May 04, 2007
Fred Thompson's Inner Circle Builds A Larger Circle
LOS ANGELES -- Ex-Sen. Fred Thompson, who attends his first official political event in Orange County, CA tonight, has authorized a cadre of top Republican operatives to prepare a presidential campaign on his behalf. Republicans said that four circles of Thompson allies are at work. The first, consisting of Republicans with ties to Thompson's home state of Tennessee, includes ex-Sen. Maj. Leader Howard Baker, Tom Ingram, chief of staff to Sen. Lamar Alexander, current TN GOP chairman Bob Davis, and Mark Tipps, a former chief of staff to ex-Sen. Bill Frist.
Tipps, a Bush fundraiser and lawyer, is advising Thompson on politics and fundraising, and he ran Lamar Alexander’s Iowa state campaign in ’96.
Then there’s the world inhabited by former aides to Frist -- and Frist himself, who has been sounded out about the possibility of serving as Thompson’s finance chair.
A third circle includes the Republican activists Thompson came to know in Washington, including David Bossie, a former House government affairs committee counsel and Clinton antagonist.
At the highest level – though not necessarily the closest to Thompson – are Republican political professionals like pollster John McLaughlin. Several Republicans said that former RNC chairman Ed Gillespie is informally advising Thompson, but Gillespie said he is "neutral" and that he'll "lend an ear to anyone in our party running" for president. "Sen. Thompson and I have worked closely together on the ... Roberts nomination and I like and admire him," Gillespie said.
(Gillespie noted that he has also worked closely with several other Republican candidates.) Gillespie currently serves as chairman of the Virginia GOP.
Republicans said that Thompson allies are compiling lists of potential supporters and fundraisers.
Sources close to Thompson said that Republican media firms have been approached about the possibility of working for a campaign. They include Scott Howell and Co., which produced controversial ads attacking Harold Ford in 2006’s Senate race. A Republican close to Howell’s firm confirmed that
Thompson allies had reached out, although Thompson himself has not been in contact. Howell’s firm has been also recruited by ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s campaign.
Mark Corallo, a Republican strategist, is serving as Thompson's unofficial spokesman. He has helped Thompson craft essays for conservative websites. He did not return two calls seeking comment.
Two Republicans close to Thompson said that June, rather than July, is the target date for a campaign launch. They expect Thompson to take his family on vacation and make a formal decision shortly thereafter.
Filming of Thompson’s television show, Law and Order, has wrapped for the season. Republicans said that Thompson is toying with the idea of writing a short book. And if he runs, Thompson has told one Republican that he does not believe he needs to raise more than $30M to compete in the primaries and caucuses and will use the advantage of his celebrity -- combined with technology -- to connect with voters.
He'll need to hurry: a June entrance leaves him less than three months to organize for the Ames straw poll, a major test of strength for Republicans. As it is, Thompson will miss the first three Republican debates. And if he waits too long, he risks the possibility that Republican voters will come to respect the strength of their field as is. [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 11:40 AM
Comments
So we have another "Fredo" eager to carry Bush legacy? Fredo has no achievements from his lacklusture senate term.
Fredo | 05.04.07 12:05 PM
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Fred believes in his own mystic. He claimed he is a "war horse". Please.
I feel sorry for the pubies - they're panting for a savior and Fred isn't one by any imagination. Look for a collective disappointment once Fred gets into the race. All that glitters is not gold.
iceman | 05.04.07 12:13 PM
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Sound like all good news for the right!...Freds entrance into the race will unify the Republicans..
"panting for a savior"..LOL...you kids just need to move out of the way, 'cause the "Fred Train" just may run you over!...when you can come up with some honest critisism, post it!
farfromleft | 05.04.07 12:51 PM
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I smell Liberal Fear.
www.fredthompsonnews.com
The debate last night was an inquisition, not a debate. Missing the first 3 debates will be an advantage for Mr. Thompson. Fred! is above it.
