Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Quick Reference
Fred Thompson FAQ: THE Fred Thompson Web Resource
Posted on 08/03/2007 7:51:45 AM PDT by Josh Painter
A few months ago, when Fred Thompson first began to ruminate about running for the White House, I wondered aloud about just what line of attack the MSM would settle upon when they began going after Thompson in earnest. There were several candidates, but the one I thought would be their favorite charge would be that of the "he's just an actor" meme. And it looks like this is, indeed, the winning MSM charge against Thompson, as since my first article, the line has been used in many more Thompson hit pieces promulgated by the MSM.
Here Mr. Thompson is in good company, though. Who else but Ronald Reagan was and is still being called "just an actor" by denizens of the leftist MSM? But, I don't think I'd worry that the charge will gain any more legitimacy with Fred Thompson than it did with Ronald Reagan, the man who won the Cold War. In fact, as each decade passes, Reagan gains more and more credibility as his legacy is reassessed by less partisan thinkers as the media of his own day passes mercifully from the scene.
Do not mistake me to be saying that Thompson is a new Ronald Reagan, though. It is too easy to fall into this misleading mode of thinking. Reagan was a one of a kind, to be sure. But many of the qualities that made Ronald Reagan the man for his age can be found in one Fred Thompson. While calling Thompson the next Reagan is not helpful, calling him a Reaganite, however, is more accurate.
Still, it seems that the "he's just an actor" line is the bat the MSM will use the most as they come after Fred Thompson.
I have previously brought you a hit piece by Jennifer Rubin in the New York Observer where Rubin uses the "just an actor" line of attack.
Then there was the vapid Alessandra Stanley, a TV writer who's whole New York Times piece was a "just an actor" attack.
There is a whole slew of "he's just an actor" lines in the MSM.
The UK's Timesonline
The New Statesman tries their hand at the favored line, too.
And so does New York Magazine.
The latest was penned by the clueless Michael Hirsh of Newsweek.
In fact, in just about any story about Fred Thompson by the MSM you can find at least one crack about him being "just an actor."
So, I think we can safely say that we have identified the main MSM attack line for Fred Thompson.
Yeah, Reagan was “just and actor”, too. And HE kicked their liberal a$$e$ everytime.............Sam? Sam Donaldson? Izzat you?........
Yeah, he’s just an actor...
Just an actor...
Just an actor...
Just an actor...
Just an actor...
Wait, got in a daze, were we talking about Reagan again...
I’ve concluded that Thompson is actually going after the no. 2 spot. If he’s running for President, then he’s goofed it up.
The longer Thompson waits the more others will try to define him - it’s classic politics. It may work to his advantage and then again it may not.
You’re definitely living up to your screen name with that conclusion.
“The Reverend” Al Sharpton (D) was just a charlatan but the MSM didn’t mention it when he ran for the White House.
The New York Times is just fishwrap.
Katie Couric is just an actor who is paid to read a teleprompter.
Hunter-Thompson 2008
I like it.
Thompson has directly answered the VP question and said he will never want to be Vice President. This rumor needs to be put to rest as the question has already been asked and answered.
We need a woman in the VP spot or we’re gonna get killed by the moderates.
Wasn’t Reagan’s military experience in the movie division? He acted in a film helping pilots recognize Jap Zeros vs. P-40s.
Not just another actor, but just another lawyer.
I just love it when people give me an excuse to post this:
I think conservatives are PO'd at the Bush GOP and are not ready for any of them.
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Heh.
Welcome to Free Republic.
Thank you for bringing your insight forward as to the hearts and minds of conservatives on this forum.
Although, you may have missed the point.
Fred Thompson is going to be the next President of the United States.
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