Fred Thompson now blogging for Townhall
I make no secret of how impressed I am with both Fred Thompson’s grasp on big-picture ideas and his ability to communicate them. Looking back, I think one of the main wellsprings of support for his candidacy right at the beginning was his series of radio commentaries, where he filled in for Paul Harvey on ABC radio (and filling in for Paul Harvey? That itself was a pitch-perfect choice of venue.)
Those transcripts were published, and I was surprised to see they held up on their own in black-and-white, even without Fred’s serious-but-warm rack ‘em, stack ‘em, and pack ‘em rumble coming through the speakers. Bloggers linked his commentaries and discussed them, and the Fred Bubble was born. The commentaries stopped, and the bubble began to deflate.
Even Fred’s detractors on the right acknowledged that he really had something in his platform–they just doubted whether he was the one to deliver it. I’m glad we got to know him, but it makes what we’re forced to settle for all the more bitter.
Well, here’s a silver lining within the radioactive cloud of choking, deadly malaise and defeatism gripping the GOP: Townhall has signed up Fred to blog.
Bookmark it.
First entry is a humdinger:
…change – whether it “real change,” “bold change” or the “change we can believe in” variety others are selling – isn’t itself an innovative policy or a particularly strong leadership stance. In fact, from Burke to Buckley, there has been an acknowledgement that change in the political arena is inevitable and necessary, and we in the U.S. tend to experience it in regular, 2, 4 and 6 year intervals, so 2008 is hardly our first rodeo. The challenge for conservatives is calibrating whether the change being proposed is consistent with our principles and our philosophy, and whether that change is appropriate.
The man can work Edmund Burke, William F. Buckley, and a rodeo metaphor into a single post. And it gets better–he’s talking about relating current policy to our fundamental principles, and says that’s what he wants the blog to be all about, and he even gets in a dig at the Tom Davis “endorse S-CHIP!” Republicans who want to turn the party into Democrat Lite (now with 40% less appeasement!)
_____________
Speaking of appeasement: it’s not just Barry O who bristles when you bring that up. Warren Christopher doesn’t like how he’s portrayed in an HBO movie about the 2000 Florida election crisis, either:
He is depicted as backing away from confrontation during a meeting with Mr. Baker, seeking compromise and negotiation as the Republicans prepare for war.
A Democratic Secretary of State, seeking compromise and negotiation in the face of committed adversaries? Pure Hollywood fantasy, of course. Perish the thought.
______
P.S.–Remember how we weren’t supposed to vote for Fred because he was bald, old, and as a U.S. Senator, lacked managerial experience?
Whew. Glad we dodged that bullet.
_____________________
UPDATE: Michelle points out that the reaction to Fred’s return in his comments is not quite as enthusiastic as mine.
Fair enough. But he’s a better advocate and pundit than he was a candidate. I’m glad to hear someone talking about fundamental principles and conservative ideals; shame it’s not the nominee or the party leadership.
{Post by See-Dubya, not Michelle.}
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Trackbacks
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Categories: Fred Thompson, White Flag Democrats
Pundit & Pundette
» Westboro haters have enough to go around for everyone
Pundit & Pundette
» Guess what? Hasan frequented strip clubLegal Insurrection
» Pelosi's Abortion Land Mine ExplodesStop The ACLU
» Hasan Tried To Contact al Qaeda. Sounds Like A Jihadi To MeEd Driscoll
» Go Flag Yourself, Mr. President!JustOneMinute
» Stay Classy, Ezra!protein wisdom
» Quote of the Day [Darleen Click]
Check out the comments in Fred’s blog post. Lots of unhappy Fredheads venting their displeasure at their fallen candidate for flaking out.
Can’t say I blame them.
Thanks for this S/D. I always loved Fred and we in TX didn’t get a chance to vote for him, he pulled out. He beats the day lights out of what we have now to deal with.
L
Fred left me I didn’t leave Fred. What a disappointment. As with Newt, Fred is now nothing more than a court jester sitting in the corner talking to himself. I have no use for anything he says anymore.
