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?
I don’t know why this is and I am trying to understand why Fred will not go on the O’Reilly show. Is it just a personality conflict? If so, Fred should put that behind him and get some free publicity and get his message out.
The newest poll yesterday puts him at 5%. That's a 100% increase each day. At this rate he should be at 40% by Tuesday.
Seriously, though, I saw him at 5% in the last poll, 3 points off Guiliani. I think he should hope to beat Guiliani in NH and, as you say, SC is his do or die.
I really don’t know what his NH polling data shows. I was only going by the poll info they were showing on Fox News while Fred was on live this morning.. He also said he wouldn’t do well and therefore was concentrating on other venues and only in NH for the circus of yesterday and today.
Is there a video available? I missed this one! BOO HOO!
Was FRED - FRED?
FRED THOMPSON - NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE (I’ll protect the American people and American values, whatever it takes to stop the Islamic-Fascists including water-boarding!) - 2ND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE (“Individual” rights to protect their homes and property!)
INCREASE THE MILITARY’S STRENGTH AND SIZE (Diplomacy through Strength and verification!)
SECURE AND SEAL THE BORDERS (Don’t give sanctuary anywhere to illegal’s; don’t employ illegal’s; don’t rent to illegal’s; don’t extend credit to illegal’s; don’t give illegal’s rights they have no right to; report all crimes committed by illegal’s to ICE and immediately deport those illegal’s who have already committed crimes against America!) LAW AND ORDER (Enforcement of our current laws regarding illegal immigration!) – DENY FEDERAL DOLLARS TO SANCTUARY CITIES (Enough is enough!)
CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES FOR SUPREMES (Great progress has been made on the Supreme Court in Bush’s term. FRED was asked by President Bush to spirit Justice Roberts through the confirmation process. The next President will probably have the opportunity to seat two additional Justices. This is huge folks. FRED will nominate Justices who will interpret the Constitution, not create rights that simply do not exist and legislate from the bench!) – PRO-LIFE ADVOCATE (will strive to nominate superior Justices with the eventual goal of overturning Roe vs Wade)
SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMER (Social Security is an entitlement program that will soon overtake the budget. The program can’t sustain itself and will bankrupt future generations; FRED has detailed proposals to save Social Security and provide the added benefit of private savings accounts for younger workers!)
DEFEAT ANY DEMOCRAT OR RINO (Close your eyes and imagine the first debate between FRED THOMPSON and ANY liberal DemocRAT they put up?)
TAX SIMPLIFICATION (Reform and perhaps eliminate the IRS with a variety of choice for the tax payer!)
EDUCATION (Return education to the States. It is that simple. The NEA is the greatest enemy of our educational system!)
WON’T PUT UP WITH TRUTH MANIPULATION FROM THE DB-MSM (including stupid questions by liberal moderators, and “purchased” political pundits)
FRED THOMPSON IS THE “WE THE PEOPLE” CANDIDATE (We the People asked him to set aside his personal life and step up one more time for his Country…and he stepped up!)
THIRD IN IOWA, SECOND IN WYOMING (MSM still calling it a tie with McCain’s name in the lead…FoxNews won’t even mention his name if they can find a way to avoid it!)
I like your style. LOL
I have felt that for some time. Call it the Conservative party.
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/video-fred-thompson-on-fox-news-010608/
Thank you...I think FRED was great. He did not put his personal life on hold and uproot his family and postpone his acting career as well as sitting in for Paul Harvey to play their silly games. Questions only about their almighty process, instead of issues of leadership, or firm Conservative credentials. I’m MAD AS HELL AND NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE. VOTE THOMPSON. Can you imagine the look on the DB MSM face when FRED begins to surge in every primary and every poll. This stupid process is just beginning. We must be patient. No FredHead would expect a Conservative like FRED would poll well in New Hampshire, home of the liberal because of the brave.
PEOPLE, there are serious issues out there that FRED has prepared detailed position papers on. Share them with your friends and neighbors. FRED THOMPSON is the ONLY true Conservative left in this race with a real opportunity to win. What needs to happen now is a coalescence of true Conservatives.
WE THE PEOPLE need to unite behind FRED THOMPSON today!
If Rudy McRomney gets the nomination, that's just what will happen. But it will cost us this election, and many to come. It takes years to build a party to have any viability in national elections.
It will be much easier to take back the GOP from the NE liberals that inhabit the leadership.
To me, that is the seminal issue of this election. If we can't take the party back, we (conservatives) will spend a generation in the wilderness, and the libs will consolidate their hold on power to such a point, it may not be possible to win back our freedoms short of violent measures. I don't want to see it come to that.
This is why we must push back the RINO's and nominate a conservative, our the country is headed for an ugly future, if we have one as a nation at all. Our very survival as a free nation is at stake this year.
Yes, I really do believe this election is that important.
You bet!
We may have no choice but to do just that, but I believe the country will bear some enormous costs if it happens. See my post 31.
This is also true about Duncan Hunter!
Conservatives should have taken back the party 8 years ago :^(
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