Posted on 12/24/2007 9:25:38 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Decrease In Polls Not Deterring Former Senator's Campaign. Some presidential polls have former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson lagging behind in the final weeks before the primaries. His political advisors said he is getting ready for what could be the most critical weeks in his bid for the White House.
Thompson's campaign leaders said he has a strategic move to peak right before the Iowa caucuses next week. But some political observers said he has a lot of work in front of him.
Recent polls have shown Christian conservative Mike Huckabee leading the pack of Republicans, so Thompson must go after undecided voters, according to political scientist Bruce Oppenheimer.
"Given the number of people who have not made up their mind in Iowa, there could be a sudden move to a given candidate, the question is whether that will be Fred Thompson?" said Vanderbilt Political Scientist Bruce Oppenheimer.
Thompson's team said the campaign will make its biggest splash ever next week and it won't be by accident.
"It's been his strategy all along to peak at the right time. He didn't want to peak a month ago. These other people peaked a month or two ago and they're all falling down," said Thompson fundraiser Scooter Clippard.
The big question is: Can Thompson do it?
"It's not quite waiting for lightning to strike, but it's getting increasing close to that," said Oppenheimer.
A strong finish in Iowa isn't just about support in a single state. What happens there will determine the future of the presidential race.
"You will see after Iowa, and after New Hampshire and after South Carolina, some of the candidacies disappear. I think that's the real question. The whole nature of the game changes as a number of candidates reduce in the field," said Oppenheimer.
Thompson will also need a lot of money to stay in the race.
He doesn't have a big war chest compared to some of his other Republican candidates. However, Thompson's campaign managers said they've received strong Internet donations in addition to fundraisers.
The Iowa caucuses will be held on Jan. 3 for both the Republicans and Democrats.
FDT did not support CFR to silence anyone on an individual level. The Democrats have always out raised us because our rich work for a living and do not have disposable income, they are invested in their business. A millionaire Hollywood type will drop a million in a second to help a Democrat because their money is right there, ready to spend, not tied up in capital.
He wanted to level things in our favor.
Indeed the giant Soros and such funded organization on the Democrats side bear out Fred's concern. They do have more money to throw around because their rich from sports and Hollywood don't care what they spend money on. They will drop a million for crack right after sending a million to the Democrats or their flunkies. they don't have families and employees to worry about, or at least any they care about.
It just did not work out as planned, now he is for a free for all. .
Damn, why is that so hard to get.
That would probably be far more reliable than any of polls which we so carefully scrutinize here.
Fred will do it by being elected by voters, not folks answering polls.
The worse he does in the polls the better I feel.
Yup I live in Iowa, the southeast corner of the state. I figure the best way to raise him money is help get him a 3rd place or higher finish at the caucus. Then the money should start happening.
I will find out this week and next when I do my calling and will let everyone know.
Will be starting tommorow for the next week. Will let everyone know.
Fred does have foot soldiers there. Many counties are more organized than mine because I became the county chair by default (no one else popped up to take it) and my schedule went crazy right after that. Some things have fell thru and now I can actually do it justice.
The last ‘pulse’ I took was at our county GOP Christmas party. Lots of Romney and Huckabee, but everyone likes Thompson. After a month of those two cutting each other’s throat, things may not be so firm.
I will know more over the next few days.
Almost like someone expected that to happen...
Heh heh..
Why, oh why, does a little corn state, decide who will be in the contest for the leader of the free world? It just seems stupid to me.....
But if they actually believed it, they wouldn't be Mormons. Or add other "scripture" to deny its teaching.
Great. Who are you going to call? Are you doing this through the campaign?
Thanks for the update in your Post #87.
There are a SEVERAL MAJOR dynamics at work in Iowa that everyone in the media is missing...
1) The Universities will be CLOSED on Election Day, so there will be no ready pool of “New, Young Voters” and volunteers for any of the campaigns to rely on...
This was FINALLY mentioned TODAY:
Student break makes Christmas tough for U.S. campaignshttp://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2532747420071225?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true
2) This will be the FIRST Election coming DIRECTLY on the heels of large family gatherings.
How much are those “Family Arguments” at Holiday time going to influence the voters?
3) Many Iowans will be on the road, and away from home during the runup and decision phase of this campaign. How is being OUTSIDE of the Iowa Media bubble going to affect thier opinions?
4) It’s DEEP WINTER...
How will the weather affect the older, “Boomer” Democrats and Republicans abilities to get to the polls?
5) I’ve only seen ONE poll that has taken SECOND CHOICES, a critical element of the Iowa Caucus’s...
Don’t know if this will have any effect, but it is also the night of the college football championship game. I think it is the Orange Bowl. So how many die hard football fans will pick that instead of the caucus also.
Hey, SL...How is it, in L’ville? :)
Looking forward to hearing about events as Fred, Jeri, Hayden, and Sammy head back out on the campaign trail in Iowa tomorrow. Also looking forward to hearing Mark Belling who is sitting in for Rush tomorrow and Thursday. Mark Belling (Milwaukee WI) is a huge Fred Thompson supporter!
Yes, I’m certain that Rush is pulling for Fred. But GOP voters will have to figure out that Fred is superior by themselves. The reason Rush cannot endorse Fred is that most Americans are political dolts, and the Dem nominee will claim that Fred only won because of an “extremist” tide, and sadly, this will have some effect. Bob
My eyes haven’t been closed. As much as I like Thompson his campaign hasn’t exactly been on fire.
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