I cancelled my Town Hall account … It was nothing but spamming my inbox.
thanks I needed a laugh today.
Yeah, and look what we have now. A bald, old, U.S. Senator, lacking managerial experience AND conservative values.
Maybe there is at least some hope we can gather enough Conservatives to put together something resembling a Conservative party again. This talk of surrender and appeasement is getting really old and Fred Thompson seems to be one of the few people who actually understand that.
Sad you have to put that in See-Dubya but some of us do pay attention and really enjoy your posts as well!
I just relayed it to the Vets in the office, they’re happy.
same here
Hey, I haven’t seen Fred on a couch with Nancy Pelosi talking up the dangers of global warming.
Count me as one of those frustrated Fredheads. He just didn’t go after it like we were all waiting for him to…very disappointing. I still voted for him in the VA primary though, despite the fact he had dropped out well before then.
Mr. Thompson was one of the many casualties of the ignorance by the MSM- they acted like he really didn’t exist and they fell over themselves giving ink and air-time to Senator McCain.
There were others besides Thompson – Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Mitt Romney – who had decent conservative credentials and backbones and beyond that, are patriots.
Any of these men would have made a better nominee and Pres than the one the MSM and the crossover Dems who voted for McCain in the primaries jammed down our throats.
After listening to McCain again today, going on about the global warming fraud and “reaching out” to the Democrats (a fat lot of good that’s ever done the conservative movement) I’m nearly nauseous.
We are so screwed.
Hey Work949–have a T-shirt!
Was so sad that Fred pulled out before so many got a chance to vote for him. Now look what’s supposed to be representing us.. what a joke.
Thanks, see-dubya.
I think I’ll order a dozen, in case I get behind on my laundry.
Just ordered my T-shirt!
Sorry. Fred fell off the horse reaching for the brass ring.
Ahem, it is not Spam! It’s a carefully scripted marketing tool used by the proprietors of Townhall to inform you the reader about opportunities to purchase/utilize items/services of interest to conservatives. You know, get rich quick schemes, homeopathy, purchasing crank books about buying gold….
To bad so many idiots were more concerned with Fred’s timing and enthusiasm than what he stands for. Now were stuck with McAmnesty.
God help us.
It’s SPAM, & I unsubscribed too.
I contributed to your campaign, I mustered support, you failed me Fred. Go back to bed, you’re no longer relevant.
I only lament that Fred didn’t have the strength to go all the way. I still believe he’d have made a wonderful Commander In Chief.
I will admit when I was at the rally when he was in his initial phases here in TN, that even though his speech was crafted well, I’ve noted before that he seemed to lack the passion behind it needed to go all the way.
I would be remiss, however, to not bring forward the fact that the man has a *very* commanding presence in person…kind of like the stern, grandfather type. Someone you respect and love, but have a healthy measure of fear of as well. An interesting experience to be sure.
Fred Thompson’s departure left me deflated and un-invigorated in this presidential campaign. Ho-hum. So there’s a presidential campaign? I guess.
I would have voted for him in a second. He was my pick. Bitter-sweet indeed.
I would have definitely picked Fred over McCain, but I would probably pick Topo Gigio over McCain.
(Oops, showing my age again.)
Does Thompson blogging for Townhall mean that he actually thinks Townhall is a conservative site, or does it mean that Townhall thinks Thompson is liberal enough to blog for them?
Sorry to quote so much, but you’re right on the money with this. My first choice would’ve been Fred, and then Tom Tancredo.
Now we’re left with, as orlandocajun said “McAmnesty” (although, I like McShamnesty better.:) ) Oh, and his friends in La Raza.
I followed the link to the Tee-shirt and LOVED it. It comes close to what I’ve been saying “No matter who wins, we lose.”
Thanks for the post see-dubya.
Is to me and others, Mr Shiny Badge of the Dictionary police.
I hope he will take a steadfast and strong position against illegal immigration; his campaign seemed to be murky on that issue.
Exactly. I met him once in the US Capitol subway. It’s like shaking hands with Mount Rushmore.
You might also want to catch up with Tom Delay’s blog which moved there.
