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Fred Has Waited Too Long
Real Clear Politics ^ | August 16, 2007 | Reid Wilson

Posted on 08/16/2007 9:30:03 AM PDT by Plutarch

Fred Thompson's window of opportunity could hardly have been wider. His opponents were fatally flawed in the eyes of the socially conservative Republican base; he's well-known, can raise money, and speaks language that both Republicans and independents leaning right can embrace. Even thinking of entering the race put him above double digits in polls.

But, thanks to a number of missteps and opportunities his pseudo-campaign has failed to capitalize on, Thompson's window is now closed...

The Law & Order star, running a "testing the waters" committee, raised approximately $3.46 million in June after launching June 4th. The campaign's goal was $5 million raised in the same period. Missed expectations are not enough to doom a campaign, but Thompson's media team did little to dampen expectations when they released the report on the last day of July, even though they had to know for weeks that the numbers were lower than expected....

...Fred Thompson had his chance to make a splashy entrance into the race. In fact, he has had many chances to do something to impress political watchers and his fans on the right. Time and again, though, he has missed those opportunities. Instead of managing expectations and raising impressive sums, his campaign reported disappointingly low numbers. Instead of hiring a staff and sticking with it, his campaign has already been beset by turnover. Instead of serving as the conservatives' best hope, they are forced to make excuses as to why his positions are acceptable to them.

Every day he remains out of the race is another day of organizing and winning support lost. At some point, time simply runs out. Thompson has simply waited too long to take advantage of the good will, good fortune and good position that awaited him once he entered the race.

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


TOPICS: Anthrax Scare; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: electionpresident; elections; fredthompson; fredwho; giuliani; reidwilson; thompson
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To: SE Mom

Yep. Fred’s goose is cooked. That’s why there are so many articles about him today that my mouse is smoking from trying to keep up with the FRed pings....


121 posted on 08/16/2007 11:09:22 AM PDT by Politicalmom (Of the potential GOP front runners, FT has one of the better records on immigration.- NumbersUSA)
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To: DelphiUser

And embellished with a good bit of wishful thinking.


122 posted on 08/16/2007 11:13:04 AM PDT by Sue Perkick (And I hope that what I’ve done here today doesn’t force you to have a negative opinion of me….)
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To: ejonesie22
The way I figure it Fred fell ill from his cancer some months ago and is being kept alive in a secret military hospital outside Washington DC. Karl knew this and saw his opportunity...

Actually, he's already dead. The "Fred Thompson" we see making appearances and youtube videos is a hologram. The voice is supplied by a supercomputer which uses advanced algorithms to fit the words together with proper inflection and timing. It was invented by Steven Hawking for his own personal use, but Rove sent Roger Ailes to kick him down a flight of stairs and steal it from him.

Rove realized that Chimpy McHitlerBurton is of no further use to him, and he needs a new puppet to go forth and do his bidding.

123 posted on 08/16/2007 11:16:31 AM PDT by lesser_satan (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: Paperdoll

One would think that you’d be humbled by the pathetic performance last weekend of your candidate. His candidacy is on life support and it’s only a matter of time until the plug is pulled.


124 posted on 08/16/2007 11:17:08 AM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (President Hunter should appoint Senator Katherine Harris to his cabinet!)
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To: ravingnutter
"Because Paulsen had launched a satiric presidential campaign, he was ruled a legitimate candidate. Two Republican candidates requested and got 30 seconds in the same time slot as a result."

Good thing Snoopy was the only dog running for president or all the kennels in the country would have been in revolt.

I had great fun composing the following and performing in a variety show back in the 70's with a gang of kids parading on stage waving 'Snoopy for President' signs and shouting and clapping after joining in with each chorus. Easy to visualize.

Hey, it's not too late. Grab the lyrics and do likewise. Let's see if we can get Snoopy in this time! ;>

'Oh, everyone likes Snoopy
Most popular dog in town
Always gay and happy
You just can't put him down

He's smart, alert and able
To lead our mighty land
On issues great or little
He'll take a solid stand

Chorus
Yeah, Snoopy for President
The leader of our land
It's Snoopy for President
Let's give our dog a hand

Pat Paulsen for vice president
He's only second best
But Snoopy baby's Number One
Let's put him to the test

Now listen to his promises:
"Two bones in every pot!"
On riots and polution
He'll make the water hot

(Chorus)

He'll end the war, abolish crime
And jail up all the thuggies
He'll make all puppies happy
And paint the fire pluggies

So rise up in the morning
And go down to the Polls
And cast your vote for Snoopy
He'll fill up all your bowls

(Chorus)

DFS -'72
_____________________________________

(Of course, that was way back when 'gay' meant 'happy.' Much has changed since then, eh?)

125 posted on 08/16/2007 11:18:24 AM PDT by Eastbound
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To: Plutarch

Bill Clinton announced his candidacy for president on October 3, 1991.


