No, and I doubt he’ll be announcing for at least three weeks.
Not that I have an inside track and could be wrong, but I suspect they’d love to hold out as long as possible. Maybe not september, but right before it. IMO, it’ll be dependent on how much a shelf life this testing the waters stage has before it starts to negatively impact.
I’m just hazarding a guess but I suspect they want to make a big splash with fundraising totals reported in the next quarter, but wish to have the artificial late announcement to make the totals sound even more impressive. Then instead of having to spend all of that money, they’d get to ride the big publicity wave for a few weeks for free and maybe create an inevitable momentum that forces people to start dropping out.
Then, too, whatever negativity there is about waiting, the nagativity dished at the pols that gather at those debates is FAR worse. the less time spent in that environment the better. This would fit with the statement he made today about Iowa folks not liking the never ending political cycle.
As for me, I already consider him in. This is just semantics for me, since I don’t have to file paperwork to be an observer. I’m less interested in the date he officially declares, and more interested in hearing fleshed out positions so I can hear how his mind works, how he thinks, what he stands for beyond the quick bites. The more pressed he is, the more of a potential for a slip of the tongue or little noticed statement that confirms or denys his authenticity as a solid conservative. particularly want to hear more on amnesty.
Once we start getting the candidate out speaking 24/7 on conservative issues, the sooner I can decide if i’m voting for the longshot Hunter, or someone with a greater chance of winning Thompson. Because I’m confident of Hunter’s conservatism. I’m confident Romney, Rudy and Mccain are not conservative. Now I need to know thompson a LOT better.
Me too...and so far this clever coyness is not impressing me.
I'd think I'd more readily buy it if Fred were someone with a great resume of actual accomplishments that the base wanted to pull back in (you know, like Michael Corleone). But Fred has not really done a lot. People like him, and he may be the man. But I think he is merely the beneficiary of the perceived flaws of the current top-tier candidates.
I really don't like this seeming feeling that he can walk in for the coronation, even if he has enough delirious fans to make it happen.