As we at the Washington Examiner
report today, Fred Thompson is feeling out a possible
run for "General Chairman" of the Republican National Committee.
But there is more detail to the story. First, note the
distinction between "General Chairman" and "Chairman." The
potential Thompson run envisions a two-tiered system like the one
that worked under Reagan with Paul Laxalt as General Chairman
(but that didn't work so well recently with Mel Martinez as
General Chairman). The General Chairman usually provides overall
direction and philosophical moorings, and acts as the public face
of the party doing media and speeches, etc., and also is
available probably for big-money phone calls and events -- but
the Chairman, with an Executive Director under him, is
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the RNC. Think
Chairman of the Board vs. CEO, perhaps.
Anyway, here are a host of other quotes from the "close Thompson
advisor" who is quoted briefly in the Examiner story:
"We are hearing some interest from various sectors of the RNC
that there is some interest in having Fred considered for general
chairman. Two tiered…. His strong suit is in communications and
reinforcing the foundational principles of the party. He’s really
the only guy right now who can communicate in a way with the
grass roots that nobody else can. He also is one of the few guys
who understand the role technology can play. There needs to
be a day to day chairman who is raising money, organizing,
continue to build, but doing this as a team might be the
most constructive way to do this."
"Fred isn’t looking to run for national office again. He is
looking to rebuild the party and help elevate the movement and
its principles . When conservatives run on conservative
principles they win. We know that. He would be an honest broker
because he is not seeking national office again; he doesn’t have
a dog in this fight. Everybody else who seems to be running seems
to have an eye on helping a presidential candidate."
"Katon Dawson for Mark Sanford."
"Jim Greer for Charlie Crist."
"David Norcross and Saul Anuzis with an eye toward Romney."
"These guys are stalking horses for others."
"Why are we essentially handing over the keys to the party to
individuals who have an agenda for a particular person?
It’s important for the grassroots to have a voice in this. We
needs honest brokers concerned about the party and the movement
rather than a particular candidate. That’s how we will be best
served."
"There is some interest in some quarters in the RNC in the party
for Fred to consider the job. But it’s very early in the process…
It’s fair to say that he and his people are looking at the lay of
the land. If there is an indication of a wellspring of support,
he will get in quickly."
"We’ve all learned some lessons from all this. Any job he takes
would be number one for the good of the party. It would be a job
to play to his strengths."
"He would participate in fundraising. He would want an impact on
technology and the way the RNC does campaigns and recruits. He
would want to recruit real conservatives and encourage them to
run. He helped Pete Olson win in Texas. He also helped Beatty in
Massachusetts. He knows you have to have a conservative voice in
campaigns even in uphill battles…."
Now, this is Quin talking again: I have subsequently learned
that Chuck Yob of Michigan is one of (but not necessarily the
only) the guys who might be paired with Thompson, with Yob as
regular Chairman. Yob supposedly is testing the waters. Again,
this is not (the last I heard) a ticket, but an example of one
possibility. I also note that I am reporting here, not endorsing.
I do not know enough abut the other potential candidates. I did
speak at some length not too long ago with Katon Dawson, and came
away convinced that he knows how to get things done politically.
My regard for Thompson, though, as a communicator and as a person
well grounded in winning conservative principles, is very high.
His potential candidacy is quite intriguing, to say the
least.....
