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.
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Good for him.
Well put. If he gets in now he’s competing. If no one appears to be getting anything close to 25%, he sits back ans watches their funding go away. Then when the party is feeling really desperate, he jumps in with both feet, jumps up to 60%, rakes in a pile of money, and watches the rest of the field pull out.
The money for the Republican candidate will be there when a real candidate arrives. There’s no hurry.
If you'd like to be a FRedHead let me know.
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Americans are starving for reform. Of themselves, the government, the clergy, the professoriat, the education establishment, of everything.
I would support a Thompson run for POTUS 100%, but I have this underlying fear that, if nominated, he would tap McCain for Veep.
How many here will vote for Fred if he picks McCain as his running mate and McCain accepts? I would because almost any Republican is better than anything the dems have to offer....but I’d pray daily for Thompson’s health.
I agree. Fred, or someone working for him, should run with this message, pointing out Thompson's record on rooting out corruption (Watergate, TN governor), and even the failed Chinagate hearings, using that as an example of the partisanship that is preventing real reform.
Tie it in with something like "in 2006, the voters clearly sent a message that they were unhappy with what they saw as corruption in government. However, we have clearly seen that putting the Democrats back in control isn't the way to change that."
Yesterday Dennis Miller said Fred’s got a hottie wife and can’t be bothered with this job.
Vice presidents are usually not selected for their ideology, but for their ability to win particular states. The may vote puller is at the top of the ticket, so unless he has a lock on the election, he looks for someone who can win one or two big states.
McCain just doesn't fit that model, because he is from a small state. My guess is that who ever is nominated he will look for someone who can help win either California or (wince) New York.
We definitely need a presidential candidate like the man who recently won the French presidency, one who supports America.
“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.” “
I think its going to be very interesting to watch this play out. I think Thompson is exactly correct in his approach, its a great contrast between himself and the other potential nominees.
The risk both parties are taking with the change in primary dates, and the beginning of a presidential campaign so far in advance of the actual election YEAR is boring the voters. I think its already happened.
If I’m right, this sets up Thompson very well for a big surge come fall, heading into the January primaries.
We’ll see. If nothing else, this alone demonstrates Thompson isn’t ‘following the herd’....something we need politically right now.
Please click on keyword “Fred Thompson” and read the articles/op ed pieces by Senator Thompson.
That’s funny about being up so late. Until Tuesday night I was up until 2 or 3 in the morning all the time but then I got called to go back to work! Last few days I’ve got lights out at 11:30 at the latest. Now I’m back on a regular schedule and actually am getting more done now that I have more to do...funny how that works.
Anyway, i think Fred just has so much SENSE....I hope he runs!!
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Good point. I can't see Thompson choosing McCain for that, and other reasons. His age and health are definitely factors.
That was a great video, what a presence!
True, but by the time 2016 rolls around, there's no way McCain will run for President. I'll deal.
Why rush? He’s gaining in the polls without spending a dollar.
We already know he called McCain and told him he was considering running. He says they will remain friends.
McCain is not a factor, IMO.
See... GNATS!
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