The Frontrunner Isn't Even Running (Fred Thompson)

The Hotline ^ | 5/1/07 | Conn Carroll

[Politicalmom]

5/1: The Frontrunner Isn't Even Running

For the first time since its inception, a GOPer built on a previous month's lead in the GOP Bloggers straw poll. Non-candidate Fred Thompson gained 14 points, currently taking in 52% of first-place votes cast in the 4/07 poll. Rudy Giuliani's numbers didn't budge (16%-15%), while Newt Gingrich's numbers tumbled from 14% to 6% (the Blogometer guesses Newt's 4/10 Global Warming debate performance is the cause of the fall). Disheartened Gingrich fans seemed to flock to Thompson as Mitt Romney moved into third place without gaining any support. If Thompson finally does run, we'll see whether or not GOPers' love for Thompson is genuine, or just another case of not wanting what you've already got. GOP FIELD: Waiting For Fred

With over 10K respondents Fred Thompson is still dominating the GOP Bloggers straw poll:

Thompson 52% Giuliani 15% Romney 10% Gingrich 6% Hunter 4%

At The Corner, Kathryn Jean Lopez predicts 5/3's GOP debate will be "mildly aggravating" since Thompson will not be participating: "If no one shines at the debate, there will be this sense that it doesn't matter because Thompson can save the day. If someone shines, their performance will be diminished by this mystical candidate, who didn't have to stand in the lineup."

Looking ahead to 5/15's SC debate, the Daily Chaser comments on the SC GOP's decision to let Fox News help pare down the field. Fox will only include candidates with more than 1% in recent state polls. DC comments: "The problem is, candidates such as, Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Jim Gilmore, and others, who have not had the time to build their indemnification nationwide but can be considered credible, will most likely not be allowed on the stage. The result of the disqualification could spell the end of some campaigns in South Carolina."

*Snip*

F. THOMPSON II: Reagan Did Radio Too

An NRO posting of Fred Thompson's regular Paul Harvey commentary (including: "let's be realistic about the world we live in. Mexican leaders apparently have an economic policy based on exporting their own citizens, while complaining about U.S. immigration policies that are far less exclusionary than their own. ... So I wouldn't worry too much about the criticisms we receive.") allowed the Corner to promote the inner workings of Team Thompson. After Peter Robinson posted a glowing review of the piece from a former speechwriter, a current Thompson speechwriter emailed in:

In fact FDT writes many of his commentaries on his own, and has done the initial drafts on his three, major upcoming political speeches [one of which is the address to the Lincoln Club of Orange County that Thompson will deliver this Friday]. These are his ideas, his words. He gets some help, but not much. He thinks this stuff through carefully, his Federalism article two weeks ago being a exhibit A. He worked through that for a weekend before putting pen to pad.

Robinson later shares reader email: "Thank you for pointing out Fred Thompson's latest commentary on National Review Online. Mr. Thompson's commentaries remind me of Ronald Reagan's radio commentaries

[E. Pluribus Unum]

RUN FRED RUN

[Politicalmom]

Fredipedia v2.26: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

Please FReepmail jellybean if you want on/off this list. WARNING: This ping list can often be extremely active.

[RKV]

What you said.

[Petronski]

...who have not had the time to build their indemnification nationwide but can be considered credible...

What about bloggers who haven't had the time to double check the work of their spell checkers?

BTW, KJL, I think you mean the May 3 debate will be mildly "irritating," not mildly "aggravating." You're not from Long Island, are you?

[Teacher317]

at 50% without spending a dime... not bad!

[Petronski]

[stockpirate]

Gingrich KILLED his chance of getting me to vote for him.

RUN FRED RUN.

[Petronski]

A performance like this in a non-scientific internet poll is useful only to encourage him to run.

If he gets 53% in a scientific poll, well, then liberal heads will be sploding.

[Politicalmom]

Well, it does show he is using the internet effectively, IMO.

And it’s fun. :)

[caffe]

after Gingrich showed his ignorance on global warming, I can’t stand the guy anymore - i’d support Thompson!

[Tinian]

I can't vote for any of the other GOP candidates and look at myself in the mirror.

If I can't vote for Fred I'll vote for the Democrat candidate so that America will finally wake up after the damage is done.

[Aria]

I thought maybe you took today off and I was going through Fred ping withdrawal!!

[johnny7]

Wait til after Spitboy hosts the Thursday nite, Republican response to DBM/DNC talking-points(falsely labeled a ‘debate’)... I’ll bet Thompson’s lead increases.

[Petronski]

Spitboy. Wait, let me guess. Chris Matthews?

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Would Gingrich be a good candidate for a cabinet position ?
For what cabinet position would he be good at ?

[Cicero]

Fred is the last man standing.

McCain is an egotistic maniac, Romney is a weathervane, Giuliani is too stupid to realize that you can’t run for president on the Republican line as a gun-grabbing abortionist, Newt is out of it and betrayed the troops toward the end of his last career anyway.

That seems to leave Duncan Hunter, a good man who is unfortunately not electable at this stage of his career, and Fred Thompson. Last man standing.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Is Thompson’s speech next Friday the next day after the 10 GOP candidates have their debate ?
Some say he might announce in June, but ? would it be a far stretch to say that he would announce his running for President next Friday at the Lincoln dinner ?

[stockpirate]

A cabinet position yes, VP or higher no.

[johnny7]

For what cabinet position would he be good at ?

Secretary of People Who Love to Hear Themselves Talk...