Blogger launches FEC complaint against Thompson.
Blogger launches FEC complaint against Thompson.
Progressive blogger Lane Hudson filed a complaint against Fred Thompson (R-TN) on Monday, accusing the former Senator of violating the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) “testing the waters” clause. The complaint argues that Thompson is running a full-blown campaign and should be held to the same regulations as the other candidates. ABC’s Jake Tapper writes, “The rule is pretty simple. If you spend more than $5,000 on campaign activities, you’re a candidate, whether or not you’ve officially declared. The question is what constitutes ‘testing the waters’ activity, and what constitutes ‘candidate’ activity.” Within five days of receiving the complaint, the FEC must notify the Thompson exploratory committee and provide it with a copy of the complaint. You can contact the FEC at (800) 424-9530.
UPDATE: Jane Hamsher writes, “I guess we won’t call him ‘The Decider.’”
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Anyone else think Fred should just "plead the fifth" and save us all a bunch of heartache?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:07 pmMaybe his wife will do him in...
..."inflagrante delicti"...
...aww hell...
...he's so lazy (as his semi-campaigning shows)...
...he probably can't get it up...
August 20th, 2007 at 9:08 pmRove said that Thompson was a serious candidate for the GOP nomination during his appearance on Meet the Press.
Is Rove mistaken? I hardly think so.
Pre-IMPEACH Thompson!
August 20th, 2007 at 9:10 pmOf course Thomspon likes it this way...he is collecting money,spending money,traveling, his name everywhere in the polls & ratings, he has pundits who speaks for him on tv. netwroks, but he claims he is not a candidate. So, what is he...?!
August 20th, 2007 at 9:10 pmHe claims he is an election's 'WATER TESTER'...!!
Anyone else think Fred should just “plead the fifth†and save us all a bunch of heartache?
Comment by pete — August 20, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
Yes, please.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:12 pmI bet Thompson is trying to run under the radar regarding the financial regulations that official candidates have to adhere to. Most people I've talked to think that Thompson is a candidate.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:12 pmFred Thompson- I know he's not gay, but I'm hoping for bi!
August 20th, 2007 at 9:15 pmhttp://www.nobeliefs.com/DarkBible/darkbible3.htm#godly-mass-murder
August 20th, 2007 at 9:16 pmComment by thetruth — August 20, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Stop spamming the blog with your crap.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:18 pmWe don't want another grade B actor as president. Wasn't
August 20th, 2007 at 9:19 pmRaygun enough? And he doesn't stand a chance.
Thompson is too lazy to declare he's a candidate.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:19 pmThompson is too lazy to declare he’s a candidate.
Comment by Zooey — August 20, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Or, he's too shifty to subject himself to over site?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:25 pmFred Thompson/Billy Baldwin 2008
-GSD
August 20th, 2007 at 9:26 pmI hope he gets the nomination. The 26 percenters will get their undies in a bunch over anothe poseur. All PR, no ideology. Looks like bacon, smells like Aqua Velva.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:28 pmYes. We all know that. It's obvious.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:29 pmi've sent in my complaint.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:29 pmOr he doesn’t have to declare anything until he’s good and ready because we all know that he is going to win.
Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
He doesn't have to follow the rules because he's going to be president? Are you saying it's not illegal if the presidential non-candidate does it?
F*ckwit.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:30 pm"...Comment by Zooey — August 20, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Thompson is too lazy to declare he’s a candidate. ...."
Why does everyone always say Thompson is a lazy hillbilly? He just drove a couple of cars down to Aintree for $40 for some guys who want to ride the river.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:36 pmOr he doesn’t have to declare anything until he’s good and ready because we all know that he is going to win.
Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
win what? a pantload of neo-con crap...?
ok.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:39 pmHudson and all progressive cretins who share his witchhunting POV should consider this. Thompson doesn't even come close to candidate activity or "testing the waters" activity because all he's really done so far is: give a few interviews; tour Iowa (but no officially enter in the straw poll); and keep speculation about his involvement going. If this shabby activity graduates in one's progressive-libtarded mind as "testing the waters," then one also thinks that Bush blew up the WTC towers!
August 20th, 2007 at 9:42 pmIf this shabby activity graduates in one’s progressive-libtarded mind as “testing the waters,†then one also thinks that Bush blew up the WTC towers!
