MSNBC: Thompson announcement “weeks, maybe days” away; Update: Mitt leads in Iowa
posted at 12:00 pm on May 20, 2007 by Allahpundit
Missed this on Friday. Dobson’s given Rudy the kiss of death and McCain’s finished himself off with the amnesty bill, so unless Fred’s worried about Mitt I’m not sure why he isn’t willing to wait until summer. Maybe he’s worried about the primary schedule: Illinois’s set to become the latest state to move up to February 5 (to help Obama), so time’s a-wasting. As my Daddy used to say.
Perhaps the most interesting release we received last night on the immigration bill was from Fred Thompson’s office. Said the candidate-in-waiting: “We should scrap this bill and the whole debate until we can convince the American people that we have secured the borders or at least have made great headway.” The simple act of sending the release signals a likelihood that Thompson is already acting like a candidate. There are now all sorts of organizational rumors floating around (from an exploratory announcement being imminent to key hires coming on board). The Thompson-for-president campaign is no longer months away — instead think weeks, maybe days…
Update: Actually, yeah, maybe Fred is worried about Mitt.
Blowback
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Ignoring the Fred! angle for a moment, I think it’s a good sign for the party that Romney is surging and Rudy is falling. The social cons are beginning to realize that Rudy is not unlike what kept them away from the 2006 election. As written above, the news is static for McCain, he still isn’t trusted.
With that in mind, it does set the stage for Fred! to announce, but I don’t think his timing is being changed by any of the current events. I think his timing has been decided, and will go ‘according to script’.
All that said, I do believe that the immigration bill will make his decision a virtual certainty, since none of the ‘frontrunners’ is opposing it as strongly as he.
Freelancer on May 20, 2007 at 12:26 PM
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4083_Page2.html
The amount of time spent talking about this dufus; you’d think he was a front runner.
I’d be far more interested in more huckabee discussion. He seems to do well in the debates and I don’t know nearly enough about him.
lorien1973 on May 20, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Was I wrong?
If so I’ll be big enough to admit it….
soooo maybe reversed?
Mitt/Thompson 2008?
I still like Mitt/Huckabee 2008 best of all though scarecrow!
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on May 20, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Fred should be worried about Mitt. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a Fred Thompson fan. But my opinion of Mitt Romney has gone from “Never heard of him…” to “I don’t really like him…” to “He’s not that bad…” to “I kinda like him…” So COME ON FRED! GET IN THERE!!
Joshua P. Allem on May 20, 2007 at 12:36 PM
WastelandMan,
Senator Thompson has ZERO interest in the bottom half of the ticket. Won’t happen.
I’m really beginning to hope that Newt would consider Thompson/Gingrich, or short of that, at least backing off and supporting Fred as the more electable between them.
Freelancer on May 20, 2007 at 12:44 PM
I’m with you about Newt backing off and supporting Thompson. The pollsters are going to be very busy when Fred! tosses his hat into the ring.
Neocon Peg on May 20, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Maybe he can just get Hillary to
SHUT UP
William Amos on May 20, 2007 at 12:56 PM
That was hillaryous! LOL!
Neocon Peg on May 20, 2007 at 1:04 PM
Yes, it is time for Fred! to get in the game.
infidel4life on May 20, 2007 at 1:23 PM
¿fred? is talking AGAIN?
Oh goodness gracious! Say it ain’t so!!!
Well, this is good news for Mitt!. He’s polling well AND has excellant executive experience. He was never a lobbiest. He’s still married to his first wife. He was roaming DC like a playboy. He doesn’t own a fake red pickup. He has had a realization that abortions must be stopped, which plays very nicely with pro-lifers since their goal is to change peoples minds by exposing the unlimited desire to destroy life that has taken over in the pro-choice movement. He record as governor is pretty good. He was successful with the olympics, and he is a great businessman.
The only weaknesses I see is gun control, which isn’t THAT bad if you do not believe people should be able to own bazzokas, and his being a Mormon.
Lots of positives….oh yeah, did I mention he has lots of executive experience and he is an actual candidate?
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 1:31 PM
Was the roaming like a playboy before or after he married his first wife?
News2Use on May 20, 2007 at 1:46 PM
we need Fox news style debates with following candidates:
Thompson
Rudy mcRomney
Huckabee
Hunter
that should narrow it down nicely, throw in Newt if he wants end to up the intellectual debate.
jp on May 20, 2007 at 2:04 PM
If you lived in Taxachusetts while Mitt was Governor, you’d think twice, three times, or four times before voting for him as President.
I voted for him in 2002 for Governor only because he was the lesser of two evils. We had a Libertarian running in that election, and I liked her message a lot better than Mitt’s. I didn’t give the Libertarian candidate my vote because she didn’t stand a snowball’s chance of winning.
