Can Fred Thompson Turn It Around?

GOP Candidate Is Optimistic, But An Expert Thinks His Late Start Continues To Hurt Him

(CBS)  Earlier this year, Fred Thompson was looked upon as the candidate who would unite the Republican Party and make a strong run at the White House in November.

Now, as CBS News' John Bentley reports, his poll numbers are slipping as his campaign scrambles to stay in the race.

What happened? Can Thompson turn it around?

Asked about his numbers, Fred Thompson often mentions former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean.

"President Howard Dean was leading in all the polls, was spending most of the money, and he got anointed by everybody. On election night, ol’ Howard wasn’t anywhere to be seen," said Thompson. "And Kerry, who, you know, had been in single digits, wound up winning it. So the only thing that we know is that no one knows nothin’ when it comes to politics.”

But according to University of Miami political science professor Greg Koger, the problem may be deeper than just a recent drop in the polls.

“It’s a puzzling candidacy," Koger said. "I mean, on paper, he could be a very good candidate for the Republican Party. He has a set of views that are the type of positions that can unite the Republican Party. On the other hand, the fact that he got in late is really hurting his ability to campaign.”

There have been some sparsely attended events, like one in New Orleans, for example, where barely a third of the room was filled. But Thompson has also won accolades for his policies on national defense, Social Security reform, and a revamped tax code.

So, why haven't those ideas resonated with voters?

“When you’re going to come up with a military paper, with a tax paper, with a Social Security paper, and all those things, it takes some work to get all those things done, to sit down with the experts and actually work through those," said Rich Galen, a Thompson advisor. "So while those weren't public campaign events, they were certainly campaign activities."

"Now we’re into the public campaign. It's back to the lunch rooms, the luncheonettes, the dining rooms. All those kinds of things where everybody will travel around in buses and SUVs. I think that’s what you’re seeing now, that Senator Thompson is at that phase of the campaign,” Galen said.

You will also see Thompson spending more time appealing to religious voters.

Thompson joked about that while speaking at a Miami church on a recent Sunday morning.

“My mother saw to it I was in church three times a week, but she would be very surprised that I'm on this side of the pulpit,” he said.

His appearance served a dual purpose for the campaign: shore up his religious credentials after he said he didn't attend church regularly, and appeal to conservative voters who may have abandoned him for Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister.

A popular theory in political circles is that voters dated Fred Thompson, but married Mike Huckabee.

“It’s a pretty good line. My sense is though, that based upon the scrutiny Governor Huckabee’s coming under now that he’s the front-runner, the marriage may well end in Reno with a quickie divorce,” said Galen.

At the very least, voters are having commitment issues. A recent CBS News poll says over three-quarters of Republican primary voters haven't made up their minds yet.

“We’re tied for third in Iowa," said Galen. "We’re in second place, or tied for second, in South Carolina. We’re not doing that well in New Hampshire. We’re second, or tied for second, or maybe third, in the national polls… He’s in the thick of the first-tier candidates.”

That's why Thompson is now spending virtually all of his time in the vitally important state of Iowa.

Iowa volunteer Richard Rogers said "Thompson hasn’t had a chance to be here as much as many of the others," but that "he’s planning to be here almost full-time until the caucuses. I believe that it can make difference, even this late.”

Professor Koger is not as optimistic.

“The best thing would be to build a time machine and go back to 2006 and start this early. Meet people within the Republican Party early, get them excited about his campaign, and make the case that the party ought to unite behind Thompson," Koger said. "I think it’s difficult to make up ground in middle 2007, late 2007… I just think that’s going to be very difficult.”

[nirak2-2009]

Fred, stick to acting!

[tonylipsey]

Fred Thompson will prove everyone wrong .... especially the "political experts".

He''s the only conservative choice for Republicans. This Florida voter will choose Fred in 08''!

www.fred08.com

[Deefan24]

Fred will win the nomination and prove everyone wrong. The reason that the MSM isn''t reporting on him hardly is because they are scared of him, scared that he''ll beat their anointed candidate, that Commie dictator Hitlery. Fred will kick @$$ and all of you doubters will wonder what happened.

