http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/07/mary_matalin_stays_put.html
Matalin Sticking With Fred Thompson
Rumors are flying about more senior level departures from the unofficial presidential campaign of former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.).
But The Fix can knock down one of the major ones: Mary Matalin, a former adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney and longtime Republican political operative, is staying put.
Reached in Croatia (are we good or what?), Matalin said she chats daily with the Thompson organization and remains 100 percent on board.
Our sense of the ongoing Thompson staff shuffle is that it is teetering on the brink of becoming just plain bad news. The sharks are circling and whispers about the too-prominent role of Thompson's wife -- Jeri -- are everywhere. With news of every departure, the story tilts away from Thompson's best interests.
The audience for this story remains largely confined within the Beltway for the moment, which is good for Thompson. But staff stirrings can lead to stories about disorganization, unhappiness and general disorder, and that is a narrative that does Thompson's "campaign" no good, especially as he prepares to launch his bid formally sometime in the next month or so.
Thompson's GOP "savior" image started taking on water in Washington over the last week or so and may take on some more before it's all over. But, in truth, the key to Thompson's appeal -- and chances at the Republican nomination -- are tied less to whether Washington likes him than to how his candidacy is received by social conservatives in early states like Iowa and South Carolina.
Thompson's candidacy is aimed at filling a perceived void among the current top tier when it comes to a voice for social conservatives. As long as these voters still see Fred as their guy, the chatter inside the Beltway is much ado about nothing. If, however, the story starts to bleed out into larger questions of whether he and his campaign are up to the task, it's much more problematic.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Gingrich says Fred Thompson presidential bid could keep him out of race
www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070721/NEWS/70721003
Saturday, 07/21/07
Gingrich says Fred Thompson presidential bid could keep him out of race
Former top aide to Gingrich to become Thompson adviser
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Friday that a White House bid by fellow Southerner Fred Thompson would make him less likely to join the race.
"If Fred Thompson runs and he does well, then I think that makes it easier for me to not run," Gingrich said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "On the other hand, just given what you've seen with (John) McCain the last few months, how can you predict?"
Gingrich, a Republican who in recent months has been actively promoting his ideas for reforming government, reiterated that he would wait until early October to make a decision.
He has at times offered conflicting hints about his plans.
In May, he said "it is a great possibility" that he would pursue the presidency. But a month later he said the probability was "4-to-1 odds" against.
"I've always said it was unlikely I would run," the former Georgia congressman said Friday.
Gingrich is scheduled to give a daylong briefing at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Monday where he plans to contrast the private sector, which he calls "the world that works," with the government, which he calls "the world that fails."
The speech is part of a broader public relations campaign planned for the coming months.
"The system is simply broken," he said, citing failing public schools, the government's botched response to Hurricane Katrina and its inability to control immigration. "I don't think you can fix these systems ... I would outsource large parts of them."
In a related development, Rich Galen, a former top aide to Gingrich, will become a top adviser to Thompson, the former Republican Tennessee senator who is likely to officially enter the presidential race in September.
Saturday, 07/21/07
Gingrich says Fred Thompson presidential bid could keep him out of race
Former top aide to Gingrich to become Thompson adviser
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Friday that a White House bid by fellow Southerner Fred Thompson would make him less likely to join the race.
"If Fred Thompson runs and he does well, then I think that makes it easier for me to not run," Gingrich said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "On the other hand, just given what you've seen with (John) McCain the last few months, how can you predict?"
Gingrich, a Republican who in recent months has been actively promoting his ideas for reforming government, reiterated that he would wait until early October to make a decision.
He has at times offered conflicting hints about his plans.
In May, he said "it is a great possibility" that he would pursue the presidency. But a month later he said the probability was "4-to-1 odds" against.
"I've always said it was unlikely I would run," the former Georgia congressman said Friday.
Gingrich is scheduled to give a daylong briefing at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Monday where he plans to contrast the private sector, which he calls "the world that works," with the government, which he calls "the world that fails."
The speech is part of a broader public relations campaign planned for the coming months.
"The system is simply broken," he said, citing failing public schools, the government's botched response to Hurricane Katrina and its inability to control immigration. "I don't think you can fix these systems ... I would outsource large parts of them."
In a related development, Rich Galen, a former top aide to Gingrich, will become a top adviser to Thompson, the former Republican Tennessee senator who is likely to officially enter the presidential race in September.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thompson Catches Giuliani in Latest Harris Poll
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/07/18/thompson-catches-giuliani-in-latest-harris-poll/
July 18, 2007, 10:03 pm
Thompson Catches Giuliani in Latest Harris Poll
Matt Phillips breaks down the latest Harris Interactive poll.
Though not yet an official candidate, actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is now in a statistical dead heat with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani atop the pack of potential Republican presidential nominees, the latest survey from Harris Interactive shows.
Thompson
With 29% of Republican primary or caucus voters saying they’d be most likely to vote for Mr. Thompson, he leads Mr. Giuliani by just one percentage point, according to the July survey. Mr. Thompson’s edge is within the 4.2-percentage-point margin of error on the question, and thus not conclusive, but his months-long surge in popularity is not in dispute. Since the poll Harris Interactive published in May, Mr. Thompson has risen by 11 percentage points among respondents. At the same time, Mr. Giuliani has slid by 10 percentage points since May, when 38% of Republican primary and caucus voters said he would likely get their vote.