S-D,
you’re very correct. and has a grip like granite, from what i remember. Nice guy all around. it was only a few seconds, just long enough for him to say hi, and he was talking to people…some of us just kind of moved with him to really hear him. something i wont forget easily.
Fred and Mitt should form a new party called The Conservative Party and run as Pres and Vice-Pres. I would gladly contribute to that party.
They could use Newt’s program for their platform. How could you lose when first plank is, ” Make English the official language of the country.”?
Seemed like the only adult at some of the debates…
I never thought he really wanted to put in the effort – and I don’t mean that as a negative, the man has options and a balanced life. He doesn’t have that ego shortage that needs to be in charge to feel fulfilled. But I do think what he has to say is relevant, and the more people like Fred say it, the better.
Maybe we can get Fred up there in 2012? Just saying.
/please-please-please-please
I like Fred! and would have supported him had he risen to the top of the ticket. But since that is NOT the case, I will support John McCain out of loyalty to our Armed Forces.
Sitting it out this election cycle is NOT an option.
I am also a big Duncan Hunter fan, and hope that McCain thinks about adding him to the ticket as a Veep selection. That would easily appease conservatives, methinks.
(eye roll inserted)
Wade — if you cannot recognize even soft-serve sarcastic humor like ScottG #17, then you are on the wrong site, dude.
ScottG — try throwing them underhanded to him…he can’t catch up to them when you throw them overhand, even when you throw them soft like that….
Now, back to our regular programming…
I paid the state of minnesota $79 to rent a pavilion and have a Fred! Thompson rally, and he dropped out on me. I’ll read his cruddy townhall blog when he sends me my $79.
TEEEEEEEJ
Michelle Why are you ALWAYS snide when Fred Thompson is the subject?
Your bias is amazing. You pillory McCain and others, yet when Fred (who agrees with almost all your viewpoints) shows up you turn into a sneering ass (as in donkey). Are you braindamaged?
My suggestion is that you stop being such a crapweasel toward someone whom you should be supportive to someone you will need as an ally in the fights we are all going to engage in against President Obama and the Dem Congress.
And FYI: Fred is where he will work best to further a “Win the AWar, Appoint he Judges, Protect the Border, Enforce the Laws” agenda.
As a commentator. Not as a member of the McCain administration or tied to his campaign, nor as Romney’s VP.
He is done as a politician, but not as a political influence.
We have few enough that are capable of providing a clear, confident and well liked conservative voice in this age of Bush mush and McCain pandering, so why all the animus, Michelle?
If Fred had shown the same desire and tenacity as Hillary (yikes!) he would be the nominee today.
As for Warren Christopher, I’m surprised that he still has a pulse. He looked like a zombie when he was Clinton’s secretary of state 15 years ago.
Make it Fred and Tom Tancredo.
Then, like you, I’d actually be excited about it and help it all I could. Donate, even pass out fliers.
The three choices we have now, HRC, BHO, and John McShamnesty, make me want to vomit.
works for me, bigtime. is it to late for now? They would probably cream everyone. like others have said listening to McCain today was painful, and frankly, embarrassing.
I like doing things underhanded….
Thank you! I thought I was the only one who picked up on ScottG’s sarcasm. That was an easy one!
Still, I unsubscribed because of the bad spam copywriting (speaking as one).
As one who donated as well, I’m not excited about this, I’m disgusted. Fred, you showed me that if it’s not a script, you can’t muster the enthusiasm (sp?)-I’m tired.
I can understand why Michelle may be “snide” as you called her # 39, I think there are many on this board who were disappointed by old Fred. To qoute Brando in “On The Waterfront”, “He coulda been a contender” but he flaked out. I don’t know if that’s how Michelle feels, but I know plenty who do feel that way.
I also unsubscribed because I was sick of getting “motley fool investment tips” and other assorted nonsense.
Fred was okay, though I confess to a great disappointment when I found out about his involvement with McCain-Feingold. Other than that, he always seemed like he had just woke up from a nap. Too bad. Maybe 2012, assuming there is still a country.
nbarry,
You said exactly what I was thinking. If Fred had half the stones that Ron Paul has, there would be a massive groundswell to torpedo McCain at the convention – a convention filled with delegates committed by demoncrats to a false republican.