[stevan08]

Fred is already up to 15% in Iowa and gaining on Romney and the Huckster. No candidate will be spending as much time in Iowa until the caucus, which is another advantage Fred will have. A great showing in Iowa, which Fred is on his way of accomplishing, will boost him in the national polls. He also has the highest favorability ratings of any Republican candidate in Iowa and across the country according to Rasmussen.

[xmissile]

This article is completely off the mark. Fred has decent presence on the screen but is a let down in real life. He campaign is stale and has no energy, and he comes across as a dim-witted old guy with no real credentials. Charisma is only part of the problem. Where is his plan for energy independence and please don''t say it involves ethanol? Give us some specifics for getting us out of this war that your party got us into. Come on, Fred.

As a side note why is it that every candidate coming out the South has to either court the religious right or be a religious nut...exactly what the country doesn''t need.

[maxsavvy]

Fred Thompson is the real deal. So many of us speak to wanting change, honesty, leadership, and straight talk...well, it''s here. Read up on Thompson''s substantive positions and ideas on the issues we face today. Don''t be taken in by the media''s poor or non-existent coverage of his campaign. The media does not elect our officials. We do.

www.fred08.com

Tracy Kirkland

[allan_59]

I can''t help but notice that there never is seen a substantive criticism about Fred''s policys, beliefs, accomplishments, or character. I think his detractors are careful not to bring any of those into the conversation. Of course, we are all impressed by the malice in their juvenile contents so I guess that count for something.
Fred had a hard time getting his campaign in gear - but he did it in months - not years like the other candidates. His numbers are up in Iowa and a good showing should give him the recognition he needs as a serious candidate and a serious threat to the Dems.
Help Fred today so he can clear this hurdle in Iowa!
FRED08.com

[runningralph]

I''ll be so glad after the culling is done. How many are there? 10 Republicans and 8 Democrats? Something like that. Impossible to keep up with.

[grantvaldes]

The passive voice has no place in news reporting:

"But Thompson has also won accolades for his policies on national defense, Social Security reform, and a revamped tax code."

Perhaps you could mention sometime that Congressman Paul "has won accolades" for being Founding Father material, and for being the only candidate willing to stick to constitutionalist principles, even when it goes against the interests of the mainstream media''s financial backers (i.e. the military industrial complex, the pharmaceudical industry, the NSA-complicit telecommunications industry).

[dutchman57-2009]

Fred should turn around and march right back to Hollywood. Ron Paul is the only sane choice for president.

[xmissile]

OK, I went to www.Fred08.com and reviewed each and every position under Issues|On the Issues. He speaks in generalizations folks...no substance whatsoever. No specifics on an attack plan for health care or even any mention on how precisely we are going to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan. No specifics on energy independence. He doesn''t even believe that climate change is caused by people.
When people say that they want change, they are pointing to a change in direction...almost an about-face. This is Bush 3.0. No change...just a continuance. Very disappointed.

[soulsamurai]

What America needs is leadership. Huckabee demonstrates leadership more than the other candidates. Search YouTube for "Freedom Lives: Reagan Legacy and Huckabee Leadership" Or if you have a few minutes check out Huckabee''s speech to the FairTax Rally.

[soulsamurai]

Huckabee is the shining conservative star go to mikehuckabee. com to learn more.

[gkc99]

"Or if you have a few minutes check out Huckabee''''s speech to the FairTax Rally"--Posted by soulsamurai


Learn more about this scheme of the Ultra Righties to shift tax burden from billionaries with big unearned income to you American peasants buying gasoline, groceries, and clothing!

Of course Huckleberry was nothing like that as governor--he loved raising taxes! Every Romnuts says so!