Fred! is the only Conservative running, Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo are the alternatives for me to vote for in the primary.
Mooseman on May 20, 2007 at 2:08 PM
csdeven Romney = gun control/ another assault weapons ban. For me, that is a deal breaker. Just by your comment I realize you know nothing about guns or gun legislation. The “Assault Weapons Ban” was a useless piece of legislation. The National Firearms Act already regulates “Bazookas” AND (imagine that) leaves a lot up to the states to decide if they want to further legislate them.
I still have dreams of a Thompson/Steele ticket…
BadBrad on May 20, 2007 at 2:08 PM
Just imagine if Fred! had Mitt’s hair! He’d be unbeatable!
Farmer_Joe on May 20, 2007 at 2:16 PM
I think I’m liking Newt as “Chief Consultant to the Chief.” C’mon Fred… the Fred fan boys await.
On the Dhem side it’s just a coronation, so the Republicans are going to have all the fun this time around. That can only be a good thing. I would be more concerned with a third party candidate who will split the right as there will be plenty of “throw the bums out” on both sides of the isle this election. Ralph Nader cost Gore the election in 2000 and Ross Perot cost Bush 41 the election in ’92. The third party sword cuts both ways. Pace yourselves people, it’s a long way to Tipperary.
Mojave Mark on May 20, 2007 at 2:17 PM
csdeven,
Dude you are working on one serious case of Thompson Derangement Syndrome
doriangrey on May 20, 2007 at 2:18 PM
Freelancer you nailed it. Mr. Gingrich can be the one who says the things presidential candidates think but don’t express. These two know each other well. Thompson is good friends with quite a few prominent conservative operatives and Hollywood types. We’ll all be surprised how many will actually voice support. He also know the ‘machine’ well.
csdeven, buddy, Fred Thompson never claimed to have owned that red pick-up truck. He rented/leased it for the purpose of the campaign. I knew it then and nothing has changed, so leave that ‘horse’ alone, lest you sound like a reaaaaaaly broken record.
Here’s a gift just for your ears.
Unless you’re Morman or an operative for Mitt Romney, I’m beginning to worry about your hang-up. Surely, most of us will pull the trigger for Rudy, Mitt or Fred, in the end. For now, we’ll just wait and see what plays out. You can’t stop any of it, and neither can we. Relax a bit. Regards,
Entelechy on May 20, 2007 at 2:28 PM
Im enjying Fred’s abc news site
http://abcradio.com/blog.asp?id=15663
William Amos on May 20, 2007 at 2:31 PM
beat me to it entelechy !
William Amos on May 20, 2007 at 2:32 PM
Well I hope to trump you with this washington Post story about Fred !!
THE FRED FACTOR
He Sure Can Act the Part
William Amos on May 20, 2007 at 2:40 PM
He never roamed DC like a playboy.
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 2:57 PM
I don’t personally know a woman Democrat who will even consider voting for Mitt. “He’s a Mormon.”, they say.
It’s the polygamy thing – they know Mitt is a one woman guy.
They know polygamy has been illegal for ages. A few have said things like, “I know. It’s a little silly, how I feel. But it’s how I feel and I don’t see that changing.” Many are entirely unapologetic, “I’ll never vote for a Mormon.” Once,
That was Diane. Kicking me out of my backyard B-B-Q.
First time this season. Everyone loves Diane, many are in love with her. She’s married to a pal, 32, gorgeous and channels Joy Behar only for effect. She’s won’t be voting for Fred either.
However, plenty of the Democrat women I know have no such wall between themselves and Fred as they feel is between them and Mitt.
I don’t know how to translate that into votes. Maybe Fred does. If he gets that far.
Stephen M on May 20, 2007 at 2:58 PM
William, if you meant me by “trump you” – it’s cute, but not necessary. I believe we work for the same end result :)
I read the first few statements and like them. Have to call family in Europe and will finish it a bit later. Thanks ahead. Regards,
Entelechy on May 20, 2007 at 2:59 PM
You mean the ¿fred? who is pro-choice?
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 2:59 PM
People keep saying that….
but zey know what it means. If you’re gonna accuse someone of something, you might at least be accurate.
“A person afflicted with the “syndrome” is said to reflexively oppose any policy or position held by Bush, and generally to see President Bush as a major threat, if not the greatest threat, to America.”
I don’t really blame the groupies for getting it wrong. It’s understandable when someone is hypnotized by folksy wisdom and red pick-em-up trucks.
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 3:06 PM
:-) STILL waiting for him to DO something. Until then, he gets all the criticizm I can muster. When he decides to actually debate someone, I might get some answers to these questions instead of spin from his groupies.
:-)
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 3:09 PM
Liz Garrigan, darlin! That slobbering shameless 1st page was too much too much crapola. I didn’t even get to the rest because it could only get worse.