Perhaps best known for his portrayal of no-nonsense District Attorney Arthur Branch on the hit NBC series “Law and Order,” Mr. Thompson served as a senator from 1994 to 2003. He has been taking steps — including fundraising — that leave open the possibility of a presidential run. And while he has not yet made an official announcement, his presence has caused a stir among the ranks of Republicans. His Harris Poll ratings this month among potential GOP primary voters put him 12 percentage points ahead of Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was once considered a Republican front-runner. Of the Republican primary voters polled in July, 17% responded that they would be most likely to vote for McCain. Mr. Thompson also leads former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the top fundraiser in the GOP race, by 20 percentage points.
Meanwhile, in the Democratic race, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois slipped further behind Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York in July, as more than one-third — 35% — of Democratic primary and caucus voters said she would most likely get their vote. Out of the same pool of people, 28% said they would most likely vote for Mr. Obama, that’s down from 32% in June.
The most recent online poll was conducted July 6-13. In it, Harris surveyed 2,225 adults, out of whom 822 said they would vote in a Democratic primary or caucus and 560 said they would vote in a primary or caucus for Republicans. Questions asked just of potential Democratic primary or caucus voters have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Questions put to potential Republican primary or caucus voters have a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points.
July 18, 2007, 10:03 pm
Thompson Catches Giuliani in Latest Harris Poll
Matt Phillips breaks down the latest Harris Interactive poll.
Though not yet an official candidate, actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is now in a statistical dead heat with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani atop the pack of potential Republican presidential nominees, the latest survey from Harris Interactive shows.
Thompson
With 29% of Republican primary or caucus voters saying they’d be most likely to vote for Mr. Thompson, he leads Mr. Giuliani by just one percentage point, according to the July survey. Mr. Thompson’s edge is within the 4.2-percentage-point margin of error on the question, and thus not conclusive, but his months-long surge in popularity is not in dispute. Since the poll Harris Interactive published in May, Mr. Thompson has risen by 11 percentage points among respondents. At the same time, Mr. Giuliani has slid by 10 percentage points since May, when 38% of Republican primary and caucus voters said he would likely get their vote.
Perhaps best known for his portrayal of no-nonsense District Attorney Arthur Branch on the hit NBC series “Law and Order,” Mr. Thompson served as a senator from 1994 to 2003. He has been taking steps — including fundraising — that leave open the possibility of a presidential run. And while he has not yet made an official announcement, his presence has caused a stir among the ranks of Republicans. His Harris Poll ratings this month among potential GOP primary voters put him 12 percentage points ahead of Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was once considered a Republican front-runner. Of the Republican primary voters polled in July, 17% responded that they would be most likely to vote for McCain. Mr. Thompson also leads former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the top fundraiser in the GOP race, by 20 percentage points.
Meanwhile, in the Democratic race, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois slipped further behind Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York in July, as more than one-third — 35% — of Democratic primary and caucus voters said she would most likely get their vote. Out of the same pool of people, 28% said they would most likely vote for Mr. Obama, that’s down from 32% in June.
The most recent online poll was conducted July 6-13. In it, Harris surveyed 2,225 adults, out of whom 822 said they would vote in a Democratic primary or caucus and 560 said they would vote in a primary or caucus for Republicans. Questions asked just of potential Democratic primary or caucus voters have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Questions put to potential Republican primary or caucus voters have a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Check out FDT on Mark Levin
Check out this audio of Fred Thompson on the Mark Levin show: http://tinyurl.com/3aktbh
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Thompson delays filing as campaign ramps up
www.politico.com/news/stories/0707/4947.html
Thompson delays filing as campaign ramps up
By: Mike Allen
Jul 14, 2007 02:36 PM EST
He has collected millions of dollars. Aides go to work every day in a secret suite of offices in McLean, Va. He has policy briefings. He is preparing for nationally televised Republican debates. He just named a communications director and a political director.
But yet, Fred Thompson still says he’s not sure he’s going to run for president.
The “Law & Order” actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee is delaying his formal entry into the race in part because his current status makes him less of a target and lets other candidates continue to get chewed up. “We’re in no hurry,” one close adviser said mischievously.
But there’s another big reason. If he were to formalize his candidacy beyond its current “testing the waters” status, Friends of Fred Thompson Inc. would have to reveal its contributions and expenses this week.
Thompson’s aides say they will not file such a report, and the Democratic National Committee plans to argue aggressively in coming days that he should. Democratic aides argue that Thompson could be violating campaign finance laws by “ducking” a full filing.
Filing as a candidate also triggers other legal requirements, including personal financial disclosure.
In the Senate, Thompson was an advocate of campaign-finance reform, and held four months of hearings on the Democratic campaign finance scandals in 1997.
Democrats point to an FEC regulation saying the “testing the waters” exemption does not apply to funds received for activities indicating that the individual has decided to become a candidate, refers to himself as a candidate, or is raising “funding in excess of what could reasonably be expected to be used for exploratory activities.”
Karen Finney, the DNC communications director, said: “There is an inherent hypocrisy given that Thompson campaigned as a reformer, called for broader disclosure and railed on the campaign finance problems of Democrats.”
A Thompson adviser said he is fully obeying the law. “We’re doing what we supposed to be doing, which is raising enough to build a team,” the adviser said.
