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Reacting to Fred on Jay Leno
The National Review ^ | September 6, 2007 | Jim Geraghty

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.


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: ahmedinijad; conservatism; conservatives; electionpresident; elections; fredthompson; gop; iran; jayleno; mccainlite; nopandering; reaganesque; republicans
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To: TaxxMann

I was surprised to read that Reagan was a member of the CFR. His national security group was made up of CFR George P. Schultz, CFR/T, Henry Kissinger, CFR, William Casey, CFR/T Casper Weinberger, and CFR Gen. David Jones with David Rockefeller (Chairman of CFR/T) being an unofficial advisor.


121 posted on 09/06/2007 5:05:54 PM PDT by janetgreen
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To: Osage Orange
Very simple. I knew Fred had had cancer, but IMO that's an arguable issue. All I was reacting to was a couple of incidental shots on Fox news over the last couple of weeks, especially in short sleeves. The arms sure didn't look like he's working out. They're just plain thin. He wasn't walking steadily. He was somewhat stooped. He didn't look like a man who was ready for a serious marathon.

Take it any way you like. I am a Hunter supporter and perhaps this may bias me, but my initial reaction was visceral. He did not look well.

The last thing we need is a candidate who sucks up all the conservative oxygen only to turn the race over to the RINOs.

122 posted on 09/06/2007 5:06:42 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The fourth estate is the fifth column.)
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To: Carry_Okie

Time will tell.........


123 posted on 09/06/2007 5:08:39 PM PDT by Osage Orange (The old/liberal/socialist media is the most ruthless and destructive enemy of this country.)
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To: bcsco

I guess you haven’t seen the new President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, speak.


124 posted on 09/06/2007 5:11:58 PM PDT by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: oldironsides
Why doesn’t this candidate have a small bit of facial surgery done. Nothing major. Bags under his eyes bother us...

How about some botox? It worked so well for the French candidate...


125 posted on 09/06/2007 5:13:15 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (The Democrat Party: radical Islam's last hope)
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To: Osage Orange
Yup. I don't wish ill health on anybody. For all I know the stoop is the habitual result of being a very tall guy. It's just how I reacted at the time.
126 posted on 09/06/2007 5:16:54 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The fourth estate is the fifth column.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I thought Fred was great on Leno.

He did not meander. He did not look tired.

He had a command of the subjects addressed.

It was great to listen to someone without fearing that a word was going to be mispronounced or that something inane was going to be said.

Fred came across very presidential.

127 posted on 09/06/2007 5:19:56 PM PDT by Rum Tum Tugger
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To: Cincinna
I guess you haven’t seen the new President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, speak.

You mean while the rest of France was on their month-long vacation, after their tiring 30-35 hour work week? (For those who DO work, that is). No, I guessed I missed it. Had to be pretty good, though to carry the water for the rest of the "un-peppy" state.

128 posted on 09/06/2007 5:24:44 PM PDT by bcsco ("The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control immigration.")
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To: PerConPat
The comment was not a swipe at Fred. Rather an observation. Some friends went to chemo and were tired and worn out at the end of the treatment. They looked gaunt. A couple of months and they were much better. I bet Fred will look better in a few months also.
129 posted on 09/06/2007 5:29:04 PM PDT by Nuc1 (NUC1 Sub pusher SSN 668 (Liberals Aren't Patriots))
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To: bcsco

You are so far behind the times.

Sarko has been in office for less than four months. In his first 100 days, he has done more to change France than in the past 50 years.

He also vacationed in New Hampshire, led the French people in mourning at the funeral of Cardinal Lustiger, and visited with the Bush family in Kennebunkport.

If that ain’t “peps” and real change, I don’t know what is.


130 posted on 09/06/2007 5:30:12 PM PDT by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO :: Keep the Arkansas Grifters out of the White house.)
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To: Rum Tum Tugger

He appeared disinterested in his own campaign announcement. Does he know how to smile?


131 posted on 09/06/2007 5:31:27 PM PDT by asparagus
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To: mmanager
No slight intended. Just an observation. Friends of mine at the end of chemo were thin and gaunt. A possible reason he delayed entry into the race. The treatment is not an easy experience. I wish him well. And you also.
132 posted on 09/06/2007 5:33:28 PM PDT by Nuc1 (NUC1 Sub pusher SSN 668 (Liberals Aren't Patriots))
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To: Rum Tum Tugger
“It was great to listen to someone without fearing that a word was going to be mispronounced or that something inane was going to be said”

Laughing now, but it is a serious thing. Half of the power of the presidency is being able to articulate a message and vision, and Bush can do neither (at least not usually). IMO Fred would be one of the most effective presidents, from the standpoint of being able to effectively communicate, that we have ever had.

So far in my life Reagan was the only president that I actually voted for, as opposed to voting against the other guy (the lesser of two evils scenario). I would love to vote for Fred with that kind of conviction. I want him to be that candidate, but after Bush I intend to scrutinize every word and action - I’m tired of being sold a thoroughbred only to find out later it is a mule.

133 posted on 09/06/2007 5:36:11 PM PDT by Carbonado
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To: freekitty

Yes it is. If he parted the red sea, people would accuse him of being too lazy to swim across.


134 posted on 09/06/2007 5:43:24 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (John Cox 2008: Because Duncan Hunter just isn't obscure enough for me!)
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To: cubreporter

Hah! You must’ve thought that Lyndon Johnson was a heart-throb.


135 posted on 09/06/2007 5:47:12 PM PDT by Palladin (Satan to Fidel: "Let me light your cigar.")
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To: ParityErr

Fred would make a fine Sherriff.


136 posted on 09/06/2007 5:47:53 PM PDT by Palladin (Satan to Fidel: "Let me light your cigar.")
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Fred is tired looking and boring. Makes Coolidge look like a rock star. This will be a difficult race.


137 posted on 09/06/2007 5:48:16 PM PDT by gotribe (I've been disenfranchised by the GOP.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
To the person on Fred's campaign staff who reads FR -

1. Thank Fred for jumping into this race.

2. Fred looked 10 feet tall by not being on the same stage as that nut Ron Paul.

3. Our nation can ill afford 8 years of another Clinton. Please keep that in mind when you are tired at the end of a long day. Now that you are in the race, win the race.

4. Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican - be funny instead. It makes your point but doesn't make it impossible to have that person on the ticket.

5. The Vols lost to the dirty hippies at Berkley last weekend. I hate loosing to hippies Fred. I'll be damned if I want to see you loose to them. It's going to be a long season in Knoxville, keep that in mind when the MSM is saying something nasty about you.

Thank you,

Volunteer

138 posted on 09/06/2007 6:01:18 PM PDT by Volunteer (Just so you know, I am ashamed the Dixie Chicks make records in Nashville.)
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To: bcsco
I am guessing that he’s not a very good manager and his organization will fall apart from within.

And you're claiming this based on what inside information?

Based on being a Mitt supporter, of course.

139 posted on 09/06/2007 6:01:59 PM PDT by greyfoxx39 (He really DID do it! Go, Fred Go!)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

By any chance, have you seen the Democratic frontrunner? Talk about old and tired... Fred looks like Brad Pitt next to the beast!


140 posted on 09/06/2007 6:06:00 PM PDT by CT102ndInfSister
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