2008 and counting: GOP didn’t look to Thompson last year

Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) was hardly the party’s go-to guy last year when the GOP was under attack, even though he has portrayed himself as being the real Republican in this year’s presidential nomination contest.

Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani were highly sought-after surrogates in districts where struggling Republican congressional candidates needed help. And former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who didn’t have the same celebrity status as the other GOP heavyweights, still contributed heavily to Republican candidates.

But Thompson sparsely campaigned and contributed, and one former Republican National Committee (RNC) official said he was never “in the rotation” in a year when the party was trying to stop the bleeding and a visit from the president would have only made things worse.

“[Thompson] really was not someone who was a presence in ’06 in helping out with the candidates,” the official said. “He definitely was someone we would’ve looked to.”

In 2006, Thompson campaigned for five GOP candidates, and his political action committee (PAC) contributed a little more than $33,000 to eight candidates and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Just less than half of that amount, $15,000, went to the NRSC.

Of the five Thompson campaigned for in person, three  — Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Jim Bryson, former Rep. Jim Nussle (Iowa) and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.) — lost their races. The other two were Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Jon Kyl (Ariz.).

McCain’s PAC contributed about $280,000 to 75 candidates, $30,000 to the NRSC and $15,000 to the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC).

Romney gave $171,000 to 64 candidates and $26,000 to the NRSC. Giuliani, one of the most sought-after surrogates last year, gave $366,000 to 71 candidates.

In his defense, Thompson’s campaign said: “Unlike the other candidates in the race, Fred Thompson had no designs on higher office prior to this year.”

The ex-RNC official said that in a year in which the RNC came up with humorous codes for the candidates’ scandals that hurt their chances at every turn — STP (Stranglers, Thieves and Pedophiles) and GS (Galactically Stupid) — Thompson’s “star power” would have been welcomed.

“He’s a unique politician because he brings that star element,” the ex-official said of the former actor. “In congressional districts across the country, he would’ve been a real draw.”

— Sam Youngman

Mike Huckabee may be the next Ron Paul
 
Those who have been waiting in vain for a fundraising surge to match former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s (R) upwardly mobile campaign need wait no longer: Huckabee is on pace to top his third-quarter haul in the month of October alone, and that’s only counting online contributions.

 The campaign said in a message to supporters Thursday that it had raised $330,000 online over the previous five days and $700,000 online for the month of October. Its new goal is to top its total third-quarter receipts, which include events and direct-mail contributions, by raising $1,034,487 online by the end of the month.

 Huckabee has cited improving poll numbers and his second-place showing in the Iowa straw poll as evidence of a campaign on the rise, but observers have long questioned whether he’ll have enough money to win.

 His campaign has sent a steady string of e-mails this month playing off that theme and pleading with supporters to prove the media and Washington establishment wrong.

 Separately, anti-war GOP candidate Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) raised more than $3 million online in the third quarter and has raised more than $2 million online this month, according to his campaign.

 — Aaron Blake

Obama supporters try to bridge blacks and gays

Religious and gay supporters of Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) presidential campaign penned an open letter released Thursday aimed at quelling anger among gay rights activists after Obama’s campaign included Pastor Donnie McClurkin in its “Embrace the Change” gospel series.

McClurkin’s inclusion on the tour angered many gay rights advocates, including the influential Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and left-wing bloggers because he says he is a cured homosexual, and he has called homosexuality a choice and a curse.

The HRC was outraged by the pastor’s role on the tour, and Obama’s supporters penned the letter in the apparent hope of turning controversy into opportunity.

“In the midst of division, we hope and believe that this is a moment to bring together communities that have been divided for far too long,” the letter reads. It adds: “It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal.”

The letter was signed by the Rev. Otis Moss Jr., the chairman of Obama’s National African American Religious Leaders Working Group, and Stampp Corbin, the chairman of Obama’s National LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Leadership Council, among others.

The group disavowed McClurkin’s beliefs and comments, but acknowledged that they are shared by many African-Americans.

“First, Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans. This cannot and should not be denied,” the letter reads. “At the same time, a great many African-Americans share Pastor McClurkin’s beliefs. This also cannot be ignored.”

— Sam Youngman