Ann Coulter is right: Hillary Clinton is the most conservative candidate left standing. How many of us would have predicted THAT a year ago? I would have bet a year’s pay against something so preposterous… but, alas, it is true.
Mrs. Vacillation would be a far better choice than the Bigot or the Imbecile.
Yikes…
I have a fan!!!!!
First and foremost, WE can still vote for Fred and there is no reason WE can not make him our candidate, we just need to decide what OUR is. Some blame Fred for not doing enough, but we forget the democrats that voted to get McCain as the GOP candidate to begin with and the fact that Fred was there and doing what he had to do, but the coverage was not (imagine that, the media wanting McCain). Worst of all, so many of us allowed it. I think too may of us stood back and allowed the primary to work its course, never thinking (or realizing the affects) we should have stepped up the pressure early on in all of the primaries. I think too often we thought McCain was finished, and he was on a national scale, but not in those early liberal leaning states.
Argh.
Look; the man himself explained his position, right?
1. ‘Fred!’ does not NEED, nor does he particularly WANT to be President. He happens to feel he can be the best at the job.
2. You ever heard of the phrase ’speaks for itself’? Well, Fred believes in that phrase, and he spoke for himself. But his record also does the same thing.
3. I cannot believe that some of you are screwing him over because you think he didn’t play the politics game hard enough!!! Because, let’s face facts, that’s what you’re saying.
The Blogmistress herself:
Tarpon:
Hangfire:
shimauma2:
terrig:
But here are the real money quotes…
nbarry:
RobM1981:
You two have gotten the general anti-Fred! (or exasperated Fred!heads) sentiment down pat; encapsulated it in two succinct phrases. Exactly! Exactly! If he was like tha Hildebeast or RonPaul he would have become Prez! But he didn’t do enough for me! He wasn’t out there kissing enough babies! Pressing flesh and meeting hoi polloi!
Bah. I’m not American, so I got not much beef, though I was pretty disappointed when Fred stopped campaigning.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the power to select your representative supposed to be vested in (well, in this case, not me, but you know,)We the People?
So, basically, you’re saying that to become our President, it’s not enough that you present yourself and your policies and your platform to us, oh no, you gotta do the stuff we expect you to do (like the round-the-clock campaigning, press the flesh, debates here there everywhere etc etc etc), and if you don’t we’ll throw you overboard.
I swear, you lot are just exactly like the crowds surrounding Jesus during His earthly ministry. Always looking for signs and wonders but never understanding Him for who He was. At least they tried to crown Him King by force (No offence to non-Christians, I’m just using it as an analogy). Don’t tell me you could not do that even AFTER Fred withdrew, by keeping his candidacy viable.
How the heck did we end up with John McCain? Now he’s playing Mr. Nice Guy when everyone knows he’s not a very nice person. Everyone also knows, especially the left, that Mr. Nice Guy doesn’t win, so McCain should go back to being his normal self, and he may gain some points back.
How I wish Fred had campaigned harder!
I am most unhappy with Fred – BUT I WAS NEVER STUPID ENOUGH TO BE A FREDHEAD, because I heard som CRAP outta his mouth before he ever jumped inthe ring – like that CLINTON’S PERJURY was NOT AN IMPEACHEABLE OFFENSE in the eyes of THE FOUNDING FATHERS.
SO LOL! that Ann Coulter was the VERY NEXT GUEST AFTER HIM but HE never addressed HER REBUTTAL OF HIS TRIPEFUL GARBAGE!
Later on, discovered he had been made the CHAIRMAN of a SENATE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE the CHINESE DONATIONS to CLINTON CAMPAIGN FUNDS because of his WATERGATE PROSECUTORIAL EXPERIENCE – which he used to DIVERT THE COMMITTEE from it’s stated purpose and instead DANCED ON THE HEADS OF “UNETHICAL GOP MEMBERS” so the DIMS wouldn’t FEEL so PUT UPON and sorely treated! AND THUS HELPED JOHN GLENN get another free ride to the MOON!
