Thompson Campaign May Be Shifting Gears: Candidate Has Picked Up Pace Of Appearances

The Washington Post ^ | November 7, 2007 | Michael D. Shear

[2ndDivisionVet]

Fred D. Thompson appears to be stepping it up, at least to a slow trot.

After a series of leisurely weeks, Thompson's campaign announced yesterday that it plans to air its first television commercial since the former senator from Tennessee launched his White House bid just after Labor Day.

In the ad, which will run in Iowa this week, Thompson introduces himself to voters as a "consistent conservative" who as a Republican U.S. senator "fought for tax cuts, and for conservative judges." He adds: "And I'm proud to have had a 100 percent pro-life voting record."

Thompson plans to campaign in Iowa next week after undertaking an unusually busy week that included a day in New Hampshire, two days in South Carolina and an event at the Country Music Association Awards in Tennessee.

But that schedule is noteworthy primarily because of its contrast to the last month.

While his rivals have spent grueling months on the campaign trail, sometimes hitting five or six events in a single day, Thompson has taken it easy, holding just a handful of public events each week.

On Tuesday of last week, for example, Thompson campaigned in California, holding a news conference in San Francisco after a series of closed-door fundraisers. He had no public events on Wednesday but jetted to Las Vegas for a breakfast fundraiser there Thursday morning.

Then, he "went dark," keeping no public schedule until his appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday morning, his first appearance on the show since he declared his candidacy.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Somehow, they'll come down on him hard for wanting it too much now.

[rintense]

Or we'll see the same old anti Fred talking points:

He lacks a fire in his belly...

He looks tired and worn out...

He doesn't want it bad enough...

He doesn't like campaigning...

His wife is too young...

[Coldwater Creek]

I don’t care what age Fred’s wife is. The rest are all valid points.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Mrs. Jeri Thompson is 41 years old (Fred just turned 65). He is on a stringent diet set by his wife, which accounts for the weight loss. As for the other points: He’s a Southerner, they have a different tempo and gait than frenetic Northerners like Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.

[ejonesie22]

Exactly.

Just stick to the plan as you are doing now Fred.

Watch the experts fume...

[BigAlPro]

"Thompson Campaign May Be Shifting Gears: Candidate Has Picked Up Pace Of Appearances"

Meanwhile, he has fallen behind John McCain in the polls according to realclearpolitics.com. How in the world did McCain pull back into second place?

[mmichaels1970]

I’ve been suspecting (maybe hoping) he was going to use the November 2007 election date as the start date for his turning up the heat on the campaign.

[Gabz]

I’ve been suspecting (maybe hoping) he was going to use the November 2007 election date as the start date for his turning up the heat on the campaign.

I wish to heck they had ALL done that. This is just waaaaaaaaaaay too long.

[kevkrom]

He's been spending the last two months mostly doing fundraisers (non-public events that don't show up on the calendar) precisely to start the campaign full-bore now, immediately after election day, starting with his first TV ads, targeting Iowa, and increased public appearances.

He wants to peak on caucus/primary day, not before.

Typical of the Post to paint the continuation of the same strategy as a dramatic shift.

[longtermmemmory]

no the template is set.

do NOT mention or discuss Thompson UNLESS it is to report a crisis.

do NOT mention Romeny unless you are discussing he is a mormon.

ONLY mention Giuliani if he is attacking Hillary.

Luntz did this template to textbook perfection on FNC this morning.

The template is all.

[Jedidah]

In a society that counts hyperactivity in both children and adults as one of its more often-diagnosed maladies, I find it refreshing to support a thoughtful and mature candidate who is not bouncing off walls.

A few decades ago, it was necessary to visit every town and to shake as many hands as possible just to let the voters know who you were. Even then, how many of us actually met the candidates in person?

In this frenetic information age when we’re all bombarded with cable, internet, YouTube video, etc., a candidate does not need to campaign like in the past, especially a year in advance of the election. I’m perfectly content watching a candidate discuss the issues via electronics.

[ArrogantBustard]

This is just waaaaaaaaaaay too long.

Blame the hildebeeste for that ... The Beast is on perpetual campaign.

[Jedidah]

How did McCain pull back up in the polls? I think he gained some ground with that brilliant quip in the last debate about being “tied up” during Woodstock. That was a wonderful moment, and made even me like him again.

[Resolute Conservative]

BS, he is doing it just about right. The American public has a short memory and wasting money way before any elections is fruitless.

Now we are within sight of the finish line he will start running.

[Diogenesis]

Thompson looked good on Sunday. Good for him.

[Politicalmom]

FRed's turned around a "losing" campaign before.

Don't forget to vote for FRed in the FR poll!!

PING!!

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

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[E. Pluribus Unum]

Fred doesn't lust for power.

That's what I like about him

Spare us from Presidents who think they've been ordained to run everybody and everything, like Hillary, who by her own admission has so many ideas that the country can't afford them.

[2ndDivisionVet]

His brave military past does not excuse his poor RINO pro-amnesty present, I’m afraid...

[rintense]

The extremely cynical tinfoil part of me is convinced it won’t be the American people who decide the 2008 election, it will be the MSM.

[longtermmemmory]

actually I thought that comment distinguished republicans from democrats in that ALL the audience gave that comment a standing ovation.

It was respect that can be accorded in a civilized discussion of IDEAS. Such discourse does not exist on the left. (see recent story of left demanding homeschoolers MUST teach leftist ideals.)