[LexBaird]

The NH Primary is most likely to get moved up by 8 weeks while Thompson is likely to announce 6 weeks earlier than a traditional November late entry, like President Reagan’s.

The NH primary has been moved up at least twice since Reagan ran. November hasn't been "traditional" for years. Sept. declarations have been the last entries, and they were few and far between in the last three election cycles, with March through June more typical. Even Bush, running unopposed in 2004, announced in May, 2003.

I know that this has been the conventional wisdom talking point among the Fred Fans, but it just isn't true. I looked up the candidate entry dates for 2000 and 2004 a couple of weeks ago. Look here for 2000 and here for 2004.

[gondramB]

>>The NH primary has been moved up at least twice since Reagan ran. November hasn’t been “traditional” for years. Sept. declarations have been the last entries, and they were few and far between in the last three election cycles, with March through June more typical.<<

And September is when he is likely to declare. Remember, he is only entering because the field is weak and the front runners are not conservative - that’s not the same as having planned this for 4 years.

I’d be willing to bet that every Presidential election since Nixon has had at least one candidate enter or almost enter and back out in September or after - but only Fred is getting nagged about it. (Last time it was Clark and Sharpton)

Oh well, if this is all people have bad to say about him then it could be worse.

For myself, I really need to hear more of where he stands - the day he declares is irrelevant to me.