Posted on 05/11/2007 1:07:10 AM PDT by Doofer
TAMPA - Fred Thompson says he's in no hurry to decide whether to run for president, even as his potential opponents traverse the country raising millions in campaign money.
But he acknowledged that, with Florida's earlier Jan. 29 primary, the Sunshine State will play a more critical role than ever in determining who wins the Republican ticket.
The former Tennessee senator, who now plays a prosecutor on television's Law & Order, was in Tampa Thursday night addressing the Hillsborough County Bar Association Foundation in an event that was closed to reporters. It had been scheduled before there was public talk of a presidential bid.
He spoke briefly to a trio of reporters before the event.
Thompson said he believes he has plenty of time to get his message out if he runs.
"I think campaigns are too long," he said. "You don't need to be running for years and raising millions and millions of dollars."
Thompson said he will base his decision not on the other candidates, but on whether he thinks he is man for the job.
These times require that the country move in a "different and better" direction, he said. The federal government is dysfunctional, marked by squabbling and in need of someone who can get people behind him.
Moreover, he said government agencies don't work together, their computers can't share information, critical audits point out alarming shortcomings, borders aren't being adequately patrolled, port cargo isn't getting inspected and entitlement programs face enormous looming debt.
He knows what he’s doing. He’s getting good advice.
Ha! Me, too!
I really need to get a life! (or go to bed!) ;^)
I’ve tried both, it really isn’t worth the effort (lol) :)
Okay. Let’s look at what’s going on while Fred’s “mulling” his decision.
Rudy’s had a miserable last two weeks/month. He’s had the revelation of the six Planned Parenthood donations which effectively nixed his attempt to be seen as at least neutral on the abortion question. It’s gone so badly that apparently he’s decided to go ALL IN with a 2-7 offsuit and proclaim proudly his support for the pro-choice position effectively ruining him with the base. His candidacy is imploding.
Mitt Romney, despite his 1st Quarter fundraising, is still mired in forth or fifth place (7% and 5th in the latest Marist poll) and had the revelation of his own/wife’s donation from their JOINT CHECKING ACCOUNT to the primary supporter of infanticide——a fact that will only increase suspicion of him as a johnny-come-lately “conservative” and a political chamelon only too ready to say anything to anybody to get their vote.
McCain? Well he doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, up or down but he’s done little to increase his appeal outside of his hard core support.
Seems to me that Fred’s playing this about right. Letting Romney and Giuliani’s campaign’s self-destruct while he remains above the fray and continues to introduce himself with position papers, speeches and essays that strengthen his bona fides with the party’s base.
True, he can’t wait forever but I believe he’s playing this one out just about right.
I’ll wait for Fred. I like Hunter but Fred is the only potential or actual candidate who has ANY charisma other than Obama. Compare those two for a moment. One is a media creation with democrat talking points. The other has VISION for the important issues facing us today. It will be an uphill battle for any republican with the old MSM doing everything possible to help dems and embarriss republicans. They can smell blood since last november and are on a feeding frenzy now. Be prepared.
Thompson appears to be waiting to see wait McCain does; I don’t believe that Fred will enter the race as long as McCain’s campaign appears viable.
It appears his nomination is not quite a slam dunk ...
Fred Thompson/John Bolton 2008
McNuts campaign has never been viable, but I suspect you're correct in that Fred is not going to enter until his friend says, "go for it Fred."
I don’t blame deadFred for not declaring...he doesn’t have much of a wave of accomplishment to ride on...besides voting for McCain/Feingold.
If Duncan would be happy with a VP slot he could probably get exactly that with a Thompson-Hunter ticket. THEN he would have name recognition and go on to a viable Presidential run.
That is a formula for a win.
A reporter asked Fred about McCain yesterday in Tampa..
“”Nothing has changed about John, as far as I know,” said Thompson, “but I’ve changed,” he said. “
.........Does this sound like someone who’s waiting for McCain to become viable?
Not sure what that sounds like.
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