Uh oh, is Fred Thompson ‘08 DOA?
Posted on July 30th, 2007 at 2:40 pm by David Kaiser, EditorThe Fred Thompson joy ride as a strong-polling, unannounced candidate is about to take a jolt, as his “exploration” campaign is set to report “slightly more than $3 million” raised in the month of June, which, according to a Mike Allen story on The Politico, is “substantially less than some backers had hoped.”
More on the still unofficial Thompson campaign:
But many Republicans have turned queasy as Thompson has ousted part of his original brain trust and repeatedly delayed his official announcement, which is now planned for shortly after Labor Day, in the first two weeks of September.
Thompson’s advisers are defending the number, calling it “test-the-waters” fundraising, not “campaign” fundraising.
In other words, Fearless Fred does not seem too flummoxed by the faltering feelings that are festering in the faculties of a few flippant friends.
Say that three times fast!
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Having been to a Fred Thompson Rally I can tell you there are a lot of folks that are holding off on sending money until he declares. Most of the people who I spoke to were waiting.
Hillary will raise almost 100 million this year.
How is Fred going to compete with that?
I don’t think Fred is a viable candidate.
I’m beginning to think that this campaign cycle will begin to demonstrate where diminishing returns enter into campaign funds. Not that they won’t still be important, but the disparity between the two major parties is so pronounced that it dwarfs that between the top tier candidates within a party.
With that in mind, I think too much emphasis may be placed on Fred Thompson’s delayed entrance and low pre-campaign fundraising; Too many Republican’s are unwilling to entertain a Democratic candidate, regardless of the money they spend (true the other way too, but unlikely to matter this cycle!). I’m not behind Thompson, in any way (I’ll likely be voting Libertarian, if, as seems likely, Ron Paul doesn’t gain the Republican nomination), but staying out until the field has been narrowed in some of the big straw polls makes sense.
Opening the gate with 3 million (and more by the time Fred announces) isn’t anything to sneeze at.
What does Fred have to spend money on beside setting up offices? Most of his “campaigning” at this point has been free (media) or Fred has been paid for speaking engagements.
The left is trying to kill him off before he starts because they know what a uniter Fred will be for the Republicans, independents and Reagan democrats.
I have never given money to a campaign but I am sorely tempted when Fred announces. Just like I am sure thousands will donate as soon as it’s offical.
Besides, it’s looking more and more like the Clinton/Obama ticket and you can’t get more motivated to get out the vote then the thought of another Clinton (back) in the White House.
Looks like Fred really shot himself in the foot, with the botched campaign announcement.
Can we really take this guy seriously?
At this point, Fred can’t even seem to launch his own campaign.
1.Fearless Fred does not seem too flummoxed by the faltering feelings that are festering in the faculties of a few flippant friends. 2.Fearless Fred does not seem too flummoxed by the faltering feelings that are festering in the faculties of a few flippant friends. 3.Fearless Fred does not seem too flummoxed by the faltering feelings that are festering in the faculties of a few flippant friends.
What’s your point?
My point is that Fred doesn’t seem to care that GOPers seem a bit more down on him more recently since he has delayed his announcement until the fall and has not raised money up to expectations.
If you hem and haw, and then don’t do what people expect of you, it can cause problems.
My point is, it looks to be a potential problem for Fred.
I have serious doubts that Thompson has the fire in the belly to actually jump into the race.
Freddy is an *ACTOR* His limited experience in the Senate won’t help him.
He has no background re: Help Wanted, President and Leader of the Free World.
He certainly is no Ronald Reagan - as much as the power brokers in the RNC would like him to be painted as.
Now pay attention: Fred’s popularity is a direct result of the lack of leadership to be found in the RINO candidate Rudy McRomney.
An actor to the rescue of the GOP? Here’s the million dollar question: As President, who’ll write his script?
By delaying his announcement past July Fred Thompson hurts himself but helps Rudy and Romney. By not jumping into the official fray Fred Thompson suggests that either (a) he is above the fray or (2) he isn’t serious enough to play in the real game with the real candidates. Either option is a bad one for Fred and a good one for Rudy and Romney.
This is being demonstrated by Rudy’s steady fund raising and poll progress. By Romney’s continued performance in Iowa and New Hampshire. The upcoming Iowa straw poll will be an important indicator or progress report.
Meanwhile we see the luster fading from Fred Thompson a bit. Problems with the campaign organization, a flurry of negative media, lowered fund rasing expectations.
I believe that what was needed for the Fred Thompson campaign was that July announcement as the campaign previously promised. It would have invigerated things, taken media attention away from the negative, and given the Thompson campaign their first real look at the polls (especially vis a vis Rudy) with Fred as an “official” candidate.
Instead the campaign made no announcements. This suggests a lack of organization (even if there isn’t), failure to follow through on a previous commitment to announce, and indecision. Real or perception, there is nothing positive in this mixt for Thompson.
I think we will begin to see some serious negative media around Thompson and his campaign do primarily to the failure to announce in July. Also, I think holding back has been smart thus far (prior to July) for Thompson. However that is no longer the case. Post July, the longer he holds back from making an announcement, the more negative it will get for him.
This doesn’t mean he doesn’t remain a viable top-tier contender—just that the longer he stays in political limbo in terms of his status the more he risks. In contrast, the longer he maintains this status the more Rudy and Romney gain.
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