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.
Fred has my vote also and a check waiting for me to mail it in the morning. It’s not much, but every little bit helps.
Wasn’t Reagan a member of CFR too?
Not on the basis of the picture you posted with this comment. He looks terrible in that picture.
Haley Barbour
Wish he would run for prez
Another sharp mind and great speaker
Just Visaed him $200
Neither do the French.
It’s a promising start. And IMHO, he’s more likely than not to be the nominee, barring any serious mistakes.
because men, in particular, look absolutely ridiculous when they have plastic surgery.
I can spot it a mile away and it sends a strong message that they’re weak because looks are too important to them.
One thing about Fred: I don’t see his negatives ever getting near the Hillary range (40% to 50% of the public having a negative opinion of her). I think that Fred, for the most part, will go over well with independents, and even a good number of registered Democrats. There’s an image of President Bush out there with many Americans (deserved or not) of incompetence. Fred gives the impression of a sober, stable, mature adult who will keep a handle on things. 2008 will be a particularly good time for the Republican party to have a candidate who seems to have those qualities.
After listening to his pitch on the “fred08” website, the only things I am still concerned about: 1) His assessment of immigtation is restricted to securing the border (which is an excellent start) but he never addresses the larger issue of the millions already here driving down wages and creating a somewhat (already) Balkanized society and 2) His mention of “Security and Prosperity” at the end of his statement begs the last word “Partnership”. Yeah, I know I will be accused of wearing my tin foil hat to go there, but I just don’t believe in conicidences anymore.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
I think he has lost weight to get ready for his campaign. The problem with that is it usually makes a gentleman of a mature age look older, not so much healthier. The extra weight flattened some of the wrinkles.
I do like him though. I need to visit his web site and read more about his opinions though. Unless something very drastic happens and he turns out to be an imposter (which I seriously doubt) I will be voting for him.
“He has probably been on chemo therapy.”
Nice, real nice. We Fred’s have been waiting for this for six months. Why don’t you just go-away. What a scum-bag for saying that.
Okay... I did get adultress wrong. My point is that when someone is desperate to denigrate someone at all costs, they aren’t likely to be very careful about making sure the facts behind their complaint jive with reality.
If that's the story, it doesn't look like it's working.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN3z4mqRn7I
He touches on it at the beginning of this video, which is part 2 of his first interview back in March with Chris Wallace. He favors attrition, stopping the incentives and securing the borders.
Neither is your little trolling game you’re playing here on FreeRepublic, so I guess you’re both even.
That’s not true.
Working?
What do you mean by that?
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