Fred Thompson: “Late”…and “riled”
Update midnight: Interesting post from Peter Robinson at The Corner…
Just got off the line with someone close to the Thompson campaign—and, more to the point, to Thompson himself. His reading of what took place tonight? Fred Thompson was riled.
“Nothing ever upset Fred Thompson more than the story [on the day of the Iowa caucuses] that he was considering dropping out to endorse McCain.”
Plus: A rightosphere temperature check from John Hawkins.
***
The Luntz focus group on Fox (no sign of that repeat dude) weighed in on Thompson. The majority said he won the debate, but wondered how much it would matter. He has a few diehard supporters, but several more expressed doubts about his viability. He’s entertaining, said one member, but lacks consistency in his performances. Several agreed: “He’s late.”
What say you?
***
In related Fred news, there’s a lot of hype over a major endorsement he’s scheduled to receive tomorrow. Bryan Preston listened in on a conference call he held with bloggers earlier this afternoon. And Jim Geraghty ponders the road ahead:
The following week it comes down to Rudy, McCain, and a reinvigorated Thompson in Florida. I think McCain and Rudy are competing for a more overlapping group of the Republican primary electorate than Thompson is, but maybe I’m wrong.
In a three way race, shorn of Romney’s millions and Huckabee’s grassroots manpower of evangelical Christians, Thompson has a pretty good shot. If he can pick up an endorsement or two along the way, great.
By the way, it’s not unthinkable that Romney wins Michigan, Thompson wins South Carolina, and Giuliani wins Florida. Under that scenario, the five biggest contests of the early GOP Primary season will have generated five different winners.
If only Thompson had been as tough on McCain as he was on Huckabee tonight.
Sigh…
***
Bob Owens: “The Republican debate in Myrtle Beach was a clear win for Fred Thompson, and that seems to be the building prevailing sentiment. Everyone else seemed content to play defense and just attempt to hold ground. They failed.” Click over for Bob’s assessment of Ron Paul. Ouch. Looks like he’s going to get some of Brit Hume’s Ronulan hate mail forwarded to him
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Late for what? Putting this nation back on track with our fundamentals? I am sorry. Real thought and planning far exceed ‘hyperbole’. Damn the media with this.
and I love the remark of Freds lacking of consistent performances!!!!!!!! Look at his recored, his complete record. MSM policy at Luntz reviews.
Polls and debates don’t mean squat! It’s what the people are talking about and discussing among themselves that matters most and will influence the election. Personally, all the saber rattling and shifting positions on this and that are all just more of the same old stuff. Nobody, save for one ‘crackpot’ is really saying anything different. And who know, the crackpot’s followers, truthers who ever they may be, may be more active than Fred’s fuddy-duddies or Ruliani’s runners or McLame’s minions. All the other stuff is just window dressing and hype courtesy of the lame stream noise machine.
It’s not too late…we’re only going into the 3rd caucus/primary of the nomination race. What if he did pull it off and placed first? What then?
Could be a very exciting race, that’s for sure.
Wow, he blew out the focus group, made some great points and left Huckabee–another serious pro-amnesty candidate–trailing smoke. But apparently he was supposed to shoot down McCain too?
Before he was “lazy”, now he’s “late”.
Are these goalposts, um, regulation?
Late, didn’t the primary start Jan 3? Plenty of time. Fred’s campaign took flight tonight. I think Fred knows Hucklebee stole his voters which is why he is attacking Hucklebee.
Hucklebee is way over his head in foreign policy, terror and the war. Hucklebee seems like a nice preacher, but not suited for President.
The problem I think is that Fred has no organization.
He’s been sloppy organizationally. In that sense it might be too late.
I seem to recall a lot of people either making up or switching their minds in the week leading up to Iowa and New Hampshire.
The operative phrase is “Last Man Standing”, and on the conservative end of the Republican Party, it’s looking more and more like that’s going to be Thompson.
