Fred frets over funds?
Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:30 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Republicans
From NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell
In an e-mail just sent to supporters, Fred Thompson appeals for contributions in a way that has a tinge of money anxiety: "
...even a testing-the-waters committee needs ongoing financial support. If anything, it's more important, because just as testing-the-waters is about gauging grassroots support, it's also about measuring our ability to raise the money necessary to mount a national campaign...."
Thompson will make his first trip to Iowa as a potential candidate Friday. His e-mail also appears to gently play down the significance of the Ames straw poll, while hinting at his indirect presence through supporters.
Here’s the full e-mail:
"Well friends, the Iowa Straw Poll is done and there weren't many surprises. Except for maybe that small band of Fred Heads from Texas who drove up to Iowa. I enjoyed reading about their efforts to make a mark over the weekend!
“But most of the stories from Iowa were about process and theater, not what really matters: how we will meet the challenges that face our country. From national security, to protecting our core values and ensuring continued economic prosperity for all Americans, these are the stories we need to talk about.
“When I read about those kids from Texas it inspires me to keep working to get our message and our vision for America's future out to as many of our friends, supporters, and potential supporters as we can. We aren't playing by the rules that the folks in Washington think we should be following, but if we're going to keep this conversation going, even a testing-the-waters committee needs ongoing financial support.
“If anything, it's more important, because just as testing-the-waters is about gauging grassroots support, it's also about measuring our ability to raise the money necessary to mount a national campaign.”
