Well, at least the wait is over: Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson at last is a GOP presidential candidate. The questions abound, though: Will voters admire him as much as they do his gruff district attorney on "Law & Order"? Will he be able to claim the Ronald Reagan mantle for himself? Can he escape the "flip-flopper" and "lazy" labels? Will his speeches improve? Do Republicans want a candidate who wears Gucci loafers to a state fair?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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67 Comments
LOL
My guess is that Thompson’s Gucci wearin’ days are o_v_e_r. His media people will have him in Lucchese instead, from now until he loses his next prez election anyway. That and P/U’s or SUV’s, country music, and endless talk of his ability to be a Uniter Not a Divider (rephrased, I’m sure, lol) are in our future with Well-Said Fred as well.
The bigger question is, will Americans ever learn to ignore the opinions of others when it comes to electing a POTUS?
We Americans have a great history of championing free thinkers, but our history of BEING free thinkers, each and every one of us, ain’t there. At all. Collectively, in the aggregate, we’d much, much, much rather turn on the tv/internet or open a newspaper/magazine/book in order to find somebody to tell us what to think.
We like to tell ourselves that we’re too busy to do that, but I remain a skeptic.
Oh well. Hope springs eternal, I guess. In fact, the very timelessness of our hope in this country defines in the only really unique way to do so, imo.
I know who could beat Thompson in the election: Kiefer Sutherland.
Jack Bauer could beat down Arthur Branch any day.
He will have my vote.
you mean Jack Bauer, right Nathan?
As mentioned on Democratic Underground, Fred Thompson announces to applause and cheers on Leno.
Then he recites the litany of failed Repuke talking-points on their failed war.
DEAD SILENCE.
On and on it goes. Every applause line “keeping America safe” etc. falls totally flat.
Nobody’s buying the hog slop anymore, Fred.
The bigger question is, will Americans ever learn to ignore the opinions of others when it comes to electing a POTUS?
—
Pedant I would have to say no. I am an eternal optimist, but the last 25 – 30 years incline me to vote no.
It would be great if both the Democrats and Republicans elected dark horses in the primaries, but I am not holding my breath. Or, better candidates that can be trusted. I am not a fan of Obama, but his lack of political experience is a big bonus in my book.
We need someone that has either never been caught up in the beltway or we need someone that has not been in the beltway long enough to suffer the taint of the beltway. Very few of the current candidates on both sides of the aisle fit that bill.
“It would be great if both the Democrats and Republicans elected dark horses in the primaries”
The last dark horse to get his party’s nomination was Bill Clinton.
Despite the vast right wing conspiracy, that worked out damned well.
Hpping electing someone because they have no experience is dicey at best. I agree lifetime politicians have got us to this point but I don’t agree that his very lack of qualifications (Obama) make him a good candidate.
With WS’s logic we should then elect Huckabee. Well that takes care of the repub nominee. Now how to find a demo candidate.
……………. and George W Bush was the least experienced president in history, other than Woodrow Wilson.
Who did he take foreign policy lessons from?
Answer – Prince Bandar from Saudi Arabia.
Jeez, I wonder why our foreign policy is in the toilet?
Oh, for you haters – read “A State of Denial.”
“With WS’s logic we should then elect Huckabee.”
As usual, KSGrm, you have chosen to distort and twist my comments.
Par for the course.
People were waiting?
I’d vote for Huckabee over Thompson a_n_y day.
I would vote for A_N_Y Democrat and most Republicans over Thompson A_N_Y day.
I am curious.
Why no love for Thompson?
WS I was actually giving you credit for helping the repubs find a candidate. Sorry you took exception with that. Actually Clinton was a lifelong politician and Huckabee isn’t. But if you balance that with his (Huckabees) experience in the ministry maybe they will be even.
After missing the debates last night, the lazy candidate fits. If he wanted in, he should have gotten in before.
Since when does MINISTRY equal experience running a country?
Grm, you’re nuts.
“Why no love for Thompson?”
Why should there be? What has he done besides play Arthur Branch and marry a trophy wife?
Pmom you missed the levity. I know that we on this blog won’t be electing the next prez but we have discussing it as if we will and I know that all I have to do is mention a minister and the big guns come out. Sorry about that.
Thompson was a US senator longer that Hillary Clinton. Shouldn’t that count for something?
You know, I’ve ignored that part about him, because I’m willing to look past the whole nutty religious issues…he’s welcome to his beliefs as long as they don’t interfere. He’s proven that they do and is why I hope he doesn’t win.
