Xiahou
05-31-2007, 00:17
Thompson to launch Tennessee-based exploratory committee: Presidential fundraising to start next week (http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/NEWS0206/70530023)Thompson to launch Tennessee-based exploratory committee
Prtesidential fundraising to start next week
By Brad Schrade
Staff Writer
Fred Thompson will launch an exploratory committee incorporated in Tennessee as early as Friday that will allow him to start raising funds for a presidential bid, longtime friend and political advisor Tom Ingram said today.
Thompson is quoted today saying he plans to run for the presidency, according to USA Today, which interviewed him and reported his comments on its Web site and at Tennessean.com.
The exploratory committee will be based in Tennessee and will allow Thompson to take an important step in testing the fundraising waters, Ingram said.
"They'll start raising money next week," Ingram said. "There will be a Friends for Fred Thompson incorporated in Tennessee by the first day of June. That allows them to raise and spend money without reporting money yet. Although, once they take the next step they'll report all this money too."
Ingram, who is chief of staff for Sen. Lamar Alexander, said he has no official role in Thompson's campaign, but has been talking to Thompson and his advisors. He said Thompson has been moving toward the decision to officially enter the race for weeks.
"He's now doing everything he really needs to do to move that along," Ingram said. "With an 'if' being preserved in there but with it becoming more unlikely everyday."
Ingram was instrumental in Thompson using his now-famous red pick-up truck in his successful 1994 senate race.
Ingram said he has seen reports that Thompson's truck may be pulled out of retirement for the campaign, but he doesn't know how much of a role it would play in a presidential bid.
"I don't know if they can employ it the way he did in the state," Ingram said. "Plus, I think he'll have to have a new one because that one is pretty old."
For more on the Thompson story, check Tennessean.com and tomorrow's Tennessean.
It's about time.
Prtesidential fundraising to start next week
By Brad Schrade
Staff Writer
Fred Thompson will launch an exploratory committee incorporated in Tennessee as early as Friday that will allow him to start raising funds for a presidential bid, longtime friend and political advisor Tom Ingram said today.
Thompson is quoted today saying he plans to run for the presidency, according to USA Today, which interviewed him and reported his comments on its Web site and at Tennessean.com.
The exploratory committee will be based in Tennessee and will allow Thompson to take an important step in testing the fundraising waters, Ingram said.
"They'll start raising money next week," Ingram said. "There will be a Friends for Fred Thompson incorporated in Tennessee by the first day of June. That allows them to raise and spend money without reporting money yet. Although, once they take the next step they'll report all this money too."
Ingram, who is chief of staff for Sen. Lamar Alexander, said he has no official role in Thompson's campaign, but has been talking to Thompson and his advisors. He said Thompson has been moving toward the decision to officially enter the race for weeks.
"He's now doing everything he really needs to do to move that along," Ingram said. "With an 'if' being preserved in there but with it becoming more unlikely everyday."
Ingram was instrumental in Thompson using his now-famous red pick-up truck in his successful 1994 senate race.
Ingram said he has seen reports that Thompson's truck may be pulled out of retirement for the campaign, but he doesn't know how much of a role it would play in a presidential bid.
"I don't know if they can employ it the way he did in the state," Ingram said. "Plus, I think he'll have to have a new one because that one is pretty old."
For more on the Thompson story, check Tennessean.com and tomorrow's Tennessean.
It's about time.