Mike Allen of The Politicoreports that former United States Senator Fred Thompson will likely enter the 2008 presidential race in the next month or two, and run a different and?unconventional type of campaign.
It sounds like the word “unconventional” is being used here to mean Thompson doesn’t want to break into a sweat with his campaign schedule. Maybe that’s not too much of a surprise, considering he has a small toddler and infant to look after. I can’t imagine why any father would be willing to miss the first two years of their child’s life.
His baby is the reason he’s waiting 5 weeks or so before announcing. It’s going to be interesting, have heard different rumors to what “unconventional” means, will let you know when they can be substantiated.
“Thompson said his operatives had run across other campaigns doing opposition research on his personal life. “I guess they thought they were going to deter me, and you can see what kind of effect that’s had,” he said, according to the attendee who took notes.”
That’s apparently been the discussion all over the state today and has really upset a lot of people.
Thompson, his wife and advisers in Washington and Tennessee also are drawing up plans for a new style of campaign that would rely heavily on technology and his celebrity status to avoid some of the slogging through the snow in Iowa and New Hampshire that is normally required of White House hopefuls… Thompson is researching ways to use technology — including the Web, videoconferences and teleconferences — to harness the enthusiasm for his candidacy among grass-roots bloggers and activists.
Does anyone else other than me see the weirdness of all of this? Fred Thompson wants to campaign, without campaigning. No baby kissing, hand shaking, diner talking, coffee drinking… just Fred sitting at home being broadcast over the internet. No personal meetings, no face to face campaigning…
Anyone want to tell us why we should nominate a guy who doesn’t even want to try? Is this how he’s going to govern in Washington, too? Sitting at home taking care of his kiddos while being broadcast live via satellite to the WH Situation Room?
I found that incredibly bizarre as well. Slogging through the snow in Iowa and New Hampshire? Huh? What? Isn’t that, you know, sort of the point? Fred, Fred, Fred…
Maybe there is a method to the Fred Thompson madness. It isn’t as if Giuliani, McCain, and Romney have set the Republican world on fire utilizing conventional campaign techniques thus far. And, in addition, this is a guy who was 20 points down against Congressman Cooper in his first Senate race and won in a landslide after switching to such “unconventional” methods of campaigning.
I have been suggesting since the inception of this site that a candidate like Gingrich could come into this race and win using “unconventional” methods because this has the potential to be a very different kind of election cycle.
Actually, given where this administration and Republican congress have been, an “unconventional” approach may be the only thing with a chance for the GOP in November of 2008. We’ll see.
“Anyone want to tell us why we should nominate a guy who doesn’t even want to try? Is this how he’s going to govern in Washington, too? Sitting at home taking care of his kiddos while being broadcast live via satellite to the WH Situation Room?”
Nobody said that’s exactly what is going to be done. This article is basically rumors mixed with some facts. Do you choose to believe rumors about all the candidates? Or just ones that are a threat?
I don’t see how a candidate campaigning from an impersonal, ivory-tower, type medium- attempting to campaign without actually, personally interacting with voters- is going to garner them more support. To be sure, the novelty would give the candidate a temporary boost, but in the end, there’s simply something deeply offensive about a candidate attempting to campaign vicariously through subordinates or offhandedly. It reminds me of the day’s of party bosses and candidate annointings. Who does he think he is? William freaking McKinley?
Tommy, there’s a reason I had a smiley at the end of my question… it was intended to be a light-hearted jab, not taken seriously. Tone is so difficult to convey over the internet.
Matt (in #10), I agree with Tommy that those who are supporting other GOP candidates and see Fred Thompson as a threat are reading the worst possible interpretation into “unconventional” when it comes to potential campaign strategy and tactics.
Why would Thompson campaign the way you suggest when it obviously would show him in a negative light? The answer, I think, is that he won’t.
When Thompson utilized the red pick-up truck to beat Congressman Cooper for the open Senate seat in Tennessee, he didn’t do it to make his campaign easier or less time consuming; he did it to better connect with voters and to inject more of his own personality into the race. And it worked magnificently.
In addition, again, folks ought to do their homework on these candidates. If you read Thompson’s book about his tenure as Chief Minority Counsel to the Senate Watergate committee, “At That Point In Time,” you will find a guy who was willing to work ridiculously long hours and work very hard at running a family at the same time in order to respond to the call of public service.
