Potential candidate has plenty of fans in Texas (Fred Thompson alert!)

The Dallas Morning News ^ | April 26, 2007 | Wayne Slater

[statered]

Bah! Thompson/JC Watts ‘08!

[Politicalmom]

I prefer Thompson/Watts or Thompson/Steele, but I think that it will end up being Thompson/Romney. I can tolerate that.

Gravitas combined with fundraising skills.

[Politicalmom]

I think Fred will go for a more dignified announcement at the Republican event before the Tonight show, and then discuss it on the Tonight Show.

[Aria]

Actually I was very impressed with Steele when I listened to him, more so than Watts for some reason. But Mitt does bring a lot to the table and Steele probably won’t convince that many blacks that there is another way, unfortunately.

[kevkrom]

My prediction is an announcement on the tonight show in early May. McCain is probably out by September citing “health reasons” and gives Thompson a strong endorsement.

Maybe not that early, but it's a strong possibility prior to the first debate. If Romney is tanking in polls by then, he may also withdraw and back Thompson, especially if there's a VP spot in exchange for him.

[The Pack Knight]

It would be better to pick someone from a swing state, like Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesnowta.

Pawlenty's the co-chair of the McCain campaign. I'm not saying that disqualifies him per se, but it'd have to figure into it.

Of course, the conspiracy crowd thinks Fred is also a McCain operative, so maybe they're a perfect fit. /s

[The Pack Knight]

I wouldn’t mind seeing him back in Congress. I’d say Senate, but I have no real problems with Chambliss or Isakson.

[The Pack Knight]

I think Fred will go for a more dignified announcement at the Republican event before the Tonight show, and then discuss it on the Tonight Show.

I agree. For one thing, I'm tired of comedy, celebrity-worship shows like Letterman, Leno, and the Daily Show having such an important role in what's supposed to be a serious process. Secondly, it'd only give ammunition to those who will try to paint Fred as an amateur Hollywood politician.

[JohnnyZ]

My prediction is an announcement on the tonight show in early May.

I think Fred would plan an announcement in a venue the opposite of that. Make it a big deal, but make a point about the location -- Independence Hall or someplace like that. It's clear he's trying to go about this in a different way.

[Politicalmom]

Someone did a Steele/Watts comparison. Pretty similar. I don’t know as much about Steele as Watts. I have just always liked Watts.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1817610/posts?page=61#61

[stephenjohnbanker]

Fred BUMP!

[Prophet in the wilderness]

A good place would be the WWII Memorial in Washington DC remembering that Freedom is not free.

[SuperGater]

I could live with Thompson/Romney. I’m not from South Carolina but what about Gov. Mark Sanford? I seem to always hear good things about him. Picking Romney or Steele will not win any extra states. If Thompson does decide on just one term I think we need a guy who is ready to take the baton in 2012.