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July 30, 2007
Is Fred A Flop?
Oh how the mighty can fall, but before he's even launched? After being touted for weeks as the GOP presidential savior in waiting, Law & Order actor and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who has strongly hinted he'll enter the race this fall, is already being written off by some party insiders according to Politico's Mike Allen.
The principal reason? Money. Thompson's presidential exploratory committee will announce tomorrow that it raised around $3 million in June, a less than confidence-inspiring sum by GOP standards. The recent departure of several campaign advisors, amid rumors of micro-managing by Thompson's wife, and a couple of delays to his official entry into the race, have not helped to build enthusiasm for Fred's nascent candidacy.
Apparently, some thought Thompson could raise double what he did, and while no one in this piece speculated as to why his fundraising total was low (hmm... that oft-repeated "Fred's lazy" meme comes to mind), the fact that it is has clearly dealt a blow to his campaign's momentum. One GOP insider who had been an enthusiastic Thompson backer, goes so far in the piece to say he just doesn't "see it anymore." Wow.
It's certainly premature to write off Thompson's chances to win the Republican nomination, and his campaign, for the record, remains sunny and upbeat about his prospects (what else would they say?). But the signs don't look particularly good, and we can't help but hear a possible bit of whistling past the graveyard coming from Team Thompson.
There's a long way to go, but Fred may not want to give up that TV gig just yet.
Posted by houtopia at July 30, 2007 06:09 PM
Comments
Indeed, and while I'm not positive the whole "Fred is lazy" meme is correct, I do believe that he, like most politicians and actors has an extremely healthy ego.
Which is why I believe that barring some drastic changes in the situation he will decide not to jump in the race.
Posted by: Davebo at August 1, 2007 11:44 AM
Republicans love: 1.) celebrities ('cause they can win without legitimate political experience, just fame and an attitude) 2.) "men on horseback" ('cause nobody knows what they really stand for, they can pose above the fray/nobly non-partisan but thoroughly detached from the average American experience 3.) pro-business clones/right wing ideologues who never question the sacred free market texts...Fred "Rent A Heap Cheap" Thompson is a perfect fit.
Posted by: Chris at August 1, 2007 04:29 PM
Fred Thompson's main attraction is that he is "none of the above". Problem is that he has just as much political baggage, if not more, than any of the top tier announced candidates. The inability to raise money, given his supposed "popularity", is very telling. My guess is that unless the floodgates open this month and money pours in, we won't have to worry about a President Fred Thompson. But imagine the delicious possibility of a Newt Gingrich!
Posted by: Dennis at August 2, 2007 05:49 AM