James, just a couple thoughts. First, they set themselves up for
this expectations problem by floating big numbers and even set an
initial goal of $4.6M from their big donors. Some loose lips then
floated a $5M goal. It seems odd to say those goals were somehow
not in the spirit of the "testing the waters" limits. Second, they
certainly aren't playing by the letter of the "testing the waters" rules given
Thompson's own statement that he has already made up his mind to
run but isn't telling us what that decision is (too clever by half,
most attorneys I've consulted with agree) and setting up a fully
operational campaign structure. A little candor would go a long way
here. But even their strongest supporters agree that communications
is not their strongest suit.
UPDATE: New York Sun isn't
buying it either and the ever amusing The Shot from South Carolina is
skeptical as well.