Analysis: Fred Thompson Faces Few Bumps

Examiner ^ | July 31, 2007 | LIZ SIDOTI, AP

[mdittmar]

Republican Fred Thompson has faced a series of bumps in his preliminary campaign, casting doubt on the strength of his would-be candidacy and raising questions about his potential for success.

Despite the difficulties, the "Law & Order" actor and former Tennessee senator continues to post strong marks in national surveys and early primary state polls five months before voting begins. But his transformation from a man simply flirting with a bid to one on the brink of an official candidacy has been far from smooth the past few months.

His challenge: living up to the hopes of dispirited Republicans searching for a conservative to rally around in the wide-open race.

"The expectation levels are sky high right now, so that means if you don't meet them financially, you don't meet them organizationally and you don't meet them message-wise, you're in trouble," said Joe Gaylord, a Republican consultant close to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who also may enter the GOP race.

[mdittmar]

Isn’t this great,new news,history of Presidential elections,where else can you find it but on FR.

[bcsco]

Even if we can’t beat up on Fred here, its not polite out there either.

Nothing wrong with being polite. For some reason, though,Fred threads bring out the worst from the worst. It's sad to see from people who should know better.

[LibLieSlayer]

Not a swipe at you by any means, but I think we all forget too many important things that we really should always keep at the forefront. The more we learn of our History, the more we shape our future for success.

Too many Conservatives do not remember how long and expensive the Cold War was... many forget Vietnam was a large battle in the “Cold War” with the Soviets... we were fighting their proxies. Many forget how many decades it took to win that “Cold War”. How many school children have even the slightest idea of reality today? I did... even though it was absolutely futile, I had an awareness of our enemy and I knew what “Duck and Cover" meant. Today it’s just ipods and iphones and stalinist indoctrination. We must win... we must if we hope to endure.

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

FR is the best and I am glad I add a small grain of sand to it!

LLS

[SE Mom]

Unbelievable...they re-hash, re-write and re-gurgitate...nothing.

[pissant]

Nothing at all wrong with being polite. However politcal arguments seldom are, even when they start that way. Not here, not in the campaign war rooms and certainly not in the blogosphere.

[bcsco]

However politcal arguments seldom are, even when they start that way. Not here, not in the campaign war rooms and certainly not in the blogosphere.

Political arguments are seldom polite; true. But the impoliteness is aimed at the nominee. Seldom is it aimed at his supporters; except by a few I've run into on FR. That's the problem. Some fail to distinguish between the campaigner and those who support him.

And they, in turn fail their own candidates because they drag his name down into their gutter. Sad to see.

[pissant]

You are aiming that I me, I take it. But frankly its been a two way street. Liar, troll, DUmmie, plant, etc get a little old hearing, frankly.

[Petronski]

Not here, not in the campaign war rooms and certainly not in the blogosphere.

Ah, but they ARE here. You've been warned.

[pissant]

No. it’s be polite to Fredheads, feel free to tear apart Mittsters, Paulites, Duncanistas, etc. That’s OK. One hand tied behind my back makes it a little fairer fight.

[Petronski]

No. it’s be polite to Fredheads, feel free to tear apart Mittsters, Paulites, Duncanistas, etc.

Again, I don't think you're conveying Jim Robinson's words accurately. It's all about being honest about fellow conservatives. That's it.

Courtesy ping to JR.

[hunter112]

I sure won’t vote for that POS trophy husband of Hillary’s!!!!!.....

Trophy? He's the 'booby' prize!

[anymouse]

I did read the “hit piece” article, did you?

[popdonnelly]

The AP exists to elect Democrats. Lots of pieces questioning Thompson as a candidate lately.

[pissant]

Hey, not my fault if you attack me then get your feelings hurt and need to run to Jim.

[mdittmar]

It’s o.k.,Fred Thompson would make a good Vice President.

[Petronski]

I mentioned him, and thus gave him a courtesy ping.

[pissant]

Bottom line is this. I agreed to follow Jim’s “suggestion”. How could I not. But I sure as heck am not going to sit here and have you call me a liar, and challenge me on benign threads. If you want to stop the warring, its up to you. Personally, i’d love to carry it on, but alas, the owner does not want that. I even suggested to Jim that we have a monthly or bi-weekly “bare knuckles” thread. It’s in your court.

[sanjacjake]

You don’t think we are being monitored? Gads..what
a relief. Daily Kos is worried about us....How about
our Free Republic hosting a Rep. Debate for the brave
and bold Pres. Candidates...?? Get Fox News and WSJ
to sponsor it....questions from the Freepers....JK

[Jim Robinson]

Bottom line is this: if you don’t like FR, leave.