Posted on 11/19/2007 10:22:45 AM PST by Alter Kaker
Several House Republicans who endorsed Fred Thompson for president now say that they are frustrated with what they view as an apathetic campaign, and at least one regrets having committed to the former Tennessee senator.
“I think he’s kind of done a belly flop,” said an estranged Thompson backer who indicated he will not pull his public support before the “Super Tuesday” primaries. “We’ll just wait till after Feb. 5 because I think he’s going to get beat.”
The disaffected members of team Thompson say that he has failed to put to rest whispers that he is unwilling to campaign hard enough to win the presidency.
“He seems to be perpetuating it instead of defeating it,” another dissatisfied Thompson backer told CQ Politics. “I can’t see me bailing on him, but there’s some frustration.”
Political endorsements mean little in and of themselves. But actively engaged elected officials can use their own networks to help boost a presidential candidate’s chances in their district or state, according to political experts.
“It often times gives entrée to that person’s own fundraising network and to be able to tap into that person’s knowledge of how to win that particular geography,” said Susan A. MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Some of Thompson’s endorsers say they aren’t lifting a finger.
“I’ve kind of pulled back. I’m not not supporting him, but I’m not doing anything,” said a third lawmaker.
What could be even more troubling for Thompson is what that lawmaker said GOP activists outside the capital Beltway are saying: “Now they’re calling me and saying ‘What’s he doing?’ It’s almost like he doesn’t want it.”
The disillusioned Thompson endorsers spoke in separate interviews with CQ Politics, all on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to damage him or themselves publicly. Two said they retain hope that he will turn it around.
One indicated that Thompson’s recent comments on abortion may have done him serious damage with some antiabortion activists. Thompson favors leaving the question of abortion to the states, and conservative columnist Robert D. Novak pilloried Thompson for a Meet the Press interview earlier this month in which Thompson said women who get abortions should not be made into criminals. Novak called the specter of legislation that would put abortion recipients, or their parents, in jail a “spurious issue raised by abortion-rights activists.”
Thompson’s staunchest supporters on Capitol Hill say his campaign is gathering steam. They note his recent endorsement by the National Right to Life Committee, which has the resources to spend heavily on Thompson’s behalf and the reach to activate grass-roots conservatives.
“I’m very confident in my support for his campaign and continue to believe he is the most consistent conservative in the race who can win both the primary and the general,” said Rep. Adam H. Putnam , R-Fla., who as chairman of the Republican Conference is the third-ranking member of the House GOP.
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert , who remains a strong Thompson supporter, said the knock that Thompson is not campaigning hard enough is “a bit unfair.”
Nonetheless, MacManus said the wavering support from some of the House Republicans who have endorsed Thompson matters.
“At this point it’s significant because he’s trying to win a come-from-behind race and he needs every bit of support he can get,” she said.
After a long flirtation, Thompson officially launched his candidacy in early September, after the other Republican and Democratic contenders had been campaigning for months.
The late entry appears to have contributed to the loss of one possible endorsement in the House.
Rep. Nathan Deal , R-Ga., was once on the brink of declaring for Thompson but ultimately chose to keep his powder dry.
Deal said that, like others, Thompson waiting so long to get into the race disconcerted him.
“He really hasn’t caught fire,” said Deal, who has not committed to a candidate. Deal did not rule out the possibility of endorsing Thompson, or at least voting for him, later on. But he also said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee , who is outpolling Thompson in Iowa, might get his help. Huckabee and Thompson are in direct competition for social conservatives.
Rep. Zach Wamp , R-Tenn., who has organized support for Thompson on Capitol Hill, said his man is building momentum and is well-positioned at this point.
“He is still in the thick of this, and it’s wide open,” Wamp said. “In no way at all am I discouraged about anything.”
After the stunt CNN pulled at the LV debate, planting questions AND planting questioners that were advertised as ‘undecided voters’, one wonders what credibility any news media outlet has anymore?
CNN has certainly defined for us, forever, what their definition of an ‘undecided’ voter is. Go back an look at EVERY election poll they’ve done for the last ten years, and then look at the six people they planted in the audience of that debate.
FDT is going to be fine. Huckabee is putting his foot in it, in my opinion. I think his Chuck Norris ad is funny, but he’s not running for Comedian in Chief.
That’s Harry Reid’s job, in my opinion, and the man has a competitive streak.
I’ve already pledged, but unless we get a heckuva lot more pledges than the present 74, this thing’s going to hurt Fred’s campaign more than help it.
If only we could ban or suspend all those who oppose our candidate from voting, we’d win by a landslide.
I was on the several he was on. He was making an ass out of himself through several and he was warned. Jim just did not yank him without cause and you know better, so don’t play out host like that.
That’s different, he liked Reagan...
That's the spirit, comrade. ;-)
Wimps and whiners.
It’s a positive. We can’t help it if posting something positive about a candidate makes others who don’t share that trait uncomfortable.
When someone notes that Fred Thompson is 6ft-6, I don’t complain because I’m much shorter.
I remember when Barbara Bush introduced her husband as a “man of integrity” at the 1996 convention, and the democrats complained she was taking a swipe at Bill Clinton (who apparently they knew was not).
It was like you weren’t allowed to say your own husband had integrity because it would make others feel bad.
Reagan had gravitas... Thompson flaps his gums and will lose his teeth at some point if not careful.
Forget about the numerical age, if you will..
We’re two plus months away from the primary and folks are throwing in the towel. I guess we needn’t hold elections anymore.
We are???? Sorry but we are about 44 days until the primaries.
I am not uncomfortable, except perhaps in the implication that those of us who have been married twice are less capable, not as good a Christian or what have you.
It would be less of an issue if I had not seen that used here in the exact context of talking about Fred vs. Hunter.
Gallup and new polls being released show Fred surging after the latest announcements of endorsements.
Can you give some threads. I am most interested in seeing if he received the additional support form the pro-lifers. This week I believe are very important polls for Fred.
Riiiight...
You go with that theory....
My wording wasn't precise, but this is what I was addressing.
Sorry. I really wasn’t trying to be nasty just exact on time. The reason is because I can’t believe that we begin this process so soon and really the conservatives are not even backing one candidate. We are more split then ever. If we don’t watch ourselves than Guiliani will get it. Three conservatives Hunter, Thompson, and Huck can take a lot of the votes but if they are being voted on from the same people that is great news for G.
The congressional backers apparently aren’t noticing yet.
THEY WILL!
JimRob got mad that Pissant was posting spam attacks on Thompson on EVERY thread, instead of supporting his candidate.
I believe it was temporary, but then someone then spammed everyone pretending to be a Thompson supporter -— probably Pissant (no evidence of this from me, but timing).
Reagan was too old, too! Post presidency medical reports prove that. (However, he was a great president for nearly the entirety of his terms) There, are you happy?
Thompson is too old to win enough of the vote.
I don't have a problem with that, as I am on my second wife. I do, however, have a problem with people who do not keep their marriage vows - it speaks volumes about their character.
BTW, I was widowed so my second marriage is legit.
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