Posted on 07/07/2007 9:06:23 PM PDT by erk
Giuliani formed his exploratory committee on November 10, 2006 and formally announced on February 15, 2007 - 97 days.
McCain formed his exploratory committee on November 17, 2006 and formally announced on April 25, 2007 - 159 days.
Romney formed his exploratory committee on January 3, 2007 and formally announced on February 13, 2007 - 41 days.
Using the other three candidates as a guide, Fred Thompson's official announcement would be as follows:
Giuliani - September 6th
McCain - November 7th
Romney - July 12th
When you factor in how long each of the former were "running" prior to forming their exploratory campaigns, the formal announcement would be even later!
It is hard to argue that Thompson is moving slowly. I am inclined to believe he is moving wisely.
I agree. Masterful use of the new media to create name recognition and establish himself with the Conservative base.
Let’s make this determination after Fred is in the white house.
Why announce now? He gets more free media coverage being a “non-candidate” than any the candidates are getting. Plus he doesn’t have to bother with periodic filing of documents with the FEC and have to burn up money complying with all the paper work.
No, he didn't. He formed a "testing the waters" committee. Big difference.
BTW, the three clowns you cite declared way too early and are on the verge of folding their hands.
He’s not movimg too slowly on FR! Seems like every other article is about Fred lately!
Not that long ago it was widely discussed how the campaigns were starting a year or more earlier than normal (an example given back then was that J.F. Kennedy had announced in January 1960 for the November election). Now everyone’s gotten used to what once seemed outrageous - we think Fred’s late!
Better Fred T, then Rooty G!
How dare you insult clowns by comparing them to Rudy McRomney !
My bad!
I think the exploratory committees are so that candidates can raise money under Federal election law. The media game starts way too early IMO and the debates are meaningless this early. As long as Fred can raise money with getting in late he’s fine. How did that Dean early start work out?
It is arguable whether or not Fred! is failing to ‘get off the pot’ in a timely manner.
But it is a fact that all of the other candidates started WAY too early. I’m sick of them all, even the ones I kind of like.
When I was a kid, I resented all the media attention on Presidential Candidates back when the campaigns only really got serious two-three months before the election. Most of these dweebs have been running two years before the election, if not longer.
It is ridiculous; given the penetration of the media these days; they could well differentiate themselves in a couple of weeks.
Has anybody thought that Fred may have professional reasons he has not officially announced yet? He has recently completed films and TV programs that may not have run yet. If he announced now then EVERYTHING he has done will be pulled from broadcast resulting in alot of people losing alot of money. Studios, producers,directors, fellow actors, himself, etc will lose any contractual monies as well as residuals. His face will have to disappear from the TV and big screen.
What’s the rush? Many of us were still sick of politics from the last election when Hillary decided to force the permanent campaign on all the candidates.
The longer the campaign season, the more millions of dollars are wasted on MSM.
Fred and Newt are the only ones with any sense.
The nomination will be wrapped up by early Februrary. He would have to be a real risk taker to wait to get in until September 6, much less November 7th. Lots of people still dont know who he is, and BTW, his strength is the South and not in the north and west early states. The sooner he gets in, the better for him, unless this is all just a lark..Personally, I cant make heads or tails about what his level of "enthusiasm" really is.. He seems a bit ambivalent to me.
All this matters why??
The declared wannabes are spending wildly, wounding each other dropping in the polls. Fred is collecting money, getting in face time and ignoring the others as the inconsequential candidates they are or are becoming. Starting too soon can ensure a quick burn out.
I wouldn't count on that. Normally a couple of candidates win and place in the early primaries and gain momentum. Money dries up for the losers, and by the middle of primary season it's either a two way race or it's over. Next year there will be so many front loaded that there won't be time for that. Another factor is that California will have it's primary in February, but it will not be winner-take-all. It's votes will be split between several candidates. So it's at least a good possibility that nobody will have it wrapped up when the primaries are done. That means the favorite fantasy of media pundits, the brokered convention, is actually a reasonable possibility this year.
No doubt those emotionally committed to his candidacy, cam find many excuses for Thompson's hesitating attitude. The explanations all boil down into a general theory why he should dissimulate. Of course, the question is never asked as to whether uncertainty as to purpose is characteristic of his character or just another clever political manipulation.
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