Fredipedia v2.26: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 05/04/2007 9:25:22 AM PDT by Politicalmom
LOS ANGELES -- Ex-Sen. Fred Thompson, who attends his first official political event in Orange County, CA tonight, has authorized a cadre of top Republican operatives to prepare a presidential campaign on his behalf. Republicans said that four circles of Thompson allies are at work. The first, consisting of Republicans with ties to Thompson's home state of Tennessee, includes ex-Sen. Maj. Leader Howard Baker, Tom Ingram, chief of staff to Sen. Lamar Alexander, current TN GOP chairman Bob Davis, and Mark Tipps, a former chief of staff to ex-Sen. Bill Frist.
Tipps, a Bush fundraiser and lawyer, is advising Thompson on politics and fundraising, and he ran Lamar Alexander’s Iowa state campaign in ’96.
Then there’s the world inhabited by former aides to Frist -- and Frist himself, who has been sounded out about the possibility of serving as Thompson’s finance chair.
A third circle includes the Republican activists Thompson came to know in Washington, including David Bossie, a former House government affairs committee counsel and Clinton antagonist.
At the highest level – though not necessarily the closest to Thompson – are Republican political professionals like pollster John McLaughlin. Several Republicans said that former RNC chairman Ed Gillespie is informally advising Thompson, but Gillespie said he is "neutral" and that he'll "lend an ear to anyone in our party running" for president. "Sen. Thompson and I have worked closely together on the ... Roberts nomination and I like and admire him," Gillespie said.
(Gillespie noted that he has also worked closely with several other Republican candidates.) Gillespie currently serves as chairman of the Virginia GOP.
Republicans said that Thompson allies are compiling lists of potential supporters and fundraisers.
Sources close to Thompson said that Republican media firms have been approached about the possibility of working for a campaign. They include Scott Howell and Co., which produced controversial ads attacking Harold Ford in 2006’s Senate race. A Republican close to Howell’s firm confirmed that Thompson allies had reached out, although Thompson himself has not been in contact. Howell’s firm has been also recruited by ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s campaign.
Mark Corallo, a Republican strategist, is serving as Thompson's unofficial spokesman. He has helped Thompson craft essays for conservative websites. He did not return two calls seeking comment.
Two Republicans close to Thompson said that June, rather than July, is the target date for a campaign launch. They expect Thompson to take his family on vacation and make a formal decision shortly thereafter.
Filming of Thompson’s television show, Law and Order, has wrapped for the season. Republicans said that Thompson is toying with the idea of writing a short book. And if he runs, Thompson has told one Republican that he does not believe he needs to raise more than $30M to compete in the primaries and caucuses and will use the advantage of his celebrity -- combined with technology -- to connect with voters.
He'll need to hurry: a June entrance leaves him less than three months to organize for the Ames straw poll, a major test of strength for Republicans. As it is, Thompson will miss the first three Republican debates. And if he waits too long, he risks the possibility that Republican voters will come to respect the strength of their field as is. [MARC AMBINDER]
Ohhhhh, I feel a tingle of excitement taking hold of me!
Fredipedia v2.26: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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That ain't gonna happen!
More likely that my nostrils will grow togther from holding the clamped so long over the current leaders.
“the Ames straw poll, a major test of strength for Republicans”
This will be the straw that breaks the other candidates backs
I like how he ends the article with a joke.
That is unlikely.
Ed Gillespie, eh? If I were Thompson I’d keep that relationship informal. Perhaps very informal..
It's unbelievable to me how some people who just love to hear themselves talk will just babble on incoherently.
Memo to Marc Ambinder who wrote that garbage:
Did you watch the Pubs'Nuff said!debatepress conference Thurs night?
I doubt that, but if he waits too long, it may give voters pause.
gnats:)
Run Fred Run!
I see FRED people!!!!
BWHAHAHAHAAAA! I love it:)
I meant to tell you- your graphics are outstanding!!!
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