Another Thompson official said: “When you’re trying to determine whether you can be a viable candidate for president, you’re talking about a nationwide fundraising effort. The FEC rules recognize that the ability to raise money is an important factor in determining whether a person is a viable candidate for president, just like traveling the country and collecting endorsements. They’re all activities to gauge your potential political strength.”
The Thompson official says one way the former senator may push back against calls for him to show his money is to file with the Internal Revenue Service as a section 527 political organization, a section that includes political parties. (Here are the Center for Responsive Politics definitions for different types of advocacy organizations.)
“If we file with the IRS, that’ll take the wind out of the sails of their disclosure argument,” the official said. If that were going to be done, it would need to be done by July 31.
Although some 527s have looser fundraising requirements than a federal candidate does, Thompson is raising money on his website according to the restrictions for candidates, with individuals allowed to give a maximum of $2,300 per election. The Thompson official said the new organization would not raise any “soft” money, or money with looser regulations.
Thompson advisers said the former senator does not plan to disclose details of campaign finances to the FEC until the report due date of Oct. 15, although the campaign may make an announcement about its very successful fundraising long before that, probably in conjunction with a declaration of his candidacy.
Senior Thompson advisers had talked about announcing the week of the Fourth of July, then sometime in July, then the first week in August. On Friday, one top official even mentioned September. Thompson’s team says it’s up to the former senator, and they really don’t know. The point, they say, is that he’s going to wait as long as possible without deflating the enthusiasm of his many vocal grass-roots supporters.
The advisers say that one factor in their calculation is the rapidly changing terrain of the race, and they point out that Thompson has already become a leading target for both Democrats and Republicans. Since he’s coming in first in some polls, including in Florida, and needs to overcome some complaints from former colleagues that he is insufficiently studious or energetic, he wants to debut with a first-class organization as one way of showing his seriousness.
Thompson’s testing of the waters is becoming increasingly thorough. He now has an office-park suite that can be expanded as the campaign ramps up. That office will house parts of the press, research, policy and strategy staffs. But a large bulk of the operation will be headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.
Thompson’s team continues to hire heavily, and is targeting refugees from the floundering campaign of Sen. John McCain. “We’re taking the survivors into the lifeboats,” chortled one Thompson adviser.
A Thompson source disclosed to The Politico that the communications director will be Linda Schoumacher Rozett, a former journalist who has been vice president of communications for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Rozett’s role will be largely behind the scenes, and the Thompson team plans to hire another communicator to be “the face of the campaign,” the source said.
Day-to-day media contacts will be handled by Burson Taylor Snyder, a Capitol Hill veteran who was communications director for House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri.
Mark Corallo of Corallo Comstock Inc. in Alexandria, Va., has been serving as Thompson’s spokesman, but may end up as a senior consultant to the campaign.
In a report confirmed by Thompson aides, syndicated columnist Robert Novak reported Saturday that the political director will be Randy Enwright, a Republican political consultant from Florida who knows Iowa and is close to the Bush family.
Members of the campaign continue to discuss whether Thompson should participate in a debate on Aug. 5 in Des Moines, Iowa, sponsored by ABC News and moderated by George Stephanopoulos. One member of the Thompson team had told The Politico early this month that the former senator was beginning to prepare for it. And some of the announcement-date conversations had taken that debate into account.
But now it sounds like Thompson may not participate, although his advisers will not give a definitive account of their thinking. One factor his team is discussing is how much criticism he would take for avoiding questioning by Stephanopoulos.
Thompson delays filing as campaign ramps up
By: Mike Allen
Jul 14, 2007 02:36 PM EST
He has collected millions of dollars. Aides go to work every day in a secret suite of offices in McLean, Va. He has policy briefings. He is preparing for nationally televised Republican debates. He just named a communications director and a political director.
But yet, Fred Thompson still says he’s not sure he’s going to run for president.
The “Law & Order” actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee is delaying his formal entry into the race in part because his current status makes him less of a target and lets other candidates continue to get chewed up. “We’re in no hurry,” one close adviser said mischievously.
But there’s another big reason. If he were to formalize his candidacy beyond its current “testing the waters” status, Friends of Fred Thompson Inc. would have to reveal its contributions and expenses this week.
Thompson’s aides say they will not file such a report, and the Democratic National Committee plans to argue aggressively in coming days that he should. Democratic aides argue that Thompson could be violating campaign finance laws by “ducking” a full filing.
Filing as a candidate also triggers other legal requirements, including personal financial disclosure.
In the Senate, Thompson was an advocate of campaign-finance reform, and held four months of hearings on the Democratic campaign finance scandals in 1997.
Democrats point to an FEC regulation saying the “testing the waters” exemption does not apply to funds received for activities indicating that the individual has decided to become a candidate, refers to himself as a candidate, or is raising “funding in excess of what could reasonably be expected to be used for exploratory activities.”
Karen Finney, the DNC communications director, said: “There is an inherent hypocrisy given that Thompson campaigned as a reformer, called for broader disclosure and railed on the campaign finance problems of Democrats.”
A Thompson adviser said he is fully obeying the law. “We’re doing what we supposed to be doing, which is raising enough to build a team,” the adviser said.
Another Thompson official said: “When you’re trying to determine whether you can be a viable candidate for president, you’re talking about a nationwide fundraising effort. The FEC rules recognize that the ability to raise money is an important factor in determining whether a person is a viable candidate for president, just like traveling the country and collecting endorsements. They’re all activities to gauge your potential political strength.”
