Thompson Moving Closer
30 May 2007According to Politico.com, Fred Thompson is a little closer to jumping into the GOP presidential race. In a story today, Mike Allen said that Thompson will will form an exploratory committee in June. Allen says Thompson has already raised millions of dollars and “is being backed by insiders from the past three Republican administrations.” From the article:
Thompson, the “Law & Order” star and former U.S. senator from Tennessee, has been publicly coy, even as people close to him have been furiously preparing for a late entry into the wide-open contest. But the advisers said Thompson dropped all pretenses on Tuesday afternoon during a conference call with more than 100 potential donors, each of whom was urged to raise about $50,000.
In the story, Allen says Thompson plans on formally announcing his candidacy over the forth of July holiday. Thompson will apparently announce in Nashville where her will begin his campaign in the trademark red pickup truck he used with his Senate campaigns.
A testing-the-waters committee is to be formed June 4 so Thompson can start raising money, and staffers will go on the payroll in early June, the organizers said. A policy team has been formed, but remains under wraps.
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Campaign officials said they have every indication Thompson will declare his candidacy, but cautioned that he could still decide not to run or to postpone the announcement. Mark Corallo, the campaign spokesman, said: “He is seriously considering getting in and doing everything he has to do to come to a final decision.”
Folks, this is great news, although it is not unexpected. Fred’s got a plan and he’s working that plan, apparently to good effect. Many have feared the loss of ground Thompson has had in terms of fund raising but he appears to be raising money anyway and since he’s not yet in the race, he has no FEC reporting requirements.
Thompson urged the supporters to muster a major show of financial force in early July, just after the June 30 deadline for second-quarter financial reports to the Federal Election Commission.
Thompson’s top rivals – Rudolph Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney – will have a formidable advantage for the current quarter, so he plans to show his muscle right after that.
I don’t know about you but I’m excited. June 4th, the date Thompson forms his exploratory committee, can’t come fast enough! Let the race begin for real.
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May 31st, 2007 at 12:01 am
I really like Fred Thompson. I’m not thrilled about the current crop of presidential hopefuls. Thompson is a person who is more in line with my values and political beliefs. I hope he runs.
June 2nd, 2007 at 8:18 am
Hello Ron,
I have not heard much directly from Fred Thompson. Just some bits and pieces here or there. The story I read by Robert Novak about Thompson, I’m not too thrilled.
Also, not sure about his views on this amnesty for illegals. Sure, he’s saying the new bill is wrong, but not sure what he wants to do to fix the real problem.
Agree, the Republicans are in real desperate mode right now. I think, with no real leader or direction, the party is in shambles. Seems like Bush, Graham, and others, keep insulting my intelligence every day. Also, calling me bigot, nut, etc… And I’m an immigrant from India.
We’ll see how Thompson emerges, but I’m not hanging my hat on it.