[bilibi]

Fred Thompson is the only one running who is honest, IMHO. His website gives specific policy plans, as opposed to the others (both Dems & Pubbies), who speak only in platitudes. I know where he stands; he does not stick his finger in the air or convene focus groups to tell him what is the most popular thing to do.
FemVet

[xmissile]

Huckabee shot three pheasants purely for sport and then tasked one of his staff to find someone who would eat them for political expediency. Basically he derives pleasure from killing God''s creatures for no good reason. I hope his entire campaign is cursed.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -Mahatma Gandhi

[blancadebree]

Fred Thompson''s late start has nothing to do with his poor showing in the polls. Fred committed the ultimate sin for any political candidate: sloth. His refusal to campaign, to do the hard work, to make the progress, to go forward, has made him the laughing stock of the campaign. His refusal to hire his makeup artist from Law and Order made him the ugliest candidate since Michael Dukakis. In a political game which is won on the quick turn of a phrase and the pretty face, he has come in last in both contests.

http://blancadebree.blogspot.com

[gwagener]

xmissile wrote:
Huckabee shot three pheasants purely for sport...

Humans have eliminated many pheasant predators. Hunting them is necessary to control the population. Well regulated hunting is beneficial to wildlife.

[gwagener]

blancadebree wrote:
His refusal to hire his makeup artist from Law and Order made him the ugliest candidate since Michael Dukakis.

Don''t blame the makeup. The man is death warmed over. He looks bad because he has one foot in the grave.

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

The chances of Fred Thompson getting elected president of The United States are the exact same as him becoming the next Pope or Czar of Russia.

[rowdytexan2]

Sorry, Fred. :( Supporting the Neocon regime is enough for me...you lose.

[xmissile]

Yes, I realize that hunting is an essential part of wildlife management, but this guy wasn''t playing that card. He shot those birds out of sheer enjoyment because it made him feel powerful and felt that it connected him with the voters. A tell-tale sign is always the grin at the other end of the barrel.

Executioners are also essential, but do you want them to govern us?

[stevan08]

All the negative comments in this article are from an "expert" named Greg Kroger. Has anyone ever heard of this guy before? I didn''t think so. Apparently writing a paper on fillibusters from 1790 - 1901 qualifies you to disqualify a presidential candidate from the race. If this is the best hitjob CBS can do Fred is really going to surge.

Fred has the momentum in Iowa. Huckabee is sinking, Fred is rising, and every time Huck opens his mouth or his record gets examined that margin shrinks even more.

[ada95rules]

Fred''s supporters just raised a ''pickup truck'' full of money for him. As we enter the caucus/primary season I think you will see a lot of undecideds and weak supporters of the other candidates turn to Fred.

Huckabee will be a disaster for the Republican party. If he gets the nomination, the Democratic landslide will make Reagan''s win look like a ''hanging chad counter'' victory. A few of the other Republicans are ok though I doubt any of them can win. Fred is strong on so many issues and is seeking the presidency for all of the right reasons. I can''t want to see him pull off the turn-around and shutdown the pundits.

[gkc99]

Punkinhead Fred is dead.

[xmissile]

This excerpt from CNN should remove all doubt that Huckabee is another "W":

PELLA, Iowa (CNN) -- A senior aide to Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee admitted Friday that the former Arkansas governor had "no foreign policy credentials" after his comments reacting to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto raised questions.

During an event Friday in Pella, Iowa, Huckabee said the crisis sparked by Bhutto''s death should lead to a crackdown on illegal immigrants from Pakistan. The Huckabee official told CNN that when he said that, Huckabee was trying to turn attention away from scrutiny of his foreign policy knowledge.

Huckabee''s foreign policy credentials have been under a microscope since the candidate admitted that he was unaware of an intelligence report that Iran had suspended its nuclear weapons program earlier this month.

"In light of what happened in Pakistan yesterday, it''s interesting that there are more Pakistanis who have illegally crossed the border than of any other nationality except for those immediately south of our border," Huckabee said Friday."

[tibu987]

So long Freddy, don''t let the door hit you in the tush.

[excoachken]

Can Fred turn it around? The answer is no, they will not take that lazy s.o.b. back on Law and Order.