The Thompson official says one way the former senator may push back against calls for him to show his money is to file with the Internal Revenue Service as a section 527 political organization, a section that includes political parties. (Here are the Center for Responsive Politics definitions for different types of advocacy organizations.)
“If we file with the IRS, that’ll take the wind out of the sails of their disclosure argument,” the official said. If that were going to be done, it would need to be done by July 31.
Although some 527s have looser fundraising requirements than a federal candidate does, Thompson is raising money on his website according to the restrictions for candidates, with individuals allowed to give a maximum of $2,300 per election. The Thompson official said the new organization would not raise any “soft” money, or money with looser regulations.
Thompson advisers said the former senator does not plan to disclose details of campaign finances to the FEC until the report due date of Oct. 15, although the campaign may make an announcement about its very successful fundraising long before that, probably in conjunction with a declaration of his candidacy.
Senior Thompson advisers had talked about announcing the week of the Fourth of July, then sometime in July, then the first week in August. On Friday, one top official even mentioned September. Thompson’s team says it’s up to the former senator, and they really don’t know. The point, they say, is that he’s going to wait as long as possible without deflating the enthusiasm of his many vocal grass-roots supporters.
The advisers say that one factor in their calculation is the rapidly changing terrain of the race, and they point out that Thompson has already become a leading target for both Democrats and Republicans. Since he’s coming in first in some polls, including in Florida, and needs to overcome some complaints from former colleagues that he is insufficiently studious or energetic, he wants to debut with a first-class organization as one way of showing his seriousness.
Thompson’s testing of the waters is becoming increasingly thorough. He now has an office-park suite that can be expanded as the campaign ramps up. That office will house parts of the press, research, policy and strategy staffs. But a large bulk of the operation will be headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.
Thompson’s team continues to hire heavily, and is targeting refugees from the floundering campaign of Sen. John McCain. “We’re taking the survivors into the lifeboats,” chortled one Thompson adviser.
A Thompson source disclosed to The Politico that the communications director will be Linda Schoumacher Rozett, a former journalist who has been vice president of communications for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Rozett’s role will be largely behind the scenes, and the Thompson team plans to hire another communicator to be “the face of the campaign,” the source said.
Day-to-day media contacts will be handled by Burson Taylor Snyder, a Capitol Hill veteran who was communications director for House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri.
Mark Corallo of Corallo Comstock Inc. in Alexandria, Va., has been serving as Thompson’s spokesman, but may end up as a senior consultant to the campaign.
In a report confirmed by Thompson aides, syndicated columnist Robert Novak reported Saturday that the political director will be Randy Enwright, a Republican political consultant from Florida who knows Iowa and is close to the Bush family.
Members of the campaign continue to discuss whether Thompson should participate in a debate on Aug. 5 in Des Moines, Iowa, sponsored by ABC News and moderated by George Stephanopoulos. One member of the Thompson team had told The Politico early this month that the former senator was beginning to prepare for it. And some of the announcement-date conversations had taken that debate into account.
But now it sounds like Thompson may not participate, although his advisers will not give a definitive account of their thinking. One factor his team is discussing is how much criticism he would take for avoiding questioning by Stephanopoulos.
Fred Thompson Going after NYC Firefighters
Jonathan Martin over at Politico writes about Republican Fred Thompson courting New York City firefighters who may have problems with their former mayor, Rudy Giuliani.
Martin notes that Thompson had breakfast in New York this week with former senator Al D'Amato, who has endorsed him, and Steve Cassidy, head of New York City's Uniformed Firefighters Association. The meal was Thursday, the day after the International Association of Fire Fighters released a video highly critical of Giuliani, and was documented by a crew from WCBS-TV. (The UAF and IAFF are affiliated.)
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0707/Subtle_very_subtle.html
Martin notes that Thompson had breakfast in New York this week with former senator Al D'Amato, who has endorsed him, and Steve Cassidy, head of New York City's Uniformed Firefighters Association. The meal was Thursday, the day after the International Association of Fire Fighters released a video highly critical of Giuliani, and was documented by a crew from WCBS-TV. (The UAF and IAFF are affiliated.)
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0707/Subtle_very_subtle.html
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Thompson In August ?
Insiders claim Fred Thompson will get into the GOP presidential race sometime in August.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Key Evangelical Leader Tells Brody File: "It's Fred Thompson's Race to Lose"
www.cbn.com/CBNnews/193880.aspx
Key Evangelical Leader Tells Brody File: "It's Fred Thompson's Race to Lose"
July 12, 2007
Fred Thompson just got some encouraging news. Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission tells The Brody File the following:
"My assessment is that at this moment in time it is Fred Thompson's race to lose. It may be a convergence of the right man, in the right place and at the right time. I have never seen anything like this grassroots swell for Thompson. I'm not speaking for Southern Baptists but I do believe I have my hand on the pulse of Southern Baptists and I think I know where the consensus is."
Strong words. Dr. Land doesn't endorse candidates but he is a powerful figure in Evangelical circles. His words matter. So why the fascination with Thompson? Land told me there are a lot of factors. He believes electability is extremely important and thinks that Thompson may be the best social conservative candidate right now to beat Hillary Clinton. He says just look at the head to head polling between the two of them. But there's more. You know, it was Land that came up with the term, "Southern-Fried Reagan" when describing Thompson. So now he tells me the following:
"He has an ability to connect with people. He comes from small town America where he can appeal to NASCAR dads, Security moms, and Reagan Democrats."