Full-disclosure; I am a Marbleheader for Fred, so take that optimism for whatever amount of salt it’s worth
Goalposts? Regulation? More like ignorance, our greatest national expense over all others. Fred brings reality to the table. Deal with it.
Well, given the phenomenonally raised expectations of Fred in the blogosphere: Yes.
Not mutually exclusive. Seems to me the focus group members think he’s late because he didn’t work hard enough until he faced crunch time.
Well, no. But they weren’t built by me.
Fred “I didn’t hear no bell”
What? Fred’s an actor and has a sort of cowboy-like swagger. Doesn’t that alone qualify him as president? What is the make-up for being president? Look at Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter. In particular Carter. Looking at him then and now, his brother Billy could have done about as good a job as he did.
What are the qualifications? Bush Sr. was a Navy man and CIA spook. Or course, he served under our prototype presidential figure, President Reagan. President Ford was a decent man, but the press routinely blasted him as a clumsy dunce. It seems we’re all so highly opinionated about presidential qualifications these days. Like we’re got some special powers of discernment or something….Must be from all the different shopping experience we’ve garnered or various choices of restaurants from which to choose. Why, we’re veritable freaking Nostradamus’ of the 21st century, predicting who’s qualified and who isn’t based on our shallow little tidbits of news that are oozing from the PC screen, TV monitor or radio. Gee, doesn’t it feel good to be so powerful!?
I really liked Ron Paul and thought he had great ideas.
Nice to see Michelle here tonight, or for a moment. Hi. Fred still has it right regardless of the timing.
As for McCain, there’s the New Hampshire factor working against him. Winning NH hasn’t exactly been a good bellwether lately, and there is a state between NH and SC that isn’t exactly friendly to McCain.
McCain’s RINOism and betrayals will take JMac out for him.
meatpieandtatters; there are no qualifications for President of the United States other than a moral precipice of good for all with security for all within our nation’s borders. Reasonable governance.
Senator Fred Thompson served as Council in the US AG’s office, on the Sen Intell Cmt, Sen Foreign Relations Cmt. He has raised almost $1/2 million just for his SC Campaign in 2 days! He is the true Conservative candidate who is best to lead as US President! Thompson is NOT in training! He is ready to serve! His Cabinet would be awesome and our enemies already know he says and means what he says: National Security of the USA is the first priority. Like President Reagan, he will speak to the world from a Strong National Defense posture! Support him at Fred08.com NOW! Do not let the left-leaning socialist MSM decide who will be President in Nov ‘08!
Fred is a great guy and I love him or at least his ideas dearly (except for that lame McCain-Feingold thing) but it is awfully late in the day. I wish, I wish, but no matter how hard I click my heals, I’m still stuck in Oz with Obama, Hillary, and McCain. Speaking of the latter, and this is the most telling point, if Fred is really reluctant to take on McCain, and appearances do count, he has blown his last chance and there is no hope.
Sorry. I’ve picked on the man a lot and I feel bad about that, but victory is not going to happen.
obviously ‘beenthere’ has done that. too bad.
Remember the wizard was just a Kansas farmer.
If everyone is waiting for Fred to emerge from his chrysillus I think you’re going to be greatly disappointed. Moth-man cometh.
Fred may have flourishes of color but they don’t last. In fact, he’s like most of the humongous moths: Emerge, take flight, mate and fade away into the night.
Fred don’t got no game, he’s merely a moth to the flame.
chrysalis; a protected stage of development.
Too light on McCain
A chance he blew, sad but true
Still hopeful this Fredhead
Sigh one to many ):
It’s January 10. Fred isn’t late; everyone else is early.