Comment by ProgstypifiedbyDailyKosfanaticism — August 20, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
Why am I so bad at making the connection between cause and effect?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:44 pmComment by ProgstypifiedbyDailyKosfanaticism — August 20, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
Yeah, he doesn't "come close" to acting like a candidate -- that's why people think he IS a candidate, and polls include him as a candidate.
Got another one?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:44 pmMakarios sez:
A shocking lack of even the most basic fundamentals of reading comprehension is one of the hallmarks of a true troll.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:46 pmInteresting take on this very interesting topic. Who do you think will win next year's Kentucky Derby?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:48 pmUPDATE: Jane Hamsher writes, “I guess we won’t call him ‘The Decider.’â€
Heh. Priceless!
August 20th, 2007 at 9:51 pm"Yeah, so?
What’d he do?"
Um, spent more than $5000 in campaign activity?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:51 pm"Or he doesn’t have to declare anything until he’s good and ready because we all know that he is going to win."
But according to law, he needs to declare if he spends over 5 g's. Is that so hard to understand?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:53 pmThompson justs wants to get his flappy jowls in the news on the donations of others for a while so he can go back to Law and Order and ask for a bigger paycheck.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:54 pmBy the way, who believes he will win anything but an Emmy for the best "Droopy-dog impersonation"?
August 20th, 2007 at 9:54 pmThis will only solidify his base support as he's under attack by the left--regardless of the facts of whether or not he's in violation of the word or spirit of the law. How do you think the "liberal media" will spin it? Remember some of them "are not journalists"!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 9:56 pmFred Thompson was a campaignin' amongst the average folks in Iowa while wearing his Gucci loafers.
What an everyday kinda guy.
Also, he was tooling around in a golf cart.....Sort of looked like a lame and crusty fart doing that.
-GSD
August 20th, 2007 at 9:56 pmI am so glad maniac Monday is almost over....Reading the troll's little post's make one think there is a full moon and all the nut cases are in line for their med's....Who give's a shit about thompson, he's just another fat, old man, grade b actor....I won't feed his publicity, let him run and spend money..Error, he won't run he will waddle along with the other has been's the reich has running....Blessings
August 20th, 2007 at 9:57 pmwe all know that if he's elected his wife will be known as "first trophy wife".
i don't like it, but there it is.
sorry rudy.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:58 pmSure Doc Rock, it will solidify the support of the idiots that listen to Limbaugh. What is that? 3% of the population? Most people don't even know what the "liberal media" is. I think the right wing echo-chamber is WAY overrated.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:58 pmjoe, Kucinich's trophy wife is better.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:59 pmjoe, Kucinich’s trophy wife is better.
Comment by JPark — August 20, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
the only way to settle the issue is a "first trophy wife" cat fight
in the parking lot.
fair enough?
August 20th, 2007 at 10:02 pmI am all for a pay per view, joe!!
August 20th, 2007 at 10:04 pmIf Romney goes to the White House, we'll have the
August 20th, 2007 at 10:11 pmFirst Booby Prize.
One of the funniest things I ever read a troll write was when Bush nominated Broom Hilda, I mean Harriet Miers to one of the top nine judicial minds in America. Some of the Bush-bot trolls were getting a little wrestless thinking that Bush was snookering them.
Then the ditto troll of the century said: "Let's wait until tomorrow and see what Rush has to say about it."
Jaysus, was that funny. Talk about a pack of lemmings and sheep.
-GSD
August 20th, 2007 at 10:11 pmNo kidding GSD? That is classic.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:15 pmThat is even better than waiting for the Rove talking points (you know, that 8 hour delay until trolls start posting...)
August 20th, 2007 at 10:16 pmIf Romney goes to the White House, we’ll have the
First Booby Prize.
Comment by not signing my name to this one... — August 20, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
boobys!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 10:19 pmOr he doesn’t have to declare anything until he’s good and ready because we all know that he is going to win.
Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
How can you be so consistently wrong about everything? thompson will declare of withdraw very shortly, because that's the law. if he stays in, he'll not win more than 5 states. Pleaswe, run him. Actually, run any of the losers you're all sucking up to. there isnt a patriot or stateman in the bunch. the Republican field looks like a lineup on law & Order SVU.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:21 pmWill Mitt Romney campaign on the Planet Kolob?
