Grassroots?

Can we really call Fred Thompson's campaign a grassroots run in the primary? To answer this question I decided to look at the base station based out of NH where in my opinion one of the most important primaries is being conducted. I can't find one. Events held by supporters is not the same as campaign managers putting together a strong coalition. A professor of History, having a strong background in the history of the NH primary, who wishes to remain anonymous believes that Thompson may run in NH simply by name recognition. This would involve a strategy of few appearances and keeping away from negative media until the primary sometime in near January. This may be hard for two very important and almost crippling reasons. the first reason pertains to the media. Fred Thompson simply keeps getting bad press. There goes a saying that no press is bad press but in this situation this is horrible press. If a candidate is trying to bypass the NH primary, like Eisenhower in the past, will need all the support he can get. NH citizens have come to expect a lot from their candidates which is the second reason. NH citizens may not vote for Thompson simply based on the principal that he did not show up. Failing to make a good showing in NH would be like amputating an arm or leg. It would make life very difficult in the future primaries. This being said, there is still plenty of time to make a change in the way this campaign is being conducted but that time is running out and with out changes this candidacy is doomed to fail.