Redstate

Fred is one smart hombre.

He realizes that he is front page news because he hasn't officially announced. Everyone knows he is running and if this is any indication, he is going to a helluva campaigner.

I'm not so sure how brilliant it is.

I feel like we've just about arrived at the tipping point where the drama and attention generated by not declaring (when everything else seems to be in place TO DECLARE) is going to start returning negative returns.

Aside from money--no small consideration--you have to start thinking about the pool of organizational talent and campaign volunteers. Many of us are itching to get in harness and start pulling, but to mix some metaphors, we're not going to wait at the altar forever. I really hope that Fred is not being seduced by the fantasy that was once fed to Howard Dean--that a campaign based on novelty, technology, and novel technology could drag you over the finishing line without you're having to pay heed to campaign fundamentals.

Also, I worry that one of the primary slams against him (that he's "lazy" and disengaged) is going to end up being reinforced if he doesn't visibly start putting in the hours and appearances as a declared candidate very soon.

I say this as one who prefers Thompson above the others at this point and who is eager to get down to business and stop playing games.

1. I don't recall which late night talk show it was (it wasn't the appearance on Leno) but Thompson said (unofficialy) that he WOULD be running. So the issue is moot.

2. I agree with the previous commentor. In this odd "early race" year I think that waiting too long might backfire. I think my candidate Newt has probably lost the "conservative hero" mantle by waiting so long and letting Thompson make his move. At this point Thompson is probably the conservative alternate to partial libs like Romney, Rudy, and McCain.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" - Defoe