Georgia Republicans Want Fred Thompson for President in 2008

Key Endorsements and Republican Straw Poll shows Thompson’s Potential Candidacy Gaining Ground across Georgia

For Immediate Release
May 22nd, 2007)

(Knoxville, – In one of the strongest signs to date of the growing support for a Fred Thompson presidential campaign, Georgia Republican activists overwhelmingly supported Thompson in a Saturday straw poll by a margin of more than two-to-one over the second place finisher, former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.
In addition, over 33 state legislators and elected officials led by State Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson and Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxedine have joined the Draft Fred Thompson 2008 effort to encourage Thompson to run. “Senator Thompson is exactly the person we need in this campaign. His optimistic vision and leadership can draw in people and build coalitions we have not seen since President Reagan’s campaigns,” said State Senator Eric Johnson, Georgia President Pro Tempore.
The straw poll, jointly conducted by the Georgia Young Republicans and the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia, showed 44 percent support for Thompson and 18 percent for Gingrich. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani received 15 percent followed by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney with nine percent. Senator John McCain received two percent of the vote.
“If the Republican base started sky writing, the message would not be any clearer – voters want Fred Thompson to run and they want him to win,” said Dean Rice, Draft Committee Treasurer. Brian Dart, Georgia member of the Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee and past campaign manager for Rep. Jack Kingston, added, “We need a leader with strong values, vision, and the ability to unite our country. I believe Fred Thompson is that leader."
The Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee website www.Fred08.com has additional information regarding the draft effort.