Posted on 04/24/2007 4:00:52 AM PDT by SE Mom
The writer behind the blog "PA for Hizzoner, Rudy Giuliani" put the best possible spin on the results of this weekend's presidential straw poll at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, a key barometer of GOP activist sentiment in the state. The headline was "Rudy Leads All Presidential Candidates," but the blogger had to confess the headline "may be a little deceptive," since theformer mayor actually got 16% and tied for second with Newt Gingrich, who spoke at the conference. The winner was non-declared candidate Fred Thompson, who "slaughtered the field" with 35% of the total vote.
Mr. Thompson was a non-candidate on a roll this weekend. He also came out on top in a straw poll on the other side of the country conducted at the California Republican Assembly, the state's oldest and largest Republican volunteer organization. He won 25% of delegate votes, topping local favorite Rep. Duncan Hunter of San Diego. For his part, Mr. Giuliani won 7% of the vote, although admittedly he was not expected to do well among the very conservative CRA membership.
This weekend also featured Mr. Thompson strolling through the receptions that preceded the White House Correspondents dinner, along with declared candidates Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Mr. Giuliani. A memorable moment came when Mr. Thompson bumped into Mr. Romney and as the two exchanged pleasantries, Newsweek's Howard Fineman rushed up in mock excitement. "You guys can save me a lot of time," he exclaimed. "Form your own ticket right here and now. I don't care who is on top!" All concerned had a good laugh at that, but agreed to defer any actual negotiations till later.
(Excerpt) Read more at grassrootspa.com ...
34% Fred Thompson 16% Newt Gingrich 16% Rudy Giuliani 15% Mitt Romney 6% Mike Huckabee 4% Duncan Hunter 4% Sam Brownback 3% Ron Paul 1% James Gilmore
Woohoo!!!
Yes, I know polls are up for grabs at this point- yet it’s pretty remarkable to see what the grassroots GOP people think of Fred..
True- but it does show how the base is thinking- which is useful to know..
For heaven sakes, Mr. Thompson, please run. We need you.
This isn’t 1968. It is nice that Fred is popular. But last-minute entries are not as dramatic as they used to be. He will need nearly $1 billion to be elected president. He is WAY behind and it is difficult to see him ever making that up.
A Thompson/Hunter 2008 ticket would be better.
“He is WAY behind and it is difficult to see him ever making that up.”
Really? Whether your candidate’s JuliaAnnie, Mitt the Twit or McPain, Fred Dalton Thompson just beat the SNOT of him without raising a dime.
If PA’s results are any indicator, once Fred gets in, it’s no contest. The three dwarves go away.
That is RIDICULOUS!
A BILLION dollars?
Let’s see, the highest GOP fundraiser had $23 mil in the first quarter. Guess he’s way behind.
You’re right- it’s not 1968.
Popular? This isn’t a prom. The reason Fred is doing so well at this point is because he is genuine. He doesn’t think or pseak in soudbites, and doesn’t have a bunch of policy wonks telling him what to say or do.
Why does a candidate need money? To get the message out to the voter. So far, he’s doing extraordinarily well...without spending one thin dime.
Doesn’t logic tell you the money will follow once he announces? Or better yet- let’s just sit back and watch. Here comes Fred.
Thompson-Hunter is nearly a sure bet winner. I know Duncan already has his own campaign going, but he will need to make a choice. Loose his own Presidential campaign or win the Vice-President chair, then go on later to run for President when he is better known.
That is a formula for winning.
So Fineman is versatile, huh? Who woulda thunk it.
There’s a lot of sideline money, mine included, set aside for Fred, that will land as soon as there’s an address to send it to.
Exactly! I’m personally frustrated..I wish he’d announced weeks ago already...but this is his ball game- and his judgement has proved sound indeed- he knows what he’s doing:)
When he opens the coffers, they will fill up in record time.
First of all, the "conventional wisdom" number is $100 million. But even then, it gets a little fuzzy -- is that to win the primary or the general election?
Don't discount the value of the free publicity Thompson is getting right now, either. Other candidates are pulling in donations, but they're spending money, too. Meanwhile, Thompson is sitting nicely near the top of the heap without raising or spending a dime. He may only need 75% the money as the other candidates because he hasn't had to deal with expenses like they have.
If Fred Thompson get’s the nomination, I hope by the grace of God that that someone or group convinces him to run Duncan Hunter with him on the GOP ticket....... please ? can someone here on FR who has connections with Fred and convince him to run Duncan Hunter with him on the GOP ticket.
Does Fred read threads or post here on FR ?
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