Thompson to launch exploratory committee

[Xiahou]

Thompson to launch Tennessee-based exploratory committee: Presidential fundraising to start next week

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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.

[Pindar]

Anything that puts the Oval Office farther out of reach from McCain and I'm happy.

What will be interesting to see is if many of those who joined up with McCain because they thought he was the 'next in line' but then came to realize this is not the 1990's GOP and had to face the realization that the Guiliani and the Romney organizations have all their top spots fully staffed may jump ship to escape the rocky shoals ahead.

[Odin]

I am registered independent mainly because i make the voting decision when appropriate, dont like to be committed to one party everytime.

Thompson's somewhat of a myth to me, in the sense that I seem to always read postives about him from multiple sources but they lack substance in policy.

I'll be curious to see him in a debate and here his views on the topics of the day. At this point I dont think its good or bad he is getting in, whats his platform on crucial issues is whats going to sway me.

Anyone got links to his platform, or a bulleted list of his key stances?

that would be great if someone could dig it up.

[Ronin]

Thompson?


FREAK POWER?


sorry for the joke.......I know the man's dead an all....but I'd still vote for him...

[Xiahou]

I am registered independent mainly because i make the voting decision when appropriate, dont like to be committed to one party everytime.

Thompson's somewhat of a myth to me, in the sense that I seem to always read postives about him from multiple sources but they lack substance in policy.

I'll be curious to see him in a debate and here his views on the topics of the day. At this point I dont think its good or bad he is getting in, whats his platform on crucial issues is whats going to sway me.

Anyone got links to his platform, or a bulleted list of his key stances?

that would be great if someone could dig it up.

He's got a pretty long voting record from the Senate to go by. You can get a taste of his positions here.

I'm initially favorable to his candidacy because he's a conservative with a proven track record and he's got media savy and charisma. All of the above are sadly lacking from our current president, so Thompson could be a nice change.

[Odin]

He's got a pretty long voting record from the Senate to go by. You can get a taste of his positions here.

I'm initially favorable to his candidacy because he's a conservative with a proven track record and he's got media savy and charisma. All of the above are sadly lacking from our current president, so Thompson could be a nice change.

Thanks for the link Xiahou didnt have time to do it myself this morning. Some highlights for me:

1. Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment.
2. Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals.
3. Voted NO on $17.9 billion to IMF.
4. Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion

Lowlights:

1. pick any of his votes listed on free trade. (that one's for you mate )
2. He seems to favor intervention abroad, at least he voted in that vein.
3. Voted NO on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada.


Overall I would say he has a solid voting record, basically he represents my conservative values well. More so then any other republican candidate, he seems to be slightly more to the right then I would like, Im looking for someone who is a true moderate (colin powell would be nice).

His voting record seems consistant, but the foriegn policy, immigration issues are on my front burner, lets get him into a debate and see how he does.

A tentative