Seems as though more folks are getting put off with being put off by Fred. This from today's New Hampshire Union Leader [6]:
FRED THOMPSON has flirted from afar with Republican voters for long enough. It's time for him to accept a date. And there is no better first date than the New Hampshire Republican Party's presidential debate on Sept. 5.Thompson is expected to announce his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination on or near Labor Day, which is Sept. 3. Asked two weeks ago in Nashville whether Sept. 5 would be the day, Thompson said, "I can't give you a particular date, but it sounds like you're in the neighborhood."
If Thompson announces before the debate, New Hampshire voters will expect him to be at the University of New Hampshire with the other announced candidates. A no-show will be counted here as a snub.
If Thompson waits until after the debate to make his announcement, it will appear to some as if he timed the announcement just to avoid the New Hampshire debate. That would give his foes the chance to say he is either not serious about running for the nomination or is too unprepared to be considered a credible candidate. ...
Thompson's main weakness right now is his commitment to the race. Republicans are starting to think that his heart is not in it, and they are getting tired of the teasing. ...
It's really starting to look more and more like Fred's moment has passed. A great deal of politics is about timing...and at this point the Fred "boomlet" has begun to fade. Sure, he'll get another flurry if/when he announces, as it would certainly be "news", (as in, it finally happened)...the question is the level of support and intensity.
My guess is that it would be kind of like re-lighting a cigar that's gone out. It's never quite the same.
(full disclosure, I'm on the Romney wagon)
