Thompson Stumbles Out Of The Gate

Update: Not a meltdown, just a terrible case of stepping all over your own headlines. If this keeps up, Ted Mack will have to bring back the amateur hour to get Thompson elected. Law and disorder? These moves should have broken last week, not today. The handling of this is just freakin' dumb.

We're hearing Mark Corallo, formerly Fred Thompson's chief spokesman and his right-hand man when it was just a bunch of folks around a kitchen table - is out. There has not yet been a response to inquiries from Corallo himself — and I'm always hesitant to write about a personnel move without hearing from the figure in question,  I'd hate for somebody to learn about their job status from this blog — but too many reliable sources in the Thompson orbit are saying this for this to be a nonsensical rumor.

A few big strides in a few days from the tall guy from Tennessee could make a big difference, but it's doubtful that the Thompson campaign (it is okay to call it one now, I trust) wanted a portion of the blogosphere soliciting questions for the candidate - see Captains Quarters and Instapundit, while another portion is focusing on his recent and pending campaign woes and what some characterize as a mixed record in the Senate- see Ace and Hot Air.

via Fox: Fred Thompson is set to kick off his official announcement week on the Tonight Show tonight... but it could be overshadowed by more turmoil to come in the Thompson campaign.

I liken his Leno appearance as a step beyond Bill Clinton playing the sax on Arsenio Hall during his first bid for the Presidency. Unfortunately, doing it while avoiding the New Hampshire debate and appearing to be somewhat selective in how he plans to filter questions for the candidate through a few blogs suggests a guarded campaign, not some fellow riding through Tennessee in a pick up truck.

The Leno play is a nice grab for the non-political center. It's unclear how well that might serve him in the primary he still needs to win to get to the general election. Fred needs to have a good week beginning tomorrow, or the candidacy many were waiting to appear is going to disappear before it ever really arrived.

I checked with a few other bloggers, as we regularly get emails from most if not all the campaigns. Given this from NRO and what appears to be a campaign quick to stop communicating if you don't jump right on the bandwagon, the image of Thompson as an easygoing man of the people may not match what's happening behind the scenes.

Needless to say, the people who were involved in recruiting Mills have been left in a position well beyond awkward - you persuade a man with a sterling reputation to leave a secure job and step into another field, and within a few weeks, he's dismissed. If that is what is spurring the public complaints from a "key founding Fredhead" to Fox, it's hard to blame that person.

Comments

[BobInStamford]

Fred should stick to golf and the earlybird special for dinner.. Also, who knew that he actually has a record. I thought he just scowled a lot and talked 'folksy' to the rednecks.

[bloodrage bob]

as opposed to hillary? whose record consists of getting booed off the stage at the WTC benefit and talking 'ebonics' to the folks she'll never allow chelsea to marry?

[IslamoLlama]

Dude, Fred Thompson has no intention of being President. He's just along for the ride. I mean, he's got the Reddest blood in the race, I'll give you that. But he's the populist Republican's candidate, and let's face it. Populist Republicans don't really have a say in the party.

Fred Thompson will win the Republican nomination right after Kuccinich clinches the Democratic primary. It doesn't matter how much red (or blue) meat they throw their base.

[jj]

Bob, I have a question for you. Why do you call people rednecks? You will never influence people or win friends by calling people names and being a bigot, Bob.

BigotBob, now that has a nice ring to it, a ring of truth. From now till forever, or at least until the interwebs give out, or you die, I cristen you BigotBob, Bob.

[mensabonde]

"rednecks"

Actually, I'm quite proud of my redneck roots. My family and the people who live in the rural community where I grew up are kind, honest, hard-working, brave, and independent. I left home a generation ago, and the life I lead today is much different than the life I left behind. I've had the pleasure of working with and associating with many highly educated, highly intelligent, very successful people - most of whom are quite admirable, and even a few of whom are quite well-known. However, I have yet to meet any one person who I could consider to be "better" than the so-called rednecks I grew up with.

So.... sorry, Bob. Most of the people you attempt to denigrate with the term "redneck" probably consider it a compliment. I do :)

[BobInStamford]

'Mensa'bonde lol. You have to be a pretty insecure dope to claim that.

[tally]

i have yet to see a darn thing that fred has impressed me with. fred is doa.

[mensabonde]

"'Mensa'bonde lol. You have to be a pretty insecure dope to claim that."

Mensa = high IQ society.
Mensa = spanish for dumb/silly.

Mensablonde = smart blonde? OR mensablonde = dumb blonde? Could be either.

Insecure? Nope. Just willing to take myself a little less than seriously.
Dope? You're entitled to your opinion.

As for myself, I prefer to refrain from name-calling.

Cheers.

[bloodrage bob]

as far as fred's method of announcing - meh. it's just not important. does anyone remember how & where ANY presidential candidate announced? does anyone really believe a man won or lost the presidency because he announced his candidacy right/wrong/unique/dully?

now, if he'd announced from ,say, a *titty bar* .... ok, THAT might be memorable. anywhere else - double meh.

[chris]

A tired old man on Jay Leno talking like Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane IS pretty funny. I'll give Fred that! He should have told a story about how he was down at the Boars Nest with Cooter and Cooter passed out and the Duke boys needed to drive him home in the General Lee.

[seekeronos]

Such familiarity with, and in depth knowledge about a "redneck" TV show by someone who hates and despises those dirty-fingernailed, unwashed NASCAR watching 'necks, by our own undisputed Queen of Redneck Comedy, al-ManBoobsOnChris.

I wonder... if he is a closet NASCAR fan, or drinks domestic beers, or *shudder*gasp*shudder* he might be a trailer dwelling 'neck himself?

It's okay, al_Boobs. We are a very open, supportive, and loving community here at RWV. Remember: NASCAR is A-OK.

We'll love you even if you turn out to be a closet FReeper.

[BobInStamford]

Dale Earnhardt died for the sins of all rednecks. God was sending them a message to clean up (literally and figuratively) their act, but they didnt listen. Now he sends hurricanes and tornadoes to get their attention.

[WK59]

Fred Thompson is in the race to take half of that support Ron Paul has so Rudy or Mitt can sneak through as the nominee--ha ha

All this doesn't matter. The votes will be counted the way the elite want them to be counter, and there's no reason to participate in this phony business.

"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." -- Joseph Stalin