NPR: Thompson Failed to Capitalize On Initial Media Interest

Thompson Failed to Capitalize On Initial Media Interest

NPR's Audie Cornish followed former Tenn. Sen Fred Thompson during this past summer when he was still thinking about starting his run for the Republican presidential nomination - which he dropped this past week. She offers this analysis of why he wasn't able to capitalize on the initial surge of interest in his candidacy.

First, Thompson focused a lot on conservative blogs and radio, and some Fox News shows. It was very difficult to get him or through to that campaign in those first few weeks. After a certain amount of time Thompson's so-called "earned media" diminished - and he pretty much fell off the radar. The campaign sort of squandered the attention they had from the mainstream media at the start.

Second, Thompson did not defy the "lazy" label with his campaign schedule. While he made strong and hard pushes in the final week or two before Iowa and again in South Carolina, I would be very surprised if his schedule matched up to say a Mitt Romney or a John McCain - or any of the Democrats. Just a week before his announcement in September his campaign manager-to-be Bill Lacy told me this in an interview when I asked about the "lazy" thing.

He knows how important it is to prepare and be ready for big events. I think that preparation is important and that is going to involve - maybe I don't ask him to have a grinding schedule every day where he spends 18 or 20 hours out because frankly I'd much rather have him able to be deliver better performances.

By not putting in the trail time and making good use of initial media interest I think Thompson made it less likely he would be able to exploit potentially "big" debate performances that could have elevated him above the pack.

-- Audie Cornish

3:28 PM ET | 01-25-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I think he had a false sense of security from his "Law & Order" days. Perhaps he figured that he was a household name in the U.S. All I got from ever watching what little campaigning he did was a feeling of "Benign Entitlement" to the office of President.

Sent by Carolyn Nord | 7:39 PM ET | 01-25-2008

Thompson ain't out of the running for VP. Though Thompson probably got to thinking that life as an actor is less stressful than life as a VP.

Neither is Rudy, for that matter.

FAU had their presidential debates the other night. The microwave trucks packed up and hit the road cause the Dems ain't appearing for their FAU debate.

How this boycotting Florida works out in the general elections is something time will tell. Me and a lot of Democrats see the boycott as cowardice on the part of the candidates. Cowardice works worse than stupidity in the White House. Can't have cowards in the Oval Office. So, me and a lot of Democrats are voting Republican.

As for who is favored in Florida on the GOP side, that's still a real toss-up far as the conversations I've had.

I was a bit surprised that Evangelicals ministers around here weren't that taken with Huckabee. Guess there was one too many candidates from Hope, Arkansas?

As for black leaders in Florida, would've helped if Barack wasn't so afraid of the Hillary machine and came to Florida. Barack really disappointed me and a lot of other Florida Democratic liberals. Chalk it up to a learning experience.

My hunch: McCain's too old and Mitt's got the money and Rudy might end up the coveted VP.

Hillary didn't come to Florida cause she's hoping Rudy falls flat in New York South Florida, and she's hoping that translates better for her in New York North New York.

We're deeply disappointed Hillary didn't have the man parts she needs to have faced Rudy in Florida. How's she going to face Putin if she's afraid of Rudy?

And Barack's afraid of Hillary?

Sad all the way around for the deeply anachronistic remains of the Democratic Party.

So, we wait for Tuesday's primary here in Florida, see how the tax referendum vote goes. That's a bigger item than the Dem primary. Then we watch Super Tuesday thereafter.....and vote Republican when the dust settles. Cause the Democratic Party painted a yellow streak down their own backs.

Boycotts are simply not good political strategy.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 10:10 AM ET | 01-26-2008

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