I have refrained for posting about this, as I had no confirmation besides internal sources, but have known this for a while, and have given a few subtle hints. Gingrich has been involved in Thompson’s policy briefings lately.
From Politico:
Newt Gingrich’s long, slow striptease over whether he will seek the presidency in 2008 looks like it might come to an unexpected conclusion: a date with Fred Thompson.
Publicly, Gingrich has been sending signals making clear that a presidential candidacy for him is becoming less likely. Privately, he and some of his closest advisers have been meeting with — and, in at least one prominent case, going to work for — the lobbyist-actor and former Tennessee senator.
The same day that Gingrich made his comments, his former communications director, Rich Galen, disclosed that he had signed on as an adviser to Thompson’s campaign in waiting. In an interview, Galen termed the coincidence “an unfortunate confluence of events,” denying that there was any link.
But that was not the only evidence of a possible Thompson-Gingrich alliance in 2008. Gingrich and his wife, Calista, had dinner with Thompson and his wife, Jeri, at the former senator’s home in McLean, Va., on July 16, according to two Republican sources close to both men. A Thompson aide would say only that “a good policy discussion” was had over the meal.
If a Gingrich endorsement of Thompson happens, it probably won’t be until at least October. For one thing, Thompson isn’t likely to formally announce his candidacy until after Labor Day. But Gingrich has also said repeatedly that he would hold off any decision until after he marks the 13th anniversary of the Contract With America — the manifesto that spurred the GOP takeover of the House in 1994 — by holding an online policy seminar in late September.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Fascinating. Kavon and I will likely be able to meet the Speaker in IA on 8/11 due to the fact that someone we will be traveling with is a personal friend of Newt. Perhaps we can poke around on that subject.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
If Gingrich signs on in favor of Thompson, he has fewer brains than I thought. Why, in the name of all that is holy, would Gingrich pick Southern good ‘ol boy Fred over an experienced and proven person like Mitt or Rudy? I’m still waiting for any evidence that Thompson has done ANYTHING to qualify himself to be President.
Gingrich, of all people, should be looking for an experienced, proven, leader-like candidate, and Thompson is none of the above.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
ACT Blog,
“..fewer brains than I thought.”
Gingrich may be many things and one can certainly question his political judgements, but Newt is one of the best thinkers in the country.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I’m supporting Romney, but this is big. If this happens, Thompson locks down the South and possibly more.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Not surpising at all. I remember Next saying on NPR that under no circumstance will Mitt Romney be president.
Why would he say such an asisine thing?
July 25th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I’m not sure. While it does seem like an extremely stupid thing to say, I can see how, looking at the current polls, Gingrich might not think Romney has a chance.
However, it still beats me as to why, of all the Republicans running, Gingrich would go with Thompson. What does he see in him? It has to be more than electability, otherwise Gingrich would be supporting Rudy, but I don’t get it. Why is Thompson so impressive?
July 25th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
However, it still beats me as to why, of all the Republicans running, Gingrich would go with Thompson. What does he see in him?
An empty and impressionable slate?
July 25th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Thompson/Gingrich would be better than Rudy/Gingrich. Its only 5 marriages instead of 6.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I’m disappointed. Newt always encourages new, fresh, bold ideas so he works with…Fred?
Fred Thompson has not uttered one original thought!
July 25th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
For those who don’t understand,
It is because you guys are just going on what you see and here, not what is actually happening and what connections have been made, who is behind what, and so on. When you only listen to your own candidates lines, and don’t understand what other candidates offer, or by into all the negative spin, then you’re kidding yourselves.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I don’t think thats a fair assessment Tommy.
While I am a strong Romney suppoter, I can understand why a person would support Giuliani (his leadership during 9/11 and his apparent ability to beat Hillbilly), the same with McCain. While I don’t really like McCain, his status as a War hero and his lengthy Senate Career make him an understandable choice.
That said, what is there to support in Fred Thompson? Why can he enter the race one day, and be the leader the very next day? What does he add to the race? There are already Conservatives running, there are already Southerners running, and there are already people with Federal Gov. Expereince running, and yes, there is another candidate running who is experienced, Southern, and Conservative. Thompson adds NOTHING to the race, and is an overall unimpressive candidate, hence the reason I don’t understand what people see in him.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Thompson adds NOTHING to the race, and is an overall unimpressive candidate
Just as that is an unfair assessment at this point. That is an opinion. What I mean is that you don’t have a clue as to who is behind the scenes of the Thompson campaign, why they are there, what they are doing, and where it is headed.
July 25th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I suggest you read my post on what Nelligan said about a Thompson candidacy, or better yet, read what he said himself.
http://www.jeffnelligan.com/2007/06/no-slacker-big-fred-grinds-it-out.html
July 25th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Thompson and Newt are both legislators and pontificators with little, if any, successful executive experience. Plus, Thompson probably does have reformist impulses (to his credit). So, it wouldn’t surprise me that the two could get chummy.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I think its a good combination.
Fred (an empty well dressed suit) + Newt (a controversial ideas man) = a suit that looks good and is filled with ideas.
Hopefully you don’t get an empty controversial suit.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
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July 25th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
This does not coincide with any of Newt’s statements, especially his recent statement to CBS News on Fred Thompson’s candidacy.
Today it’s Fred, Yesterday it was Mitt, Then it was Rudy. When will we put this Josh Lyman/Karl Rove-wannabe obsession of figuring out how Newt can be a “kingmaker” to bed? What has Newt done in the last two years that would make someone think he wants to pack it in and choose a horse in this race? And why in the world do you think it would be for Fred? Because his politically involved wife went to dinner with Fred politically involved wife? Come on. Compare that to all that Newt is doing to advance a bipartisan agenda through American Solutions.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
What a depressing post if accurate. I have enormous respect for Newt Gingrich (as a politician and intellectual only), and if he’s backing Thompson, that’ll be a huge boon to the Senator’s candidacy. And I must agree with other comments here: I don’t understand it at all. The only thing I can imagine is that it’s Newt’s powerhungriness at work, and he sees an opportunity in the Thompson campaign that’s not available in other campaigns for some reason.
Thompson is increasingly worrying me. Not just as a candidate, but as a symptom of a broader flaw in the conservative movement. Just 21 months ago, the Republican Party was rightfully thoroughly rejecting a woman by the name of Harriet Miers. She was entirely unprepared for the job she was applying for and seemed frequently out of her element. Despite assurances from her boosters, there was no good reason for anyone in the party to believe she was a strong conservative, and plenty of indications that she wasn’t, in many respects.
Now, not even 2 years later, the Republican Party has decided to embrace “Harriet Miers”. And the implications of that shift are more then a little frightening. All I know, is I spend long nights, lying in bed, wondering whether or not stopping Fred Thompson, and everything his nomination would signal for the party – a lack of interest in competence, qualifications, respect for process, all combined with a hidden desire to be thoroughly routed – is worth, maybe, just maybe, supporting Rudy. We’ll see I guess. Right now I’m still a Romney guy, but a little more of this, and I may become a charter member of “anybody but Fred”.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Thompson too much of a puppet-man that Newt could play with? Could he wind up being the shadow President?
July 27th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Tommy,
I wonder did the Politico use the words “Newt Gingrich’s long, slow striptease” to induce vomitting in the minds of the libs? It is a mental picture I could have done without!
Brandon