Politico: Fred Thompson delays announcement day until after the next Republican debate

[flpoljunkie]

Looks like it's not just Michael Moore that Fred's reluctant to debate...

August 30, 2007

Sources: Thompson to announce Sept. 6th

Fred Thompson's campaign-in-waiting will hold a 4 p.m. conference call today with supporters to brief them on plans for the former Tennessee senator's presidential announcement next week, according to an e-mail obtained by Politico.com.

Randy Enwright, Thompson's political director, said in the message that they will "discuss the next steps as we move forward as an organization." A Thompson aide confirms that they'll share the news about the long-awaited formal launch. "By the end of the day, we'll have more clarity," the aide said, declining to reveal which day the announcement would take place.

UPDATE: Still no official confirmation from the campaign, but Thompson sources now confirm that he will announce his candidacy next Thursday, Sept. 6. The launch will include a tour of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. As expected, Thompson will not appear at the GOP debate in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0807/Thompson_announcement_date_likely_to_come_today.html

[annabanana]

1. Debates are hard work. . . . n/t

[NavyDavy]

2. yeah wouldn't want to expose him as the fraud/hack he is...

[TwilightGardener]

3. Maybe he can hold out until the day before Super Tuesday.

I don't see why he should actually have to run--running is working HARD, not SMART. Just distribute some high-production-value campaign videos, and mail them out with self-addressed, stamped envelopes for donations. The occasional personal appearance will reassure fans that he is still alive and not a hoax.

[AlCzervik]

4. Looks like Fred isn't ready for prime time.

[Mz Pip]

5. Guess he hasn't memorized

all the talking points yet. Gotta get those down before he takes on an actual debate. Heaven forbid we get an actual unscripted moment out of this guy. :eyes:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

6. That makes sense. Remember how horrible Clark was in his first 2003 debate?

A candidate without a platform should not be in a debate. Build a platform, then debate. Of course, FT should have been doing this for the past few months...