Defections to Fred Thompson Pose a Major Threat to McCain

Still, as Thompson seeks an initial infusion of $5 million from his 100 "first-day" supporters, he has begun to pluck away coveted bundlers from McCain and the other front-runners, attracting significant interest from Bush's Pioneers and Rangers -- donors who proved capable of tapping vast personal networks for hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions.

Of 630 supporters Bush named Pioneers for their ability to raise at least $100,000 or Rangers for collecting at least $200,000, fewer than a third had joined a campaign as of March 31.

Florida may be a prime example of a place brimming with untapped potential, said Bob Martinez, a former governor and a Bush Pioneer who remains uncommitted. Republican presidential candidates together have raised just over $3 million in Florida this year. Bush raised $17 million there in 2004.

"Those who may have coalesced under the various Bush campaigns in the past are now shopping on their own," Martinez said. "It's a wide-open field."

Delaying his entry into the race has cost Thompson in some areas, even on his home turf of Tennessee. FedEx Chairman Frederick W. Smith, for instance, signed on to be a national fundraising chairman for McCain. Nashville developer Ted Welch got behind Romney in January, as did the retired chairman of Southlife Holding, Fred Lazenby; both were prolific fundraisers for Bush. "I wish him well," Lazenby said, "but I've already made my commitment."

Thompson has had success luring some supporters away. Florida lobbyist Curt Kiser had signed up with Giuliani, but said he could not resist an appeal from Thompson, whom he met while the two campaigned for Howard Baker during his ill-fated 1988 presidential bid.

"I really didn't think Fred was going to do it, but then, little by little, it started to look like he was going to do this," Kiser said. "I thought, 'Uh oh, I better find a way to get out of the Rudy campaign.' "

Thompson is already aggressively courting other major Bush donors. James A. Haslam III, a Knoxville businessman and longtime fundraiser who was twice a Bush Pioneer, said he started hearing from Thompson in late April about a potential bid. Haslam got the final word from him in a phone call two weeks ago.

"I think there are a number of people like me who were uncommitted, who saw an opportunity," Haslam said.

Fred Decosimo, a Pioneer who heads a Chattanooga accounting firm, joined Thompson's team last week, as did Beth Halteman Harwell, a former state GOP chairman.

Outreach to key fundraisers in other states has just begun. Thompson has recruited Dorinda Moss, a professional fundraiser. Her résumé includes work as the Midwest regional chairman for the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and, more recently, a term as director of the Republican National Committee's "Regents Program," which courted donors who have contributed at least $25,000 a year.

Dowd and his wife had donated more than $50,000 to McCain and his Straight Talk political committee over the past decade, and had raised at least $7,000 for the senator's 2008 bid. But, now, he is making calls on behalf of Thompson and having success, he said.

"I haven't had anyone say no," he said. "I think I'll be way over my target."

A McCain spokesman said Dowd informed the campaign of his displeasure with the senator's stance on torture "some months ago."

"We wished him well," spokesman Brian Jones said.