Posted on 08/25/2007 6:46:50 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
All-but-declared GOP candidate Fred Thompson said Saturday he is in a sound position to make a run for the nomination even though others announced their candidacies months ago.
"We have done within a few months what other people have spent much longer periods of time doing," Thompson told reporters before delivering a keynote speech to the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference, which has drawn party activists from 12 states.
Thompson has had a less-than-stellar summer that included a campaign staff shake-up and fundraising that failed to meet expectations. But he has polled well in national surveys despite his unofficial status.
"We've made some changes along the way and are better for it, and I think we are where we need to be right now," he said.
Thompson, a former Tennessee senator and an actor known for his role as a district attorney on NBC's "Law & Order," was the third and final GOP hopeful to speak at the conference. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke Friday.
He received a more rousing reception when he was introduced to speak than Romney and Huckabee got, with many in the crowd of 500 or so whooping and hollering and shouting, "Fred, Fred, Fred."
Unlike the stiff character he plays on TV, Thompson was casual as he spoke. He warmed up the crowd with a few jokes, saying that while he was a senator he could recall that every once and awhile, a member of Congress would slip up by "actually spending their own money."
He spoke mostly in general terms on serious matters, saying that one of the most pressing challenges facing America was national security and the terrorist threat from Islamic radicals. Not enough people take the threat seriously, he said.
"Our country is in danger and it's going to be in danger for a long time to come," he said. "We have got to be more united and more committed than ever before."
He said government spending was out of control, and people had little faith in government solving problems in areas such as energy, education and health care.
"We probably have more cynicism toward our leadership than in a long time," he said. "How do people follow when people don't have any confidence in what is said and who is saying it?"
Jean Reed of Greensburg said she has been unsure who she would support, but that Thompson's appearance and speech probably won her over.
"I think he would make a great candidate," she said. "He seemed to be very personable, he seemed to be caring, he seemed to know what he believed."
Murray Winn of Mishawaka said he was still undecided, but hoped Thompson would get into the race soon. "I think it will energize the party if he does," he said.
Thompson is expected to announce his bid early next month, saying Saturday that he will "certainly be making a statement within short order."
Weren’t you lucky to get to pal around with Novak? I don’t know whether I like him or not. Hope he is better in person than he seems on TV.
Thank you for the optimistic outlook on Fred, encouragement is needed....
I’m just that damn good! LOL
The Rootie News Channel (FNC) didn’t carry it either.
Fred and Newt in 08!!!!!
I like Robert Novak.
C-Span will run it again at 11:20 p.m. Eastern time tonight.
...zzzzzzzzzz....
Tell me, doug, will you vote for Fred in the general election or sit this one out? Notice I didn’t ask if you’d vote for Hillary—I wouldn’t insult you that way.
Doug’s a Mittite.
Thus far, I just haven't seen to much evidence of ganas in him to this effect, whereas I think Rudy and Romney in particular are showing us - love or hate them - they have it in large measure.
I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks.
Oh yeah...
...zzzzzzzzzz....
BTW, Fred has the same staying power as Mitt’s hair...
Hunger? Ferociousness?
Wait, grasshopper, until after he announces. Or, don't see it even then, and vote for Romney. You are, of course, free to choose your candidate.
Very gracious. Thanks to you too.
I just wonder if he's got the staying power over the long term, first for the nomination and then for the arduously difficult presidential years to follow.Fred Thompson has had the career of three men, and he's been far more active and successful in each than most full-time actors, politicians, and lawyers combined.
I have read he got out of politics in 2002 because a family tragedy had depressed him. It can do that to a man. Calvin Coolidge was nver the same after the death of his son. Collidge, bTW, was far more substantive that the conventional wison has it. He owuld never have reacted to the depression the way that Hoover did, with frenetic action at a time when no one knew what to do.
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