The Brody File is always trying to give it to you straight so let me do so here. Dr. Land is not the only Evangelical leader to feel this way. Others that I have talked to haven't gone on record but they like what they see from Thompson. This has got to be a major concern for Mitt Romney…not to mention frustrating. Here is Romney working hard on the campaign trail for months and securing key conservatives along the way. He's put out policy initiatives, talked about the culture war, etc. Thompson skips along singing a happy tune because he's not officially in yet. Romney needs some of those Evangelical heavyweights. Having them in his hip pocket is crucial. It would give him cover on the Mormon issue. It's a long race but I'm hearing that you can expect some of these national leaders to come out by the fall with who they like. Time is of the essence.
Key Evangelical Leader Tells Brody File: "It's Fred Thompson's Race to Lose"
July 12, 2007
Fred Thompson just got some encouraging news. Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission tells The Brody File the following:
"My assessment is that at this moment in time it is Fred Thompson's race to lose. It may be a convergence of the right man, in the right place and at the right time. I have never seen anything like this grassroots swell for Thompson. I'm not speaking for Southern Baptists but I do believe I have my hand on the pulse of Southern Baptists and I think I know where the consensus is."
Strong words. Dr. Land doesn't endorse candidates but he is a powerful figure in Evangelical circles. His words matter. So why the fascination with Thompson? Land told me there are a lot of factors. He believes electability is extremely important and thinks that Thompson may be the best social conservative candidate right now to beat Hillary Clinton. He says just look at the head to head polling between the two of them. But there's more. You know, it was Land that came up with the term, "Southern-Fried Reagan" when describing Thompson. So now he tells me the following:
"He has an ability to connect with people. He comes from small town America where he can appeal to NASCAR dads, Security moms, and Reagan Democrats."
The Brody File is always trying to give it to you straight so let me do so here. Dr. Land is not the only Evangelical leader to feel this way. Others that I have talked to haven't gone on record but they like what they see from Thompson. This has got to be a major concern for Mitt Romney…not to mention frustrating. Here is Romney working hard on the campaign trail for months and securing key conservatives along the way. He's put out policy initiatives, talked about the culture war, etc. Thompson skips along singing a happy tune because he's not officially in yet. Romney needs some of those Evangelical heavyweights. Having them in his hip pocket is crucial. It would give him cover on the Mormon issue. It's a long race but I'm hearing that you can expect some of these national leaders to come out by the fall with who they like. Time is of the essence.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood, or: Hey, RepublicansAgainstFred! Why Don’t You Leave A Comment Here?
Big Hat Tip to : William Beutler
http://www.blogpi.net/mister-robinsons-neighborhood-or-hey-republicansagainstfred-why-dont-you-leave-a-comment-here
Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood, or: Hey, RepublicansAgainstFred! Why Don’t You Leave A Comment Here?
Published by William Beutler July 10th, 2007 in Republicans, Comment Sections, White House '08, Online Campaigns, Fred Thompson
As my now-standard disclosure should make pretty clear, lately I’ve been keeping a close eye on Fred Thompson-related Internet discussion. And before that, I’d been writing plenty about overzealous online campaigns. Well, here the twain meet.
It’s one thing to offer relevant criticisms of a candidate (or potential candidate), but making things up out of whole cloth is an obvious sign of desperation. From what I’ve seen, some people are desperately afraid of no one so much as Fred. Which people? Savvy readers will be able to guess for themselves, but I’ll save my comments on that for later.
This post tracks the activities of one (I assume it’s just one) shape-shifting anti-Fredhead and the ridiculous lengths to which he (I assume it’s a he) has gone in recent weeks to attack Fred in many a comment section across the left- and rightosphere. Let’s dig in:
I can’t remember where I first noticed somebody named “Jim Robinson” going after Fred, but thanks to the Oracle of Mountain View, it was not difficult to track his hilariously ineffective mau-mauing across the blogosphere. Early on, he sounded like a Rudy fan:
This guy is a joke and delussional if he thinks people qill vote for him because they like Arthur Branch. He has absolutely no executive experience and is less qualified for the job than Barack Huessein Obama.
Posted by: Jim Robinson | May 31, 2007 at 12:26 PM
This comment is a rarity not just for its expression of support for Giuliani, but also because it was posted Gina Cobb’s website and hers only (the typos, as we shall see, were not a rarity). This next comment, on the other hand, found its way to at least three dozen comment sections, sometimes as Jim Robinson and sometimes as Thompson Truth File:
During his eight years in the Senate, Thompson won his free trade credentials with his votes to extend the president’s fast-track trade promotion authority and to approve permanent trading relations with China. One right-wing critic in a widely circulated internet column called Thompson a “neocon globalist” for his immigration, free trade, and foreign policy positions. Social conservatives are also likely to question Thompson’s “liberal” voting record on immigration. Although Thompson has recently written and spoken out about the need for strong border control, while in the Senate he voted to increase visas for skilled foreign workers and to increase permits for unskilled foreign farm workers. Overall, Americans for Better Immigration, an anti-immigration lobbying group, gives Thompson a career grade of C for his mixed voting record. Thompson will likely come under withering criticism from anti-immigrant candidate Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), who mixes his social conservatism with a heavy dose of nationalism and anti-corporate populism.
