Thompson Kicks Off Campaign in Iowa

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The AP has this story from Fred's activities yesterday in Iowa.

Republican rivals who greeted his made-for-television candidacy with barbed humor Wednesday night were far more biting in their criticism on Thursday.

"The biggest difference is that I've been in the private sector all my life. I've been managing and leading enterprises, and that's something that's new to him," Romney said on Fox News' "O'Reilly Factor."

At his first event in Des Moines, Thompson walked on stage with his wife, Jeri, and their two young children as "Heartland" by George Strait blared. The stage was erected a third of the way into the exhibition hall to make the room appear smaller, and better attended.

Aides sought to lower expectations for an enormous turnout befitting the "Law & Order" star, noting that Thompson was holding his first event in the middle of a work day. The crowd, including some Thompson backers and undecided Republicans, cheered at the appropriate times but hardly fawned over the celebrity in its midst.

At an evening event at a park in Council Bluffs, Thompson — mistakenly introduced as "Senator Roberts from Tennessee" — stood on a platform in front of his campaign bus, gave a shortened version of his pitch and fielded a handful of questions from a few hundred people.

Interesting they can't get his name right. Further, his team fills the room with a huge stage to help the crowd appear larger.

By the way, Iowans don't fawn. They like to see if you're real. And overall, the Fredsters are still lowering expectations. When does his team have to raise them and face reality?


*** Update from David Yepsen of the DesMoines Register (huge state and national journalist):

Fred Thompson’s announcement speech Thursday in Des Moines was underwhelming.

The former U.S. Senator and movie actor formally announced his long-awaited candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination at the Des Moines Convention Complex. It wasn’t very impressive.

The crowd of a few hundred didn’t seem enthused. Thompson’s oratory didn’t soar but was somewhat rambling.

Fred is disasterously late and unprepared. He still uses note cards and doesn't articulate policy. Just rambles. That's the Fred we've come to expect, however. Why change this late in the game?