Isn’t it curious how so many underestimate the training of actors when such folks run for office? These are people who know how to connect with other people - as U.S. Senator George Murphy, President Ronald Reagan, Congressman Fred Grandy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and U.S. Senator Fred Thompson have shown us.
My guess is that “unconventional” will be a lot more effective and impressive in this context than you are postulating. For one, as the Mike Allen article in The Politico suggests, it probably means tackling 800-pound gorilla issues like Social Security, Medicare, and entitlement reform head-on and with specificity. It probably means talking almost exclusively about what Thompson is for rather than why voters ought to be against his GOP opponents. But, yeah, it may mean visiting less Iowa and New Hampshire living rooms, as well as hiring a much leaner campaign organization than his opponents. We’ll see.
If people are completely fed up with the offered candidates after many months, perhaps a late-breaking candidate can win without the necessary grassroots organisation. Certinly Thompson is hoping for this (he’s killed off Gingrich IMO). And Gore may do the same on the Dem side.
Seems a shame really, but humans are easily bored in this 24/7 internet culture. Not sure if thats good for democracy.
Incidentally, did you see Politico’s analysis of the recent polls. Amongst those actively following the campaign Thompson was at 28% and McCain at 9%. Thats scary for McCain…
When an article specifically stipulates that a candidate wants to avoid slogging through the “snow” I don’t think it’s even remotely a stretch to suggest that the candidate isn’t terribly invested in the campaign, or the voters. It’s possible that phrasing was an editorial decision by The Politico, but if not, it’s almost inherently disrespectful to the political process.
Max Headroom for President! Who needs grassroots organizations, anyway? This will also allow us to further tighten campaign finance laws. After all, without travel and grassroots organizations, there’s no justification for such expensive campaigns.. right?
Matt (in #16), the article says “rely heavily on technology and celebrity status to avoid some of the slogging through the snow…”
You imply Thompson wants to avoid any and all slogging through the snow, which is not what the article says.
In addition, capitalizing on his celebrity status using technology may necessitate avoiding some slogging through the snow.
I think, with all due respect, it is ludicrous to think someone gets into a presidential race as someone many believe has a chance to win without planning to give it their all.
And, keep in mind that many presidential candidates work harder than they do smarter. It seems to me that Thompson is attempting to maximize both.
Finally, understand that these presidential campaigns have often deteriorated into processes where what is maximized is the take by the campaign professionals rather than the marketing of the candidate (and the Dole presidential campaign of 1996 comes to mind in this respect, among others). I think Thompson is very aware and wary of that phenomenon and will try mightily to avoid it.
1. Keep in mind that Howard Dean ran an unconventional campaign by using the internet in ways it was never used in presidential campaigns before. It almost worked there for him for a little while. Now, just a couple years later, campaigns are waging YouTube wars, blogs like this one are up and running 36 months before the 2008 election, and candidates like Ron Paul are ridiculed for NOT having a good web presence.
2. Thompson has nothing to lose by running an unconventional campaign. What I mean here is that he’s not in office so he doesn’t risk losing a Senate, House or Governor seat by running (like Hunter and Tancredo). His life isn’t all politics anymore and he’s doing pretty well in his current career, so he’s not risking a future political career by taking a hit should he lose (Huckabee and, to some extent, Giuliani and Romney). He’s not at the end of a political career so he’s not going out with a bang (McCain?). Thompson has the luxury of running a different kind of campaign than the other guys precisely because he’s not like the other guys. For a political history buff like myself, it will be neat to see what he does and how it impacts future campaigns.
3. Republius (#13. . .We can add Clint Eastwood, Sonny Bono, and of course Jesse Ventura to your list. And the last two, especially Ventura, were anything but conventional!
April 30th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
It sounds like the word “unconventional” is being used here to mean Thompson doesn’t want to break into a sweat with his campaign schedule. Maybe that’s not too much of a surprise, considering he has a small toddler and infant to look after. I can’t imagine why any father would be willing to miss the first two years of their child’s life.
April 30th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
His baby is the reason he’s waiting 5 weeks or so before announcing. It’s going to be interesting, have heard different rumors to what “unconventional” means, will let you know when they can be substantiated.
April 30th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
5 weeks at least…..