Posted by Thompson Truth File | June 11, 2007 4:26 PM
I particularly enjoy the bit about “one right-wing critic.” One assumes that the critic being quoted is either a figment of the author’s imagination or someone so fringey and insignifcant their name would provoke, at best, a quizzical look. Here our Mr. Robinson sounds more like a supporter of Rep. Tancredo — quite a leap for a recent Rudy-booster. Also weird is the detached, matter-of-fact nature of these statements, as if these are not the writer’s opinions, but perhaps you might be interested to know… know what? Fred is not an “anti-corporate populist”? Gee, that’s helpful.
Another comment, both too long and too slanderous to repeat here, was posted to a couple dozen different comment sections during the month of June — on conservative blogs such as Frank J’s IMAO and Steven Taylor’s PoliBlog, liberal blogs like Crooks and Liars and The Hollywood Liberal, even mainstream newspapers like the Denver Post and gossip site TMZ.com.
It may be a clue that “Jim Robinson” is almost surely stolen from Jim Robinson, the owner and operator of Free Republic. If you’re wondering, here’s what the real Jim Robinson thinks of Fred:
Unlike RudyMcRomney, Thompson/Hunter are not the media’s choice. Nor are they the Republican leadership’s choice. They’re the grassroots conservatives’ choice! Great concept, eh? … now that we have fine conservatives like Thompson, Hunter, Tancredo, et al, making solid progress … I’m starting to get optimistic about our chances.
Now, here’s “our” Jim at Michael van der Galien’s site, upon the news that Fred was (at the time) planning a trip to Israel:
Fred Thompson is going to Isreal to campaign for the US PResidency but cant be bothered with getting on the campaign trail and meeting actual US citizens. Thats rich. Sound like a globalist.
Oh Fred, you globalist, you! And see this from Wizbang Blue:
Thompson is a puppet of Karl Rove who is pushing an amnesty bill on a public that clearly doesnt want it. Why doesnt someone ask Thompson about his ties to Rove ans whether or not he supports theamnesty bill. So far Fred refuses to answer any questions and later this month he will be traveling to Isreal and London to campaign for the United States Presidency. Something very shady is going on and the people have a right to know who exactly Fred Thompson is.
Posted by Jim Robinson | June 12, 2007 4:27 PM
What’s that? Fred, a supporter of the misbegotten “comprehensive” immigration bill? Now, that’s worse than wrong — that’s outright dishonest. Fred has been speaking out against the bill in radio and web commentaries and at speeches in Virginia and Connecticut — listen to Fred in his own words.
Meanwhile, our pseudonymous critic actually stepped up this line of attack. Shedding “Jim Robinson” and adopting “FredsForAmnesty” — this may be my favorite handle — he decided to invent a quote and push it as far across the blogosphere as possible. See this comment, deposited on at least two dozen blogs in late June, here from The Jawa Report:
“We can not deport 12 million illegal aliens.” Fred Thompson
Posted by: FredsForAmnesty at June 20, 2007 05:45 PM
It’s easy to isolate because he spelled “cannot” as “can not.” Many people have said this, but Fred Thompson has not been among them.
Even more hilariously, this individual set up an account just to plant this made-up quote at lefty netroots homebase MyDD. Even better, a MyDD contributor actually told him where to go — indicating that this line of argument works on neither conservatives nor liberals. It’s almost too much.
And we haven’t even gotten to the other ridiculous nom-de-blog mentioned in the title, “RepublicansAgainstFred.” This moniker has been used at least three dozen times, on some of the most prominent blogs on the right. At Wizbang proper:
He is nothing more than a puppet of Roves and if he manages to fool the GOP primary voters into giving him the nomination, the GOP will get creamed in the general.
If Fred Thompson wins the nomination, I will immediately go out and register as an independent. I can not in good conscience vote for a completly inept and dishonest candidate. There is too much at stake.
Posted by RepublicansAgainstFred | June 19, 2007 1:49 PM
At Captain’s Quarters:
I dont care who endorses Freddie or comes out against him. I will never vote for Freddie. not in the primary and not in the general. He is a politcal HACK!
Posted by: RepublicansAgainstFred at July 2, 2007 12:41 PM
My favorite among these coincided with Fred’s recent trip to London, which included a meeting with Lady Thatcher and a speech before a private (not public, like the schools) center-right think tank. Here’s what he posted to California Yankee:
Who the hell does this guy think he is going to London and making statements about foreign policy? Last time I checked he was only a private citizen and he cleary has no authority to do so. He is out of line. WAY out of line.
Posted by: RepublicansAgainstFred | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Okay, now that’s just funny. And before I forget — RepublicanWomenAgainstFred? Definitely the same guy.
Anyway, I think I’ve made my point — some falsehood-spreading moron with way too much time on his hands has launched a comment-section crusade against Fred Thompson. If bloggers who have received his comments are interested in forwarding his IP address to me, I will gladly look into it further. It doesn’t really matter, though — the good news is that it doesn’t seem to be having any effect whatsoever. The bad news, such as it is, will be discussed in my next post.
In the meantime, feel free to suggest any additional instances of this laughable conspiracy of one in the comments.
http://www.blogpi.net/mister-robinsons-neighborhood-or-hey-republicansagainstfred-why-dont-you-leave-a-comment-here
Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood, or: Hey, RepublicansAgainstFred! Why Don’t You Leave A Comment Here?
