Fred Thompson: The Phantom of the Debate

Human Events ^ | 06/06/2007 | Ericka Andersen

[HoosierGirl25]

A phantom stood behind an invisible podium in the New Hampshire Republican debates last night. But unlike the first two debates, no one tried to pretend former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson wasn’t a key player in the upcoming presidential race. It was another Thompson who introduced Fred to the audience -- by saying he was “Thompson -- Tommy -- not the other one.”

Just then, the absence of Fred Thompson seeped into the evening atmosphere. Some say the stalling to officially announce a candidacy is damning -- while others insist it is downright smart. Nevertheless, the silence was a golden emphasis of Thompson’s prominence in the race last night.

He’s been embraced in word by many conservatives who feel alienated by the current selection of blue-tinted Republican candidates, but is he all that they dare to hope for? Thompson has been dubbed a savior for the Republican nomination, but the hype could be watered in the disillusionment of unrealistic optimism.

[LS]

Jake, I've said this for some time. Forming his exploratory committee was critical, because despite what many Freepers believe, there is a CAMPAIGN CLOCK, especially on fundraising and talent. And you don't get in in December and think you're going to win. Fred needs to move, and fast.

Also, at some point he's going to have to actually appear on stage with the other guys and be "their equal" and field questions in that setting.

I like Fred. He's my #1 right now, but it is a huge risk he runs by dallying much longer.

[tiger-one]

Hunter...

[lag along]

I listened to Fred on the bill Bennett show just now.

Fred answered each question directly without a tap dance or obfuscation. His answers were pointed and coherent.

He worked as a lawyer and prosecutor while acting in films. he currently is on a national security advisory committee that works 14-18 hours a day in addition to his regular job.

His former staff will talk openly about the hours he spent preparing for committee hearings over which he presided as chairman.

He mentioned that a slow talking polite gentlemanly southerner does not mean you are not ambitious or hard working.

He is for states rights and devolving federal control over activities that for two hundred years were decided by local government's elected by the local citizens. Including abortion decisions.He has a 100% pro-life voting record.

He criticized roe v wade and said that essentially some people woke up one morning and decided they were going to overturn two hundred years of state rights in favor of federal power.

he described the difference of ambition to do something as opposed to ambition to be something. You can’t have done what Fred has down without ambition and drive to accomplish.

He is flat against the amnesty bill and wants enforcement of border security, enforcement of employer hiring rules, enforcement of benefit denial.

He does not support the mccain findgold bill as it has been interpreted by the courts and the way clintons managed to do end runs around the rules. He does not believe in limits on free speech.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Actor/dilettante Fred needs to be a man, put on his floppy shoes, bozo nose, mouth stretcher and join the other men who have put it all on the line in the past two debates and faced with courage the kind of mindless ridicule that you personify.

Troll/Romney shill JCEccles needs to be a man, knock the chip off his shoulder, stop being dishonest, cut the crap, and join the other HONEST Romney supporters, by placing it in his tagline that he is in fact a Romney supporter and joining the actual MEN that aren't afraid to announce their affiliation with a candidate when throwing barbs.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

As he demonstrated convincingly as a senator, he's lazy and he hates contention.

As you have demonstrated repeatedly on this forum, you are a liar and a troll.

We don't need a lazy, half-hearted, fight-shirking man in the White House when the Democrats control Congress.

We don't need intellectually dishonest losers like you at Free Republic either.

[Jake The Goose]

We are thinking very much alike.

I love the nervousness this creates.

For people who can enjoy the political process - the 08’ election for POTUS is shaping into one of the best in my lifetime.

I love it.

I am anxious to thin the field and force those on stage into 3 minute (minimum) answers to good solid questions.

[LS]

Here's an example of why it's going to be hard to wait much longer: in OH, we are already making our candidates for the state legislature appear before "citizens' committees" of focus groups, to determine which candidates the party will back. These decisions will be made in a month, so that by August, you will already have all the candidates known. Now, I fully understand this is a different, national race. But ALL races are won at the local level, and that means $$$$ and organization. I've seen zero Fred organization here, and I've contacted Zach Wamp about trying to work on his campaign. Not a good sign.

[LS]

LOL. You go, PRS!

[Jake The Goose]

WOW - now see - your post is why FreeRepublic is such a hot forum.

What a great place to gain insight into the process.

Thanks for that - I appreciate it.

I just gave Fred $200.

Full Disclosure: I'm into Rudy for $1000.?

Most I have ever given in the primary season - by $1000.

[FreedomPoster]

I like Hunter a lot, but the political reality is that he isn’t taking the lead from the RINO front-runners. Fred can.

Thompson-Hunter ‘08
Thompson-Hunter ‘12
Hunter-xxx ‘16
Hunter-xxx ‘20

We’ve got to think long-term.

[freekitty]

Me too.

[freekitty]

Just because someone said he was lazy doesn’t make it so. He may be more low keyed than others; but not lazy.

[tiger-one]

You think Fred is here Long Term?

[ejonesie22]

Yeah, that’s it, an accomplished lawyer, senator, and actor is lazy, I’ll by that, most slackers accomplish twice as much in their life times...

Yeah that’s it.

Fred is running in a new way, and maybe it just might work. Look at the candidate fields leading into the last few elections and how basically useless the players become almost all sounding the same as they replay their positions day after day. Fred has had several bully pulpits to present his positions clearly and above the din of the other candidates.

The only deadline he really has is the filing deadlines for the various primaries, the rest is all a creation born of tradition and the media.

Will this succeed who knows, but I admire his effort and support his run how ever he chooses to do it.

[Thinkin' Gal]

A phantom stood behind an invisible podium in the New Hampshire Republican debates last night...

Uh oh, shades of

[syriacus]

Imagine if Fred ran for prez and Tommy ran for Veep Thompson & Thompson
+ First Aid Kit +
Help for a hurting country

[newcthem]

Or perhaps he is working HIS plan.......not that of the MSM and conventional political types.

And being from Wisconsin, I wish to publicly apologize for that AssHat, Tommy Thompson.........he wouldn’t make a good dog catcher, and I don’t know why he is even taking up space in this election, unless it is to improve the looks of the other candidates, by contrast.

[tiger-one]

Yea, Thomson surprised me, what an idiot but he will begone soon with Ron, TT, Huck the Goober, Gilmore and McCain

[Teacher317]

You think Fred is here Long Term?

You think Fred will jump ship if he has a realistic shot at the White House? Or that he would limit himself to one term?

(Either way, he'd gain more of my admiration, LOL. Might not be what's best for the GOP, but I'm no fan of theirs.)

[Tennessee Nana]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Then the Breck Girl wins.....