BlameAmericaLast
Check your numbers … I think you forgot about the Wyoming primary that was conducted last weekend …
It was good to see Fred showing some fire … I suppose there are those that will say that had he gotten in sooner that would have come to the surface before now … but in today’s “what have you done for me lately” world … maybe less exposure to scrutiny is actually better at this point in the game …
He can still come out with “fresh” statements because we haven’t already heard them 10,000 times like we have from all the others in both parties … (no need to go over them because the commenters during the debate tonight pointed them all out … more than once) …
He just needs to keep getting his message out in the debates in the mroe convincing style he used tonight … I have not seen him in person but I keep hearing that he does connect with people when face-to-face … if that same connection starts to come through on the public debates more … who knows …
Just my humble opinion …
I missed most of the debate because I was on an airplane traveling home … so I didn’t get to hear whether any of the questions suggested here today were asked … anyone know?
thank you Durangodarlin
GOP Party constipation. Spout the line, talk the talk, You must conform to the GOP walk.
Fight the war, kill evil doers where they are. Peace is the goal, only after we bury them in a hole.
Cut the tax and cut the spend, but everything still goes up in the end.
Edumication and creating jobs, we still lag behind and produce non-thinking slobs.
Talk the talk, the pundits squeal with glee. They’ve just hit a new high on ratings for TV. It’s really what it’s all about: making money from the populace, while we all sit on our couch.
Ooops…yeah, I forgot the Wyoming thing.
But either way, I think Huckleberry will be a one-timer. I really don’t think he will be a frontrunner beyond Iowa.
Fred still has a chance.
Somebody call Karl Rove.
Fred has more ‘Baptist/Evangelical backing than Huck. That part is done. Right to lifers prefer Fred. True conservatives prefer Fred. Americans will prefer Fred when he gets a bit more recognition. Beltway boys are just that…..beltway boys, not all Americans.
Why is he late?
We have until November to choose a candidate, do we need to be wooed by viable candidates for 2 years to pick a president?
This isn’t about who campaigns the longest but about who is the best man for the job.
I think it’s too early to write off Fred.
All I can say is if Fred is still around come the CA primary, I’m voting Fred-Head.
I will say that some things I heard Ron Paul say tonight were in line with my own thinking, but he scares me a little too much. He’s said some very wierd things in the past.
For those who think Fred is too lazy, remember — we shouldn’t want someone that wants to do too much anyway. That’s the #1 problem with Congress.
I don’t know if it is too late, but I would have liked to have seen Fred much more “riled” earlier in the debates and campaign. I don’t believe this “lazy” stuff, ya k now us southerners just don’t work on the same clock as the rest, but when we get “riled up” look out. It is never too late to catch fire. I just hope that Fred is in this for the long haul. He has little money and his campaign organization is lacking. Still, if not Fred, who?
When is it “too late?”
I didn’t know there was an alarm clock. The race itself is wide open with no clear winner.
The “too late” fits nicely with “trophy wife” and “lazy” and “no fire in the belly”.
Could we have some fairness here?
The MSM are getting hooked on their new meme of resurrecting a “failed campaign” to keep the public tuned in. That should mean that they will now rediscover Edwards before Michigan and try to send Mo-Ment-Um his way. Richardson dropping out turned the Democrats into a 3 way shell game. The media loves a story that’s so simple that they can track the changes. On the Republican side they can still push a new Prince for every primary. Maybe the’ll even discover Hunter for grins.
you know, every time a post on MM has to do with Fred, it seems like 90% of the comments are positive for him. And it isn’t just here. I am seeing a lot of support on the web for Fred, but it just doesn’t seem that way in the polls…yet. I hope that all changes, I really do. It seems like we may end up with Republican lite vs Obama - and I would prefer a referendum on true conservatism.