But at least I feel he’s GENUINE about his beliefs in religion anyway and doesn’t use it as a platform the way the others do.
Now his assertion that we all have to stand together in the war is just as reich wing as you can get, that it doesn’t matter if we’re doing the wrong thing or not, as long as we win.
That is fatal thinking.
Good point ksgrm!
So, his SENATE career will make Thompson a good president?
Jeez, the man is known for being lazier than Reagan.
WS where did that idea come from? Since I am a repub can you give me a source on that so I can see this for myself.
Thanks,
And who are the two front runners on the Democrats side?
Obama and Clinton?
And you are complaining about Fred’s Senate career?
I hope Huckabee’s star continues to rise. I am more impressed with him each time I see him. He has the intelligence, the personality, the experience. Everything but the money. If that comes, look out.
Did you even watch the debate on Faux last night Grm? THEY were even saying it.
Fred WHO?
Joe Biden is the only one with enough BALLS to be himself in public.
If the worst thing that can be said about Fred is that he is Lazy…
Well that is all the more reason to vote for him in my opinion.
Well, the concept of hiring an actor to play the role of president has already been shown to work; Reagan played the role for eight years. The next step is to elect an entirely computer-generated president based on extensive surveys of preferred presidential attributes.
“Joe Biden is the only one with enough BALLS to be himself in public.”
They are also clean and articulate.
Pedant I would have to say no. I am an
No one knows who the hell you are “hoping as well” and no one cares.
Post under one nic and maybe your ideas will matter.
Until then, you remain graffitti on the wall . . .
Someone spoke about independent thinkers and how we each should evaluate Presidential candidates.
Here’s Max’s approach:
1. 50% of the weight I give to the Voting Record. Are the candidates past ACTIONS (not words) consistent with my conservative view? Are there better candidates?
2. 20% of the weight I give to the Will, the Intestinal Fortitude of this person to be Commander in Chief and defend the US. To be the Leader of the Free World. To be able to look Bin Laden, Acmedemijad (sp), Putin, and other enemies in the eye and put the fear of the wrath of the US in their veins? Reagan got elected and Iran very quickly turned over the US Hostages. The Wall fell.
3. 15% of the weight I give to the perceived electability of the candidate. Are there other candidates who are being favored by the press? Too many skeletons in the closet? Loose Cannon? Are there other candidates who are able to buy more advertising, leading significantly in the polls?
4. 15% of the weight I give to promises made by the candidate, the vision they are communicating.
Do they know the right direction to take America? (Voting record and Agenda for the future)
Do they have the Leadership qualities to lead the country and Congress in the right direction.
Does this person have credibility – doesn’t flip/flop on the issues, knows where he/she stands and doesn’t change their mind based on the polls? Have they been consistent over the years? Do they have a high degree of honesty and integrity?
Pedant I would have to say no. I am an
Posted by: CapnAmerica | September 06, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Is this a -fill in the blank- ?
Oh my, what fun…
If you look at Fred Thompson’s voting record, he is very conservative. Big 2nd Amendment Supporter who has not flip flopped on this issue! NRA said, “Staunch supporter of the Second Amendment” http://ontheissues.org/Fred_Thompson.htm
http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=22003
With experience like this, looks like Fred Thompson can relate to a broad spectrum of America:
Experience:US Senator
Practicing Attorney, 1967-1994ActorAuthor ‘At That Point in Time’Factory WorkerShoe SalesmanTruck Driver
All the qualities you LIBS are afraid of the most!
1. I agree with 90% of his voting record.2. He appears very strong willed and tough enough to be commander in chief. HE HAS COMMAND PRESENCE! (So does Rudy, btw)3. He has the charisma, communication skills, backing, stability, broad based experience to appeal to many Americans – He Is Electable!4. Waiting to see the Vision that he communicates. Based on his past, I expect his vision to be promising.—–
While I tend to like Fred I think he will fade fast in the Republic primaries. Look for Romney or Giuliani to take it.
Gasping for breath after laughing so hard reading Max’s post.
Fred is a bleeding actor, nothing more. One actor is quite enough, thanks. RR slept through 8 years being the Boraxo man. We sure don’t need this dufus.
Oh my, what fun…
Posted by: SolDevVB | September 06, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Try to keep up with the discussion, Sollie.
We’re all typing as slowly as we can . . .
Amen, Dennis.
Reagan had freaking ALZHEIMERS and couldn’t tie his shoes by the time he left office, but the wing-nuts have themselves convinced he was a great president.
