Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 09/29/2007 8:07:59 PM PDT by jdm
CLIVE, Iowa - Republican Fred Thompson launched a low-key pitch to evangelical activists, a constituency his strategists said remains available despite months of intense courting by his rivals for the GOP presidential nomination in the state's leadoff precinct caucuses.
"This is his natural constituency," said strategist Rich Galen, who pointed to some polls ranking Thompson as high as second in Iowa, though he was opening only his second campaign visit through the state since he joined the race earlier in the month.
Thompson mingled with activists at the annual dinner of the Iowa Christian Alliance, patiently shaking hands with most of the 700 evangelicals who showed up for the event.
Organizers deliberately did not extend speaking invitations to the GOP presidential candidates, because the group _ formerly known as the Iowa Christian Coalition _ doesn't endorse candidates.
The Tennessee Republican mingled with the activists for nearly an hour, while reporters and photographers waited to ask him about his message to the group. After greeting activists, he led a throng of journalists outside the venue, but then hopped in a large, black sport utility vehicle and sped away before any questions could be asked.
After announcing his bid for the Republican presidential nomination earlier this month, Thompson spent three days in heavily Republican western Iowa. He opened a four-day campaign swing Saturday night at the Christian Alliance dinner, focusing mainly on vote-rich eastern Iowa.
Thompson was not working an intense schedule. There were no public events on Sunday, with four on Monday including a walking tour of Iowa Falls. On Tuesday he has scheduled three events.
Opening the latest visit to the state with evangelicals begins a conversation with one of the most potent groups in Iowa Republican politics. Though the group doesn't endorse candidates, many of its members are important strategists and activists who have been targeted by Republican presidential candidates. Steve Scheffler, the group's head, said other candidates have won backing from religious conservatives, but many of those activists remain open.
"He's got a lot of work to do," said Scheffler. "He hasn't been here and the others have been."
Contenders like Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Tom Tancredo have focused on evangelicals for their conservative pitches.
"People like Romney, Tancredo and Huckabee have gotten some traction," Scheffler said.
Some Republicans view the actor and former senator as a natural replacement for former President Ronald Reagan, and Thompson's tough, conservative talk on the campaign trail sells well with activists.
"From what I know of his record, it's pretty good," Scheffler said.
Others worry about whether Thompson's record is as solid as his conservative rhetoric, pointing to lobbying work he did for an abortion rights group and questions that have been raised about his backing for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Bud Hockenberg, a Des Moines lawyer and veteran activist who remains uncommitted, says Thompson has a relatively short amount of time to put those questions to rest.
"He's got a couple of weeks to define himself," Hockenberg said.
He said Thompson's celebrity is a two-edge sword, making him very well known but raising expectations very high for his performance.
"The expectations are very high and that's not always good," said Hockenberg. "People are looking for Ronald Reagan."
Though he's new to the race, Thompson's standing is very high. He jumped almost instantly to the top tier of Republican candidates along with Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney in most surveys.
A difficulty he will face is assembling a campaign organization to match his rivals in a state where organization is crucial to delivering backers to precinct caucuses on a frigid winter evening. Romney in particular has spent years putting together a campaign organization that strategists see as the strongest among the Republican rivals.
Thompson has moved on that front, hiring veteran Iowa political strategists Bob Haus to advise him, and bringing on Andrew Dorr to help organize the state.
Damn SUV's!
Thompson is screwed due to SUV’s dtails at 11!!
AP really loves Thompson...........
ROTFLMAO!!!!
The more I read about Fred, the more I like. He ain’t slobbering over and begging special interests for votes like Mitt and Rudy. He ain’t wasting time playing footsies with the MSM either. His disdain for what the MSM and special interests considers customary campaign etiquette is helping me overcome my memories of his Senate tenure where he seemed to march too closely to the drumbeat of the insane McCain for my liking.
His pandering opponents transparencies are one of Thompson’s greatest strengths .
I think his laid back and relaxed style will shine above the knee-jerk panderers on both sides of the isle.
“After greeting activists, he led a throng of journalists outside the venue, but then hopped in a large, black sport utility vehicle and sped away before any questions could be asked.”
I’m trying to imagine them writing this about Hillary Clinton.
I don't know how smart it is to avoid the press but then Fred said he'd run a different kind of campaign didn't he...
I don’t think he is so much running as giving his political points and letting the American populace select him. If they do, he will give his utmost, if not, he will move on and go about the general business of life.
Romney has spent millions of dollars and is still 3rd or 4th in the polls. Mitt should move to Michigan and revitalize that state, he has no chance of winning the nomination.
“Romney in particular has spent years putting together a campaign organization that strategists see as the strongest among the Republican rivals.”
Romney has the luck of the rich.
At the same time that he was being struck with a dramatic series of profound, life changing epiphanies he was also putting together a political team that happened to reflect those epiphanies and the ones that still were on the way.
The wonders of luck.
Boy, those reporters and photographers must be really dumb. FRed had no message for the group.
In the previous paragraph it states: Organizers deliberately did not extend speaking invitations to the GOP presidential candidates, because the group ... doesn't endorse candidates.
Jumped in a black SUV and took off. LOL! Gotta love FRed!
Fred isn’t going anywhere. Two months ago before he declared his candidacy he was at 13 percent in the polls. Now, after he’s avoided the Republican debates and decided instead to appear on Jay Leno, where is he? THIRTEEN PERCENT!! He was just the ‘darling’ of some conservatives because he was the last to enter the primary. Now that his record in the Senate is coming under close scrutiny and his very undistinguished conservative credentials are being examined, he’s fading. The idea that some have set forth that he’s another Reagan is preposterous! Even he’s laughed at that!
It is wise to avoid the secular press crowd outside a Christian event, because they are only there to spread pure hatred and division.
That may sound harsh, but you and I know that it is the honest truth.
Where did you dig up that poll?
Just a few FR headlines from September.
Fred Thompson Gaining in the Polls
Transworld News ^ | 9/28/2007 | FINDITT
Fred Thompson Holds Five Point Lead in Latest Rasmussen Tracking Poll - 9/26/07
New Iowa Poll (Fred & Rudy tied for 2nd place)
Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson has big lead in latest statewide poll (Georgia)
Fred Thompson leads Giuliani by Six in new Florida Poll
Giuliani’s GOP Lead Shrinks in New Poll (Washington Post/ABC News—Fred Thompson gaining)
Fred Thompson Within One Point of Giuliani in new CNN Poll
Fred Thompson Leads in SC; Moves up in Iowa and New Hampshire Polls
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
For some reason, the PTB have declared that we need a new poll every day.
Please...check the polls...
...Fred's campaign is going well...
...despite what you say.
Thanks!
OK - what are the latest composite polls you’ve seen?
Composite polls?
That I don’t know.
But, FR has a search engine to find those polls.
Feel free to check it out.
You might want to search on the keyword “poll”.
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