Published by William Beutler July 10th, 2007 in Republicans, Comment Sections, White House '08, Online Campaigns, Fred Thompson
As my now-standard disclosure should make pretty clear, lately I’ve been keeping a close eye on Fred Thompson-related Internet discussion. And before that, I’d been writing plenty about overzealous online campaigns. Well, here the twain meet.
It’s one thing to offer relevant criticisms of a candidate (or potential candidate), but making things up out of whole cloth is an obvious sign of desperation. From what I’ve seen, some people are desperately afraid of no one so much as Fred. Which people? Savvy readers will be able to guess for themselves, but I’ll save my comments on that for later.
This post tracks the activities of one (I assume it’s just one) shape-shifting anti-Fredhead and the ridiculous lengths to which he (I assume it’s a he) has gone in recent weeks to attack Fred in many a comment section across the left- and rightosphere. Let’s dig in:
I can’t remember where I first noticed somebody named “Jim Robinson” going after Fred, but thanks to the Oracle of Mountain View, it was not difficult to track his hilariously ineffective mau-mauing across the blogosphere. Early on, he sounded like a Rudy fan:
This guy is a joke and delussional if he thinks people qill vote for him because they like Arthur Branch. He has absolutely no executive experience and is less qualified for the job than Barack Huessein Obama.
Posted by: Jim Robinson | May 31, 2007 at 12:26 PM
This comment is a rarity not just for its expression of support for Giuliani, but also because it was posted Gina Cobb’s website and hers only (the typos, as we shall see, were not a rarity). This next comment, on the other hand, found its way to at least three dozen comment sections, sometimes as Jim Robinson and sometimes as Thompson Truth File:
During his eight years in the Senate, Thompson won his free trade credentials with his votes to extend the president’s fast-track trade promotion authority and to approve permanent trading relations with China. One right-wing critic in a widely circulated internet column called Thompson a “neocon globalist” for his immigration, free trade, and foreign policy positions. Social conservatives are also likely to question Thompson’s “liberal” voting record on immigration. Although Thompson has recently written and spoken out about the need for strong border control, while in the Senate he voted to increase visas for skilled foreign workers and to increase permits for unskilled foreign farm workers. Overall, Americans for Better Immigration, an anti-immigration lobbying group, gives Thompson a career grade of C for his mixed voting record. Thompson will likely come under withering criticism from anti-immigrant candidate Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), who mixes his social conservatism with a heavy dose of nationalism and anti-corporate populism.
Posted by Thompson Truth File | June 11, 2007 4:26 PM
I particularly enjoy the bit about “one right-wing critic.” One assumes that the critic being quoted is either a figment of the author’s imagination or someone so fringey and insignifcant their name would provoke, at best, a quizzical look. Here our Mr. Robinson sounds more like a supporter of Rep. Tancredo — quite a leap for a recent Rudy-booster. Also weird is the detached, matter-of-fact nature of these statements, as if these are not the writer’s opinions, but perhaps you might be interested to know… know what? Fred is not an “anti-corporate populist”? Gee, that’s helpful.
Another comment, both too long and too slanderous to repeat here, was posted to a couple dozen different comment sections during the month of June — on conservative blogs such as Frank J’s IMAO and Steven Taylor’s PoliBlog, liberal blogs like Crooks and Liars and The Hollywood Liberal, even mainstream newspapers like the Denver Post and gossip site TMZ.com.
It may be a clue that “Jim Robinson” is almost surely stolen from Jim Robinson, the owner and operator of Free Republic. If you’re wondering, here’s what the real Jim Robinson thinks of Fred:
Unlike RudyMcRomney, Thompson/Hunter are not the media’s choice. Nor are they the Republican leadership’s choice. They’re the grassroots conservatives’ choice! Great concept, eh? … now that we have fine conservatives like Thompson, Hunter, Tancredo, et al, making solid progress … I’m starting to get optimistic about our chances.
Now, here’s “our” Jim at Michael van der Galien’s site, upon the news that Fred was (at the time) planning a trip to Israel:
Fred Thompson is going to Isreal to campaign for the US PResidency but cant be bothered with getting on the campaign trail and meeting actual US citizens. Thats rich. Sound like a globalist.
Oh Fred, you globalist, you! And see this from Wizbang Blue:
Thompson is a puppet of Karl Rove who is pushing an amnesty bill on a public that clearly doesnt want it. Why doesnt someone ask Thompson about his ties to Rove ans whether or not he supports theamnesty bill. So far Fred refuses to answer any questions and later this month he will be traveling to Isreal and London to campaign for the United States Presidency. Something very shady is going on and the people have a right to know who exactly Fred Thompson is.
Posted by Jim Robinson | June 12, 2007 4:27 PM
What’s that? Fred, a supporter of the misbegotten “comprehensive” immigration bill? Now, that’s worse than wrong — that’s outright dishonest. Fred has been speaking out against the bill in radio and web commentaries and at speeches in Virginia and Connecticut — listen to Fred in his own words.
Meanwhile, our pseudonymous critic actually stepped up this line of attack. Shedding “Jim Robinson” and adopting “FredsForAmnesty” — this may be my favorite handle — he decided to invent a quote and push it as far across the blogosphere as possible. See this comment, deposited on at least two dozen blogs in late June, here from The Jawa Report:
“We can not deport 12 million illegal aliens.” Fred Thompson
Posted by: FredsForAmnesty at June 20, 2007 05:45 PM
It’s easy to isolate because he spelled “cannot” as “can not.” Many people have said this, but Fred Thompson has not been among them.