– sent from my new iPod - I love this thing! –
It’s interesting that there’s some mention of kindred spirit in things Paul says…but cites some crazy things said in the past. Hmmm? Could it be those crazy things weren’t said but are merely being suggested? What of other candidates and crazy things they’ve said, to wit: Robert Byrd “white nig@er” commentary on national TV? Paul served in the public sector as long as he’s been in politics and I’d say he’s performed with high integrity in both arenas. Delivering approximately 4,000 humans into this world is a very honorable service. This versus earmarking gazillions of dollars for subsidizing and further institutionalizing food stamps, welfare and the enslavement of entire generations of people? Everyone should look at your own life and recall things you’ve said and done. Do these disqualify you from the debate? I doubt not, so let the party get started and invite and listen TO WHAT EVERYONE SAYS…without rebuke.
Duncan, that dog don’t hunt.
I am still a very strong Thompson supporter, but for crying out loud man, get out there and get in the public’s face! Get out there and let people know what you think of these idiots crying all over the place calling themselves Democratic Presidential Candidates. Get out there and challenge the Republican candidates. you are the only guy who has the stones to do it, the only one with the grapes to take each and every candidate head on the way every person in this country is STARVING for and you are sitting on your hands, giving us these little teases.
I am just coming unglued waiting for it. Everytime I think he is going to pull the trigger, he reholsters the gun. The adrenaline rise and fall is going to wear me out.
Anyone else feeling the same way?
Fred’s got no game. He’s a very low energy character, so expecting him to rouse up the crowd is way beyond his grade.
We’ve had 3 primaries/caucuses. It shouldn’t be too late, regardless of what all the talking heads say. This is a delegate count game, people. Romney currently has won 30, Huckabee 21, McCain 10, Thompson 6, Paul 2, and Giuliani and Hunter have 1 each. And we have 47 more races to go. (Source)
I hate how this whole process has been accelerated so much. The Dems, at least, have been campaigning since just after the 2006 mid-terms. A bunch of the Republicans have been running about as long. A 2-year Presidential election process? Please, not ever again!
MM come on, you are not the political neophyte you portray. You know as well as I do that this is not late, not by a long shot. Have you been rubbing elbows with the MSM types too much? You’re repeating their talking points on Thompson like there was something to them. Methinks thou doth protest too much.
I wonder if late will matter if Fred can keep up the momentum from this debate. No one seems too impressed with the other candidates, so the opening for Fred to push through might happen…IF he can keep up how he performed tonight.
RetFireman, I have read your website! You are so inspiring, and you deserve my admiration! In my comment(#18), I explained why I support Senator Thompson. Plus, I am urging conservatives and independents to support him with donations for his SC Campaign and onward, to call his campaign headquarters, tell him your concerns, and encourage others to support and volunteer for him. We cannot afford to wait any longer because, as MM calls them,”moonbats” are swarming. The liberal MSM and Dems are busily filling “war chests” with $’s, and their coming barage of attacks are going to be “brutal” SO I urge bloggers to urge everyone they know to get INVOLVED with keeping the conservative message ALIVE. I believe Senator Thompson is the best qualified in the long run to stand against the Clintonistas! BUT, the leftists are counting on Reps to “keep on waiting” around while they go forward. Support Senator Thompson’s campaign! At least you will know (so will he) that you will not be “dictated to” by whoever the MSM has elevated to “Rock-Star” status. We need leadership!
PS “meatpieandtatters” - you are a troll with your 6 or 7 sarcastic, mean- spirited posts! Follow your own advice in your comment #38…!
And not only that, Fred didn’t destroy Clinton and Obama either. And check this out… there’s still a deficit, and I’m hearing we have to file income taxes in April. Yep, he did ok turning Mike into a Huckaburger in 60 seconds, but where’s the rest of the beef? Oh yeah, and get this. There’s still gonna be ants at picnics. Can you say “too little too late”?
More seriously, first he needs to get the media to actually start covering what he is saying instead of how he is lazy and going to drop out. Once he gets their attention, he can start on McCain and the others. That two by four he used on Huck this evening ought to get at least passing notice but we’ll find out soon enough. Hopefully the episode will go viral on Youtube. Do your part…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LrSGZ08nas
I support Fred. I have for quite a long time!
