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Title: Fred's funds raise fear of flop
Source:
The Politco
URL Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0707/5156.html
Published: Jul 30, 2007
Author: Mike Allen
Post Date: 2007-07-30 16:45:20 by Eoghan
Keywords: None
Views: 586
Comments: 25
Fred Thompson plans to announce Tuesday that his committee to test the waters for a Republican presidential campaign raised slightly more than $3 million in June, substantially less than some backers had hoped, according to Republican sources. Thompson plans to make the disclosure in a filing with the Internal Revenue Service, as he continues to operate his prospective campaign as a political organization that does not require disclosure to the Federal Election Commission. Many Republicans had seen the “Law & Order” actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee as a potential savior in a tough election cycle. He attracted support from such top-shelf party figures as Mary Matalin, Liz Cheney, George P. Bush and other GOP stalwarts who saw him as a potential Hillary Clinton slayer. But many Republicans have turned queasy as Thompson has ousted part of his original brain trust and repeatedly delayed his official announcement, which is now planned for shortly after Labor Day, in the first two weeks of September. Some are already saying a prospective Thompson run is a flop. “I just don’t see it anymore,” said a key Republican who had been extremely enthusiastic about a Thompson candidacy. "That number is really underwhelming. There were indications it could be double that. They've been saying that people were waiting for Fred, and the money was going to pour in. He looks like he's already losing momentum." Thompson advisers are bracing for news coverage of the fundraising figure as a disappointment, but point out it covers only 26 days -- from June 4, when Friends of Fred Thompson Inc., was formed, to June 30, which the IRS specifies as the closing day for this report. Thompson camp's defense “There has been some criticism that the testing-the-waters committee is not such a testing-the-waters committee and that he’s running some sort of campaign,” said a Thompson adviser. “He’s raising enough to test the waters, not run a full-fledged presidential campaign. He’s not a candidate.” The adviser said the figure was enough for Thompson to hire some staff, do some travel and work on his policy initiatives. “It’s not going to be a huge number for a presidential campaign. It’s a testing-the-waters-type number. The number will reflect that goal. He hasn’t been campaigning. He’s been talking to people about whether that figure is the direction he definitely wants to go.” Republican sources say Thompson has a full-time staff of 30, split between offices in McLean, Va., and Nashville, Tenn., which will be the formal headquarters. In addition, he has interns and volunteers. A Thompson aide said the former senator is as enthusiastic as ever. “It’s full speed ahead,” the aide said. “Sen. Thompson spent last week traveling the country, meeting with supporters and Fredheads. He was met with great enthusiasm everywhere he went and he’s feeling great.” Thompson is scheduled to hold a fundraiser in Washington Monday night. Ticket prices are $1,000 for a person and $5,000 for a political action committee. Many current and former members of Congress are on an honorary host committee.
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#1. To: Eoghan (#0)
My guess is that Fred realizes how much work is involved and decides to drop out.
Thompson running would be pointless now that the world jew congress has announced that the next president-[s]elect is Hillary.
And Fred Thompson would be any different than Hillary?
Even among the current bag of candidates, Thompson is exceptionally pathetic. He can't seem to say anything except empty, feel-good soundbites. Sometimes it sounds like he's channeling Laura Bush.
I think he's taller.
Snickering.
You know, you should write to Thompson's campaign and suggest this as a campaign slogan. It just might win.
Note to Fred... Fred, please do not wait by your mailbox awaiting a contribution from me. I have to tell you Fred, there is someone else. His name is Ron Paul, just perhaps you may have heard of him? Anyway, being infirm of body but sound of mind, I sent a donation to Mr. Paul in YOUR name. Please don't cry or stamp your feet, it is unseemly.
Great idea - thanks.
This way Paul can always say, "Fred Thompson contributed to my campaign". This is a saving grace for Thompson because he is only going to embarrass himself by running.
Did he forget to deposit that check he picked up in the Middle East recently?
Israeli bank implements money laundering prevention technology
I heard one of the talking heads, an R, as a matter o'fact, state that Thompson would be "in by August and out by November."
snicker snicker... Double speak for it makes it harder to detect..... Israeli bank implements money laundering detection prevention technology....
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
I thought he was channeling Michael Eisner, and il Rudy was channeling Laura Bush. Damn, now I'm gonna have to study up on this a bit more.