Even more hilariously, this individual set up an account just to plant this made-up quote at lefty netroots homebase MyDD. Even better, a MyDD contributor actually told him where to go — indicating that this line of argument works on neither conservatives nor liberals. It’s almost too much.
And we haven’t even gotten to the other ridiculous nom-de-blog mentioned in the title, “RepublicansAgainstFred.” This moniker has been used at least three dozen times, on some of the most prominent blogs on the right. At Wizbang proper:
He is nothing more than a puppet of Roves and if he manages to fool the GOP primary voters into giving him the nomination, the GOP will get creamed in the general.
If Fred Thompson wins the nomination, I will immediately go out and register as an independent. I can not in good conscience vote for a completly inept and dishonest candidate. There is too much at stake.
Posted by RepublicansAgainstFred | June 19, 2007 1:49 PM
At Captain’s Quarters:
I dont care who endorses Freddie or comes out against him. I will never vote for Freddie. not in the primary and not in the general. He is a politcal HACK!
Posted by: RepublicansAgainstFred at July 2, 2007 12:41 PM
My favorite among these coincided with Fred’s recent trip to London, which included a meeting with Lady Thatcher and a speech before a private (not public, like the schools) center-right think tank. Here’s what he posted to California Yankee:
Who the hell does this guy think he is going to London and making statements about foreign policy? Last time I checked he was only a private citizen and he cleary has no authority to do so. He is out of line. WAY out of line.
Posted by: RepublicansAgainstFred | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Okay, now that’s just funny. And before I forget — RepublicanWomenAgainstFred? Definitely the same guy.
Anyway, I think I’ve made my point — some falsehood-spreading moron with way too much time on his hands has launched a comment-section crusade against Fred Thompson. If bloggers who have received his comments are interested in forwarding his IP address to me, I will gladly look into it further. It doesn’t really matter, though — the good news is that it doesn’t seem to be having any effect whatsoever. The bad news, such as it is, will be discussed in my next post.
In the meantime, feel free to suggest any additional instances of this laughable conspiracy of one in the comments.
Draft Thompson Committee announces Oklahoma support
Draft Thompson Committee announces Oklahoma support
The Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee announced that Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chair Jeff Cloud and former Oklahoma State Republican Party Chair Steve Edwards have joined the Committee’s Leadership Team. In addition, former Sen. Fred Thompson won the Wisconsin Republican Party presidential straw poll held over the weekend.
“Fred Thompson is the right man for America,” said Cloud. “I enthusiastically endorse Senator Thompson because he a strong, extremely bright, consistent conservative who will be the best candidate by far to lead us in these difficult times.”
Edwards, former State Party Chair and former Chief Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee, added, “Senator Thompson is without a doubt the right leader for our nation. His core convictions and resolve will make him an outstanding candidate and even better president.”
“Commissioner Cloud and Chairman Edwards both have tremendous reputations in Republican politics and their leadership will be a tremendous addition to our committee,” said Dean Rice, Draft Committee Treasurer.
Originally published May 14, 2007
http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070514/NEWS01/70514003
The Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee announced that Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chair Jeff Cloud and former Oklahoma State Republican Party Chair Steve Edwards have joined the Committee’s Leadership Team. In addition, former Sen. Fred Thompson won the Wisconsin Republican Party presidential straw poll held over the weekend.
“Fred Thompson is the right man for America,” said Cloud. “I enthusiastically endorse Senator Thompson because he a strong, extremely bright, consistent conservative who will be the best candidate by far to lead us in these difficult times.”
Edwards, former State Party Chair and former Chief Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee, added, “Senator Thompson is without a doubt the right leader for our nation. His core convictions and resolve will make him an outstanding candidate and even better president.”
“Commissioner Cloud and Chairman Edwards both have tremendous reputations in Republican politics and their leadership will be a tremendous addition to our committee,” said Dean Rice, Draft Committee Treasurer.
Originally published May 14, 2007
http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070514/NEWS01/70514003
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Red State's interview with Fred Thompson
Red State's interview with Fred Thompson...
part 1: potential candidacy and Scooter Libby.
http://tinyurl.com/yq656e
Part 2: Iraq.
http://tinyurl.com/2zwgnv
Part 3: being a fiscal conservative, what he'd do as President.
http://tinyurl.com/2jjzxx
part 1: potential candidacy and Scooter Libby.
http://tinyurl.com/yq656e
Part 2: Iraq.
http://tinyurl.com/2zwgnv
Part 3: being a fiscal conservative, what he'd do as President.
http://tinyurl.com/2jjzxx
Highlights of FDT at the 2007 Young Republicans National Convention
FDT at the 2007 Young Republicans National Convention in South Florida. On 7 july 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IQvpF_ebOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IQvpF_ebOw
Fred Thompson on Plutonic Warming : )
Fred Thompson on Plutonic Warming : )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pe8QjCfIFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pe8QjCfIFs
FDT video for National Right to Life conference
FDT discusses abortion and his pro-lfie position in a video recorded specially for the NRL dinner on June 14, 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIaRpPBPM54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIaRpPBPM54
Fred Thompson on illegal immigration
FDT talk about illegal immigration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icKh6VNVjbA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icKh6VNVjbA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)