Fred Thompson | 05.04.07 12:52 PM
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McCain and Romney are Liberals. Guilianni is anti 2nd amendment. Go Fred Go!
butch | 05.04.07 03:15 PM
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Way too soon to handicap anything. If FDT declares in June, let's check the polls in, say, August, and meet back here then.
casualobserver | 05.04.07 03:22 PM
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Unfortunately Fred is not the man. Nothing against him personally but he looks like a RETIRED politician/actor. And too much questionable gravitas. Over against Obama he would come across as the ghost of yesterday's failed policies. A candidate needs vigor and others project it a bit better. Last night Romney looked "presidential" as they say. Not that he is, but that matters little because in this business perception is reality.
Robert Mounce | 05.04.07 04:08 PM
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Don't you just love the way the lefties go immediately on the attack... before someone else says a word... isn't that a preemptive attack? You know, like the kind they accuse Bush of doing that they consider so wrong?
I agree. It must be fear.
Steph | 05.04.07 04:15 PM
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Based on the questions posed by the liberal inquistors in the debate last night, I can't figure out why a serious candidate would want to participate. There was no serious discussion of any important topic, but I noticed there were plenty of dramatic pc questions, like what would you do to address the problem of children left alone by mothers in prison? Why is that a burning topic for a Presidential debate?
dublindude | 05.04.07 04:27 PM
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How do you libs do it? You are so self-possessed and snide you actually believe that conservative Republicans adore G W Bush?
Get a clue!!! You are nothing but a bunch of wingnuts who vote for liars who tell you what you want to hear! Where is the action from all your liars who wer going to "GET US OUT OF IRAQ?" Why has their been no votte to defund? Because you idiots run out and vote for liars that's why!
Get ready for another eight years of Republican administration, with BOTH house of Congress in our pockets.
Your pitiful excuse fr a "political party" is ALREADY dead. That smell you can't rid yourself is the rot.
J J TERRY | 05.04.07 04:48 PM
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I certainly hope Mr. Thompson decides to run for president. I, for one, will be an ardent supporter. However, I urge him, and the people he chooses to manage his campaign, to keep to the high road and not get into namecalling, labeling, and diatribes. America is hurting. We need a new Ronald Reagan, a leader by example.
Lenn Zonder | 05.04.07 05:07 PM
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Fred has no acheivements? Puh-lease. Either does Hillary, and Obama... especially Obama, but I bet you think they are A-OK.
Fred-o was chairman of the Senate Governmental AffairsCommittee.
Thompson was named an Assistant United States Attorney and at the age of 30 was appointed Minority Counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, where he served in 1973 and 1974. In 1977 Thompson took on the case of a Tennessee Parole Board chairman fired under suspicious circumstances. Thompson's work helped to expose a cash-for-clemency scheme that ultimately toppled the governor. The scandal became the subject of a best-selling book and later a film, Marie, in which Thompson portrayed himself.
Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Fred Thompson maintained law offices in Nashville and Washington and served as Special Counsel to both the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
In his first campaign for public office, Thompson was elected by the people of Tennessee in 1994 to the remaining two years of an unexpired Senate term. When he was returned for a full term in 1996, he received more votes than any previous candidate for any office in Tennessee history. He won two elections in two years by more than twenty points each.
Senator Thompson retired from the Senate in 2002, having served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and a member of the Senate committee on Finance.
In his time in the Senate, Thompson focused on issues such as reducing taxes, curbing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and eliminating government waste, fraud and abuse.
Now... what has Obama (or Hillary) done?
Be fair and we all win. Deceive and we all lose.
Shanester | 05.04.07 05:44 PM
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Mark my words: President Fred Thompson, serving 2008-2016.
Paul | 05.04.07 06:46 PM
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He hasn't even announced yet officially and running 3rd in alot of polls. Run Fred Run!!
Meadran | 05.04.07 09:32 PM
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Ed Gillespie is 'waiting for someone, anyone to take him on.
