Exclusive: Thompson to Announce ‘Testing the Waters’ Committee Early Next Week
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
LatestPolitics.com can now report, with confirmation from a Fred Thompson advisor, that the former Tennessee senator will announce early next week the formation of a presidential “testing-the-waters” committee.
Jim Tracey, a state senator supporting Mr. Thompson, told LatestPolitics.com that he knew from a source “very, very, very close” to Mr. Thompson that June 3rd or 4th (Sunday or Monday of next week) would be the date the prospective candidate would take the next step in his run for president.
“They’re getting real close,” Mr. Tracey told LP. “He’s pretty much made his mind up.”
“I feel pretty confident,” Mr. Tracey said. “The momentum is there.”
This jibes with what Steve Gill, author of “The Fred Factor,” told me earlier in the day. He said that he had heard from various sources in the Thompson organization that an announcement could come “As early as this weekend or next week.”
The final confirmation came from a Thompson advisor, who provided the more specific information that this will be a “testing the waters” committee, which is short of an “exploratory” committee. It will allow him to begin raising money and to hire staff.
The Thompson advisor sought to downplay the announcement, saying not to expect any “fanfare.” However, if anyone was wondering if Mr. Thompson is serious or not — well, this should do a lot to clear that up.
