[John Leland 1789]

I really don’t understand the gripe about Mr. Thompson’s timing and announcements and all that. He is not late, when you look at the history of political campaigns. Just because others jumped in early doesn’t men Fred Thompson is late.

I don’t know just how much I like Thompson and just how much I don’t like him (I mean for the office, not personally). He wouldn’t select me as a personal adviser anyway. But all this stuff about his TIMING is ridiculous.

[jmyrlefuller]

He is not late, when you look at the history of political campaigns. Just because others jumped in early doesn’t men Fred Thompson is late.

When "the others" include the primary states, yes it does.

[LS]

This is not "history." This is politics 2007. It's much different than in the 1940s or the 1840s. Every generation has different political rhythms.

I've been hooted down around here by TRYING to point out the reality of a campaign. I've worked a couple in my day. You need PEOPLE ON THE GROUND, not on some damn website. You need people in every county: buildings, phones, organizers, callers, walkers, bumperstickers, the whole works. This organization needed to be in place six months ago---EVEN IF Fred didn't announce until Labor Day. You absolutely cannot build an organization overnight. Most of the good people---the pros---are gone, and even if not, it takes months to get an operation humming.

Yes, the press is always biased, and more biased against the more conservative candidates: but that doesn't change reality.

I called Wamp two months ago, offering to help set up Ohio. Nothing. Called again a month ago. Nothing. Now, I'm not Karl Rove or Boss Tweed, but I haven't even heard of any other person in OH who is working on Fred's campaign, so perhaps they might have had the courtesy to at least TALK to me???

[Signalman]

By historical standards, Fred is not getting in the race too late.

For the 1960 campaign, JFK did not announce his candidacy until January 2, 1960.

LBJ did not announce until July 5, 1960!

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/lyndon-b-johnson-announces-candidacy-for-the-presidency/1227976568

[Josh Painter]

John Leland 1789 wrote: “I really don’t understand the gripe about Mr. Thompson’s timing and announcements and all that. He is not late, when you look at the history of political campaigns. Just because others jumped in early doesn’t men (sic) Fred Thompson is late.”

John, there’s always a lot of peer pressure to go with the pack, even when the pack is running full speed off a cliff.