Posted on 08/17/2007 4:39:51 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Too little and too late is what they’re saying in Iowa about Fred Thompson’s first trip there today as a possible presidential contender.
The former Tennessee senator’s still-unannounced bid for the Republican nomination was once thought to be an attractive vessel for conservatives looking for more options. But lackluster fundraising and a decision to delay his formal candidacy until after Labor Day threatens to sideline the television actor before he gets started.
Already, his schedule for today in Des Moines is drawing criticism as off the mark. The Des Moines Register notes that Thompson most needs to begin a meaningful dialogue with voters. But after reviewing his planned emphasis on photo-ops and private meetings with GOP leaders, the state’s largest newspaper concludes that “he will have hardly begun that task by the time he leaves Iowa this afternoon.”
Iowans expect a lot of face time from hopefuls for their leadoff nominating contest — and just having a familiar TV face will not be enough.
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Contributing Editor Craig Crawford is a news analyst for NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. He can be reached at ccrawford@cq.com.
I think the libs are afraid of a Thompson candidacy. When he announces, watch the hate factory go into high gear.
So much of what the left are saying and doing today, is exactly what they said and did when Reagan ran... they just opened up an old play book and started typing.
LLS
Craig Crawford is to political analysists as Britney Spears is to actresses...
BULLoney!
Craig Crawford gets his marching orders from Chrissy Matthews. Nuff said.
“Craig Crawford is an NBC/MSNBC lefty hack and the Des Moines Register (aka Red Star) is a far left rag...”
Yeah, but that List website he does is pretty cool. :)
The dims are already lining up the dump trucks. The trucks are filled with hate, smears, innuendo, rumors, lies, false stories, slander, slurs, mud to be slung, insults, abuse and dirt.
Once Fred announces the trucks will start dumping. I reckon the hardest task for the RATS will be deciding which trucks to dump and in what order. Timing will also be important.
It's gonna be awesome watching Fred rise above all this.
On the day Fred announces, every conservative backer ought to send him a campaign donation. He needs to pick up a few million to strike terror into the hearts of the msm. They want to run Rudy against Hillary because they have the goods on him, but they would have to work harder to try to destroy Fred.
Question for you: If you lived in Iowa and this guy says he wants your vote but refuses to participate in the debates and doesn’t bother to court you until after the Straw Poll and then shows up for a few photo ops at the Iowa State Fair - wouldn’t that just fry your rear to no end? It would me!
The reporter had lots of other ammo to use against Fred but to his credit didn’t go there and the Fred Heads should be grateful. (For example, Fred’s wife is running his campaign and apparently screwing it up royally.)
Read the AP report about his Iowa appearance. He went with Senator Grassley through the crowd at the State Fair. He barely stopped and talked to anybody. Grassley had to pull him over to where some people had gathered to meet him. The commentator said he was stiff and cold and rushed through the whole thing as fast as he could.
The same article pointed out his lobbying activities including his representing deposed Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Thompson refers to it as “lawyering.” How is selling access to your buddies in Congress “lawyering?” It’s influence-peddling, not lawyering. Anybody can do it including any old slimy ex-pols looking to make big bucks after they retire from their House or Senate seat. Thompson’s made over a million dollars selling his influence. And he’s made a living as a two bit movie actor in supporting roles. Real impressive.
This is the candidate that can beat Hillary? Forget about it.
I’m glad you said all that and not me. If it had been me, the FredHeads would have crucified me. Ha! Keep up the good work. Fred has been getting away with this stuff for way too long now and I have never understood how any self respecting conservative could support a guy who has refused to face off with the other guys in the debates.
I thought Fred did a great job, if his wife works with him and for him...great. I was a hairdresser for 40 years, my daughter was also a hairdresser and we worked together and had a great time..in her teen age years I used her as a model for hair shows, she loved it and her friends envied her and the fun we had...I can understand Fred and Jeri loving each other and loving what each stand for....Go Fred were with you....
I read the AP article. Here’s my favorite line: “Thompson raced through the jam-packed fair, stopping only to shake hands and chat with people who recognized and stopped him.”
Seems like he’s uncomfortable at a State Fair which is a bad omen for a guy running for President.
No, not if he was trying to stop the rush to turn the presidential elections into a full-time, round-the-clock job -- which it's becoming. Iowa has moved its polls up too far, too soon in an effort to get more ethanol money and more influence that its size merits.
I don't know if Fred will acquit himself well in the campaign or not, but I heartily endorse his effort to push back the beginning of the election by a few months.
“Thompson raced through the jam-packed fair, stopping only to shake hands and chat with people who recognized and stopped him.”
Of course, the reporter was probably a big fat liar. Silly me.
Question for you: how did John Kerry win the nomination last election and further, under your assumptions, Ronald Reagan shouldn’t have garnered a single vote since he had the audacity to wait until October... right?
ps. You can’t be serious can you? This looks like a fishing expedition but I figured I’d jump in anyway since I’m bored.
I’d like to see a 64 year old FDT “race” through the fair. If an Iowa state fair is anything like it is here, you aren’t going anywhere until everybody is good and ready. Kinda like a herd.
Then he later gave a great speech at the Register Soap Box. Fred exceeded all my expectations. The lefties have reason to fear him.
Apparently, according to Craig Crawford, FDT is a “has-been” before he was an “even-was” I guess.
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