I thought he did great in the debate tonight and I was glad that he was given more chance to speak than he has been given in the past. His humor is spot on. He’s an intelligent man who is a classic conservative.
GO FRED!
If Fred wants to get anywhere in this campaign,this is not the time to get riled.It’s time to get Pi**ed off like a rushing F-ing bull.Come out hard,or don’t come out.
RetFireman #40 “Anyone else feeling the same way?”
Yup, right there with you. I have had a problem getting behind any of the candidates so far, but if Thompson can keep this up, he’s got my support. IF.
Fred, if you want to be president, act like one. Stand proud, stand strong, and sound off like you got a pair.
Whoever’s Our Nominee, It’s US Who Have To Get Over The Sour Grapes Syndrome Too
My main worry is the Sour Grapes Syndrome keeping Republicans and conservatives home (whether Ron Paul+ fans or Evan Christians) just because their man / issue representatives don’t make the cut for the primaries. Truthfully, I don’t really care which GOP guy gets the nom, just as long as he’s receptive enough to the bulk of Americans to elect him. I can hold my nose that “my man” didn’t make it and get behind the nom. Any of them is better than a Dem/Lib in the White House and Congress who’ll geld our paychecks and culture with irretracible and corrosive social programs, and let’s not talk about national security.
James Greenidge
Queens NY
And it’s not just tonight. I said before at hotair and I thought here, maybe not, but was never answered. Why is Fred not going after his old buddy? This is a legitimate concern of mine. Is he running interference?
I’m not taking a shot understand that. Barring Paul, Huck and McCain I’m not really against anyone. I was impressed with the way Fred went after Huck. He’s had chances in other debates to do the same with McCain. He chose instead last weekend to join McCain and Huck against Romney. That would have been an opportunity. He passed on it.
That being said, if Fred gets the nom, will I vote for him? Yes. Which is more than I can say for the other 3. I’d like to know an opinion from a supporter though.
Mike, every caadidate is fighting the clock. As it runs down, so too does the interest and money. Most will not survive that challenge. That’s just the way it is.
I believe what Michelle and others are addressing is that Thompson is late in addressing things he should be tackling head-on & pronto. (e.g. John McCain, as MM mentioned)
(Though the constant anouncements of not-announcing preceding his entry into the race was too cute by half and certainly not helpful. But he can make up for that now.)
Too coin a phrase; “life isn’t fair”, political realities are even less so.
This debate was a good showing for Fred, but he really does need to get it into gear and keep it there.
I was so behind Thompson last fall, but he took so long. Last night reminded me why I liked him, for the right reasons. Unless he drops out, he’ll get my vote.
Michelle, what the hellk is wrong with you - are you capable of posting even a SINGLE non-biased thing about THom[pson?
WHy are you constantly negative in your tone about Fred - and why have you NOT apologized for uncritially posting the Politico hit pieces here along with your typically negative spin on Fred?
Michelle you owe your readers better - and you owe Fred an apology, and you owe yourself a long look at you fundamnetal lack of integrity when it comes to posting negative and spinning negative about Fred.
Why Michelle? Why the bias?
But the question has to be asked. Would you vote for someone who will lie to you during the campaign but still sell you out, or would you vote for someone you know will sell you out but hasn’t lied to you about their intentions? That’s the way I see the current republican and democrat candidates right now, with the exception of Fred Thompson. Even if we are wrong about Fred, would we be any worse off than with any other “republican” candidate? Just a thought, comment please.
I think in her heart of hearts MM may really truly support Fred. You are always tougher on the people you admire, and you always hold them to a higher standard. Thus, she has criticized him often, and sometimes harshly. Hey, we all want another Ronald Reagan in office, we just have to be sure he’s not a Jimmy Carter in disguise!
Apparently he’s too late to get any love from Michelle or Allahpundit. Not too late to get my vote.
Go Fred!