Week after Memorial Day weekend most likely
April 30th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
“Thompson said his operatives had run across other campaigns doing opposition research on his personal life. “I guess they thought they were going to deter me, and you can see what kind of effect that’s had,” he said, according to the attendee who took notes.”
That’s apparently been the discussion all over the state today and has really upset a lot of people.
April 30th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Thompson, his wife and advisers in Washington and Tennessee also are drawing up plans for a new style of campaign that would rely heavily on technology and his celebrity status to avoid some of the slogging through the snow in Iowa and New Hampshire that is normally required of White House hopefuls… Thompson is researching ways to use technology — including the Web, videoconferences and teleconferences — to harness the enthusiasm for his candidacy among grass-roots bloggers and activists.
Does anyone else other than me see the weirdness of all of this? Fred Thompson wants to campaign, without campaigning. No baby kissing, hand shaking, diner talking, coffee drinking… just Fred sitting at home being broadcast over the internet. No personal meetings, no face to face campaigning…
Anyone want to tell us why we should nominate a guy who doesn’t even want to try? Is this how he’s going to govern in Washington, too? Sitting at home taking care of his kiddos while being broadcast live via satellite to the WH Situation Room?
April 30th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
HeavyM,
I found that incredibly bizarre as well. Slogging through the snow in Iowa and New Hampshire? Huh? What? Isn’t that, you know, sort of the point? Fred, Fred, Fred…
April 30th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Maybe there is a method to the Fred Thompson madness. It isn’t as if Giuliani, McCain, and Romney have set the Republican world on fire utilizing conventional campaign techniques thus far. And, in addition, this is a guy who was 20 points down against Congressman Cooper in his first Senate race and won in a landslide after switching to such “unconventional” methods of campaigning.
I have been suggesting since the inception of this site that a candidate like Gingrich could come into this race and win using “unconventional” methods because this has the potential to be a very different kind of election cycle.
Actually, given where this administration and Republican congress have been, an “unconventional” approach may be the only thing with a chance for the GOP in November of 2008. We’ll see.
April 30th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Don’t underestimate the man. These aren’t the only rumors going around by what is being said to mean “unconventional.” Thompson knows how to win.
Bottom line, this election, regardless of the outcome, will more than likely signify a change from the way things have been done in the past.
April 30th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
“Anyone want to tell us why we should nominate a guy who doesn’t even want to try? Is this how he’s going to govern in Washington, too? Sitting at home taking care of his kiddos while being broadcast live via satellite to the WH Situation Room?”
Nobody said that’s exactly what is going to be done. This article is basically rumors mixed with some facts. Do you choose to believe rumors about all the candidates? Or just ones that are a threat?
April 30th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Republius,
I don’t see how a candidate campaigning from an impersonal, ivory-tower, type medium- attempting to campaign without actually, personally interacting with voters- is going to garner them more support. To be sure, the novelty would give the candidate a temporary boost, but in the end, there’s simply something deeply offensive about a candidate attempting to campaign vicariously through subordinates or offhandedly. It reminds me of the day’s of party bosses and candidate annointings. Who does he think he is? William freaking McKinley?
April 30th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Matt;
That is not what is going to be done. He might take some advantage of it, but do you believe everything at face value?
April 30th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Tommy, there’s a reason I had a smiley at the end of my question… it was intended to be a light-hearted jab, not taken seriously.
Tone is so difficult to convey over the internet.
April 30th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Matt (in #10), I agree with Tommy that those who are supporting other GOP candidates and see Fred Thompson as a threat are reading the worst possible interpretation into “unconventional” when it comes to potential campaign strategy and tactics.
Why would Thompson campaign the way you suggest when it obviously would show him in a negative light? The answer, I think, is that he won’t.
When Thompson utilized the red pick-up truck to beat Congressman Cooper for the open Senate seat in Tennessee, he didn’t do it to make his campaign easier or less time consuming; he did it to better connect with voters and to inject more of his own personality into the race. And it worked magnificently.
In addition, again, folks ought to do their homework on these candidates. If you read Thompson’s book about his tenure as Chief Minority Counsel to the Senate Watergate committee, “At That Point In Time,” you will find a guy who was willing to work ridiculously long hours and work very hard at running a family at the same time in order to respond to the call of public service.
