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Fred Thompson to Run in '08
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ShareAugust 30, 2007 2:22 PM
ABC News' Christine Byun reports: After a summer of "testing the waters," former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., will formally announce his intention to run for president via webcast on Sept 6th, Thompson political director Randy Enwright confirmed on a conference call to supporters Thursday.
Thompson will follow the announcement with a five-day visit to early primary states: New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina.
After a visit to Florida beginning Sept.13, there will be a "welcome home" party in Thompson's hometown of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee on Sept. 15th.
Thompson, a former 'Law & Order' actor, formed the "Friends of Fred" committee at the beginning of June with offices in McLean, Virginia and Nashville, Tennessee.
However Thompson left everyone wondering when he would officially jump into the '08 race.
Rumors pegged his announcement earlier this summer around the Fourth of July holiday. However that announcement never came.
The status of the campaign-in-waiting, staff shakeups, and less-than-expected fundraising numbers left many wondering whether Thompson waited too long and lost his momentum.
Thompson's summer-long venture into a possible candidacy also invited a liberal activist-blogger to submit a complaint with the Federal Election Committee, accusing Thompson of skirting election laws for raising more money than needed for the testing-the-waters phase.
However, as a non-candidate, Thompson has been able to maintain GOP top-tier status in national polls -- placing second at 16 percent behind Rudy Giuliani's 31 percent in the most recent Gallup poll.
His staffing has gone through a myriad of growing pains and various shufflings. Some staffers reportedly left because of chain-of-command issues, specifically with Thompson's wife, Jeri.
In late July, the "Friends of Fred" Chief Operating Officer and defacto manager Tom Collamore exited and Bill Lacy, who helped Thompson win a Tennessee senate seat in 1994, was pulled in from Kansas to staff headquarters in McLean, Virginia and take over the organizational reins.
In the last couple of days, Communications Director Linda Rozett was replaced with Todd Harris, a former McCain 2000 campaign spokesperson. From an internal letter, Lacy explained that they needed someone with more campaign experience and Rozett's exit was one of the "tough decisions to make our venture successful."
August 30, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (38)
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Run Fred Run!
Posted by: PBowz | Aug 30, 2007 2:58:34 PM
I think Fred should run for the nearest exit. I wouln't vote for this guy for dog catcher. But, then he is a Republican and they can use a few more fools for them to give their money to. If you saw this guy's crude comments about Michael Moore you will see how ruthless this guy will be.
Posted by: Jo T | Aug 30, 2007 3:10:22 PM
I'm so glad he's decided to run! This gives us Republicans someone we actually want to vote for. And as for the "crude comments" he made about Michael Moore, good for him! Make me want to vote for him even more!!!
Posted by: Litaleanne | Aug 30, 2007 3:18:38 PM
Ferd Thompsen is a good actor on the T.V. He going to be a good president just like John Wayne.
Posted by: wilder5121 | Aug 30, 2007 3:27:27 PM
There is only one man running on the Republican ticket that is a traditional conservative completely untouched by corruption or compromised by the neocons.
And it ain't this guy.
Posted by: Adam Zale | Aug 30, 2007 3:35:50 PM
I like Fred Thompson on TV. I like the fact that he said mean things about Michael Moore. However, he seems to me to just another member of the Christian Taliban.
Posted by: Ed | Aug 30, 2007 3:53:26 PM
Good, John Wayne too had True Grit. Not only that, but we get true grit and grits too! Woooohoooo. A conservative and a moderate on the GOP side and a socialist and a newbie on the other side. By the way, Fred Thompson DOES support the 2nd amendment, unlike the lip service of the far far left. Welcome to the fray Fred. A great alternative to high taxes, no firearms, gridlock and business as usual. Run Fred Run!
Posted by: curtis41 | Aug 30, 2007 3:57:38 PM
Isn't it funny he announces just after an article appears asking if he had let the moment slip by. Acting again Fred?
Posted by: uuforyou | Aug 30, 2007 4:03:15 PM
Fred Thompson is not a social conservative, rather he is a libertarian on social issues (like Ron Paul).
Thompson is strongly against a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and he is also against contitutional amendments banning abortion and allowing school prayer.
The Christian conservatives will not support him -- once they find out where he really stands on these issue. They think he is one of them, but he is not. He will not win the nomination.
Posted by: Bill Rocker | Aug 30, 2007 4:17:19 PM
What a dumb time to announce he is running. Everyone is on vacation. This is when people want to do something as a low profile.
Posted by: maddymappo | Aug 30, 2007 4:25:00 PM
Say it ain't so. Fred can't run. Hes too old. Well, he looks old anyway. Maybe its the make-up.
Posted by: cliff jones | Aug 30, 2007 4:54:13 PM
This guy seems like a better actor than a President. He certainly comes with enough ego....as if we needed more of that. I hope people vote on issues and not just make another popularity contest out of the election.
Posted by: ken lewis | Aug 30, 2007 4:54:27 PM
To those of you who say you like the fact that Thompson said mean things about Michael Moore, please do not encourage that kind of behavior. I hate it when Michael Moore or Ann Coulter or anyone gets in the mud. Our culture is becoming so coarse and ugly. I long for more civility and courtesy in our country. I certainly do not want our next president to waste time on that kind of trash-talk.
Posted by: Marilyn | Aug 30, 2007 4:56:19 PM
Run, Fred, run!
Posted by: Stoic Patriot | Aug 30, 2007 5:00:02 PM
About time, Fred. We need a Paul/Thompson ticket.
Hooah!
Posted by: Leethal | Aug 30, 2007 5:34:36 PM
I've been telling my friends to take a look at this guy for months, an to keep a eye on him. I was hoping and praying he would run. Fred Thompson is what this country needs right now. I will do what I can here in the Texas panhandle to help get him elected.
Posted by: Kenny Crawley | Aug 30, 2007 6:30:56 PM
oh dear lord, spare us another presiden with a drawl!! have we not had enough of folks who really dont have the experience to run a country! If Romney doesn't win teh party's nomination then I hope to God people boycott the republican party for their sheer stupidity at not nominating the most QUALIFIED person for the job.
Posted by: Maxine | Aug 30, 2007 7:01:54 PM
The insults posted by idiots in both major parties is getting a bit ridiculous. I just ignore them and I’m sure I’m not the only one. .... We already know that Hillary will get the Democratic nomination, the media picked her several years ago. Fred will get the Republican nomination. Face it they don’t have any real Republicans running other than Huckabee and he doesn’t have much of a chance. Fred Thompson and Ron Paul are actually more Libertarian. Giuliani and McCain are actually Democrats posing as Republicans. ... The only real question is who will Hillary and Fred choose for running mates? Hillary will probably draft Edwards. Fred will get Ron Paul or some unknown. Likely Paul. Should make for an interesting contest. ... The insults and name calling posted are not interesting. Ignorance and stupidity usually are boring.
Posted by: Royce | Aug 30, 2007 7:05:15 PM
Hillary had 10-15 years to get her campaign together. I don’t think taking a few months is too long for Fred.
Posted by: Royce | Aug 30, 2007 7:08:33 PM
Yet Another Bad Actor = Yet Another Crooked Republian.
Who Cares!
Get used to saying President Clinton folks.
Posted by: FV | Aug 30, 2007 7:26:01 PM
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