Posted on 09/06/2007 2:55:52 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
I held off on assessing the transcript, I wanted to see how Fred Thompson came across to a viewing audience.
The Upsides: Thompson is a likeable figure. He comes across as a decent man; there's none of the I-don't-trust-this-guy-slickness of John Edwards or the brittleness of Hillary. When he hits a line, like "our people have shed more blood for the liberty and freedom of other peoples in this country than all the other countries put together," it really works; that one spurred some "whoo!"s from the audience, and not every politician can do that. And I think some of Thompson's arguments are going to get some conservatives to say, "Yeah, that's what I've been thinking all along!" like his line regarding Iran that "they've got a fellow who is not put together well upstairs running the country." The question of Ahmedinijad's sanity is one that decent respectable foreign policy thinkers aren't supposed to bring up; we're supposed to act as if his talk of the Twelfth Imam and green auras and United Nations delegates not blinking for hours at a time is perfectly normal behavior. Fred just comes out and says what everyone's thinking.
The Downsides: Has he lost weight? I mean, a lot of weight? I had been skeptical that issues of age and health would be an issue, but he looked a lot lighter than I'm used to seeing. I know he's no spring chicken, but he looked old. I see what the critics have been saying about his monotone voice inflection and energy level. I thought it was a little odd that after he announced he was running, he didn't smile.
Some of the longer answers to questions meandered... quite a bit. I don't know if his answer on Iraq persuaded any war skeptic. He'll need some polish, even though no one was expecting a policy lesson to the Tonight Show audience.
The Double-Edged Sword: Is it just me, or does Thompson come across as a guy who just doesn't give enough of a hoot to pander? There was nothing artificial about him, nothing prepackaged. Not only does he not smell of desperate effort to be liked by the audience, he seems like he's equally happy with winning or with going home to a happy life with Jeri, the kids, and playing an authority figure in whatever upcoming television project Dick Wolf has. This does not seem like a man who will flip-flop depending on political winds; if you don't like him... he really doesn't seem to care.
Initial assessment: Thompson won't flop. But whether he can win is another question, one that will take a lot more than one night to answer.
Yeah, he did look old and tired. Said the right things though.
That's one of the things I really like about him!
This may upset some folks but I have to say it. Why doesn’t this candidate have a small bit of facial surgery done. Nothing major. Bags under his eyes bother us.........:>) He should have done it long ago. It matters.
I think he is and he is entering the race for the right reason, for the future of this country. I think it is his children that have given him the drive and he will sharpen with time. The libs, ‘rats and their enablers in the press know he is the real deal and we are in for a wild ride...
AND, I would say...
there's none of the I-don't-trust-this-guy-slickness of RINOS rudy and mitt.
If he walked on water, some would say he was just too lazy to swim.
Yep! Fred has my vote for sure!!
Thompson may be what the Republican Party needs to spark more interest in the Primaries. The Dems. have people like Obama and Hillary on the air everyday. Many people are already tired and bored with Hillary. Thompson served in the Senate and on the Watergate Committee Hearings with Hillary and probably knows her tactics and hopefully will be willing to speak out about her lack of qualifications.
The Republican Party needs more excitement for sure. Most people can only name one or two people running for President.
I agree! One of the things I liked about Bush was that he seemed to want to be President to help the country, but if he didn’t win he’d be okay going back to his Ranch. Thompson seems to have the same attitude. People like Hillary and Edwards seem desperate for the job, because their lives are empty without power.
If he were to be endorsed by Jesus Christ himself, people would scoff that Fred was being endorsed by someone who is weak on crime and supports government taxation.
Fred is awesome.
I've been telling you this for a week. It's obvious.
So, he doesn’t come across as politically driven or power drunk. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
I didn’t catch this appearance, but watched his appearance on YouTube earlier this year, and he comes across as easy and natural. Also not a bad thing.
He looked slimmer, but I understand that he has been getting physically fit.
Great line!!!!!
Me too. With Fred, what you see is what you get. There’s no secrets, no pandering, no flipflops. Just Good ol “I calls em as I sees em” Fred.
And he’s been excersizing a lot lately trying to get back into campaign mode, it makes sense that he would get back into shape as part of being president.
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