Welcome to the May 1 edition of The Daily Fred. I'm going to be lazy about putting it together and turn it over to GrassRootsvoter.org, a pro-Fred Thompson website aiming gather thousands of grassroots volunteers for the Thompson unCampaign, which sent along this update of Fred news:
Did you see the article "Reagan's Men Are Backing An Actor" in the Telegraph? It certainly merits a read: (LINK)
The Nashville City Paper is running a piece about opposition research teams pouring into Nashville, sifting through tax records, hoping to find something to slow Fred's momentum. Who can blame them! It's got to be disheartening to have raised millions, spent months on the trail and still find yourself considerably behind an unannounced, potential candidate. LINK
Right on cue, we find an anonymously sourced article in NewsMax stating Fred's previous campaigns were slipshod operations. The truth is, you simply can't be anything less than 100% committed to win big in a statewide race here in Tennessee - in years where Clinton carried the state no less. It simply doesn't happen that way.
I'd like to share comments from Barbara Outhier, perhaps the best grassroots volunteer organizer in Tennessee, who ran Fred's volunteer operations:
Reuben, Having read the article in NewsMax re the "lack of organization" etc., in Senator Thompson's 1994 senate race, I am compelled to SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. As his volunteer coordinator, I believe I can do that. I will be brief.First, it was the MOST HIGHLY ORGANIZED campaign in which I have ever participated ... down to the smallest detail; it was truly "fun" and attracted individuals who had never been involved in politics before...people of all ages, backgrounds and professions. Independents and known democrats joined the effort because they believed in the man and his message.In the middle Tennessee area alone, we had over 500 active (not just names on a list) volunteers often working from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. if the need arose. They handled mailings (back in the days when volunteers addressed the envelopes and then stuffed and sealed them), assembled, delivered and put up yard signs, attended events and passed out literature, worked on fundraisers, went door to door in key areas, covered all but 15 precincts (out of 170+) on election day in the Primary and General Elections with campaign literature AND made telephone calls in the Primary and General calling, not from torn pages out of a telephone book, but carefully compiled lists. In fact, both times, the volunteers completed the telephone task early and were able to make "call backs." A committee was even established to monitor call-in radio programs ready to address issues and give the talking points.One of the events (there were many) -- a women's luncheon featuring Mary Matalin with over 500 attendees -- may still hold the record for a Republican women's campaign event in Tennessee.I trust this gives you a small flavor of the campaign. You decide--was it because of a remarkably well run campaign that allowed Senator Thompson to win by a landslide, or, just dumb luck as NewsMax might conclude. Seriously, it was fantastic and an honor to be involved. Whoever provided NewsMax with the false data in this story intended harm to "our gentleman;" however, they only invigorated individuals like me to push harder, faster and with more purpose to persuade him to run, win the Primary and celebrate the Victory in 2008. Then, it will be an honor to call Fred Thompson my President.Forgive me, please, I was not brief.Barbara OuthierNashville, TN
Just the facts, ma'am.
Also, here's another video from the draft Fred rally in Cookeville, Tennessee, last weekend.
And, finally, there's a Virginians for Fred Thompson blog.
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