Gee Dennis, with a rebuttal like that, Fred’s a sure thing.
Who’s your guy/gal?
I’m with you Max.
Are you a Friend of Fred yet?
http://www.fred08.com/
Been a Friend of Fred for several months, though Rudy was my plan B.
Seemed like forever for Fred to officially join the race, but then, everyone else go started WAYYYYYY to Early!
People still don’t know the agenda for Hillary (other than healthcare) or Barrack, and they have been campaigning for 8 months!
AWESOME FACTS ABOUT FRED THOMPSON* Fred Thompson has on multiple occasions pronounced “nuclear” correctly.* The reason Fred Thompson didn’t want to stay in the Senate for long is because all the extra scrutiny kept him from doing his favorite hobby: Prowling the streets at night killing drug dealers.* Every night before going to sleep, Osama bin Laden checks under his bed for Fred Thompson.* Fred Thompson reconsidered running for reelection after 9/11 but later decided to handle things on his own. He was soon seen entering the Middle East with a bottle of tequila in one hand and a handgun in the other. They’re still counting the dead.* Though Fred Thompson left the Senate in 2003, Harry Reid still hasn’t stopped wetting his pants.* Fred Thompson’s gaze can kill small animals.* Fred Thompson once ended a filibuster by ripping out a Senator’s heart and showing it to him before he died.* The actual cause of global warming: Fred Thompson’s burning rage.* Fred Thompson once stood on our south border and glared at Mexico. There was no illegal immigration for a month.* Scientists predict that when Fred Thompson dies he’ll explode taking out the five nearest planets before collapsing into a black hole.* At a campaign stop, a Belgian Hound tried to hump Fred Thompson’s leg. That breed of dog no longer exists.* Fred Thompson vows not only to win in Iraq but also to forcefully free Vietnam from Communism, thus giving America a perfect win/loss record for wars again.* An abortion doctor tried to kill Fred Thompson when he was still in the womb, but he cut off the man’s hand with scalpel while shouting, “Do you know who I am? I’m Fred Thompson!”* Webster’s Dictionary defines “conservatism” as “how closely one’s views resemble those of Fred Thompson.”* The most efficient airline security is to have Fred Thompson stare down everyone entering a plane.* When terrorists get to the afterlife, they’ll find that none of their seventy-two women are still virgins. Why? Because of Fred Thompson.* Fred Thompson can open clamshell packaging without the slightest trouble.* In a butterfly ballot, no matter where you punch it the vote goes to Fred Thompson.* Why does Iran want nuclear weapons? Out of fear of Fred Thompson.
“”"”It would be great if both the Democrats and Republicans elected dark horses in the primaries”
The last dark horse to get his party’s nomination was Bill Clinton.”"”
John Kerry was a dark horse. The nomination was widely expected to go to Howard Dean.
XXX, I hope you don’t agree with me again today!?
LOL! Awesome, Awesome post!
heh XXX, :)))
I know Fred Thompson is a big man, six-six, but…lol. :)
The one thing that’s clear is that much of the left fears Thompson the most. We’ll see if he can convert hope – and that’s easy to generate when you’re not a “real” candidate yet, and the “real” candidates haven’t generated a lot of excitement themselves – into political support. Can he bring out the dollars in support of his candidacy?
Oh and BTW XXX – funny stuff.
Did you steal the best of the Chuck Norris jokes?
Did you even watch the debate on Faux last night Grm? THEY were even saying it.
Posted by: political_mom | September 06, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Pmom make up your mind. First you tell me the Fox news is faux and now you ask why I didn’t believe it. I’m getting dizzy with all the spin today.
Ksgrm
Fred is way too conservative for me to vote for but if by some chance he should win, I’d support him as president. Until he gives me a reason not to.
Martin Sheen should run. He’s already familiar with the West Wing. And, I believe he also has a trophy wife!
sexie freddie the Grand ole perverts great white home. Likes his women young and his whiskey old. Great family values there
“Likes his women young and his whiskey old.”
Uh, yea!!! And that’s bad just . . . how?
“Likes his women young and his whiskey old.”
Uh, yea!!! And that’s bad just . . . how?
Uhh, GMC, if that is you, I think the Capn may be right, you are going to be embarrased after this binge.