I won’t tell you what I think would be ETERNAL JUSTICE for FRED THOMPSON of McCain Feingold THOMPSON, who managed McCain’s 2000 Presidential campaign, and DRAFTED SO WELL for McCAIN in 2007, and January 2008.
Let’s just say he has my permission to ROTATE ON IT for all eternity!
Right beside Newt Gingrich and Rudi Giuliani, and McCain and Huckleberry!
gkong,
When, exactly, did Jesus quit campaigning, again? As I recall, he was working right up until they beat him down – and even then.
“Not having the stones to continue” certainly doesn’t apply to Jesus.
Thus, I’m pretty sure that I’d still be supporting Fred if he was still in the race.
One of the man’s qualifications is (was) that he had been through campaigns before, and he understood that it wasn’t a tea party.
Fred appealed to me as the voice of reason among the din of the same old hackneyed rhetoric from all the others. I was deeply disappointed when he quit. While I applaud Sen. McCain’s valor in service to his country, he is waaaaay too liberal for me. Is there even one truly conservative stalwart willing to stand up and speak the truth?
Gkong, if Fred hadn’t dropped out, I’d still be supporting him. As Rob said, he knew this wasn’t a tea party but for whatever reason he decided he wasn’t up to the challenge. Sorry, if it offends you that we’re fed up with Fred but he just didn’t show that he wanted it. I’m not a fan of McCain but hells bells, the man was dead in the water last summer, this year he’s the nominee and all the glory candidates are gone. If Fred had shown half the tenacity of McCain, he’d still be there but it was too much and he took his ball and went home.
I will be voting for McCain in November.
Ronald Reagan woke up the party at the 1976 convention with the best speech of the whole affair. If Fred can grab a piece of the podium at this years convention, I think we would see him as President 4 years later.
I met Fred in Myrtle Beach, he IS a adult in a room full of children. I pray he takes the VP slot if offered.
If I could, I’d vote twice for McCain with Fred on the ticket.
Of course I still say…
DRAFT FRED THOMPSON
I’ll be heading over later on to join the chorus. I think he’d be a great candidate on the Federalist ticket.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
i think the sad truth is tho, that because of his lackluster shot at it this time, it damages him from trying again. he would get barraged with “well, last time, you didnt seem interested, why should we believe you this time?”
sad, but true i believe.
On May 16th, 2008 at 12:26 am, gkong3 said:
Argh.
Look; the man himself explained his position, right?
1. ‘Fred!’ does not NEED, nor does he particularly WANT to be President. He happens to feel he can be the best at the job.
You actually said a lot more and I agree with everything you said. I was very disappointed when he dropped out but it was obvious he could not win. The media did too effective a job of ignoring him so they could coronate McCain. I also don’t understand the “sour grapes” from so many of you. The man stated his positions clearly. The fact that he did not totally kill himself in an endless primary did not bother me.
I could support a Thompson/Romney ticket in every way but don’t see how we could get there from here (Too Bad).
Can anyone tell me how in the world did Republicans pass over Thompson, Tancredo, Hunter and Romney for RINO McClain?
Well said.
I wish I had a dollar for everyone who posted on this blog that there were no conservatives in the race – while all four were still in it…
The bile I see against Fred here sickens me. People are looking for the absolute perfect conservative. And the result of that is that y’all now have McCain.
Fred does what Fred does, and that’s good enough for me. I’ll be remembering the good times with Fred while McCain bunds us over and buttwhomps us with amnesty, or while Obama moves our country closer to Shar’ia Law.
That should be “bends” us over.
Fred and Mitt work for me!
Mitt Romney is still on the list. He simply suspended his campaign, he didn’t drop out. At least not that I’ve heard. Which means he’s the only one we could really make a push for. Maybe he’d pick Fred as VP. Either way it’s a good combo!
If they end up being able to afford the Convention, we could rally the conservatives in the area to storm the Center (nicely of course) and arm them with Mitt/Fred signs.