Posted on 09/03/2007 3:24:18 PM PDT by asparagus
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Monday said he would welcome Republican rival Fred Thompson to the race, but also took some jabs at Thompson's long delay in formally announcing his candidacy.
Thompson, the "Law & Order" television actor and former senator from Tennessee, is expected to officially enter the race this week. Instead of attending a Wednesday night debate in Durham, N.H., Thompson will be in Los Angeles to appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
"I think it will boost the ratings for Jay Leno's show, but I'd rather be doing well in New Hampshire," said Romney, who is leading in most polls in this early voting state.
Thompson's candidacy has been a shadow on the GOP contest. He has equivocated about getting into the race, while his campaign organization has been in flux. His entry comes remarkably late in a campaign cycle that began days after the 2006 midterm elections.
"Well, I guess the only comment I'd make to Fred Thompson would be: Why the hurry? Why not take a little longer to think this over?" Romney jokingly told reporters. "From my standpoint, if he wants to wait until January or February, that would be ideal."
That's when the primaries unfold in rapid succession.
Romney spent Monday opening his fall campaign, marching in a Labor Day parade in Milford and attending retails stops elsewhere. He said voters would note who is there — and who is not.
"I think people will notice there have been a bunch of guys who have been working real hard to get to know voters across the country," Romney said.
As for Thompson's entry, Romney quipped: "I think he'll have some fun. We're going to presumably have some debates with him. We'll have had five without him."
Romney ping!
Precious Willard’s days are numbered. Laugh it up, hairball.
Romney’s right......but Romney has no chance for the Presidency. Fred is moseying on in, looking lethargic as can be.
Need I remind the Romneyites and everyone else. Fred leads Mitt in every national poll under the sun. Missing one more debate isn't a big deal. There will be plenty to come. Fact is, debates are Mitt`s strong point. his best attribute up till now. I thought Mitt won the first two GOP debates, hands down.
Lets not forget, we're picking the leader of the free world, not the best debater. In that regard, Fred Thompson wins hands down.
That’s not a joke from Oven Mitt. That’s desperation disguised as humor.
Whistling past the graveyard ping.
Is Fred starting late? Or did the rest of the politicos get sucked into jumping way too early?
As of yet, not a single one of them has done anything more than jump up and down while waving their arms over their heads and scream “look at me! look at me!”
As opposed to campaigning continuously since January by Mitt.
Mitt's going to fold like a bad poker hand soon, just like his old man when he ran for President.
...spoketh the Rudybot.
Has Precious said he was “brainwashed” on Iraq, yet ? ;-D
LOL.
Fred`s one appearence on Leno will garner him millions of viewers. Betcha that translates into a whole lotta votes for the man from Tennessee. A lot more votes than one debate will get him.
If the election were tomorrow I would be voting for Romney. However it is not, so I am more than open to listen to what Thompson has to say. I do like Thompson, but he has yet to debate any of his platform.
We will see who is left standing at the end. I will say this, he had better make it worth having us wait all this time. He better impress the hell out of me.
And Fred would still be kicking Romney's butt if he did. Newsflash Mitt, Fred is beating you and you had a year's head start.
Romney is whistling past the graveyard.
Yeah well if he’s already leading in the polls—as all the FredHeads have claimed—why does that matter too much?
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