1) Gore’s wardrob fakeness in a national election is different than freddie boy faking out a bunch of local tennesseans that want to be faked out. This is the office of president, not court jester.
2) Drinking beer in his truck? Can you say DUI?
3) “Formal ladies man”? OK, Mr. Clint…..I mean ¿fred?.
Sweetie, I’m sure there is more, but frankly, the ridiculousness of your love letter to ¿fred? was sickening.
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 3:21 PM
Vaginas and politics. Maybe ALL the candidates should start considering that mindset?
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 3:24 PM
All candidates except Hillary…..perhaps she should try to pander to guys that will hate their penis’s less by voting for her?
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 3:29 PM
But Ron Paul finished so much higher then Mitt and Fred in the LGF Poll.
Yes, She is a Dingbat!!!
Show Mitt this Bible verse and He just may FLIP on his gun control stance.
“he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” Luke 22:36
abinitioadinfinitum on May 20, 2007 at 6:11 PM
I’m probably representative of most people. I don’t really know how Fred Thompson stands on the issues but based on all the support he has here I would assume he is for:
Less government
Less taxes
Supports finishing the war in Iraq
Is pro-life
Pro second amendment
Against gay marriage but okay with civil unions
Supports adult stem cell but not embryonic
Is pro securing our borders, no amnesty and holding the companies who are encouraging this problem accountable.
So how did I do?
CCRWM on May 20, 2007 at 6:13 PM
Breaking from Drudge: Fred! has agreed to debate csdeven.
…..
All this will be settled soon. Either he jumps in and gains on the pack or he won’t. I am anxious to hear for myself how he handles himself in a debate and where he lands on the issues. In the mean time I am finishing my voodoo doll of csdeven. :)
Limerick on May 20, 2007 at 6:19 PM
OUCH! STOP! Somethings sticking me!
¿fred? is pro-choice and he’s a long time lobbiest.
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 6:39 PM
FORMER ladies man.
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 7:38 PM
Abortion is not an issue which will make or break a candidate to me. I could care less what his opinions are on it. His other qualities and positions far outweigh anything he might or might not have said concerning abortion.
Mooseman on May 20, 2007 at 8:29 PM
really? Like his fake red pickup truck? How about his poor performance while he was a senator? Maybe the fact that he was an lobbiest? Maybe the fact he’s been an actor longer than he has been a public servant? Was his failure during the clinton/china connection was perhaps a quality you are referring to?
csdeven on May 20, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Why do you say that the pickup truck was fake? It would appear that someone like Mr. Thompson would feel more comfortable in such a vehicle considering his past.
Rose on May 21, 2007 at 2:20 AM
I wouldn’t put too much stock in that story because it, in the context of crap that people do to get elected, is probably inconsequential. I think Mr Thompson has bigger issues than that and IF he ever decides to put himself out there for scrutiny he will have to answer for those things just like the ligitimate candidates do now.
The only relationship that this pickup truck fakery has is in its relationship to his history as a washington insider. He has created an image that isn’t who he has been and that is a concern. I think in the context of national politics, it could matter a great deal, whereas in Tennessee it isn’t that big of a deal.
csdeven on May 21, 2007 at 6:50 AM
Rose, here is another article link about ¿freds? pickup truck schtick.
I only link it because it quotes his campaign manager as a source.
csdeven on May 21, 2007 at 6:58 AM
Ditto!
Right now I can’t see Thompson playing second fiddle to anyone in this. But it is a possibility.
If the choice is only between Giuliani, McCain, and Romney, I have to grudgingly go with Romney.
Lawrence on May 21, 2007 at 11:05 AM
I still don’t see a problem with the truck. If he wanted to appeal to the average voter this was certainly a good way to do it. Do you think Al Gore or John Kerry could have gotten away with it? The reason it worked is because there was a past that these people could associate Mr. Thompson with.
My brother is a biochemist and is quite well off but he has no problem discussing video games with my kids while wearing his comfortable, everyday clothes as opposed to his work attire.
Rose on May 21, 2007 at 1:16 PM
If you keep linking to the Free Republic, I’ll begin to think that you’re a troll in consevative clothing. Give it a rest for your health, and so you don’t have to eat too much crow later, if you’re not a troll. Regards,
Entelechy on May 21, 2007 at 2:39 PM
csdeven, if you’re not a troll, then you’re suffering of Chevy Red-Pick-Up-Truck Syndrome (CRPUTS), which sounds kind of ugly.
Mr. Thompson’s opponent, who’d been 20 points behind him and a huge operative in liberal Tennesseean politics, lauded the trick then and does so today, with begrudging political envy. Who are we to then dwell on this. Besides no one ever claimed that the truck was not rented/leased. Move on to another issue.
Entelechy on May 21, 2007 at 2:45 PM