I hope that day will come soon. But the Maverick may shoot himself in the foot before Fred can get to him…
It’s hard to take all candidates to task on their records and stances on issues when he only has 90 seconds and needs to stay on point. I’m sure he’ll chip away at all of them. When’s the next debate? I can’t wait to see Fred in action again. Last night was the first time I’ve ever been pumped up watching a debate. When Fred laid the smackdown on Huckabee, I actually stood up and cheered as if my beloved Volunteers had just scored on the Gators. Go Fred!!!
As for the Hawkins “poll” he should of stopped with the first question. Everything else is pure hypothetical fluff.
Of the 55, 74% are conservative, the rest are not.
For some of the criticisms I hear about Fred, people may as well criticize his fashion sense. Getting in the race in September ‘08 would be late. September ‘07 is not. To those who call Fred lazy and late, it’s obvious that you support someone else and have nothing but blanks to shoot at Fred, so please spare us any further drama.
Fred called Huckabee out for the closet liberal he is and Huckabee rebutted by spewing rhetoric without addressing even one of Fred’s points. Huckabee is starting to look too much like Hillary for my taste…A professional politician who’ll say anything to get elected.
McCain is still ready to make 12 million criminals citizens. He is prepared to make it tough on them however by making them pay a fine.
Ron Paul is still orbiting another planet somewhere. Last night, he looked and sounded crazier then ever.
That pretty much leaves Fred, Mitt and Rudy as the three viable contenders for real conservatives.
Fred’s NOT late, everybody else was outrageously early. Premature if you will…
Fred Thompson is clearly a reliable conservative - and probably the only Ronald Reagan conservative in the bunch. His debate skills are not particularly good - too many “aahs” between clauses and sentences. Further, the debate format does not favor him as he thinks in more complex terms rather than soundbites, and this can confuse an audience. Finally, rather than talking about problems, which makes him come off as a curmudgeon of sorts, he needs to talk about solutions. His persona needs to be more positive.
I think the recent popularity of Huckabee was premature infatuation.
Fred’s late? Heck, Fred arrived DOA and I’m a Fred supporter. He should have jumped in when his star was rising around the 4th of July and not wait until around Labor Day. He’s the only consistent Conservative candidate. (Paul is not a Conservative, but rather a LIBERALatarian!)
OT, but in a way not. Chucklebee did a little song and dance answering Fred and challenging his experence and his “attack on him” on Fox this morning. Just his usual shtick, yata, yata, yata. He’s so phony. How is he getting away with this?
Hey Meatpie, get some rest!
Yeah, Dandapani, that was a bad sense of timing. Fred’s got his work cut cut out for him now. The Rasmussen data over the last 2-3 months show things going in the wrong direction for him. From 19% on Oct 25, 2007 down to 10% as of yesterday.
Presidential tracking polling
I don’t know where he stands in the SC tracking poll data. Tracking polling is more reliable than the one-off polls, since it indicates whether movement is consistent as opposed to a short-lived anomaly.
More power to Fred if he call pull it out. I think it’s possible if he keeps his nose to the grindstone.
What’s really interesting to me is how many people I’ve heard say “well, I’m a Thompson supporter but I don’t think he’s getting any traction” since he joined the race.
I wonder how much of it has to do with perceptions, and if the molding that’s been done by the mainstream media has had an impact.
To what would you point to show “traction”, BIG?
Okay, I’m going to sound fatalistic, but I just don’t believe we have the luxury of splitting hairs on our nom that way when the other side’s so dead set on saddling us with massive healthcare and pro-open border monkeys on our backs (which will NEVER be dissolved) and wants to eat 65% of my paycheck, castrate our military and tolerates contemptible social behavior and values to boot. This is one critical election and it IRKS me that none of our candidates even DARES call the other side as having socialist policies, much less hammer them on how their policies will whither our wallets.