Poor sap, so far, no takers.
The Virginia GOP chair is quite a drop from the lofty heights of national RNC chair.
Mimi Schaeffer | 05.05.07 12:09 AM
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The Fred Train? The Fred Train? Get real. This c-list actor has about as much of a chance of running our country as Tom Tancredo. Just because someone plays a "tough guy" on t.v. doesn't mean he's qualified to lead the country. Just ask Martin Sheen. Also, Thompson did NOTHING in the senate. His very presence there was a reaction to Clinton's first two years in office.
These other guys got it right on here. The Republicans are DESPERATE for a savior this year. They'd exhume Ronnie himself and run him if they could. But even Ronnie won't save them this year. If y'all had any principles, you'd nominate Ron Paul. At least he's honest about who he is. Unlike romney and McCain.
Steve Slatten | 05.05.07 12:57 AM
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Fred's speech before the important and prestigious Lincoln Club in Balboa was a homer. A talented presentation with overtones of Barry Goldwater and undertones of Ronald Reagan. If Fred runs he will be a force to reckon with. Close your eyes and watch him debate Hillary!!
jefyuaz | 05.05.07 08:01 AM
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Fred will get in next month and he will win. Dig up the dirt while you can leftys, Fred will rise above it and eventually capture your heart, though your so called "tollerant" side of the isle will never admit it.
Pizza Guy | 05.05.07 03:33 PM
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Fred, just say yes. have contributed to your campaign, and just delisted myself from McCain's. Have y'all read Peggy Noonan's commentary about the debate. Peggy is our best writer, and she said it all. Fred, please go!!!!!
Michael Barrett | 05.05.07 10:10 PM
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2 questions:
Where do I send my money for his campaign?
Where can I sign up to help him run?
Sandra | 05.05.07 11:30 PM
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Fred Thompson has the John Wayne persona. Most of my moderate friends don’t like conservatives or the Christian Right, but they love Fred Thompson for the reason I just stated. Moderates seem to be able to forget and overlook his conservative credentials because he’s an appealing strong leader.
So all you left-winged Democrats, better watch this guy, because if he gets into this race, he will be the clear front runner and will not only win the nomination but also the presidency by a land slide. Go back and check the out what he did in Tennessee as an unknown when he ran for the U.S. Senate. Not only did he win a statewide race but he won by a land-slide with over 65% of the vote.
Fred Thompson has all of the Reagan-like qualities to get him elected ….
PLEASE MR. THOMPSON, RUN !!!
Frank L Ward | 05.06.07 12:28 PM
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Any man who would include Dave Bossie in his "circle" has already demonstrated scary decision making skills and a lack of moral character.
Paul Edwards | 05.06.07 08:48 PM
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To help encourage Fred, please visit:
http://www.fred08.com
http://www.grassrootsvoter.com
For the next #1 best selling book in America, visit: http://www.gillreport.com
One thing that is great is thAT most of the presently announced candidates first thought about running for President, THEN put together a team from the grassroots....Fred HAS grassroots already in all 50 states AND HASN'T EVEN FORMALLY ANNOUNCED, so when he DOES announce, either get on board or GET OUT OF THE WAY!
Rick | 05.07.07 10:42 AM
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Fredo, a "Lacklusture term," huh? He sure accomplished a helluva lot more than Clinton, Edwards and Obama. Of course, he spent more time in the Senate than any of them. And he chaired a REAL committee.
As Watergate minority counsel, he brought forward the fact that Nixon had taped White House discussions.
As Attorney General of Tennessee, he sent the Governor to prison on corruption charges.
As Chairman of the Government Affairs committee, he blocked giving North Korea essentially all of our trade secrets.
He helped to bring down a crooked Republican president, he brought down a crooked Democratic Governor, and he exposed impeachable offenses of a Democratic president.
Not bad for someone commonly incorrectly refered to as a "one timer" or "just an actor."
dan | 05.11.07 12:17 AM
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