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All In (Fred Thompson moves to Iowa)
Weekly Standard ^ | 12/7/07 | Stephen Hayes

Posted on 12/08/2007 4:06:27 PM PST by cotton1706

Des Moines, Iowa FORMER TENNESSEE SENATOR Fred Thompson has decided to take his campaign and virtually all of its resources to Iowa in an all-or-nothing attempt to register a strong showing in the caucuses here on January 3. "We're getting ready to make this not only our second home, but our first home," he told a small gathering of supporters at the Polk County Convention Center on Friday night. Thompson and his wife Jeri chatted with the crowd before making their way through the exhibits at the Iowa Farm Bureau's annual meeting in downtown Des Moines.

Beginning Monday, December 17, Thompson will launch a bus tour that will take him throughout the state. From the beginning of that trip through caucus night, Thompson will essentially live in Iowa, taking only a one-day trip out of the state to celebrate Christmas at his home in Virginia.

Thompson has said publicly that he needs to finish in the top three in Iowa. Campaign officials say that a strong third place finish--presumably behind new frontrunner Mike Huckabee and former frontrunner Mitt Romney--would likely give them enough momentum to survive New Hampshire and compete in South Carolina and beyond. A second place finish would be a victory. "Just when the interest is there the greatest, is when we'll be here the most."

Neither McCain nor Giuliani appears to be making a major effort in Iowa, though there are persistent reports that Giuliani is doing whatever under-the-radar things he can--like mail--to keep his name in circulation without looking like he's trying too hard. That leaves Thompson alone to compete with Romney and Huckabee, two candidates without national security experience, in Iowa.

(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; fredthompson; ia2008; stephenhayes
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To: HAL9000
Or campaign in both states until the primaries.
He could at least spend a day or 2 in NH.
61 posted on 12/08/2007 6:26:34 PM PST by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
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To: Route66
In Huck’s case , the MSM is Judas
62 posted on 12/08/2007 6:35:32 PM PST by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
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To: cotton1706

I suspect he will take votes away from Romney not Huckabee. I think this could help Thompson immensely to spend time in Iowa. It will certainly make the campaign more interesting.


63 posted on 12/08/2007 7:01:49 PM PST by Sola Veritas (Trying to speak truth - not always with the best grammar or spelling)
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To: ejonesie22

You may be right about that! It’s Christmas...it may very well be a gift to all of us! It is the time of year for just such a miracle for WE THE PEOPLE!

That’s a big FRED THOMPSON (true Conservative Federalist) - NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE (I’ll do whatever it takes to stop the bastards) - 2ND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE (arm everyone and the criminals will back off) - SECURE THE BORDERS (starve the bastards and they will go home) - LAW AND ORDER (enforcement first and foremost) - SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM (the program can’t sustain itself) - DEFEAT THE DEMOCRAT (any fool they put up) - PING!


64 posted on 12/08/2007 7:02:24 PM PST by Bobbisox (ALL AMERICAN GRANDMA FREEPER FredHEAD! The Hunt for a FRED November is on! Don't be fooled!)
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To: ejonesie22
Huck is a controlled implosion waiting to happen...

The Huckabubble will burst soon...

65 posted on 12/08/2007 7:18:15 PM PST by jellybean (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=dailyfread Proud Ann-droid and a Steyn-aholic)
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To: cotton1706
Huckabee and Romney are posers...even interlopers...in the GOP.

Neither man is fit for the office.

Fred and Rudy are the real deal, and represent the two core wings of the party.

66 posted on 12/08/2007 8:13:18 PM PST by Mariner
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To: Viking2002

I’ve witnessed him in person twice now. Believe me he’s got a pulse.

When he speaks he hits the nail on the head on EVERY single issue that is important to conservatives.


67 posted on 12/08/2007 8:17:21 PM PST by 2111USMC
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To: cotton1706

FRed is the one, it’s obvious to most everyone here, but it’s such a ridiculous process to get there, man. You gotta campaign like a madman in Dirtball City, Iowa to have a chance at the nomination of the national party?! I bet the French, whatever you think of them, do it better.


68 posted on 12/08/2007 8:22:32 PM PST by Revolting cat! (We all need someone we can bleed on...)
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To: cotton1706
We were at a Fred caucus preparation meeting this morning. I was actually quite shocked to learn that in the State of Iowa approximately 70% of the registered voters had not even made a final decision yet!

