Mike Allen at Politico [1]says Fred Thompson is getting more serious about running:
Thompson’s coming-out as a candidate-in-waiting will be a May 4 appearance at the 45th annual dinner of the Lincoln Club of Orange County in the heart of Ronald Reagan country in Southern California. The invitation was widely sought by aspiring Republicans, and his advisers expect considerable media attention around the visit. But there are no plans now for an announcement then.
Thompson will also stoke speculation with a meeting of House Republicans April 18 at the Capitol Hill Club, organized by Rep Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), the most vocal promoter of a Thompson candidacy. More than 60 House Republicans have indicated they want to come to hear the former senator, according to organizers.
Though Thompson has shown well in some polls since he said he was actively considering a presidential bid, the hurdles to such a late start are many. And some people who worked with him in the Senate question his willingness to do the brutal work of a national campaign. But friends and advisers say Thompson has been buoyed by the response so far at a time when many Republicans are openly expressing disappointment with their presidential field.
The story here of course, is that nature hates a vacuum. Which unfortunately is what our presidential field for the Republican side has generated so far. I really must say though that I’m somewhat taken aback by this being considered a late entry. Consider, that just a few cycles ago, anyone entering the race this early would have seemed over eager.
“The outreach to him has been so overwhelming that he is now starting to talk to people to really calibrate what it would take to run a successful campaign,” the adviser said. “He’s talking to some of the top unaligned strategists and fundraisers. He’s said: ‘I’m seriously considering it, and I’m happy to hear your thoughts and ideas.’ ”
Thompson will not make a final decision until at least May and may delay any announcement until even later because he recognizes the benefits of being “a non-candidate candidate,” according to advisers.
Therein, I think, lies a strength, and not a weakness. I suspect that by the time the actual election rolls around will be suffering with burnout from the Hillary Clinton/ John Edwards/ Barrack Obama self promotion machines. and frankly, shameless self promotion, ala Hillary Clinton is not his style… Particularly at this early stage in the game. at the same time, it would be foolish to deny that the dearth of a field has provided Thompson with genuine opportunity.