"A functioning police state needs no police." - William S Burroughs
lol
Ron Paul for President
From Wiki: ..." The character's role in Star Wars is primarily antagonistic. He is a 600-year- old Hutt crime lord and gangster who employs a retinue of criminals, bounty hunters, smugglers, assassins, and bodyguards to operate his criminal empire. Jabba the Hutt's palace on the desert planet Tatooine is a former monastery for a group of mystics known as the B'omarr monks. There he keeps a host of entertainers, slaves, droids, and alien creatures at his disposal. Jabba has a grim sense of humor, a bellicose laugh, an insatiable appetite, and an affinity for gambling, slave girls, and torture.[3]"... more: http://www.starw ars.com/databank/character/jabbathehutt/
A NeoCommie natural, except for the 'girls' instead of 'boys'.
Ron Paul for President
Knights Templar in Jerusalem?
When he decides not to run, where does the money he raised end up going?
Rivers of blood were spilled out over land that, in normal times, not even the poorest Arab would have worried his head over." Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
True. Interestingly 'named' Jabba, as well.
!! Hmmm.
Though this is not directed to me, I think he get's to keep it. I heard today he is running the cash through a 527, to go around FEC rules. I don't really understand how it works, but it sounds like a "I support myself, don't you?" fund.
Thompson’s June dollars are due to be revealed next week ..."Also in June, on the day Thompson formed his 527, Thompson’s initial fundraising team, the “First Day Founders,” each contributed the maximum and each were charged with bringing in the same amount from another 19 people. The goal was to raise more than $4 million total. While the other campaigns are required to file quarterly with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Thompson is exempt because he has only formed a “testing the waters” committee. In doing so, Thompson filed with the IRS as a tax-exempt 527 organization that is required this year to disclose its contributions and expenditures semiannually if the sum is or is expected to exceed $50,000. If Thompson fails to file Tuesday, his committee would be fined 35 percent of its total receipts. Critics have questioned why the former senator-turned-actor would continue to operate in the “testing the waters” phase rather than formally declaring with the FEC and filing quarterly reports. Those critics are quick to point out that Thompson was closely associated with the creation and passage of the campaign finance reform law known popularly as McCain-Feingold. “A McCain-Feingold-Thompson co-sponsor operating his non-campaign campaign as a 527 is not conducive to being a straight-shooter,” one Republican operative said. Former FEC Chairman Michael Toner, who reportedly has signed on as Thompson’s general counsel, declined to comment. Some Republican lobbyists have speculated Thompson is falling short of his fundraising goals. Some recently have suggested that may be the reason the campaign has delayed a formal announcement. Some have said Thompson’s campaign wanted to announce with at least $5 million, but contend it has been able to raise only $2 million so far. "...
#2. To: Eoghan (#0)
The uncertainty of the outcome is what frightens people.
#3. To: Esso (#2)
#4. To: Eoghan (#0)
stick a fork in it, bump
#5. To: Eoghan (#0)
#6. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#3)
And Fred Thompson would be any different than Hillary?
The uncertainty of the outcome is what frightens people.
#7. To: Esso (#6)
And Fred Thompson would be any different than Hillary? I think he's taller.
#8. To: Esso (#6)
I think he's taller.
#9. To: Eoghan (#0)
substantially less than some backers had hoped,
#10. To: Cynicom (#9)
I sent a donation to Mr. Paul in YOUR name.
#11. To: lodwick (#10)
Great idea - thanks.
#12. To: Eoghan (#0)
...slightly more than $3 million in June...
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#13. To: who knows what evil (#12)
(Edited)
King of Israeli money laundering banks...Bank Leumi
“Yes, but is this good for Jews?"
#14. To: Cynicom (#9)
#15. To: Eoghan (#13)
Israeli bank implements money laundering prevention technology
#16. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#5)
Even among the current bag of candidates, Thompson is exceptionally pathetic. He can't seem to say anything except empty, feel-good soundbites. Sometimes it sounds like he's channeling Laura Bush.
#17. To: Dakmar (#16)
and il Rudy was channeling Laura Bush.
#18. To: robin (#17)
Hmm
#19. To: Calamity (#18)
#20. To: robin, Calamity (#19)
Tatooine is a former monastery for a group of mystics known as the B'omarr monks.
“Yes, but is this good for Jews?"
#21. To: Eoghan (#0)
#22. To: robin (#19)
A NeoCommie natural, except for the 'girls' instead of 'boys'.
#23. To: Eoghan (#20)
Knights Templar in Jerusalem?
#24. To: historian1944 (#21)
When he decides not to run, where does the money he raised end up going?
#25. To: historian1944 (#21)
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