Isn’t it curious how so many underestimate the training of actors when such folks run for office? These are people who know how to connect with other people - as U.S. Senator George Murphy, President Ronald Reagan, Congressman Fred Grandy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and U.S. Senator Fred Thompson have shown us.
My guess is that “unconventional” will be a lot more effective and impressive in this context than you are postulating. For one, as the Mike Allen article in The Politico suggests, it probably means tackling 800-pound gorilla issues like Social Security, Medicare, and entitlement reform head-on and with specificity. It probably means talking almost exclusively about what Thompson is for rather than why voters ought to be against his GOP opponents. But, yeah, it may mean visiting less Iowa and New Hampshire living rooms, as well as hiring a much leaner campaign organization than his opponents. We’ll see.
April 30th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Heavy, completely understandable. I’ve had people take my comments the same way.
April 30th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
If people are completely fed up with the offered candidates after many months, perhaps a late-breaking candidate can win without the necessary grassroots organisation. Certinly Thompson is hoping for this (he’s killed off Gingrich IMO). And Gore may do the same on the Dem side.
Seems a shame really, but humans are easily bored in this 24/7 internet culture. Not sure if thats good for democracy.
Incidentally, did you see Politico’s analysis of the recent polls. Amongst those actively following the campaign Thompson was at 28% and McCain at 9%. Thats scary for McCain…
April 30th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Republius,
When an article specifically stipulates that a candidate wants to avoid slogging through the “snow” I don’t think it’s even remotely a stretch to suggest that the candidate isn’t terribly invested in the campaign, or the voters. It’s possible that phrasing was an editorial decision by The Politico, but if not, it’s almost inherently disrespectful to the political process.
April 30th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Thompson will run away with things I predict. By January he’ll be the clear front runner
April 30th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Max Headroom for President! Who needs grassroots organizations, anyway? This will also allow us to further tighten campaign finance laws. After all, without travel and grassroots organizations, there’s no justification for such expensive campaigns.. right?
April 30th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Matt (in #16), the article says “rely heavily on technology and celebrity status to avoid some of the slogging through the snow…”
You imply Thompson wants to avoid any and all slogging through the snow, which is not what the article says.
In addition, capitalizing on his celebrity status using technology may necessitate avoiding some slogging through the snow.
I think, with all due respect, it is ludicrous to think someone gets into a presidential race as someone many believe has a chance to win without planning to give it their all.
And, keep in mind that many presidential candidates work harder than they do smarter. It seems to me that Thompson is attempting to maximize both.
Finally, understand that these presidential campaigns have often deteriorated into processes where what is maximized is the take by the campaign professionals rather than the marketing of the candidate (and the Dole presidential campaign of 1996 comes to mind in this respect, among others). I think Thompson is very aware and wary of that phenomenon and will try mightily to avoid it.
May 1st, 2007 at 12:07 am
Two comments here. . .
1. Keep in mind that Howard Dean ran an unconventional campaign by using the internet in ways it was never used in presidential campaigns before. It almost worked there for him for a little while. Now, just a couple years later, campaigns are waging YouTube wars, blogs like this one are up and running 36 months before the 2008 election, and candidates like Ron Paul are ridiculed for NOT having a good web presence.
2. Thompson has nothing to lose by running an unconventional campaign. What I mean here is that he’s not in office so he doesn’t risk losing a Senate, House or Governor seat by running (like Hunter and Tancredo). His life isn’t all politics anymore and he’s doing pretty well in his current career, so he’s not risking a future political career by taking a hit should he lose (Huckabee and, to some extent, Giuliani and Romney). He’s not at the end of a political career so he’s not going out with a bang (McCain?). Thompson has the luxury of running a different kind of campaign than the other guys precisely because he’s not like the other guys. For a political history buff like myself, it will be neat to see what he does and how it impacts future campaigns.
3. Republius (#13. . .We can add Clint Eastwood, Sonny Bono, and of course Jesse Ventura to your list. And the last two, especially Ventura, were anything but conventional!
May 1st, 2007 at 12:07 am
oops. . .guess that was three comments
May 1st, 2007 at 10:19 am
…who cares. The dems will beat anyone but Rudy.
May 1st, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I could see this type of campaign flopping or soaring. I hope Rudy starts using more video on the Web, too, and mailing DVDs. Paging Patrick Ruffini…