-GSD
August 20th, 2007 at 10:28 pmThompson 2008: Kill the Terrorists, Secure the Borders, Punch the Hippies.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:01 pm"Thompson 2008: Kill the Terrorists, Secure the Borders, Punch the Hippies."
You are a class act.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:06 pmBetter Fred Than Dead!
August 20th, 2007 at 11:11 pmYou are a class act.
Comment by JPark — August 20, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
Be kind to Frank J. Clearly, he can't get a real job, so he's decided to follow in Dennis Miller's footsteps and become a Reichwing standup comic. He's just testing out his routine.
**crickets** You were, weren't you, Frank? I mean, NO ONE could be truly stupid enough to think that comment made sense, could they?
August 20th, 2007 at 11:13 pmYeah, great slogan. You should manage Fred's campaign.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:13 pmWow, Clay, that was so jingoistic. Nice job!!
August 20th, 2007 at 11:14 pmHeh, Republic. He is about as funny as Michael Richards (or Dennis Miller, I suppose).
August 20th, 2007 at 11:15 pmThe UNITED STATES of AMERICA!!!
Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
Geez... damn... this proves once and for all... stupidity is a contagious disease.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:15 pmHeh, Republic. He is about as funny as Michael Richards (or Dennis Miller, I suppose).
Comment by JPark — August 20, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
Ever see the audience for a rightwing comic??? **shudder**
Painfully unfunny people. Ya hafta wonder, why are righties so humor deficient?
August 20th, 2007 at 11:16 pmThompson looked awful at the fair.
I would love for him to get the nomination. He would be so easy to beat.
He looks much older than he is. His wife looks much younger than she is. She looks like his granddaughter.
That's a huge "ewwww, creepy" factor when seen together. Not a pretty picture. Who wants to have to look at that for 4 or 8 years.
Plus she makes him look more tired and worn out.
Besides, any of the Dem candidates could run circles around him in a debate.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:18 pmUgh, no, it was a disgusted comment. Being a nationalist is not a good thing. Just ask Germany.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:18 pm"Painfully unfunny people. Ya hafta wonder, why are righties so humor deficient?"
I am not sure. I do know their humor always involves murder, genocide and rape. Funny stuff.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:19 pmTHOMPSON 2008!!!
Kill the Terrorists.
Secure the Borders.
Punch the Hippies.
GOD BLESS
The UNITED STATES of AMERICA!!!
Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
As noted previously, Mr Pee suffers from a form of Tourette's, one of the symptoms of which is: "echolalia, the involuntary parrot-like repetition (echoing) of a word or sentence just spoken by another person."
And, as often note, Mr Pee has yet to have an original thought.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:21 pmYeah, I don't think so. Droopy-dog is kind of a charicature of himself.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:24 pmWhen I researched all the possible Presidential candidates, one stood head and shoulders above the rest: Fred Thompson. Actually, the more I find out about Fred Thompson, the more I think he needs to be President. And I mean he should be President right now, like Dick Cheney should resign, President Bush should then appoint Fred Thompson to be Vice-President, and then President Bush should resign.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:25 pmHmm, I always wanted a fat, lazy bas!ard as a president. Too bad Archie Bunker wasn't available.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:26 pmFred Thompson Fact:
The most commonly known English phrases worldwide are "Hello," "Thank you," and "Please don't hurt me, Fred Thompson!"
August 20th, 2007 at 11:28 pmHehe, good one, Clay.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:29 pmFred Thompson Fact:
Harry Reid once got a black eye from a memory of Fred Thompson.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:30 pmHarry Reid was once beaten up by Fred Thompson's shadow.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:31 pmFred Thompson Fact:
Warning on cars' side view mirrors: "Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear, and if you can even glimpse Fred Thompson, you're already dead."
August 20th, 2007 at 11:32 pmFrank is admiring yet another chickenhawk codpiece. Ugh.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:33 pmFred Thompson! He's so manly!
*swoon*
August 20th, 2007 at 11:34 pmCheney doesn't have the heart to run. Too bad people didn't realize it was a rerun of The Wizard of Oz when Bush ran in 2000. Tin Man=Cheney. Scarecrow=Bush. Nutless Lion=Rove.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:38 pmHehe, yup. He taught them that if you attack the US, they will put a blindfold on, spin around in circles and whack at the closest object.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:41 pmPRESIDENT George W. Bush and VICE PRESIDENT Richard B. Cheney taught terrorists and alkida a lesson!!!
Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
On how to recruit even more members.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:49 pmThe reason we can't afford another corrupt Clinton.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5474006551011489413
August 20th, 2007 at 11:51 pmOooo, Clinton??? Good job, Frank!!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 11:51 pmJeez, what have I sunk to? I am replying to Robo-Troll. Night all.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:54 pmGood night, JPark. Nice posts this evening.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:54 pmI'm baffled by the love that the "conservatives" are feeling for Fred T. He's was a mediocre Senator, then a lobbyist and a mediocre actor in a mediocre television series. Maybe it's because he's really tall. And he's got that generic southern accent thing going, which always seems to convinced some people that it is the same as sincerity. And he does have that droopy eye thing going, which just makes him seem all that much more sincere.
He's offered no ideas, no new perspective, just 1. tall, 2. southernish and 3. droopy. Hell, he's more reminiscent of LBJ than anyone else.
WTF? I mean, seriously. Can the "conservatives" really be utterly devoid of reason?
August 20th, 2007 at 11:56 pmThe reason we are for Fred.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5474006551011489413
August 20th, 2007 at 11:58 pmgummitch > the GOPers are going to chose Romney, instead of Thompson, as their nominee for president. They like his black hair, his smell, and his wide back to lay upon > lol.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:00 amWTF? I mean, seriously. Can the “conservatives†really be utterly devoid of reason?
Comment by gummitch — August 20, 2007 @ 11:56 pm
But he just looks the part!! And he smells yummy. And his little wife has big boobs.
Perfect!!
August 21st, 2007 at 12:05 amGoodnight, JPark!
August 21st, 2007 at 12:12 amThe reason we are for Fred.
http://video.google.com/ videoplay?docid=5474006551011489413
Comment by Frank J — August 20, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
Well, that's spectacularly irrelevant. What in god's sweet name has this to do with Fred Thompson? Did he fly around Manhattan in a cape, rescuing innocent victims?
Y'all are seriously batsh!t.
"Ooooh, Fred Thompson will protect us from Awl-Kaieda. Because he's tall, and southernish and has droopy eyes."
Loonies.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:59 amHarry Reid was once beaten up by Fred Thompson’s shadow.
Comment by Frank J — August 20, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
Frank once beat off to Fred Thompson's picture.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:20 amBetter Fred Than Dead!!!
August 21st, 2007 at 1:21 amAnd Frank isn't denying the rumor... hmmm... must be true!
August 21st, 2007 at 1:25 amHOW DO YOU KNOW THINGS ARE BETTER IN IRAQ? There's less media coverage.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:02 amHudson is right to file this complaint. Thompson is clearly in violation of FEC rules. If he wants to run he needs to declare his campaign. He can't run a campaign and not declare himself.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:15 amThe following is bizarre but true. In the haze of being still 70% asleep a few mornings ago, I thought for a brief moment that my ginger cat, who meowing loudly at my side (though he usually leaves me alone in the morning until I decide to get up), was Fred Thompson. I think I can attribute the cat's unusual behavior to the heat wave we've been experiencing, as of late, but why I thought he was Fred Thompson I can't really say. Maybe it was because of the similarity in the names (Fred, Red) or in the voices? The cat is cute, unlike Fred.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:58 amAll I know is im going to laugh my @ss off if Freddy doesnt even run... these GOP'ers are so desparate for a candidate that isnt an abortion loving cross dresser they are hoping for some redneck whitetrash actor with a cokewhore wife to come save them.. keep hoping boys..
August 21st, 2007 at 7:14 am>Harry Reid was once beaten up by Fred Thompson’s shadow.
wow, the trolls have been reduced to plagarisising Chuck Norris jokes to support thier imaginary candidate of choice..
August 21st, 2007 at 7:48 amFree RePubic Readers Have Sex with Their MOthers
Haven't free Republic readers' mothers suffered enough?