[pilgrimsway-2009]

Ron Paul will take our away Social Security
Ron Paul On Social Security!
http://www.issues2000.org/Contact_House.asp?name=Ron_Paul

* Allow young people to get out of the system. (Oct 2007)
* Personal retirement accounts allow investing in one''''s future. (Sep 2007)
* Federal government won''''t keep its entitlement promises. (Mar 2007)
* Voted YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
* Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
* Voted NO on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
* Rated 30% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
What do you think entitlement promises are?
and No to the SS Lockbox!
Ron Paul will take away Social Security
Of course this is why the younger generation will vote for Him. So they do not have to contribute to Social Security!

[kansas1946]

Can Fred Thompson Turn It Around?
******************************

Fred couldn''t find his a**in the dark. Turn it around? What a joke. These poor Republicans.

[larryjlong]

My post is directed to the following posters listed aboe in particular: Kansas1946, SkyFive, exCoachKen, tibu987, gkc99 and xmissle.

It is so hard to take your posts seriously because they are so juvinile.

Just in case you are baiting me, I''ll bite.

None of you and your ilk have a clue about what is a grassroots "Draft Campaign."

I have posted what is going to happen in the aftermath of a hit piece by the MSM on the Thompson campaign. Go to the following address to read my post:
www.nolanchart.com/article740.html

The MSM is at the bottom of a steep snow covered hill and Fred Thompson''s campaign is rolling down that hill like a run-a-way snow ball that will bowl them over and they don''t even see it coming.

Why? Read my post as listed above and you might get a clue. Then again based on your posts listed above you probably will not.

At least you will not be able to say that you were not warned.

GO FRED! GO FRED! GO!

[mspence73]

Religious nut?
Just exactly what DOES this country need, xmissile?
Are we not handing out enough condoms in schools? Should we start handing them out to fifth graders now instead of waiting until sixth grade?
Shall we remove any mention of God from the Pledge of Allegiance? (Or why not just eliminate the Pledge of Allegiance altogether, and have the kids chant Hitlery''s mantra of "Blame America First"? - or praise to Allah, whichever.)
In case you havn''t noticed, this country is circling the moral drain. God help us if we hand the keys over to the likes of Hitlery. If that makes me a "religious nut" - then throw me to the lions.

[shadith]

No candidate can win the White House without the support of the South, and I predict that Fred Thompson will carry the majority of the South. Hillary sure as hell won''t carry the South!

[harvey1948]

Can Thompson Turn It Around?........no

[xmissile]

"In case you havn''t noticed, this country is circling the moral drain"

Don''t believe this friends. This is the most un-American bad-mouthing I''ve heard in a while. This is an angle invented by politicians every four years who want to make you think that everything is going to hell in a handbasket and that they can remedy it by taking us back to our roots (sound familiar?). Look past the statistics. Americans are the finest and most generous people in the world. Yes, one nation under God!

[elke8]

Fred Thompson is the only candidate with the qualifications, integrity, honesty, and poise to be President. Ron Paul is unstable(I think they ought to investigate just where all that money is coming from), Romney can''t make up his mind, Huckabee just doesn''t understand policies, McCain is too pro illegals and anti self sufficiency in energy, Giuliani is too corrupt and too Democrat, and all the Democrats are too free with our tax dollars. Those of you insulting Fred Thompson have not read or listened to anything he has said. You have a closed mind and are too blind to see the reality we are facing as a country. Wake up!! Fred is the one who can help us and you better pay attention before it''s too late!

[pelostilaho]

Those who insult Fred Thompson are imbeciles who are NOT even fit to shine the shoes he''s wearing.

Above the rest, especially the Mormon Romney, the Carterite Huckabee, and the Nazi Paul, Thompson is a true American patriot cut from the same cloth as Ronald Reagan. He deserves our vote and support - no one else.

