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.”

[joated]

I''m not looking for a cheerleader as president. I want someone who has firm ideas and beliefs. That person isFred Thompson.

[marinepatriot]

Mike Huckabee has my complete support. I am very excited for the leadership he has to offer our country. Mike Huckabee is the best choice we have had in my lifetime.

Dan Campbell
Sgt., USMC

Someone needs to take the keys from Grandpa.

[renton98]

Thompson cannot turn it around, but then no republican can. There has been nothing but extreme corruption in Washington and with absolutely no republican holding the Bush adminstration accountable for anything over the last 7 years, how could one ever put any trust in any politician, Democrats included. I have absolutely no trust left in this system of government.

[bgbest]

TRUE CONSERVATIVES will vote for Fred Thompson, there is no other candidate even close. Paul is totally misguided on Islamic extremism and foreign policy in general, Giuliani only lines up on one issue and is way too liberal on everything else, McCain, with all due respect, will shove amnesty down our throats as soon as he says the border is secure, Romney makes John Kerry look consistent and defends his new positions with as much passion as he defended his old positions (Search You Tube for Mitt), and Huckabee (%u201Ccompassionate conservatism gone amuck%u201D) is a Republican Jimmy Carter, in addition to being weak on immigration and taxes. True, Thompson came in a little later than the MSM wanted, and had a harder time putting his organization together as result, but Thompson was drafted, and most of all - doesn''t pander. He hasn%u2019t been planning this run for President for years, like most of the other candidates, nor doing it to fulfill his political ego. I%u2019m voting for Thompson with a clean conscious. If you are a Conservative or a conservative minded, strong on defense Democrat...don%u2019t compromise... VOTE FRED THOMPSON!!!

[johnjacobs99]

Fred turning it around? What is he going to turn around? He may be a nice guy but it takes a lot of work and organizational skills to run this country. Fred got into this race just on name recognition. But his organization went through turmoil even before getting off the ground. Contrast that to Mitt Romney''s campaign. He didn''t have name recognition and started out at the bottom but through his own organizational skills built a highly effective campaign. Romney is an organizational genius and a financial genius.

[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/

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[smirk5]

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

[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?

[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.

[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...

[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

[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

[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.