Political Punch

I believe that he did take way to long to announce that he was going to be a candidate for the presidential election. If he wasn't sure that he wanted to be President or not he shouldn't be a candidate at all.

FRED THOMPSON FOR PRESIDENT!

One more of the same. Another money grabbing crock

All these questions and assumptions I see here are made by people who aren't looking for very easily found answers. In the time it took you to step on your own lower lip here you could have known better.

Fredipedia, search it and stumblebum no more.

First of all who sets the rules when someone should declare? This whole campigning for President is earlier then ever in history. OK Howcome Barack could test the waters since 1992, Hillary since she was 19 years old John Edwards since 2002 So come on!! This is just another attack from the Libs who break all the laws they can against the next President of the US, I respect any candidate that is not in the race at this time.

Bill Rocker - He is a True conservative, see he wants to leave it to the states to decide, Smaller Federal Goverment.

Bob Higgins and GC - Are you libs afraid of a true American that you will spew lies and propaganda, I do not see you complaining about Hilary taking donations from the PLO and China and North Korea.

Indecision, unable to take risks... those are the things I hear. That is not what I want in my president. Step away, Fred... NEXT!

A Republican "skirting the law" No way!!!

Comparing Thompson to Goldwater? You have to be kidding..... The neo-cons are waiting for some one they can manipulate. Thompson is using their tactics to bend the rules. Witness our current resident and the manipulation all around him. Enough is enough. The "strident" image is one that this country sould no longer tolerate.

Try thinking before writing. You suggest that if Fred waited to announce September 6th then legally he wouldn't have to file until January 31st. But think about it. Would that be a politically smart thing to do? No, it would be incredibly dumb. He HAS to file October 31st (15th?) like everyone else or the bad publicity would kill his campaign. Also, if he raises a lot of money in that quarter, he would WANT to trumpet that fact.

Hey Fred!
The water being tested is poison and has turned to mud.
Jump on in.
It should be just about right for you by now.
But remember to wear you ear and nose plugs.
And don't forget your snorkle.

Why is a candidate's views on constitutional amendments relevant? They can neither propose nor veto amendments; that is strictly the role of Congress (or alternative representative body) and the state governments (or alternate state delegations).

The Reps can talk a good game on amendments, but they can say whatever they want because it's out of their hands.

It may be important to note that Fred Thompson went to Iowa AFTER the recent beauty contest, which would be appropriate for a testing the waters visit, as opposed to before the contest which would be appropriate for a campaign/candidate.

I think I will hold out a little longer before I send in my campaign donation. Wouldn't do to send it to someone who doesn't have the right kind of fire in his belly.

Giuliani began his "testing the waters" "exploratory" phase Nov 2006 and announced his candidacy Feb. 2007. Fred Thompson began his "testing the waters" phase June 2007 and most likely will announce first week in Sept. It seems Giuliani's exploratory phase and Fred's are approximately the same amount of time. As far as his timing for his announcement, Law and Order reruns on NBC with Fred Thompson in them will discontinue at the end of August. Additionally, he has filed a financial statement of what he has received in the month of June via the IRS so this statement Mr. Higgins is inaccurate "I think that it's perfectly clear that Thompson is going to hold out until Sept 6 (barring FEC action) so that he can continue to hide his finances until the end of January." People get your facts correct. Do your research. Don't go through life making decisions and expressing opinions based on information that has been spoon fed you via a media biased headline.

I'm holding out for the Sharpton-Tancredo ticket. Unity '08! Bipartisanship!

I think that it's perfectly clear that Thompson is going to hold out until Sept 6 (barring FEC action) so that he can continue to hide his finances until the end of January.

Probably a good strategy, the fact that it's illegal, and unethical won't stop Thompson, such niceties have never held him back in the past.

Bob Higgins
Worldwide Sawdust

Fred may be just hanging around gathering some more campaign funds to give his sons consulting company like he did the bulk of the $378,000 he took when he left the senate. You know, the, Daniel Thompson Consulting firm, with no address, no phone and no employees. Oh, forgot his son no longer runs that company, he's now a fund raiser.

Fred Thompson is cheating us and the FEC. He needs to either stop taking donations or throw his hat in, not like anyone would vote for that fake conservative.

What's important is the issues. Thompson, last Friday, came out against a ban on gay marriage. That will likely cost him the nomination, because I can't see Christians voting for someone who is against the amendment banning gay marriage, not when thet can vote for Romney or Huckabee who are strongly for it.

Thompson doesn't seem to be a social conservative, which is what many social conservatives have been thinking he is. Rather he seems to be a kind of libertarian -- not all that different from Ron Paul. He seems more like Goldwater than he is like any of the other Republican nominees since WW2.

People make comparisons with Thompson and Ike (mainly because he's bald and acts in a casual manner) and with Reagan (because he's an actor and is amiable), but politically and philosohically he seems to be libertarian like Goldwater.

Hey!...you all better not be drinkin' that there water! Try the kool-aid instead.

From Hannity & Colmes 7/10/07

Hannity: “Have you made your decision about whether you will run?”
Fred: “Yes. I have made my decision….but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna tell ya what that decision IS…”

Thompson has been testing the waters so long no wonder he's all prune-y.

Fred Thompson was on Hannity & Colmes several months back ans Sean Hannity point blank asked him if he had made a decision yet. Thompsons answer was that yes, he had made a decision, but wasnt going to tell anyone yet.

If he knew back then if he was running or not, what waters is he testing months later?

I am sure there is video on and transcripts available.

You all should read the Sharpton link, and decide if that self-promoting, self-loving scoff-law's activities bear any resemblance to Sen. Thompson's. I cannot imagine that avoiding disclosure until Jan. 31st would be any advantage to him. If there are bombshells in his financial report, he would be better off to report them early and ride out the bad publicity. It seems like he is really testing the waters, and wants to be the late-arriving GOP savior. My problem with that is that voters see such a guy as conceited. He should run--run for the White House or run on home.

Exactly how much farther does Mr. Thompson have to go to "test the waters?" The way he's been parading around Iowa the past couple of days leads me to believe he's not only "tested the waters," but found them more than acceptable and has jumped in, head first!

Reading this blog entry, I get the idea it's a foregone conclusion that he will actually run. Is it? I have my doubts, but maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

We had a similar issue with the beginning of the mayoral contest here, as Michael Nutter waited and waited to declare, because he had to resign his Council seat as soon as he announced he was running, but if I remember, he had been already acting like a candidate.

Whether in sports, politics, or life, it seems that it is human nature to skirt around and bend the rules as much as you can get away with.

are the republicans debating tonight in reno or not? will it be on ABC?