Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

One of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's early coups in his quest for the White House was signing up one of the most successful fund-raisers the Republican Party has ever had - Nashville businessman Ted Welch - a relationship that paid immediate dividends when Romney raised $6.5 million in cash and commitments during a single day of fundraising a few weeks ago.

Now, with the rising possibility that former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson will enter the race, one Tennessee congressman, U.S. Rep. John "Jimmy" Duncan, who endorsed Romney has publicly said he is open to switching his endorsement to Thompson if Fred enters the race.

What about Welch?

According to A.C. Kleinheider, who writes the VolunteerVoters.com political blog for WKRN Channel 2 in Nashville, Welch won't change horses now that the race has begun. Kleinheider contacted Welch directly and asked him if Fred Thompson were to enter the race for President would Welch switch his allegiance from Romney to Thompson. His answer: "No, I wouldn't switch. I've committed to Romney. That's what commitment means."

Hotline has more on Welch's commitment to Romney - and why he decided not to back Arizona Sen. John McCain. Also, here's a Nashville City Paper profile of Welch published March 2001.

Kleinheider also charges that U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, another Tennessee Republican, has "left the door open" to switching her endorsement from Romney to Thompson, and writes:

If I were Romney's people I would be incensed by the comments of Duncan and Blackburn. Duncan's already gone too far but Blackburn left the door open -- just like Fred Thompson. The Romney people should tell Blackburn to get off the fence and renew her vow to their man or risk being placed on the proverbial doody list.

I read the same story Kleinheider says shows Blackburn leaving the door open to backing away from Romney, but I think he's got it wrong. Her press spokesman declared her commitment to Romney. Here's the relevant section of the story from the Nashville City Paper. You be the judge:

Matt Lambert, a Blackburn spokesman, said the Congresswoman has the “utmost respect and admiration” for Thompson, but it’s “way too early” to speculate whether he’ll actually run.

“That being said, she remains committed to the Romney campaign as the Tennessee co-chair for Romney for President as well as the national committee co-chair for Women for Romney,” Lambert said.

Lambert said Blackburn "remains committed to the Romney campaign." He also said she has "utmost respect and admiration" for Thompson. Kleinheider thinks the "way to early" remark indicates Blackburn is leaving the door open to switching. That's a very large stretch.

Duncan? He's got no defense.