The Reluctant Candidate

Fred Thompson’s supporters are rightfully disappointed. Today was a tough one.

I’ve often thought, and several times written, that if Fred wanted the nomination half as much as his supporters wanted him to have it, the whole thing would have been wrapped up in Carolina.

He had everything going for him: momentum, money, star power, name recognition. Everything except presidential ambition. Carl Cameron has the background story…….

"Now It Can Be Told -- The Thompson Story"

I reported first that [Fred] was eyeing a White House bid [in March 2007]. At the time several insiders told me OFF THE RECORD that it was largely a trial balloon to gauge his popularity and float his name as a possible vice presidential nominee. I was sworn to silence.

Those insiders have now lifted the conditions on our conversations. From March to August of 07 through postponed announcement days, staff changes, firings, resignations and general disarray the Thompson camp was stunned by the incredibly positive response and didn’t really know how to manage it. The trial balloon soared mighty high and he found himself being dragged into a race that he was not even sure how to run.

He took third in Iowa and Third in South Carolina, after which his aides openly suggested the #2 slot on the ticket. The circle has been closed, and Fred Dalton Thompson is waiting to see if he gets the call from the eventual nominee.

He has not said who he will endorse. He is friends with John McCain. But if he doesn’t throw his support behind anyone …it makes it easier to be picked by everyone.

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