James Greenidge
Queens NY
Whoever our nominee ends up being, I will support 100%…but until then I will do everything I can to make sure the gut I support gets off his duff and starts behaving the way he did which caused me to support him in the first place.
Fred still has my vote! He showed that he is serious, substantive, adult and conservative. Huckabee the liberal-leaning wolf in sheep’s clothing answered precisely NONE of his criticisms.
Fred late? All the others were way too early. I don’t want political campaigns to drag on literally for years, it’s a horrible waste of time and money and energy and really shows how much all the others lust after power.
The media can go to you-know-where. The attempts by ignorant “journalists” to frame the debate and steer its direction and decide who matters and who doesn’t is highly offensive - most of them are incapable of understanding anything beyond a 6th-grade level, especially if it involves logic and numbers.
Hmm. You know, it was obvious that Thompson was avoiding talking to McCain. I can’t help but wonder if the rumors about him dropping out and supporting McCain are true. Perhaps even hoping for his VP spot.
eh, that should be, “talking about McCain”
Anyways…
I think it’s just that he didn’t have enough time to get to McCain. Their time was so limited.
What the MSM calls debates are NOT debates. In a debate you consider arguments of both sides. The MSM does not do that…it could make their candidates look bad. So we have a sort of question-answer thing. Where by the MSM throws soft balls over the plate for their people and throws rocks at the heads of the opposition. Nothing is considered. Every one but Fred accepts this as “fare”. The main reason I like Fred is his resistance to this. Fred is a man of substance, who will not put on the clown suit just to please the MSM. (who by the way is afraid of Fred). He doesn’t poll well in the MSM polls….surprise He polled over 60% in a local (California) radio poll, not MSM. The talk show host was flabbergasted…why would he poll so well when …No One Likes Him? Conservatives know the MSM is totally against them, but they still believe everything they print?
I thought that too until I read this article.
http://www.bobkrumm.com/blog/?p=1779
I think that he makes a very good point, and although some thing it strange to go after the weaker opponents while McCain would get another victory, if Fred gets alot of the votes from the falling stock of Romney and Huckabee others may defect if they see he has a chance.
Fred - here’s a tutorial.
Now go put it to use.
So what is “late” anyway? Say you are going to play in a Tennis doubles tournament. You have a choice of several good players, when up steps Roger Federer or Justine Henin, they are willing to play with you…the best players in the world…you are not going to even consider letting them be your partner? They were late? But just a little late. If Bloomburg steps in with 200 million dollars to run with do you think the MSM drive by would dare call him late? Wake up a little! What the MSM tells you might not be in your best interest….they might just be pulling ONE more little fools trick on YOU.
I’m confused by these focus groups and others, lately their praising Fred for his stance on the issues, praise him for looking presidential, for his honesty, but he got in late and he’s lazy. What the he!! are they looking for a sprinter that will burn out 1/2 way thru the race? Come on folks pay attention to what the men and the witch are saying…then decide.
It is absolutely amazing that it is almost a year away from a presidential election, and for some reason so many supposedly conservative voters, people who purportedly think critically, have seemingly because of political pundits and news commentators decided first that Senator Thompson was lazy, and upon this erroneous characterization being vitiated by his 50 city bus tour, and better than predicted performance in Iowa, beating Senator McCain, not to mention his successful legal, polictical, and acting careers, that now, after his obviously winning debate performance in South Carolina, it is too late. This is remarkable reasoning. Why is it too late? Who says so? How many Americans have voted yet?
There have been 3 primaries to date: Iowa; New Hampshire; and Wyoming. Senator Thompson finished 3rd in one, second in one, and made a strategic decision not to compete in the other, that is, New Hampshire. Strategic decisions not to compete in certain states during primaries is most reasonable.
This commment continues here:
http://sheetanchor.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/too-late/
Since when is it “too late” for the right man, at the right time? Fred in 08!!!!!