August 21st, 2007 at 7:56 amYou can't run as a real neo-con until you've broken the law. This elite, effete, Gucci loafer wearing non-candidate candidate is off to a great start.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:15 amNBC's legal departmnet has decided that there is some FEC gray area where they may be fined for running a TV show starring a primary candidate.
So... once Fred declares they will not run any episodes that feature or reference Fred Thomson. I imagine this cuts NBC and TNT off at the nuts. There may be something in his contract that they can crucify him on so he's waiting till the fall season starts.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:34 amFred Thompson looks punch-drunk in all the photos.
Here's what Nixon had to say about the airhead:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3447219&page=1
New transcripts from the Nixon White House tapes reveal that the Nixon administration regarded Thompson as a useful idiot -- "dumb as hell," in President Nixon's words, but "friendly."
LOLOL
August 21st, 2007 at 9:52 amI have read all comments but have not noticed any criticisms of Hillary, etc - all of these candidates CERTAINLY travelled the country and CERTAINLY spent more than $ 5000 while trying to "decide" if they should run. Is it just possible that all of you are applying a double-standard ??
August 21st, 2007 at 11:24 amFred Thompson, and his common sense approach to governance scares the crap out of the brittle Hillary Clinton, the phony John Edwards and the smooth, but inexperienced Barack Obama. BTW, I'll throw in the phony, flip-flopping Mitt Romney free of charge.....
August 21st, 2007 at 3:15 pmFred is CFR. THEY ARE BAD.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:44 pmElect one and you are a F-ING MORON.
Don't you get it? They are delaying having gramps go official in order to continue rolling over for Hillary. 2008 has already been decided by the only voters who count - the big bankers, wallstreet and the globalists. Thompson is the plan B to siphon off votes should Ron Paul or another "uncontrollable" republican candidate threaten the bought and paid for Hillary win. At the least he'll fracture the republican votes even more without presenting a serious threat for the win.
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:33 amYeah, yeah I said it, Hillary is bought and paid for by the same folks who own everyone else. I know you don't like it but you need to wake up folks. Anyone who can't see this truth is trying way too hard not to.
Fred is the best candidate for the presidency considering ALL of the other guys (and gal) who are in the field. He is the least political of them all. He does not have a specific party oriented goal. He simply wants the US to succeed and not have Terror knocking on our back door. He could care less what the left OR right will gain. He will not give in to lobbyist or big business. He is an American who is going to defend the constitution and will not let our Christian society that America was founded on die.
Our future depends on a strong leader who has a backbone made of titanium and nerves of steel. Activist and pacifist will simply have to take a back seat for the next eight years.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:56 amFor the democrats- Fred Thompson should scare the heck out of you..He has values and morals, and is running for the right reasons...other than "I want to be president" You might enjoy this article: http://www.nationalsquib.com/html/small_brain.html
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:26 amFor the Republicans- I'm trying to work on funny articles about the democrats, but it's hard because none of them have any personality. I could write a plain mean article about Hillary, but her lack of any personality makes "funny" hard to do. I should have one soon on Edwards.
Fred is the best candidate for the presidency considering ALL of the other guys (and gal) who are in the field. He is the least political of them all. He does not have a specific party oriented goal. He simply wants the US to succeed and not have Terror knocking on our back door. He could care less what the left OR right will gain. He will not give in to lobbyist or big business. He is an American who is going to defend the constitution and will not let our Christian society that America was founded on die.
Our future depends on a strong leader who has a backbone made of titanium and nerves of steel. If Fred runs and is elected, activist and pacifist will simply have to take a back seat for the next eight years.
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:17 pmYou people don't even know Fred Thompson, Nixons whitewater cover up buddy. You know the ACTOR on the TV.
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:23 pmGive it a break people grow up!
We need a real down to earth person for President.
Not another Neo Conservative.
Fred sucks, an actor (person who makes money pretending to be what he isn't), a sell out. Loser, who is too cowardly to declare he is running and creates ear bleeding speeches that mean absolutely nothing. Spare america and pack your bags freddie.
Ron Paul for President. Real Man, Real Values, Really nice human being.
Go ROOOOOOOOOON!!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:02 amBunch of losers here. Thompson is the man. Your bellyaching because you know F T can and likely will take the whitehouse. It's about time we keep someone in the 'House to protect our second amendment right. Much easier to kill the terrorists that way!
September 7th, 2007 at 3:47 pm