Yeah, I read the whole string and you could go about a hundred different directions with this. I watched Thompson on Leno last night and I thought he seemed uptight. I suspect that when he practiced law, he was one of those advocates who only hit it out of the park when he believes in his heart what he’s peddling. He was very much at home when he told Leno, straight up, that the debating format, with the brief, sixty second sound bites, ain’t worth spit (right on, Fred). He seemed less at home when he said that he would have invaded Iraq if he’d known then what he knows now. My guess is that Thompson’s conflicted on this, but he decided that the case must be argued in that manner, so he’s trying to make it work. Who knows what he truly believes, though.
Speaking as a Democrat, I like Thompson better than any of the other Republican candidates. I couldn’t say why, exactly. During primary season, these guys all bark up their partisan party credentials and it tends toward the staking out of territory which is too damn restrictive. The Dems have the same problem on the other side of the aisle. The truth is that politics is the art of compromise. If you tend to see grey, or both sides of an issue, then none of the candidates come off as completely genuine or reasonable.
So, what the hell: I’ll make my utterly useless prediction that Thompson gets the nomination on the Republican side. Maybe it’s a bad omen for him, though, that a Democrat favors him over the other Republican contenders.
Thompson was a US senator longer that Hillary Clinton. Shouldn’t that count for something?
Posted by: ksgrm
why ??larry craig has been cruisin restrooms, i mean, serving in the senate longer than both of them.
fred thompson is just another actor who says what you want to hear.
“a better tomorrow”uh-huh”a stronger america”oh yeah”two cars in every garage”nice idea”a chicken in every pot”that’s it
well fred’s got my vote, how about YOU??
Steve -
Step away from the keyboard. Take a deep breath. Stick in a copy of Life of Brian or other similar fare.
In other words, lighten up, dude.
That said: old whiskey is a good thing. Yes?!? Trust me, it is; certainly it’s much better than young whiskey.
Assuming you are in the market, young women are also a good thing. Yes?!? Young is a relative thing, of course. And I’ve long since been off the market.
Anyway – the problem is what? You telling me you’d prefer cheap rotgut and Maude? ;-)
You all take yourselves FAR too seriously.
“he said that he would have invaded Iraq if he’d known then what he knows now”
MAYBE WE CAN ELECT A PERSON WHO HAS AN IQ OVER 50 OR 60.
WHY DOES BEING ABLE TO LOOK IN THE CAMERA AND OUTRIGHT LIE ENDEAR YOURSELF TO SO MANY CITIZENS ??
In any case-
Actor, politician. Politican, actor. They’re pretty much interchangable. Always have been. Much of being a politician, especially President, given the enormous public role of the office, is about being an actor and commanding the stage. That’s even more true for a candidate, who has to cut through the clutter and the professional spin, by all sides, with his message. And remember the point of politics: it’s to win.
Reagan was a master at it. Clinton I was as well. Bush (both of them) are terrible. Clinton II is better than Bush, but that’s not saying much. Guliani and Huckabee both have some talent there. Obama has it; if he ever gains some gravitas and resume to match the charisma, he’ll be formidable.
Thompson’s got it. And that will make him a formidable candidate.
“You all take yourselves FAR too seriously.”Posted by: GMC70
Thank you very much for that insight. I think, any way…
The “lazy” label that they’re hanging on Thompson will definitely work to his advantage. They’re underestimating how many lazy bastards there are who don’t mind it if another guy’s lazy. And what’s lazy, anyway? If it means he doesn’t get all worked up over some of the b.s. that goes on, then he’s smart, not lazy. All it means is he doesn’t give a royal screw if people don’t like it that he’s not running around trying to prove how hard he’s working.
I read the speech which Fred Thompson gave at an AIPAC conference { application for Zionist support } and I was shocked at the lengths Fred was willing to sell-out America.
If “dufus” wasn’t president, Fred would be jailed for treason.
There’s no other conclusion possible after what was said.
“{ application for Zionist support }”
When you and cosmo get together, is it too boring to live?
Chain’s technological assets were stolen from us by Israel and sold to China. The While house and State department complained about it and were told to shut-up.
Our top-Secrets leave the United States in Israel’s diplomatic pouches.
Israel sold the radar jamming codes to China which has blinded the surveillance and missiles defenses on our AEGIS class Cruisers and Destroyers.
read the speech which Fred Thompson gave at an AIPAC conference { application for Zionist support } and I was shocked at the lengths Fred was willing to sell-out America.
If “dufus” wasn’t president, Fred would be jailed for treason.
There’s no other conclusion possible after what was said.
Posted by: Ed Friedemann | September 07, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Please post a link, or other substantiation for this comment.