Posted on 04/08/2007 7:04:41 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
For Thompson, Delay Is Costly Money, Support Head To Declared Candidates In Run for White House By CHRISTOPHER COOPER April 9, 2007
WASHINGTON -- If Fred Thompson decides to run for president, he will have some powerful supporters: The self-described "Tennessee Mafia," a group of Republican politicians from his home state well-versed in the craft of national campaigns. What the actor and former senator may lack is the financial juice that fired the group for more than a quarter century, driving local and national campaigns with astonishing amounts of cash.
"Mafia" members include Howard Baker, a former Republican senator, ambassador and White House chief of staff, who himself ran for president in 1980; Sen. Lamar Alexander, a former two-term Tennessee governor who ran for president in 1996 and 2000; and Bill Frist, the former Senate Republican majority leader, who considered, then rejected his own run for the White House for 2008.
Egged on by a campaign to draft him and buoyed by polls that suggest he would be a serious contender even though he hasn't declared, the conservative and blunt-spoken Mr. Thompson has said he is considering jumping in and may make a decision as early as next month. But in a presidential campaign that is likely to be the most expensive yet -- three candidates have already banked over $20 million in donations -- dithering would seem to be a liability.
Mr. Thompson's deliberations have already cost him a natural ally. Ted Welch, a wealthy Nashville businessman with an uncanny knack for raising political cash, has long been the go-to guy for Republicans seeking the highest office.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Prove it.
Wow, FT’s not just scaring the Democrats, is he?
Looks like he’s scaring the unappeasables right here on FR.
Fred it’s time to light the fire and kick the tires.
I have decided I will give only to candidates, not any party.
Why is everyone so concerned about getting into the race so soon? I think many of us who are political junkies are following what is going on. Most of the nation seems to be at the mall or going about their business with little concern of the dangers in the world and especially in our country.
If this campaign keeps on at the level it has been going some we will be so tired of the constant repetition of the same phrases we will be bored by them.
I am in my 80’s and NEVER have I seen any campaign that will have to last as long as this will.
I agree with you 100 percent; but I can see on another thread he's already being "questioned" by the 100 percenters.
He'll get his turn in the box as soon as he announces and they see the support he's going to get.
BTW, I’ve been in and out today, but I have read several of your posts; you’ve been doing some hard, good work today!
Fun, isn’t it? :)
Thank you my friend. It’s a pleasure to be on the same side, fighting for Fred and our party’s soul.
Frankly he’s not that formidable.
Potentially a good candidate - yes. Scaring people? Please.
Better a VP than an 'also ran.'
If/when Fred gets in he will surprise all the professionals and pundits:)
Now- excuse me what I have a tin-foil, paranoid moment..
is down..
“It is way too early to say it is too late.”
Amen. The decision to move up the primaries will, I believe, bring on a phenomenon called “campaign fatigue”. People will just tune out until the summer of ‘08.” It’s ok for Fred to wait. He’s a big boy. He’ll know when it’s right to jump in.
Just got in, and of course, had to check in on FR. The 100% folks? They, for the most part, get 0% of what they claim to want.
Hope you and all here had a blessed Easter, see you all tomorrow....
(Run, Fred, Run!!)
MOgirl
the primaries are OVER on 2/5/2008.
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