Tammy Bruce: Thompson Is Running, And Spinning

Thompson Is Running, And Spinning

Oh, the things we learn from a perfectly controlled, 'leak' of information. From the Politico:

Fred Dalton Thompson is planning to enter the presidential race over the Fourth of July holiday, announcing that week that he has already raised several million dollars and is being backed by insiders from the past three Republican administrations, Thompson advisers told The Politico.

The good news is Thompson is not the choice of the Bush Machine, making him more attractive than Romney, who is. And when it comes to 'insiders' of previous admins, who those people are is what matters.

Organizers say the red pickup truck that was a hallmark of Thompson's first Senate race will begin showing up in Iowa and New Hampshire as an emblem of what they consider his folksy, populist appeal.

They better be planning something more than empty images. In 2000 they dressed then-Governor Bush up as a cowboy on a horse at Crawford, giving us an image spin that he was the inheritor of the Reagan Revolution. Ha! They certain couldn't give is a picture of the man wearing a bicycle helmet now could they? Borrowing a line from President Bush himself, who borrowed it from The Who: We won't get fooled again. Note to emerging Thompson campaign: This isn't a TV show. We're all smarter than that...finally.

A policy team has been formed, but remains under wraps.The supporters on Tuesday's call make up a group the campaign is calling "First Day Founders."

That's nice. Tell who these people are. It's becoming clear we don't like secret things.

Campaign officials said they have every indication Thompson will declare his candidacy, but cautioned that he could still decide not to run or to postpone the announcement.

Please, indicate at the very least that your guy has the leadership qualities to know one month out whether or not he's going to run. Being hesitant or unsure isn't a 'quality' we need these days. Sheesh.

A member of Thompson's inner circle, who insisted on anonymity, said the former senator will offer himself as a consistent conservative who can unite all elements of the Republican Party. "The public is increasingly cynical and disenchanted with government," this adviser said. "Competence is at the heart of what people want from government, and they need to have a sense that government can do the things they care the most about. They want a reason to continue Republican governance. Thompson can be seen as the adult with a firm hand on the tiller."

So, as George W. Bush was a horse riding cowboy, Fred Thompson is really just a simple farmer. Of people and government. Please. At what point are these people going to realize we're just a little more sophisticated now than we were 60 years ago?

If this is their spin, that campaign is already in trouble. It's patronizing and stupid. This reveals one of his advisers is a brain surgeon--we know we're disenchanted with government, primarily because we're tired of spin and dishonesty and 'image.' And yes of course we want government to do what we care about, but does Thompson know what that is? They better tell us, quick. And we don't care about "Republican" governance, we want Reaganistic governance. He had better stop sounding like a cheerleader for the dead Republican Party. If it is to be revived, it's because it simply happens to be in the hands of an authentic Reagan conservative.

We must demand more from people who have potential, like Thompson. We'll see if he can deliver.

Posted by Tammy · May 30, 2007 10:19 AM · Permalink
Politics

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I've been waiting a long time now for Fred to run.
If he can make it past the convention there will finally be a presidential race with a well defined conservative and a well defined liberal (or socialist if Hillary gets the nod).
The only part of the story that bothers me is that Thompson is getting support and financing from "prior republican administrations".
If the GHW camp has put cash into the Thompson campaign effort I just hope the return on investment is NOT having to have another Bush on the ticket as the veep.

The issues Thompson has to address and address constantly are not the usual talking points of the other republican candidates, and he can keep it short: border security and tax reform (and that would be supporting the FairTax)

He's already stated correctly that there's been a huge increase in revenue to the US treasury because of the tiny tax breaks GW offered up a few years ago, so I think he is definitely will be open to serious reform.

The interesting thing about tax reform is that switching to a consumption tax rather than an income tax would about eliminate the illegal immigration problem.

Immigrants have to buy retail stuff too.

But this was supposed to be about Fred.

Posted by: Neil A Russell at May 30, 2007 06:11 PM

I want Fred to run too. I think he would be a "big tent" Republican, who could unite the party. Let's hope so.

Posted by: chas at May 30, 2007 11:34 PM

I love Fred. Especially his support of campaign finance reform. Surely people can think a little deeper than they are. Let's get past the emotion people. Campaign finance reform is HIDEOUS and the fact that someone supports it says something about him/her.

Posted by: Lib85 at May 31, 2007 01:10 PM

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Thompson Is Running, And Spinning

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