And, as was posted earlier, even a 2nd or 3rd place finish will keep up the momentum. Of course, all of us going to the caucus for Fred are aiming for 1st place.

69 posted on 12/08/2007 8:25:00 PM PST by 2111USMC
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To: 2111USMC
Thank you for going to the caucus for Fred. I was willing to bet the undecided numbers were high, but 70% is amazing. This is a real opening for Fred.

...and 1st would be nice!

70 posted on 12/08/2007 8:29:33 PM PST by Route66 (America's Main Street - - - Fred D. Thompson / Consistent Conservative...The One with Gravitas)
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To: stevem

Its getting a bit tiresome, eh ?


71 posted on 12/09/2007 12:25:36 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (ENERGY CRISIS made in Washington D. C.)
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To: ejonesie22

“On other thought occurred to me. They maybe seeing the possibility of a Huck implosion on the near horizon, much sooner than they had hoped, so maybe it has forced a move in a way. No need to go backwards just because Huck could not sustain.”

I had the same thought. I think that this move has a lot to do with him seeing an opportunity. Huck has had a ton of bad news come out. He’s not smart enough and not loaded up with enough money to sustain his current support with that kind of press, so Thompson has an opportunity here.

1. Kill the “fraud” off. Get Huck essentially out of the race now

2. Take up Huck’s support and the support that has been peeled off of Romney, McCain and Rudy

3. Get on the national media radar. They are all in Iowa, so play the game on your terms and with your timing.


72 posted on 12/09/2007 2:48:50 AM PST by phothus
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To: Grimmy
There’s only so much cash to spend on campaigns and the quicker you start spending it, the harder it gets to keep any around for a strong finish.

**************

Which will work to Fred's advantage, I hope. His campaign has been likened many times to the fable of the tortoise and the hare. It seems that may be an apt comparison.

73 posted on 12/09/2007 4:27:23 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: basil
Now is the time for all Fredheads to send in fresh contributions! Spending this month in Iowa could come close to depleting his coffers!

*****************

You're right.

74 posted on 12/09/2007 4:29:19 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: 2111USMC
I’ve witnessed him in person twice now. Believe me he’s got a pulse.

When he speaks he hits the nail on the head on EVERY single issue that is important to conservatives.

*********************

Thank you for sharing your experience. I think Fred does very well on camera, but it's great to hear from those who have actually seen him speak.

75 posted on 12/09/2007 4:36:03 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Sybeck1
"...It’s terrible that just a couple of states get to chose who will be on the ballot for the leader of the free world..."

In New Hampshire, Fred never began to have a chance.

:-(

76 posted on 12/09/2007 5:18:14 AM PST by Does so (...against all enemies, DOMESTIC and foreign...)
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To: 2111USMC

Bump to the top! Thanks for the info and post.


77 posted on 12/09/2007 9:34:50 AM PST by prairiebreeze (Fred '08 Because our troops DESERVE BETTER than Mrs. Bill Clinton.)
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To: Bobbisox

Don’t forget:

TAX SIMPLIFICATION.


78 posted on 12/09/2007 10:31:48 AM PST by stevestras
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To: cotton1706
All or nothing—Fred Thompson???

Okey doke-—we are still waiting.

At this late point he needs to boldly differentiate himself with the others specifically Huckabee. Huck is nice man but the Clinton machine will make mincemeat from him.

Maybe his timing is right...

79 posted on 12/09/2007 10:36:44 AM PST by eleni121 ((+ En Touto Nika! By this sign conquer! + Constantine the Great)
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To: stevestras

That’s a big FRED THOMPSON (true Conservative Federalist) - NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE (I’ll do whatever it takes to stop the bastards) - 2ND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE (arm everyone and the criminals will back off) - SECURE THE BORDERS (starve the bastards and they will go home) - LAW AND ORDER (enforcement first and foremost) - SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM (the program can’t sustain itself) - DEFEAT THE DEMOCRAT (any fool they put up) – TAX SIMPLIFICATION (choice for the tax payer) - PING!

Covered!


80 posted on 12/09/2007 11:15:50 AM PST by Bobbisox (ALL AMERICAN GRANDMA FREEPER FredHEAD! The Hunt for a FRED November is on! Don't be fooled!)
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