Posted on 06/26/2007 11:44:34 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Former Sen. Fred Thompson has taken his first step toward organizing a campaign for Iowa's leadoff presidential nominating caucuses by hiring a top Iowa Republican campaign staff member, aides to Thompson confirmed Monday.
Thompson has signed Andrew Dorr to serve as his Midwest political director should the actor and Tennessee Republican run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
"This is the kind of stellar team Senator Thompson is attracting as he continues to move forward in his determinations," Thompson spokesman Mark Corallo said. "It means Senator Thompson will be ready, should he decide to run, and will have the right team in place to be successful when it's time to go to the caucuses."
Dorr most recently worked as 2006 GOP gubernatorial nominee Jim Nussle's political director, having started in Iowa caucus politics in 2000 for then-Gov. George W. Bush. Dorr, 28, later worked for Bush's re-election campaign as deputy Midwest political director, concentrating on Iowa.
Thompson is expected to announce his plans in the coming weeks. This month he formed an organization that allows him to raise money to hire staff and travel as he decides whether to join the crowded 2008 GOP candidate field.
He has not decided yet whether he will participate in the Ames straw poll, a high-profile Iowa GOP fundraiser set for mid-August.
Details for the event are taking shape while state party officials await word from Thompson.
Iowa Republican Party officials have set the speaking order and determined where each of the eight candidates planning to attend the party fundraising event will pitch their tents around Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum on Aug. 11.
Thompson was not represented at a meeting in Des Moines last week where the presidential campaigns planning to attend the Ames event were assigned their spots, officials said.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has been the most aggressive about organizing for the fundraiser, will start the series of 20-minute speeches at 12:30 p.m.
Romney will be followed by U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, Chicago businessman John Cox, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas.
The eight have committed at least $15,000 each to reserve space to feed and entertain their supporters and other activists.
Individual tickets cost $35 and allow holders to vote at one of dozens of voting machines set up in and around Hilton.
In the past, campaigns have bought blocks of tickets and often bused their supporters to the event.
Earlier this month, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said he would not prepare for the costly straw poll arrangements, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona abandoned his plans to compete in the straw poll. Their names will still be on the ballot.
Giuliani's and McCain's decisions have thrown into question the significance of the Ames event to the 2008 presidential nomination race. The event has become a traditional first test of Republican candidates' strength in Iowa, the leadoff caucus state.
Chuck Laudner, executive director of the Iowa Republican Party, said Fred Thompson would be inserted into the speaking lineup should he decide to participate in the straw poll.
"If Fred gets in or the others change their mind, they'll get put in the middle," Laudner said. "The others don't want to wait on planning their day."
Maybe it’s just fun to be here and read your responses?
Well, it’s not a firm denial, but I’ll go ahead and come to the conclusion that it’s not.
Not working out quite as you planned, is it?
That’s a great conclusion.
Interesting way to evade the question.
Who doesn’t like it? I’m having a great time.
So, tell us, why did you decide to call it MyManMitt?
We’re gonna vote for M-I-T-T!
We’re gonna vote for M-I-T-T!
Is that your photo for a fred Ping?
I am still not following you. Maybe try being more direct.
They want to support their man Mitt. Are you turning them away?
No I have no problem with the village people do you? Why are using a picture of them. Are knocking on the entertainment industry of which Fred belongs?
Only until Fred stomps into the state.
You mean shuffle.
It was actually pretty funny.
Sorry your so thin skinned, doesn’t help your guy.
Actually, I just think Fred supporters should stop and balance their perception of reality with the reality in Iowa.
Iowa may prove either to be the start of Mitt’s hopes (if he keeps a commanding lead) or the end (if Fred gets anywhere near close, and wins other states early on.)
Maybe it’s the cot calling the pettle black?
Thank goodness "the people's candidate" is an outsider.
Fred is taking quite a bit of the McCain and Giuliani campaigns and chalking up undecideds. Romney is going to hit a wall.
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