126 posted on 08/16/2007 11:21:54 AM PDT by Fresh Wind
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To: prairiebreeze

LOL! Well done. :)


127 posted on 08/16/2007 11:28:21 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Plutarch; smoothsailing; IslandJeff

Back in the early 60’s I learned about SANBAGING while in the U.S. Navy!!!!!!......Fred learned alot when he played a Navel Officer in “Red October”.....!!!!!!!!!!Fred is a SandBager in the 9th degree!!!...ROVE WHO????......I am looking for a Great October Surprise in just 45 days!!!!!!!!!!!!.......


128 posted on 08/16/2007 11:30:12 AM PDT by GitmoSailor (AZ Cold War Vet===Fairness Doctrine for TV First!!!!!.....I'Am With Fred)
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To: perfect_rovian_storm

>One would think that you’d be humbled by the pathetic performance last weekend of your candidate. His candidacy is on life support and it’s only a matter of time until the plug is pulled.<

WOW! I’d sure hate to have you for MY doctor! Your prognosis is not based on the facts.

Duncan Hunter spoke brilliantly on national TV, for nearly the first time, at length and without rude interruption. He has brought more followers on board without spending hundreds of thousands to millions to buy votes, or bus people in, as a Western candidate in a mid-Western state. He flew into Ames the night before the straw-poll after a heavy week in Congress.

Last Sunday we had rave reviews, and Monday, after his appearance here on FR, we welcomed many new followers, and brought in untold amounts of money to the campaign. We were very pleased.

So FYI, the patient is improving by the moment, and will definitely live to tell the tale. :)


129 posted on 08/16/2007 11:33:07 AM PDT by Paperdoll ( Vote for Duncan Hunter in the Primaries for America's sake!)
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To: Paperdoll
We are sorry to lose you, trisham, but it looks like you jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. The aloevera plant should be on the windowsill. You will always be welcome back.

*************

You might want to revisit the above post for the reason I won't be coming back. If this is a Hunter supporter's idea of a gracious response, it's not surprising that he's not gaining much ground.

I hope Fred runs, because without him in the race, we're probably looking at Giuliani or Romney as our nominee.

130 posted on 08/16/2007 11:33:51 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Preachin'

No Duncan Hunter will.


131 posted on 08/16/2007 11:38:46 AM PDT by freekitty
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To: GitmoSailor
Fred learned alot when he played a Navel Officer in “Red October”.

Maybe that explains the navel gazing Freds been doing while contemplating whether and when to announce.

132 posted on 08/16/2007 11:38:49 AM PDT by Plutarch
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To: Teacher317

“Yeah, being in the top 2 in the polls without trying is a sure sign that he has no chance whatsoever.”

Lol, that’s what makes this story and it’s supporters just sound silly......and jealous. ;)


133 posted on 08/16/2007 11:43:11 AM PDT by RedOhioan
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To: freekitty

Duncan Hunter will only be the president in some kind of moonbat fantasy land.


134 posted on 08/16/2007 11:48:41 AM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (President Hunter should appoint Senator Katherine Harris to his cabinet!)
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To: Paperdoll

What a condescending remark.

Guess that’s what defines you as a HunterHead though....


135 posted on 08/16/2007 11:51:01 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (PUT AMERICA AHEAD! VOTE FOR FRED!!)
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To: prairiebreeze

And he was stealing chickens out of my back yard last night....

Hummm...


136 posted on 08/16/2007 11:51:13 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Vote for the man who will keep those Barbary Pirates at bay, RON PAUL 1816!)
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To: Plutarch

Fred is doing what he knows he needs to do. Everyone should stop panicking.


137 posted on 08/16/2007 11:51:15 AM PDT by cubreporter ( Rush has done more for our country from where he sits than anyone will ever know.)
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To: perfect_rovian_storm

(melodically)

“All I need is a miracle......all I neeeeeed.. “


138 posted on 08/16/2007 11:51:56 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (PUT AMERICA AHEAD! VOTE FOR FRED!!)
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To: ejonesie22

I heard that! Can it get any more diabolical..???


139 posted on 08/16/2007 11:53:42 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (PUT AMERICA AHEAD! VOTE FOR FRED!!)
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To: Paperdoll

My prognosis is based on a lot more than your pie in the sky ‘he’s gaining momentum’ nonsense.

He was on national TV, eh? Did anyone watch it? Anyone care? Rasmussen puts out a new poll today. Did Hunter surge?

He had a ‘heavy week in Congress’? You mean he actually bothered showing up?

Funny, Tom Tancredo managed to campaign at the straw poll and get some traction. What’s Hunter’s excuse?

You can make excuses all you want. You can give yourselves all the ‘rave reviews’ you want. The fact remains that the Ames poll was his ONE chance to separate himself from the also-rans. He did try. He not only failed, but failed miserably. Any Hunter candidacy from here on forth is nothing more than for vanity purposes.

BTW...you can probably still donate to Katherine Harris’ senatorial campaign. She’s only $20 away from winning big in 2006!


140 posted on 08/16/2007 11:53:53 AM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (President Hunter should appoint Senator Katherine Harris to his cabinet!)
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