fools joke?
"...
"I'm telling you, things are starting to coalesce,"
Thompson said Sunday, despite his single-digit polling.
He said his Iraq strategy would be "tremendously" different from Bush's and said he opposed the Democratic approach...
..."
Definitely.
The question is, does Tommy realize that?
Former Sen. Bob Dole, co-chair for the Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, faces reporters, Monday, March 26, 2007, in Miami after touring the U.S. Army Trauma Training Center at the Ryder Trauma Center, on the campus of the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Tommy said he was in the race some time ago
Thompson/Thompson L0L
BobDole would like to say that BobDole excercises each day, and then BobDole eats special K, with Strawberries on the top because that's the way BobDole likes it.
As soon as people find out that he wants to push injection of rfid chips under everybody's skin, he's finished.
Well, I guess the media just found out.
Perhaps I dreamt it L0L
"But Fred is still being coy and I expect that is wearing thin on his supporters."
No way. It's still early, and at the rate these other buffoons are going to drop, his timing will be excellent!
Not wearing thin, but picking up steam!
Tommy was an excellent Governor in Wisconsin - a red state with two very blue cities (Milwaukee and Madison). However, he doesn't have a lot of personal charm. He's more the kind of guy who just gets things done. IMO, he's running for VP.
LOL! I agree - appearance isn't everything, but I don't think either of these guys gives one a feeling of confidence.
And it's not just age or even health - Cheney, for example, regardless of his problems, is a confidence-instilling person who gives a sense of dynamism and capability. But he's not running...
"April Fools joke?"
I don't know.
What I'd like to know is where he stands on illegal and legal immigration. What will he do to change our current immigration policies and laws to change the makeup of our country to what it was during the Greatests American Generation of WWII?
If Tommy's platform on legal and illegal immigration runs parallel to mine, I will definitely vote for him.
I would tend to agree
Yea he was real reliable, that's why Wisconsin is one of only 2 states that has no concealed carry law.
This announcement is a desperation move to confuse two Thompsons.
Tommy was finished as soon as Fred Thompson hinted at running.
Tommy Thompson is just a Carol Mosley Braum to divide votes.
At best he is gunning for a cabinet post.
Tommy Thompson is just a "jammer candidate" we are playing full contact politics now. Which party bosses are pushing this announcement?
I bet it would be interesting to pair up the donor lists with T.Thompson and R.Guiliani.
A very good man but I do not think he has a chance. I do think he would make an excellent running mate for Rudy however.
You do know that states work like the country in that they have a house and senate that must weigh in on laws?
Thompson has served admirably
Sorry - that's what Giuli does.
Some people throw out the term 'porker' for any candidate they don't like. In Tommy Thompson's case, it's correct.
Here's the list since 2001 of some of the porkers of the month.
Tommy Thompson, Sen. Robert Bennett, Sen. Joe Lieberman , Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison , Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.) , Sen. John Thune,Reps. Tom DeLay , Sens. Hillary Clinton , Sen. Larry Craig
http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_porkerofthemonth_hallofshame
My thoughts exactly!
I'll pass on the excitement, thank you.
You forgot leadership. He's got lots of leadership. And he's the only one who can beat Hillary and the only one who puts on clean socks every morning.
Sorry Tommy you showed you were not reliable or a team player when you didn't run for senate. Just go away Tommy boy, just go away.
Fred (Red October) Thompson & Tommy (Gun) Thompson vs. HillaryRodhamClinton/BarackHusseinObama. Now that would be a hoot.
On day two, I will issue a Christian fatwa, and give iran 24 hours to open all nuclear sites to US inspectors that will be guarded by the 101st Airborne. If they do not comply, the bombs will fly.
On day three, I will give syria 24 hours to close their borders and to open the becca valley to US inspectors. If they do not comply, I will destroy damascus.
On day four, I will give the Saudis 24 hours to close all madrassas around the world and bring all the imams home for trial. If they do not comply, I will destroy medina and give them another 24 hours, or mecca will be next.
Order all off shore drilling to begin, remove restrictions on refinery building. I will declare that all middle east oil is the property of the USA {real imperialism} but will share on a 70/30 basis with the country of origin. If they object, destroy their oil producing capabilities.
Order mexico to control their illegal immigrants or we will carpet bomb the borders.
I'll take a day to organize my cabinet beginning with the closing of the department of education, HUD, indian affairs, all welfare programs, all section 8 housing, all federal grants from Social Security to ISS.
It may take a few days to close the IRS, but only after the remaining congress critters vote to repeal the 16th amendment, and 38 states ratify the repeal.
On the 7th day, I'll rest and give thanks to God.
I know I'm dreaming, but I told you that I'm an underdog, so send money and I'll still just keep it.
Be careful.
I don't know what his position is on the issue of illegal immigration, but I do know that no matter what he says, he has absolutly no problem going back on his position. He might say build a wall if he thinks that you'll vote for him, then backtrack and say cirucumstaces change.
I do know he has waffeled in the past on immigration, so I would recommend taking anything he says with a massive amount of salt.
This from BBC 4
For a historical reflection on the presidency of USS Alaska we asked Osama bin Laden for his perspective.
Bin Laden:
Well, You cant fault the fellow can you?
When I was invited to see him by his special forces in the autumn of 2008 he asked me if I could please knock off this Jihad business, Then He nailed my head to a coffee table.
Zawahiri: L0L yes he has quite a sense of humor about him but knew how to get things done. Whenever I would release a new tape about the rise of the new Calphate, he would come around and start to "put the boot in"
Bin Laden: He was a fair man
Zawahir: Fair, but cruel
;0)
Fred is not being coy and his supporters are fine despite your best efforts to the contrary.
So what, so is Ron Paul.
It'd be pretty hard on the eyes, though!
But you are right, it would be an absolutely FASCINATING statistical study to analyze any unexpected correlations of donor lists (especially across party lines.)
Do you take PayPal?
Tommy plans on cashing in on the confusion of having two Thompsons running.
He also brushes and flosses after every meal and consumes at least 100 grams of fiber per day!
No one named "Tommy" could ever win election to the White House.
It's no surprise though that the field is crowded. Bush is not running and the Democrats are sure to nominate another leftist who will be unelectable.
Democrats are so far to the left it's doubtful if they can win any national office.
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