on display here is right in both directions. His zinger on immigration was pitch perfect. He’s capable of effectively criticizing the administration, appealing to evangelical Christians, and proving that the primary season in its frontloaded incarnation is stupid and counterproductive. On the other hand it’s been a hard eight days’ week. Fumbles like this do not behoove a guy who has had all the advantages of an easygoing launch and none of the disadvantages of formal candidacy. In many ways Fred’s phantom campaign has appeared to be too successful, and I don’t know about you but a September announcement strikes me as late late late for a very important date. Bottom line is at some point holding off on that announcement does more harm than good. Surely the people on the inside have a better accounting of that than people on the outside. But part of that calculation is the reaction you get in the press…favorable and otherwise.
