Gypsy Rose Thompson

Fred Thompson announces his intention to announce:

Dear Friends,

On September 6, 2007, Fred Thompson will be announcing his intention to run for President of the United States with a webcast available to millions at www.imwithfred.com. The launch of the video will be followed by a five-day campaign tour through Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. On the evening of the 6th, there will also be a National House Party, during which there will be a conference call with Fred.

[snip]

By announcing via webcast, Fred is able to take his consistently mainstream conservative message directly to the voters, who are already responding to that message with a strong upwelling of grassroots support. The webcast and the following campaign tour will play to Fred’s strengths, a consistent record of conservatism, his ability to clearly spread his message, and his ability to work with and connect with Americans from all walks of life. Be apart of this historic occasion by signing up to host or attend a house party today.

Sincerely,

Bill Lacy
Manager, Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc.

Yes: be apart. (Can't resist the snark.)

I see Thompson is taking Newt's advice to announce via webcast. Although I fear his strategy, such as it may be, is overly reliant on magical ponies appearing to alter the space-time continuum, making possible for Thompson to simultaneously campaign in four states at the same time.

A bit too little, too late. Not only because Thompson simply doesn't have enough time to set up a ground operation in the states he selects to compete in. (I don't think his golf cart goes that fast.) And not only because his staff resembles a game of musical chairs.

Why too late, then? Some Republicans are starting to get the idea that this not-ready-for-primetime candidate is playing hide the salami.

From today's New Hampshire Union Leader editorial:

FRED THOMPSON has flirted from afar with Republican voters for long enough. It's time for him to accept a date. And there is no better first date than the New Hampshire Republican Party's presidential debate on Sept. 5.

[snip]

If Thompson waits until after the debate to make his announcement, it will appear to some as if he timed the announcement just to avoid the New Hampshire debate. That would give his foes the chance to say he is either not serious about running for the nomination or is too unprepared to be considered a credible candidate.

Bad news when people think you're playing hide the salami because perhaps... there is no salami.

This endless tease has worked out pretty well so far, one must admit. But once Fred's officially accountable as a candidate, he'll have a higher standard to live up to. And greater visibility.

According to the latest ARG poll of likely Republican voters, Thompson's doing pretty well for a candidate who isn't really a candidate:

Republicans	IA	NH	SC
Brownback	-	1%	2%
Giuliani	17%	23%	26%
Gingrich	7%	4%	6%
Huckabee	14%	9%	9%
Hunter	1%	-	-
McCain	5%	12%	12%
Paul	1%	3%	2%
Romney	27%	27%	9%
Tancredo	-	-	1%
F Thompson	13%	8%	21%
Undecided	15%	13%	12%

Wonder if those are the highest those numbers will be for a while.