Posted on 12/08/2007 4:06:27 PM PST by cotton1706
Des Moines, Iowa FORMER TENNESSEE SENATOR Fred Thompson has decided to take his campaign and virtually all of its resources to Iowa in an all-or-nothing attempt to register a strong showing in the caucuses here on January 3. "We're getting ready to make this not only our second home, but our first home," he told a small gathering of supporters at the Polk County Convention Center on Friday night. Thompson and his wife Jeri chatted with the crowd before making their way through the exhibits at the Iowa Farm Bureau's annual meeting in downtown Des Moines.
Beginning Monday, December 17, Thompson will launch a bus tour that will take him throughout the state. From the beginning of that trip through caucus night, Thompson will essentially live in Iowa, taking only a one-day trip out of the state to celebrate Christmas at his home in Virginia.
Thompson has said publicly that he needs to finish in the top three in Iowa. Campaign officials say that a strong third place finish--presumably behind new frontrunner Mike Huckabee and former frontrunner Mitt Romney--would likely give them enough momentum to survive New Hampshire and compete in South Carolina and beyond. A second place finish would be a victory. "Just when the interest is there the greatest, is when we'll be here the most."
Neither McCain nor Giuliani appears to be making a major effort in Iowa, though there are persistent reports that Giuliani is doing whatever under-the-radar things he can--like mail--to keep his name in circulation without looking like he's trying too hard. That leaves Thompson alone to compete with Romney and Huckabee, two candidates without national security experience, in Iowa.
(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
I suspect he will take votes away from Romney not Huckabee. I think this could help Thompson immensely to spend time in Iowa. It will certainly make the campaign more interesting.
You may be right about that! It’s Christmas...it may very well be a gift to all of us! It is the time of year for just such a miracle for WE THE PEOPLE!
Thats a big FRED THOMPSON (true Conservative Federalist) - NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE (I’ll do whatever it takes to stop the bastards) - 2ND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE (arm everyone and the criminals will back off) - SECURE THE BORDERS (starve the bastards and they will go home) - LAW AND ORDER (enforcement first and foremost) - SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM (the program can’t sustain itself) - DEFEAT THE DEMOCRAT (any fool they put up) - PING!
The Huckabubble will burst soon...
Neither man is fit for the office.
Fred and Rudy are the real deal, and represent the two core wings of the party.
I’ve witnessed him in person twice now. Believe me he’s got a pulse.
When he speaks he hits the nail on the head on EVERY single issue that is important to conservatives.
FRed is the one, it’s obvious to most everyone here, but it’s such a ridiculous process to get there, man. You gotta campaign like a madman in Dirtball City, Iowa to have a chance at the nomination of the national party?! I bet the French, whatever you think of them, do it better.
And, as was posted earlier, even a 2nd or 3rd place finish will keep up the momentum. Of course, all of us going to the caucus for Fred are aiming for 1st place.
...and 1st would be nice!
Its getting a bit tiresome, eh ?
“On other thought occurred to me. They maybe seeing the possibility of a Huck implosion on the near horizon, much sooner than they had hoped, so maybe it has forced a move in a way. No need to go backwards just because Huck could not sustain.”
I had the same thought. I think that this move has a lot to do with him seeing an opportunity. Huck has had a ton of bad news come out. He’s not smart enough and not loaded up with enough money to sustain his current support with that kind of press, so Thompson has an opportunity here.
1. Kill the “fraud” off. Get Huck essentially out of the race now
2. Take up Huck’s support and the support that has been peeled off of Romney, McCain and Rudy
3. Get on the national media radar. They are all in Iowa, so play the game on your terms and with your timing.
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Which will work to Fred's advantage, I hope. His campaign has been likened many times to the fable of the tortoise and the hare. It seems that may be an apt comparison.
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You're right.
When he speaks he hits the nail on the head on EVERY single issue that is important to conservatives.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I think Fred does very well on camera, but it's great to hear from those who have actually seen him speak.
In New Hampshire, Fred never began to have a chance.
:-(
Bump to the top! Thanks for the info and post.
Don’t forget:
TAX SIMPLIFICATION.
Okey doke-—we are still waiting.
At this late point he needs to boldly differentiate himself with the others specifically Huckabee. Huck is nice man but the Clinton machine will make mincemeat from him.
Maybe his timing is right...
Thats a big FRED THOMPSON (true Conservative Federalist) - NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE (I’ll do whatever it takes to stop the bastards) - 2ND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE (arm everyone and the criminals will back off) - SECURE THE BORDERS (starve the bastards and they will go home) - LAW AND ORDER (enforcement first and foremost) - SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM (the program can’t sustain itself) - DEFEAT THE DEMOCRAT (any fool they put up) TAX SIMPLIFICATION (choice for the tax payer) - PING!
Covered!
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