Fred Thompson's blind support

>> JFK waited until January.

> Why do people keep bringing this total irrelevancy up?

I only bring it up in response to commentators who raise
it as a negative for FT, but fail to provide any context
as to why it’s “late”, and why that matters (if it does).
When I see some reporter/columnist blather about it, I
take it as “My case against FT is weak, so here’s some
filler”.

Heck, Newt will be even later, if he gets in.

I only bring it up in response to commentators who raise it as a negative for FT, but fail to provide any context as to why it’s “late”,

Okay. It's late because, unlike in 1960, the primaries are 2-3 months earlier and heavily front loaded. By Feb. 6, the number of delegates needed to secure the nomination could well have been reached. To do that takes money and ground level organization, when many activists and dollars are already committed.

When JFK ran, much of this was decided in "smoky back rooms", such that LBJ could enter the race the week before the convention and still garner enough delegates to force JFK to broker the convention. The first primaries weren't until March.

It makes it so Thompson has to go from "introduction" to "election" in something like 4 months. That isn't enough time to fully vette him as a candidate, or test him under the sort of election trials he would be sure to meet in the general election. What are his weaknesses and skeletons? Is he the best able to garner support from the "swing" voters, but still implement a conservative agenda? Can we make a valid estimation of his proposed policies? What are those policies?

So far, I like what I have seen, but find him to be to vague on the specifics, so far. It disturbs me that he is using the "Schwartzenegger" campaign model: whispering campaign, followed by a late entry, severely controlled public appearance venues, and general statements of principles with no concrete policy outlines. We got badly burned in CA by not having the time to properly vette Arnold, and I am gunshy about backing someone who has shown me more sizzle than steak.

It also disturbs me to see the cult of personality invested in him. One cannot ask the mildest question or voice the simplest criticism of Thompson without getting flamed by Fred's Fans.

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