Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 01/06/2008 5:39:19 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Marc Ambinder declares Fred the winner:
On points, Fred Thompson won the debate.
Every answer was thoughtful and well-crafted; his tone matched the tone of the question; he wisely refrained from interjecting in the back and forth squabbling. He very deftly reminded viewers that he served on key Senate national security panels and is bringing his experience to bear. Even his insults were subtly and gently constructed In some ways, Thompson did McCain’s bidding. You skeptical readers can tell me that if Thompson had finished a solid fourth in Iowa, I might not be writing about Thompson at all, that said, he’s still a candidate, and his performance tonight tells me his mind is not elsewhere.
UPDATE: Lane at Blogs for Fred Thompson:
It seems to me that with each debate, Fred gets stronger. Tonight I felt he was the one who clearly looked most Conservative on the stage.
Fred responses were strong on national security, strong on immigration, strong on health care, and put on display his consistent conservative principles that he’s been talking about all along.
He was also able to sit there and interject at times about his opponents weakness and also watch as they hacked away at each other showing their inconsistencies that tend to turn off conservative voters.
During this debate, it was Fred who came away looking like a strong conservative candidate who has the knowledge and experience to be President. I must say that Fred really looked Presidential.
A great night for Fred, and in my opinion a clear win.
Michelle Malkin writes:
So far, I’d say Fred Thompson is doing well for himself.
brkcmo writes:
Once again, Fred Thompson came across as the “grown-up” in the room during the ABC Republican Debate tonight. Fred did not talk as much as Giuliani and Romney, who seemed to keep their mouths moving virtually non-stop, but when he did talk it was worth listening to.
Fred had wise, common sense, conservative answers to the questions and issues facing America. When he spoke, you had the sense that he was telling you what he really thought, and what he believes to be best for the nation. There was no sense of an agenda, or taking a position in order to pander to polls and pundits, unlike Romney and Giuliani.
The format was interesting, but did allow the two loud-mouth candidates to dominate the time, although they did not really say very much. Lots of noise — little substance.
If people think carefully about the kind of person they want to be making the great decisions the Presidency demands, they should want a person of strength, wisdom, stability, and courage — Fred Thompson.
P.S. — George Stephanopholous just said he thought Fred Thompson had a great night!
UPDATE II: Peter Robinson:
With respect to Brother Jonathan, in my judgment Fred Thompson turned in a very fine performance, the more effective for proving underplayed. The others fought, bickered, attempted to demonstrate their brains. Naturally enough, they commanded the viewer’s immediate attention. But did they look like chief executives of a great nation? Or like candidates for a student council? Thompson stood, in effect, to one side, quiet and dignified, speaking less often, perhaps, but with cogency and principle. Thompson alone conveyed a sense of gravitas. He looked, spoke, and comported himself like a president.
If (as I expect) Romney fares badly in New Hampshire, Thompson will be the obvious choice for conservatives. He’s going to prove an easy man to rally around.
Mark Hemingway:
Thompson was just great. He seemed judicious and thoughtful, but he needed another breakout moment or two like the last debate to get people’s attention and couldn’t find it.
Andy McCarthy:
Rich and Mark Steyn are right, and I was wrong. I always think it’s strange when the great athletes talk about letting the game come to them. But that’s how this format worked for Fred, and when called on he did great. I thought his explanation of healthcare economics was staggeringly good — I don’t see how you could do it better in this format. And when he went into trial lawyer mode, cross-examining the other candidates, he did in the effective way — no screaming, but pressing (patiently but insistently) for an answer. Very nicely done.
Bryan at Hot Air:
Fred wins. He said the least but what he said was most worth listening to. He managed to come across as the sage in the race, too wise to get into the fray but not above smacking the kids around when he has to.
UPDATE III: Rick Klein, ABC News:
How could [Mitt Romney] have let Fred Thompson best him on a debate over healthcare?
Frankly, I think the choice for Republicans in 2008 is between Fred Thompson and oblivion. There is no guarantee, of course, that we will not choose oblivion. They don't call us The Stupid Party for nuthin'!
I think that conservatives need to form a new party cause the Repub is no longer truly conservative.
My understanding (corrections and updates welcome) is that Fred consiters NH too lib, he will not change anyones mind there anyway and is going directly to SC.
When you say New Hampshire is too lib, I hope you are meaning libertarian because that is what they consider themselves. Both in the Republican and Democratic side. I believe they also have a huge amount of independents in the state.
Because there is not a large religious backdrop in the State, they tend to possess liberal views on social issues. They see abortion as a woman’s choice and preventing it would be the government unduly intervening. I can’t tell you how many ways I disagree with this, but I’m just espousing their views.
One other thing, I consider myself as having a libertarian bent also. However, I do have differing views than these type of libertarians in regarding a lot of social issues.
Fred keeps winning but he doesn’t move in the polls. I am just flabergasted... I don’t get the gop right now!
Paraphrasing Fred's answer: It is because of you guys (MSM). I watched the Fox coverage of the Iowa voting and the panel members on Fox where saying all night that McCain would come in third, it was all about McCain and when the results came in and I was third, and not McCain, there was no mention of my name.
FOX just had a few numbers on the NH Primary, Fred is at 2.1%. Skipping NH and going to SC sounds like a wise choice on his part.
If Fred can finish strong in NH, then SC can be the state that puts him on top for good.
Correct. I watched it from beginning to end and that is exactly what FOX did. Total blackout of Fred. Most of the MSM was doing it. Nightline on ABC ran for an hour and did in-depth of the candidates that night (Clinton-Edwards-Obama and Huck-Mitt-Juan. In the entire hour I recorded Fred Thompson being mentioned exactly SIX SECONDS. It was to grudging admit that Fred had "apparently" gotten third place.
GOP tonight [Mark Steyn]
Fred was great. He’s like Perry Como. He should never not sit down. Romney, I thought, was not good. McCain’s crack about how he agreed Mitt was the “candidate of change” was an instant killer of the governor’s post-Iowa rhetorical tic and he had no comeback apart from a prissy complaint about McCain being “needlessly personal”. He’s got to be better than that if he’s going to retrieve this thing by Tuesday.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NTY5ZmUyZWJiYjc3NTc1NzAzNjFhZTZmYjVhN2IzZDM=
Watching FNF this morning it was all about the Dem debate. Berry and Hillary debate clips all over the place. They may have had one short clip showng the Republican debate.
Big winner was Fred.
Big loser was Romney.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
Another great interview with FRed, this time on CNN. Go FRed!
It's about time MSM started waking up to realize Fred is real.
Yep, FOX is still bleating on about Mitt-Huck-Juan-Obama and breaking it up with news flashes on Britney.
Yes, it was Wolf Blitzer. I, too thought he did a fair interview, surprisingly.
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