This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6973415.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Thompson aims for splash in 2008 Thompson aims for splash in 2008
(3 days later)
By Laura Smith-Spark BBC News, WashingtonBy Laura Smith-Spark BBC News, Washington
After months of dipping a toe in the water, Republican Fred Thompson has dived headlong into the 2008 White House race.After months of dipping a toe in the water, Republican Fred Thompson has dived headlong into the 2008 White House race.
Mr Thompson had been eyeing his entry into the race for some timeMr Thompson had been eyeing his entry into the race for some time
The former Tennessee senator and ex-Law & Order actor had kept supporters in suspense all summer while he waited to declare his formal candidacy.The former Tennessee senator and ex-Law & Order actor had kept supporters in suspense all summer while he waited to declare his formal candidacy.
But with an interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday night and a webcast shortly afterwards, he finally made it official.But with an interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday night and a webcast shortly afterwards, he finally made it official.
He was then to set off on a five-day tour of crucial early US primary states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.He was then to set off on a five-day tour of crucial early US primary states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
The clock is ticking for Mr Thompson to get his message out before the primary elections - which decide who is nominated to run for each party - begin in four months' time.The clock is ticking for Mr Thompson to get his message out before the primary elections - which decide who is nominated to run for each party - begin in four months' time.
Some observers suggest that by delaying his official campaign launch until now, he may have missed his window of opportunity.Some observers suggest that by delaying his official campaign launch until now, he may have missed his window of opportunity.
Leno himself joked last month that Mr Thompson's "testing the waters" phase had gone on so long "it's not wrinkles on his face any more, he's starting to prune up from being under water so much".Leno himself joked last month that Mr Thompson's "testing the waters" phase had gone on so long "it's not wrinkles on his face any more, he's starting to prune up from being under water so much".
Rival Republican Mitt Romney took a swipe too, commenting that while Mr Thompson was on Leno's show, he and the other long-declared candidates would be where it counted at a televised policy debate in New Hampshire. Mr Thompson's sole presence was an advert aired during the debate.Rival Republican Mitt Romney took a swipe too, commenting that while Mr Thompson was on Leno's show, he and the other long-declared candidates would be where it counted at a televised policy debate in New Hampshire. Mr Thompson's sole presence was an advert aired during the debate.
Analysts also question whether Mr Thompson has the organisation and funds to compete with frontrunners Mr Romney and ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.Analysts also question whether Mr Thompson has the organisation and funds to compete with frontrunners Mr Romney and ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
But the biggest unanswered question is, has he got what it takes to win over conservatives uninspired by the Republican candidates so far?But the biggest unanswered question is, has he got what it takes to win over conservatives uninspired by the Republican candidates so far?
'Vulnerable' conservative'Vulnerable' conservative
Polls suggest that expectations of Mr Thompson are high, with the former two-term senator consistently placed among the top tier candidates.Polls suggest that expectations of Mr Thompson are high, with the former two-term senator consistently placed among the top tier candidates.
Profile: Fred Thompson Send us your commentsProfile: Fred Thompson Send us your comments
Many Republicans hope to find in him the mix of conservatism and charisma they cherished in fellow actor and former President Ronald Reagan, so the wisdom goes.Many Republicans hope to find in him the mix of conservatism and charisma they cherished in fellow actor and former President Ronald Reagan, so the wisdom goes.
Nonetheless, independent pollster John Zogby cautions against reading too much into the polls.Nonetheless, independent pollster John Zogby cautions against reading too much into the polls.
"There's not a huge amount of evidence that Republicans really love Fred Thompson," he told the BBC News website."There's not a huge amount of evidence that Republicans really love Fred Thompson," he told the BBC News website.
"He's kind of a placeholder while they're waiting for the real conservatives to come in. If you look at his record, he's as vulnerable on being conservative as Rudy, Romney and McCain.""He's kind of a placeholder while they're waiting for the real conservatives to come in. If you look at his record, he's as vulnerable on being conservative as Rudy, Romney and McCain."
Nor has Mr Thompson been bowling Republicans over with his compelling persona in the few speeches he has given, Mr Zogby says, and his lack of cash is a concern.Nor has Mr Thompson been bowling Republicans over with his compelling persona in the few speeches he has given, Mr Zogby says, and his lack of cash is a concern.
"You need to have $25-30m right now and then at least $40-50m more before 5 February," he added."You need to have $25-30m right now and then at least $40-50m more before 5 February," he added.
Campaign shake-upsCampaign shake-ups
Mr Thompson's inability so far to raise the kind of money pulled in by his rivals could prove a major stumbling block.Mr Thompson's inability so far to raise the kind of money pulled in by his rivals could prove a major stumbling block.
Romney, Giuliani and McCain have been campaigning hard for monthsRomney, Giuliani and McCain have been campaigning hard for months
He has not up to now had to record his quarterly fundraising results with the Federal Election Commission, as the declared candidates have done.He has not up to now had to record his quarterly fundraising results with the Federal Election Commission, as the declared candidates have done.
