Thompson Gaining in South Carolina
10 June 2007Here’s a report on a local, state level…
Thompson a ‘good fit’
Lee Bandy’s Column
On Politics
Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee is gaining support among S.C. Republican conservatives who are not pleased with their current choice of White House hopefuls.
Surely, there must be somebody else, they say, as they and other party activists scramble to find a favorite in the 2008 presidential sweepstakes.
Who might it be?
Some have fingered Thompson.
He’s a “good fit” on the issues, says U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, a Westminster Republican who recently endorsed Thompson.
Barrett, one of a growing number of conservative Republicans who think Thompson can win the whole ball of wax, is the only S.C. GOP congressional member to embrace Thompson. The others — unlike the state’s U.S. senators — seem content to remain neutral for the time being.
“So far, nobody has made the sale,” said David Keene, head of the American Conservative Union, an organization that keeps close tabs on the voting records of members of Congress.
The support for Thompson is more a reflection of perceived weakness among the field of GOP candidates than of his strength, Keene said.
Seen by some Republicans as their party’s savior, Thompson has formed an exploratory campaign committee, the step normally taken before announcing as an official candidate.
Thompson is expected to announce his candidacy in July. Supporters are trying to raise $4.6 million to help launch a bid by the “Law and Order” star.
If he runs, Thompson will join 10 other GOP candidates, each of whom has his own set of skills. None seems to have the ability to communicate the big picture like Thompson can. He often is compared to another actor turned politician, Ronald Reagan.
Former U.S. Rep. Tommy Hartnett of Charleston, a supporter of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president, says he is a big fan of Thompson. But, he predicts, Thompson’s popularity will peak the day he announces his candidacy.
It’s all downhill after that, Hartnett said.
“He’ll have to start answering questions. The free ride will have ended.”
Three S.C. GOP congressional members have declined to endorse anyone at this stage. They are Joe Wilson of Lexington, Bob Inglis of Greenville and Henry Brown of Hanahan. The three say they still are listening to all the candidates, weighing their strengths and weaknesses.
Inglis said U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas has positions on issues quite similar to his. But, he quickly added, that doesn’t mean he will endorse the Midwesterner.
The three undecided members indicated they would withhold any endorsements until fall.
Asked whom Thompson’s entry into the race might hurt the most among the 10 GOP candidates, all said Romney.
“He has been making his most aggressive play for the conservatives,” Inglis said. “He and Thompson would both be competing for the same vote.”
Thompson’s own polling data show him winning 18 percent of the Republican primary vote, stealing almost all of his votes from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
One could see the South getting behind Thompson. He has the right credentials, attributes and experience to be the GOP’s best hope in 2008.
Even with that Southern base of support, Thompson would need to communicate his upbeat message to the rest of the country.
“He’s a celebrity and would add a new flair to the campaign,” said state Republican chairman Katon Dawson.
Lois Eargle, Horry County auditor and a longtime party member, said Thompson would bring a “breath of fresh air” into the GOP.
Bandy is a retired political writer for The State.
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