Posted on 06/09/2007 1:23:22 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Former Sen. Fred Thompson still hasn't formally entered the presidential race, but he's already posing a serious threat to some of his potential GOP rivals.
The Washington Post reports the likelihood of a Thompson candidacy is pulling major donors away from Sen. John McCain's already struggling campaign.
While Thompson is trying to woo conservatives who may be unsatisfied with GOP triumvirate of Giuliani, Romney and McCain, he "appears to present the most challenges for McCain," says the Post.
As Thompson "builds his team of major fundraisers … the challenge for McCain will be to collect the millions of dollars necessary to maintain a nationwide campaign and convince Republicans that he is their best bet to retain the White House."
Meanwhile, The New York Times reports on the uphill battle of another Republican named Thompson, who has officially entered the race, to garner some attention on the campaign trail.
The Times says former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson is "scratching for headlines" as he tries to "distinguish himself in a field of 10 Republican hopefuls whose debates are a diorama of white male politicians in dark suits."
That challenge could become even tougher should that other Thompson toss his hat in the ring.
"I'm Thompson the presidential candidate, not Thompson the actor," the ex-governor has taken to saying, to differentiate himself from the "Law & Order" star.
The Immigration Compromise Crumbles
The collapse of the Senate immigration overhaul was the lead in nearly all the morning papers Friday, as President Bush and bipartisan supporters of the bill suffered what the Los Angeles Times called "a major setback."
The Washington Post also called the Senate's failure to move the compromise measure forward "a setback" for the president and the bill's backers, while The New York Times called it "a significant setback" for Mr. Bush, especially since it "came mainly at the hands of members of his own party."
While the White House and Senate supporters held out hope that the bill could still be resurrected, the Times said the "future of one of the administration’s chief domestic priorities" is "in serious doubt."
"In any case," said the Wall Street Journal, in the top item in its page-one news box, "House odds were much longer." The Journal added: "The loss will hurt Bush, who angered his base by backing a deal that conservatives say rewards illegality."
I think that Tommy just stabbed himself in the back with that line. Anyone who calls Fred nothing but an actor is toast. So long Tommy you dip!(and I'm from Wis.)
That’s exactally my thought, too. Tommy’s done; never had a chance any way. (ex-pat Wis)
Exactly. When I first heard he was running, all I could do was LOL. What is he thinking? No one will even want him as a running mate!
He needs to ride off into the sunset..
And, though it is unfortunate and also applies to Newt, no one that strange looking will ever be elected to national office in the TV era.
I'll bet his campaign staffers are shooting resumes to other candidates this weekend...I'll bet you are right. What I don't understand is, even assuming there are people out there who actually like this guy (hard as that is to imagine, on either side of the aisle, since leftists would prefer a beast or an Obama or a BreckGirl and rightists anyone other than this McJuan), how could ANYBODY give money to his campaign right now?
Talk about flushing money DIRECTLY down the toilet.
You have to see this campaign as a listing Titanic in the middle of the Atlantic with absolutely no hope at all. Who would give money to that? But people are. He'll probably raise another one or two mil before he goes stern-up and takes the deep dive to oblivion. Who are those people?
Considering Fred is quickly becoming the favorite to win the nomination, he poses a serious threat to all the GOP rivals.
Is it the white part or the male part that bothers them the most? Perhaps a pale blue suit or yellow number might be more presidential? Gawd the press drives me nuts.
Tommy announced just as Fred was becoming a real possibility. I’m wondering if it was to provide name confusion and draw early primary votes away from Fred, even if only a few.
My guess is that Tommy was aligned prior to his announcing with either Guiliani, Romney, or McCain, and that his entering the race was a strategic move on the part of one of them.
I think Tommy’s just running for VP. And he has a good solid resume but no charisma. A perfect non-threatening running mate but no empty suit. And he would be an advocate for governors and states’ rights.
Thompson will be the nominee, you can bank on it.
Short and sweet. :-)
And a lot of fun!
And I don’t think you accidentally have 2 guys named Thompson in the same race.
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