September 27, 2007 2:35 PM
- Text
Wyoming Lassos In Fred Thompson
Wyoming, the nation's smallest state by population, will get a rare moment in the political spotlight on Saturday when top-tier Republican contender Fred Thompson drops in for a forum in Casper, the Associated Press notes.
Why Wyoming? Last month, the state Republican Party decided to move delegate-selection conventions -- their equivalent of a primary or caucus -- to Jan. 5, well ahead of any other state on the political calendar, including Iowa and New Hampshire. That's a violation of Republican National Committee rules, but unlike its Democratic counterpart, the RNC can only take away half the delegates of a state that breaks the rules. Since Wyoming doesn't get many delegates to start with, the penalty isn't overwhelming.
The state might also become a bit of a freebie for Thompson: He's the only top tier contender who will be visiting the state on Saturday and his persona seems in tune with the state's largely rural and agricultural voting base. It's unlikely that winning in Wyoming will pave the way to the nomination the way a victory in Iowa can, but delegates are delegates, and it looks like Thompson may be trying to lock them up.
Karen Hanretty, the campaign's deputy communications director, told CBS News that the Wyoming stop is part of a mountain state swing that includes a fund-raising stop in Colorado. "It's just a great opportunity to visit some solld grass-roots Republican activists in the state and explain to them why he's running," she said. "Fred introducing himself and his principles to the voters in Wyoming at this stage in the campaign is very beneficial."
Why Wyoming? Last month, the state Republican Party decided to move delegate-selection conventions -- their equivalent of a primary or caucus -- to Jan. 5, well ahead of any other state on the political calendar, including Iowa and New Hampshire. That's a violation of Republican National Committee rules, but unlike its Democratic counterpart, the RNC can only take away half the delegates of a state that breaks the rules. Since Wyoming doesn't get many delegates to start with, the penalty isn't overwhelming.
The state might also become a bit of a freebie for Thompson: He's the only top tier contender who will be visiting the state on Saturday and his persona seems in tune with the state's largely rural and agricultural voting base. It's unlikely that winning in Wyoming will pave the way to the nomination the way a victory in Iowa can, but delegates are delegates, and it looks like Thompson may be trying to lock them up.
Karen Hanretty, the campaign's deputy communications director, told CBS News that the Wyoming stop is part of a mountain state swing that includes a fund-raising stop in Colorado. "It's just a great opportunity to visit some solld grass-roots Republican activists in the state and explain to them why he's running," she said. "Fred introducing himself and his principles to the voters in Wyoming at this stage in the campaign is very beneficial."
Popular Now in Politics
- CPAC: Will Sarah Palin spring a surprise?
- Timothy Dolan: Birth control tweak a "first step"
- CPAC: Santorum rips Romney, rouses conservatives
- Ann Coulter riles up the CPAC crowd
- After uproar, Obama tweaks birth control rule
- Santorum: Women could bring "emotions" to combat
- Romney takes on hecklers at Maine town hall
- Obama to announce revamp of birth control policy
- Sarah Palin revs up CPAC faithful
- Mitt Romney wins Maine GOP caucuses
- CPAC: Anti-Obama beats pro-Romney
- Occupy protestors kicked out of CPAC
- Santorum's big benefactor
- CPAC: Huckabee "thanks" Obama for birth control firestorm
- Romney says his conservatism will shine
- Report: Chicago cardinal joins contraceptives fight
- Romney on Obama: I will "knock him on his heels"
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Nowitzki, Terry lead Mavs over Blazers in 2OT
- Richardson hits nine 3s, Magic top Bucks 99-94
- Smith stops 38 shots, Coyotes top Blackhawks 3-0
- Whitney Houston's voice will never be forgotten
on Facebook
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
- Occupy protestors kicked out of CPAC
- CPAC: Will Sarah Palin spring a surprise?
- Beyonce and Jay-Z post first photos of Blue Ivy Carter
on CBS News