However, Internal Revenue Service records show he pulled in $3.4m in June - well short of a reported target of $5m - and spent $626,000 on his campaign operation.However, Internal Revenue Service records show he pulled in $3.4m in June - well short of a reported target of $5m - and spent $626,000 on his campaign operation.
In the three months from April to June, Mr Giuliani's $17.5m haul made him top Republican fundraiser, while Mr Romney came in second with $14m - and spent $20.5m.In the three months from April to June, Mr Giuliani's $17.5m haul made him top Republican fundraiser, while Mr Romney came in second with $14m - and spent $20.5m.
The leading Democrats, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, pulled in some $60m between them.The leading Democrats, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, pulled in some $60m between them.
Mr Thompson's operation has also suffered several shake-ups over the summer and has been the subject of a complaint to electoral officials that he is bending the rules by delaying announcing.Mr Thompson's operation has also suffered several shake-ups over the summer and has been the subject of a complaint to electoral officials that he is bending the rules by delaying announcing.
'Not another Reagan''Not another Reagan'
On the plus side, the 6ft 6in actor has reportedly been getting in shape physically and has kept his online presence strong, posting regular blog entries and recruiting supporters, the so-called "Fredheads".On the plus side, the 6ft 6in actor has reportedly been getting in shape physically and has kept his online presence strong, posting regular blog entries and recruiting supporters, the so-called "Fredheads".
Will Republicans love Mr Thompson once they know him better?Will Republicans love Mr Thompson once they know him better?
Campaign manager Bill Lacy has said one of the campaign's strengths is "Fred's ability to connect on a one-on-one basis with voters" - and that his webcast announcement would play to that.Campaign manager Bill Lacy has said one of the campaign's strengths is "Fred's ability to connect on a one-on-one basis with voters" - and that his webcast announcement would play to that.
With his formal declaration behind him, attention will inevitably turn to what substance Mr Thompson can put behind his image-making.With his formal declaration behind him, attention will inevitably turn to what substance Mr Thompson can put behind his image-making.
Larry Sabato, head of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, believes the door remains open for him to make an impact - but only if he comes out with some "big and bold" ideas.Larry Sabato, head of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, believes the door remains open for him to make an impact - but only if he comes out with some "big and bold" ideas.
"He will certainly not win it just on personality, he's not another Reagan. He is going to have to win it the hard way," Mr Sabato said."He will certainly not win it just on personality, he's not another Reagan. He is going to have to win it the hard way," Mr Sabato said.
"What he says now really matters. Will he grab people? Is there something to his candidacy that is bigger than him, something that really grabs Americans?"What he says now really matters. Will he grab people? Is there something to his candidacy that is bigger than him, something that really grabs Americans?
"And if there isn't, he will really flop.""And if there isn't, he will really flop."
New in the huntNew in the hunt
For as long as Mr Thompson's policies remain hazy, it is hard to judge what impact he may have on each of his chief rivals.For as long as Mr Thompson's policies remain hazy, it is hard to judge what impact he may have on each of his chief rivals.
Mr Zogby predicts he could threaten Mr Giuliani in the southern states, such as Florida, California and possibly South Carolina, where the ex-mayor is looking to do well. Mr Zogby predicts he could threaten Mr Giuliani in states such as Florida, California and possibly South Carolina, where the ex-mayor is looking to do well.
"If he comes out strong he could carry on into Iowa, which would hurt Romney," he added."If he comes out strong he could carry on into Iowa, which would hurt Romney," he added.
Mr Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, poured millions of dollars and significant effort into winning the Iowa straw poll last month.Mr Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, poured millions of dollars and significant effort into winning the Iowa straw poll last month.
Mr Sabato's view is that he hurts Mr McCain - whose campaign has stumbled over the summer - in particular, but also "takes a piece of" Mr Romney, Mr Giuliani and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.Mr Sabato's view is that he hurts Mr McCain - whose campaign has stumbled over the summer - in particular, but also "takes a piece of" Mr Romney, Mr Giuliani and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.
Charles Bierbauer, dean of the College of Mass Communications and Information Studies at the University of South Carolina, says Mr Thompson could initially benefit from being "the new guy in the hunt".Charles Bierbauer, dean of the College of Mass Communications and Information Studies at the University of South Carolina, says Mr Thompson could initially benefit from being "the new guy in the hunt".
Many Republicans are looking for a stronger conservative with fewer negatives than the ones already out there, he says, and not all Mr Thompson's disadvantages are yet known.Many Republicans are looking for a stronger conservative with fewer negatives than the ones already out there, he says, and not all Mr Thompson's disadvantages are yet known.
But, Mr Bierbauer adds: "He has still got to define himself. He's still got to show that he has the positive things that you vote for and that he is an eager and positive campaigner, not just a guy you like to see on TV."But, Mr Bierbauer adds: "He has still got to define himself. He's still got to show that he has the positive things that you vote for and that he is an eager and positive campaigner, not just a guy you like to see on TV."