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Thompson’s Race Hasn’t Quite Begun, but Turmoil Has
New York Times ^

Posted on 07/28/2007 6:20:52 AM PDT by Sub-Driver

Thompson’s Race Hasn’t Quite Begun, but Turmoil Has By SUSAN SAULNY

Former Senator Fred D. Thompson has yet to make a formal declaration that he is running for president, but already his noncampaign campaign has gone through its first shake-up.

A week of personnel turnover that extended from his campaign-manager-in-waiting down to volunteers raised questions about whether the Thompson camp is prepared to jump fully into the race for the Republican presidential nomination, a race in which his rivals have had months to establish their campaign organizations, raise money and hone strategy.

It also ignited speculation in Republican circles about who is really in charge, and in particular about the extent of the role being played by Mr. Thompson’s wife, Jeri Kehn Thompson, a former political operative.

On Tuesday, Tom Collamore, a top adviser to Mr. Thompson, stepped aside. At the same time, Mr. Thompson’s political operation announced that it was bringing in Randy Enwright, a veteran Republican strategist with ties to the Bush family, and former Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, to take over the prospective campaign. The next day, the organization’s research director quit, and other staff members walked out.

Mr. Thompson, an actor and former senator from Tennessee, has been publicly considering a run for the presidency since March.

“They are dancing on the edge, and it’s a pretty sharp edge,” said Robert Haus, a Republican political consultant in Des Moines. “In all fairness, you have to assume that the Thompson campaign is trying to quickly put bricks and mortar under some very high expectations.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: collamore; elections; fredthompson
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To: Politicalmom

Flamethrower Debbie Schlussel could cause serious problems for Fred Thompson.

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/07/jihad_fred_fred.html


61 posted on 07/28/2007 8:50:53 AM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: 230FMJ
I expect soon to hear that Fred’s ancestors owned slaves and ran a factory that made sausages out of little puppies.

LOL.OH MAN thats FUNNY!! I would love to find out that one of Fred's ancestors was Stonewall Jackson.

62 posted on 07/28/2007 8:55:56 AM PDT by painter (Oval Office, Fred. Might be something you ought to think about.)
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To: Owen

It is my understanding that he had a group working during the ‘testing the waters’ part of the move, then was going to bring on some other folks for the long haul part of the campaign. Doesn’t sound unusual to me.


63 posted on 07/28/2007 8:56:56 AM PDT by SuziQ
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To: Owen

I like something about your horizontal logic technique. That aside, the Thompson campaign is poised to be an alternative to everything that is “Washington” today. This is very difficult status to obtain. When Fred actually joins the campaign fray some of that image will be tarnished.


64 posted on 07/28/2007 8:57:06 AM PDT by Shanty Shaker
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To: Scarchin
He waited too long and. largely because of that, I question his judgement.

Waiting is a sign of genius. He has not yet had to spend a penny of campaign contributions and he is (IMO) clearly the front runner. Quite frankly the campaign should not begin until the fall before the election. I'm hoping Fred does not officially announce until September. The later he jumps into this fray, the better.

65 posted on 07/28/2007 9:00:40 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: sageb1
Flamethrower Debbie Schlussel could cause serious problems for Fred Thompson.

Only if voters are paying attention. The only folks who even hear what she says are the ones who are plugged in early to any campaign. If voters understand the roles some individuals are playing in the campaigns, then slurs against those people for other, unconnected reasons, won't matter in the long run.

66 posted on 07/28/2007 9:01:07 AM PDT by SuziQ
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To: Scarchin
He waited too long and. largely because of that, I question his judgement.

Full disclosure - I’m with Mitt.

Then it probably wouldn't have made any difference if he had announced earlier. If, after announcing "late", he ends up winning the nomination, will your opinion of his judgement change?

67 posted on 07/28/2007 9:02:53 AM PDT by BfloGuy (It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we can expect . . .)
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To: Owen; Mobile Vulgus
Did Thompson have a selection process for those initial hires? Did he follow it? If the answers are yes, then why was the process so poor?

Did you read reply no. 5 by Mobile Vulgus and click on the redstate link?

68 posted on 07/28/2007 9:04:54 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 (B.Richardson spends taxpayer dollars for his goofy projects, but not ONE cent for a decent toupee.)
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To: Larry Lucido

Bimbo trophy wife against a Bimbob trophy husband BJ Clinton? I don’t think so!!!!!......


69 posted on 07/28/2007 10:19:36 AM PDT by GitmoSailor (AZ Cold War Vet===Fairness Doctrine for TV First!!!!!.....I'Am With Fred)
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To: BfloGuy

“Ocotober Surprise” My Bet!!!!!!!......


70 posted on 07/28/2007 10:24:25 AM PDT by GitmoSailor (AZ Cold War Vet===Fairness Doctrine for TV First!!!!!.....I'Am With Fred)
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To: Dreagon
I support Thompson but I sure wish he would have kept the Bush people at arms length.

I sure wish he would have kept Spencer Abaham out of sight and out of mind.
71 posted on 07/28/2007 10:35:21 AM PDT by no dems (Dear God, how long are you going to let Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd and John Conyers live?)
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To: Condor51
Think I'll mosey over to Pravda to get some real news.

LOL!!! Now, that's funny. Thanks for the laugh.
72 posted on 07/28/2007 10:37:48 AM PDT by no dems (Dear God, how long are you going to let Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd and John Conyers live?)
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To: lonestar

If it would not be harmful to the Thompson Campaign, I wish these folks would come out and say why they left the campaign and put all the speculation to rest.

Now, however, if there is trouble in Paradise...........well, that’s a different story.


73 posted on 07/28/2007 10:40:11 AM PDT by no dems (Dear God, how long are you going to let Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd and John Conyers live?)
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To: Diogenesis

As Romney’s top secret agent AKA aide, he knows Multi-faced Mitt all too well: “On Facebook, he writes that his employer is the ‘underbelly of politics.’”


74 posted on 07/28/2007 11:11:04 AM PDT by indcons
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To: sageb1; Politicalmom
HEY SAGEB1, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE THE REAL "FLAMETHOWER" FROM A QUICK GLANCE AT YOUR POSTS, YOU CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THOSE FLAMES AIMED AT FRED. WHOSE CAMPAIGN ARE YOU ON?????
75 posted on 07/28/2007 11:51:17 AM PDT by W04Man (I'm Now With Fred)
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To: BfloGuy

Yes - I will support the nominee. Even Rudy.


76 posted on 07/28/2007 6:54:09 PM PDT by Scarchin (+)
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To: W04Man; Politicalmom

What in God’s name are you talking about? What posts? I am a Fred supporter and have been working elsewhere on the web today to attempt to diffuse Schlussel’s accusations. What have you done to help?


77 posted on 07/28/2007 7:18:24 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: sageb1; Politicalmom

OK, MAYBE I JUMPED THE GUN SAGEB1, I APOLOGIZE. BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE MORE WE LINK SCHLUSSEL’S ARTICLE, THE MORE PRESS EXTREMISTS LIKE HER GETS ON THE WEB. I THINK WE NEED TO STOP LINKING ALL THAT TRASH.


78 posted on 07/29/2007 2:30:47 AM PDT by W04Man (I'm Now With Fred)
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To: festus
But John Kerry was in Vietnam so that might make it different.

Really? I hadn't heard that.

79 posted on 07/29/2007 4:04:45 AM PDT by dearolddad
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To: W04Man

Using all caps doesn’t help either. ;)


80 posted on 07/29/2007 7:40:31 AM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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