[kloob2]

Stick with Law & Order, you may have the commanding voice, but are far too wishy washy to make anything else work.. Get a unique view on life. www.sharkshellfish.com

[kloob2]

You have to be kidding! Thompson couldn''t even hold Reagan''s dirty undies. He caved during Watergate, what makes you think he could handle the pressures of a presidential post? www.sharkshellfish.com

[mediapreachr]

''Can Thompson Turn It Around?........no
Posted by Harvey1948 at 11:41 PM : Dec 28, 2007''
The only thing he''s turning around is his pillow...and his blanket...zzzzzzz...

[camd115]

Are you kidding me? NO. Fred Thompson will probably finish 5th or 6th in Iowa, then definitely 6th in New Hampshire. His pathetic bid to win the nomination is over.

[brianbwb-2009]

a true American patriot cut from the same cloth as Ronald Reagan. He deserves our vote and support - no one else.
Posted by Pelostilaho

You mean the Reagan ("To the best of my recollection, I don''t remember...") that Alzheimer''s riddled fascist who set the mold for Bush with "trickle down voodoo" economics, terrorists called "freedom fighters" in central America, running drugs from the contras to LA, and secretly buying weapons for them from Iran, you mean that Reagan?

[smirk5]

Thompson first must prove that he is, in fact, living.

[sgtrds]

Thompson got in too late, too weak and too sleepy. Someone needs to scream "WAKE UP" in his ear to see if anyone is still in there. I mean could you imagine if he and McCain got elected on the same ticket? The White House would have to install special ramps for their walkers and hire staff who are Nursing Home experts to give them their fruit cup and cocoa before changing their diapers and putting them down for their afternoon nap.

[Con Mohrat]

About 50 years back, he must have looked just like Vladimir Vladimovich Putin. I see the resemblance.
I wonder if Putin, or anybody could overeat and look so grotesque.

[Con Mohrat]

a true American patriot cut from the same cloth as Ronald Reagan. He deserves our vote and support - no one else.
Posted by Pelostilaho

~~~~~~~~~~~

How soon we forget the criminal activities of the Iran-Contra activities. Reagan saved his neck by apoligizing for his crimes.

[giantrobot2]

Fred Thompson is way too old. How old is he anyways, from looking at him and hearing him speak he sounds like he is around 90''s or something.

Can someone that old really have enough stamina and charisma too lead this country? Fred is way too old and extremelly boring. I''d rather watch paint dry on a wall than listen to his rambling speeches.

Fred Thompson would be better remembered in life if he graciously dropped out of the race before Iowa. People then would remember him in a different way, but if he tries to stay on the ticket, all he is going to do is really embarase himself and be remembered in a negative way.

[smcarter]

Thompson is actually younger (65) than Paul (72) or McCain (71). He certainly doesn''t impress me, but his age is not the problem.

[mediapreachr]

''I''''d rather watch paint dry on a wall than listen to his rambling speeches.''
Posted by GiantRobot2 at 08:39 PM : Dec 29, 2007''
Fred should consider himself lucky that his young wife is still with him,and not running off with someone from the campaign staff.But,she''s got time to change her mind though.

[lvbohemian]

Fred Thompson is a flip-flopping, waffle-man that sold us out on the second amendment many times; as did Mitt Romney, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Ron Paul despite their facade that they are supporters and members of the NRA. And Fred has been out of politics for over 5 years and has no executive experience.

In my opinion, Mike Huckabee is the most consistent, authentic, compassionate and experienced canidate running from any party...

Besides being the only canidate running whom actually has a CCW and was the first Governor in the U.S. to have a CCW.

While all the Democrats have promised to raise taxes and have sold us out on amnesty, drivers licenses for illegals etc. And all the Republicans except Mike Huckabee have promised a tax cut or two; Mike Huckabee would ABOLISH THE IRS! Utilizing the M.I.T. designed and engineered Fair Tax Initiative; educate yourself on the Fair Tax Initiative: http://www.FairTax.Org/
The only initiative that will guarantee that the rich, drug dealers, other criminals and illegal aliens will pay their fair share of taxes; while abolishing the IRS and dramatically reducing the current tax burden on those of us already paying taxes...
How grand it will be to get 100% of our paychecks!
Visit Mike Huckabee on the issues and policies:
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/