Thompson announcement in Sept.?
Posted: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 1:30 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:
Republicans
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Sources close to
Fred Thompson say the former senator's official entry into the presidential race with a Tennessee announcement day is "in flux." Joining the presidential contest could "slip into early September" as advisors describe a September window as "certainly a possibility." Notably, advisers "rule out July."
Why? They say they do not see any benefit in getting in right away, and cite how well Thompson is doing in polling and undisclosed fundraising. "There's no great benefit to getting in immediately. He's made his intentions pretty clear," one says, adding, "Fred Thompson doesn't do anything until he, when he does something, he does it right. We'd rather wait and be up to his standards and do it right then sort of rush things along."
This comes after aides said previously planning had focused on an announcement in the "first half of July." Not anymore. Aides still call this "the introductory phase."
IRS REPORTING.
NBC News has learned the "Friends of Fred Thompson, Incorporated" will file with the Internal Revenue Service by the end of July. Unlike an FEC filing, this reporting will not provide details on who and how many have donated, but it will give us the first window on how much money Thompson has raised. The window will be June 1- July 31. The more detailed FEC report will happen in October.
NEW ADVISORS/OUTREACH.
NBC News has learned the president of the Catholic advocacy organization Fidelis, Joe Cella, will be joining the Fred Team. Among the new advisers who will attempt to connect Thompson to conservatives and religious communities is Bill Wichterman, who is described as being part of "the values coalition and will be instrumental in reaching out to that community."
Also, Linda Rozett, formerly of the Chamber of Commerce, will become communications director.
OFFICES UP AND RUNNING.
Advisers say they may have a better idea by next week on schedule matters, because today they will hold a "first big calendar meeting" among senior advisers, instead of what was described as "an ad hoc, guys on a phone call" operation. The meeting will take place at their new offices in McLean, VA. An adviser says "we finally have some structure now we have an office and people sitting in an office." The Nashville office is already open.
Sources say Thompson has a "couple dozen" events planned and most including a fundraising component.
