Posted on 05/30/2007 5:47:33 AM PDT by badpacifist
Fred Dalton Thompson is planning to enter the presidential race over the Fourth of July holiday, announcing that week that he has already raised several million dollars and is being backed by insiders from the past three Republican administrations, Thompson advisers told The Politico.
Thompson, the "Law and Order" star and former U.S. senator from Tennessee, has been publicly coy, even as people close to him have been furiously preparing for a late entry into the wide-open contest. But the advisers said Thompson dropped all pretenses on Tuesday afternoon during a conference call with more than 100 potential donors, each of whom was urged to raise about $50,000.
Thompson's formal announcement is planned for Nashville. Organizers say the red pickup truck that was a hallmark of Thompson's first Senate race will begin showing up in Iowa and New Hampshire as an emblem of what they consider his folksy, populist appeal.
A testing-the-waters committee is to be formed June 4 so Thompson can start raising money, and staffers will go on the payroll in early June, the organizers said. A policy team has been formed, but remains under wraps.
The supporters on Tuesday's call make up a group the campaign is calling "First Day Founders." When launched, the campaign will have offices in Nashville and Northern Virginia, the advisers say.
Campaign officials said they have every indication Thompson will declare his candidacy, but cautioned that he could still decide not to run or to postpone the announcement. Mark Corallo, the campaign spokesman, said: "He is seriously considering getting in and doing everything he has to do to come to a final decision."
A member of Thompson's inner circle, who insisted on anonymity, said the former senator will offer himself as a consistent conservative who can unite all elements of the Republican Party. "The public is increasingly cynical and disenchanted with government," this adviser said. "Competence is at the heart of what people want from government, and they need to have a sense that government can do the things they care the most about. They want a reason to continue Republican governance. Thompson can be seen as the adult with a firm hand on the tiller."
Thompson urged the supporters to muster a major show of financial force in early July, just after the June 30 deadline for second-quarter financial reports to the Federal Election Commission.
Thompson's top rivals – Rudolph Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney – will have a formidable advantage for the current quarter, so he plans to show his muscle right after that.
Similarly, several Thompson advisers are urging him to skip the Iowa Republican Straw Poll in Ames on Aug. 11, since his campaign will have such a short time to prepare. Instead, Thompson could campaign 30 miles away in Des Moines at the Iowa State Fair, which will be taking place at the same time.
Since Thompson began hinting he might get in, polls have generally showed him tied for third with Romney. In the most recent average of national polls on RealClearPolitics.com, each had 10 percent of the vote, behind Giuliani at 26 percent and McCain at 18 percent. Since those polls were taken, Romney has shown increasing strength in early-voting states.
Hmmm...July 4th announcement. I think I said this a week or two ago.
Breaking News! :)
Yes! Go Fred Go!
For real? Great news if it is.
I don’t suppose my state of MA will be getting a Fred-for-Pres office anytime soon, but I’d like to help!
should have been on the sidebar
The Beast is now throwing ashtrays at her staff and warning them about making eye contact with her.
Yes!! Now the real fun starts.
The Beast and her minions will try to destroy him also!! Watch for stories about his disease and his marriage and dating. It’s gonna get UGLY!
Conservatives do not have to hold their noses while voting!
Fred Thompson takes the next big step
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/silence/archives/2007/05/fred_thompson_t.shtml
Woo hoo!
Sister T, you’re a Fred fan too? Awesome!
Thank you Fred!
Imagine the fear and worry at the Rudy McRomney campaigns today.
*snicker*
Ahh, but to have a hidden camera and mike to get that scene for posterity.
“I don’t suppose my state of MA will be getting a Fred-for-Pres office anytime soon, but I’d like to help!”
It is not too likely that Vermont will either, but I am ready anyway.
What are Thompson’s views on the sellout of America to the “open borders” cabal?
Lots of “intelligent” conservatives are.
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