Frist an unworthy aspirant [Frist Is Not 2008 Presidential Material]

Rocky Mountain News ^ | Nov. 2, 2005 | Vincent Carroll

[conservativecorner]

With the price of gasoline tumbling 55 cents nationwide in the past few weeks, will congressional vigilantes call off their probes of price gouging in the oil industry? Probably not - cheap populist grandstanding being far more satisfying than recognition of the iron laws of supply and demand.

If nothing else, however, the episode serves the useful purpose of alerting Republican voters to the fact that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a leading advocate of energy price probes by both national and state authorities, is not fit to lead a presidential ticket in 2008. If Republicans can't field a candidate who understands basic market economics, they might as well close up shop and throw in their lot with Ralph Nader.

Frist is the same senator who earlier this year lashed out at pharmaceutical advertising for fueling "America's skyrocketing drug costs." Are doctors writing prescriptions with guns to their heads? If a drug has a justifiable purpose and benefits a group of patients, why shouldn't everyone who might benefit hear about it?

Of course advertising fuels demand - otherwise why do it? - but it also disseminates useful information. What's next? A Frist homily on the need to crack down on big-box stores?

Vincent Carroll, editor of the editorial pages, writes On Point several times a week. Reach him at carrollv@RockyMountainNews.com.

[mlc9852]

I'm worried.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

. . . the episode serves the useful purpose of alerting Republican voters to the fact that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a leading advocate of energy price probes by both national and state authorities, is not fit to lead a presidential ticket in 2008.

Actually, I think his lack of charisma was the first alert.

[pissant]

Forget about it Frist. Franks & Rice 2008

[areafiftyone]

Most of the Senators are NOT fit to be President. Watching Frist is like watching Paint dry.

[goldstategop]

What's wrong with making a profit? How else is a business supposed to cover its costs and produce a return for the owner and shareholders? You hear demagoguery from politicians who could care less about the free market as long as they can keep their names in the headlines.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")

[TeenagedConservative]

Allen/Rice 08.

[sheana]

Change that to...most politicians are NOT fit to be President and you have it right.

[PISANO]

Frist is a good man, but when I hear him speak and witness his Senate Majority Leader actions, I can only think of two words.

Wishy Washy!!

Definitely NOT Presidential material.

[right right]

Not tough enough.
Not devious enough. Allowing Reid to snooker him.
Getting affronted by Reid showed his thin skin.
Just a nice doctor, Senator, citizen trying to do his part.
We need a tough skinned leader like Reagan again.
Frist is just not the one.

[rhombus]

Watching Frist is like watching Paint dry.

Everyone said he was "fumming mad" yesterday. How could anyone tell?

[areafiftyone]

Paint started to peel.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Actually, I think his lack of charisma was the first alert.

I've been to a Frist "for President" event, and he is as dull as dishwater.

[Lexington Green]

If Harry Reid can push him around... well, he's a wuss.

[flashbunny]

I want the gouging done by congress investigated.

Unlike the congress, 'big oil' actually provides a useful product.

[jennyjenny]

I'm liking Allen right now. Maybe an Allen/Pence ticket.

[sure_fine]

very few senators have ever made presidency

[cricket]

Yesterday's controlled outrage at the most aggregious behavior of the slimy. . .lying. . .Dems and his response of feeling 'slapped in the face'. . .did it for me.

[areafiftyone]

They are all a bunch of pandering fools, that's why.

[NeoCaveman]

Frist = Bob Dole 1996. And the results of running him will be the same.