Actor Thompson says he'll run for U.S. president

Reuters ^ | May 31, 2007 | Richard Cowan

[NoobRep]

Rejoice!

[stephenjohnbanker]

B U M P

[goldstategop]

Its not really official yet. To run for President, you need two things: grassroots organization and money - lots of the latter. I don't like his Internet idea. Let's ask Howard Dean if the netroots gave him the nomination in 2004. Conventional wisdom at the time said he was unstoppable. Then he went up in flames in Iowa.

Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Reagan Man]

Great news!

This should make FReepers and most conservatives everywhere overjoyed

Go Fred Go!

[LiteKeeper]

He has my vote!

[Rick_Michael]

His demeanor is similiar to Washington’s....he’s doing it out of duty, and respect that.

[dead]

Let's ask Howard Dean if the netroots gave him the nomination in 2004. Conventional wisdom at the time said he was unstoppable. Then he went up in flames in Iowa.

Don't overlook the fact that Howard Dean was a psychotic idiot.

It's early, but it doesn't seem that Thompson shares that ailment.

[NoobRep]

Read the article in the USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-05-30-thompson_N.htm

[Prokopton]

Let's ask Howard Dean if the netroots gave him the nomination in 2004. Conventional wisdom at the time said he was unstoppable. Then he went up in flames in Iowa.

I don't think the Internet had anything to do with Dean's "moment" in Iowa.

[Jim Robinson]

Run, FRed, Run!!

[goldstategop]

No but his unconventional Internet campaign gave him an early advantage. Thompson needs to avoid putting too much stress on it and build up a strong grassroots organization to have a chance. It doesn't matter where he is in the polls; what matters is whether he has the staff to get supporters to the polls in caucus states like Iowa. If he isn't going to develop an on the ground organization, he should perhaps forget about it. Running for President isn't for the tentatively committed. Either you're all the way in or its not gonna happen.

Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[furquhart]

2008 isn’t 2004. The internet is maturing.

Just as candidates in early years won because they were the first to master television, so will those who are the first to master the internet. Indeed, in this, Dean pointed the way.

But, in 2008, technologies - particularly online video and social networking sites - which were in their infancy in 2004 have reached maturity.

[Politicalmom]

He has 30,000 volunteers, without any active recruiting. He has several million dollars in just a couple days, and commitments for $5 million more.

I really don’t see a problem here.

[JohnnyZ]

To run for President, you need two things: grassroots organization and money - lots of the latter.

One of the more idiotic pieces of "conventional wisdom" floating out there.

A presidential campaign needs a good candidate (including experience, prestige, charisma) with a good message.

Money follows good candidates. Organization is a matter of putting the right people in charge of the campaign, but is hugely multiplied by: candidate and message.

I don't know what fool started this whole money-organization CW but it's putting the cart before the horse.

[goldstategop]

You may be right. We'll just have to wait and see if it pays off. Thompson ought to grow a beard - I'd like to see an end to the rule a male candidate has to be clean-shaven. I'm a hirsute conservative myself.

Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Politicalmom]

Duplicate material, so NOT an

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

Please FReepmail jellybean if you want on/off this list. WARNING: This ping list is EXTREMELY active.

[California Patriot]

You’re right. Easy come, easy go. There is nothing easy about a winning presidential campaign, including a campaign for the nomination. I’m getting the whiff of hot air here.

[SuziQ]

Oh I don’t think Fred has to worry about money. When he announces, he’ll have folks throwing it at him from all over this country!

[goldstategop]

Thompson has experience and prestige. He's well known and the question in people's minds now are: does he have charisma? Does he have a message that appeals to the base? All the rest will follow I'm sure but this is his opportunity to show he has what it takes to be President.

Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[California Patriot]

You’re right that the candidate is the most important thing, but still, he’ll get nowhere without money and organization.