I believe the critique that he might have waited too long to “come alive” as he did in this one debate is valid. The question on my mind is if he can sustain the “oomph” beyond that debate. I would hope that he can, but time is running out - he’ll need a win somewhere soon.
When Fred is asked a Question,he does the unusual,for a politician,HE GIVES A STRAIGHT ANSWER!! We need a no-nonsence commander in chief,for President.That is Fred Thompson!
Fred is my man. He is right on the issues. He has stayed out of the fight in the more liberal early contests. Look who has won them. He is making his stand and he is attacking his primary competitor with the evengelicals.
My disappointment is that the evengelicals have a confused idea of what “love” and “compassion” is about. True conservative compassion enables people, it does not make them dependent upon Government.
Fred is starting to make his case and he will be standing come super tuesday.
Fred is too late? No fire? Unwilling to tear McCain down? All the other b.s. that’s going around?
Could be, but I don’t think so.
I think Fred has been crazy like the proverbial fox. Consider this: Fred stayed out as long as he possibly could. Then he basically remained silent until this last debate. Why?, you ask. Maybe it was to leave the field ample time to espouse their views and expose themselves for what they truly are to the conservative base. He had to wait a little while for the Huckster to do it, but do it he did in Iowa.
Once all the other candidate’s cards were on the table, and the conservatives and fence straddlers were wondering if there was a person they could vote for, the real Fred goes to work.
It started in the last debate with the (needed) deconstruction of the Huckster. The rest of the candidates - including McCain - probably won’t need the slapdown in conservative’s eyes that the Huckster so desperately needed. Rudy and Mitt’s records will continue to expose them for the moderate-to-liberal Republicans they are.
Ron Paul is nuttier than a fruitcake - no deconstruction needed.
McCain is an old friend to Fred. It’s hard to bad-mouth your friends, especially when you know their record is unpalatable to the voters you are trying to get in the primaries. Besides, Fred knows that McCain does well early, but just doesn’t play to the Republican party at large.
IMHO, Fred has played it right. His timing is good. He’s ready to show the Republican party voters why he’s the best man for their vote.
Conservatism works every time it’s tried. Fred knows this.
Something you have to keep in mind, GD, is Fred’s own evaluation of the importance of a win in South Carolina, which he termed his “firewall”, as being determinative whether he stays in or not -
“There’s no question about it. It could prove at the end of the day that South Carolina is determinative as far as I’m concerned, but we’re not there yet,” he said.
“It’s been about getting to South Carolina the whole time. South Carolina is the gateway to the rest of the country”
“It’s been all about getting here and this has got to be considered my firewall,” he continued. “I’ve got to do very well here if not win here. And, you know, there’s no question about that. And I will stake my ground in South Carolina.”
Yahoo News
I’d like to see him win it, but if he doesn’t it may be the end of the road, by his own estimation.
Saw a report on CNN this morning. Played a rebuttal by Huckabee but not the Fred part. Just their way of pushing one and ignoring the other. Was too transparent as I didn’t have the sound on and still caught the overt push.
Go, Fresident!!!
So much emphasis on being “Reaganesque”…
Last night Fred was Roosevelt-esque, and I mean Teddy “walk-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick” Roosevelt.
I don’t give a rat’s butt if Fred lacks the serpent’s tongue, as long as he continues to think seriously before opening his mouth, and continues to take the BIG-STICK and open a can of whoop___ only when it’s necessary.
Last night, it was necessary. I applaud that performance, and I will also applaud him if he decides to return to a more reserved demeanor until his ire is merited once again.
Last night was the first time I’ve donated to ANY politician’s campaign in ANY race in my admittedly short decade of voting eligibility. He keeps it up, and there will be a second.
Heh, as if on queue, I’m finding news outlets saying “Thompson is just a bully”
They’re close… “Thompson is bully” as old T.R. would say.
Good compilation on Senator Thompson here:
http://www.pinnaclecascade.com/