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.
What a terrific picture! Those kids are precious!
The thing that gets me is he truly seems to be his own man. I don’t see this guy pandering to no one - not a single soul - not ever.
If somebody on his campaign does something he doesn’t like, he will tell him to take a hike. In no uncertain terms.
And I remember watching West Wing on occasion and always being outraged when they’d start up “Well, if you say it this way, it’ll appeal to the gizniaks and we’ll get another 5 percent out of it”
Sad, but politics really is played that way.
But I don’t see Fred doing that. He’ll say what he means, and mean what he says, in his own way.
Well, that’s pretty much the way I see it too. I’ve been disappointed before though. I like Fred, but I do need to know more.
Thanks for the post.
If Fred serves two terms, his daughter will only be about 14 when he leaves the White House, and their son will only be about 10. Seems to be a good time to do this. His kids will have wonderful memories of growing up in the White House, but will still have their teenage years in their own home, and will be able to live their lives normally, though they’ll have that famous history.
I want real republicans, not Democrat-lites.
I want true republicans. Goldwater republicans. People we can trust, who won’t be coming out of the closet next week or having shenanigans in the men’s room.
I’m freakin sick of what we got. There is no difference at all between which side of the aisle they’re sitting on. They’ll pander to anyone or say whatever they need to do one thing - get re-elected.
If our Congress was concerned at all about the American people, they’d be screamin bloody murder over the junk coming from China. And the border. And a dozen other things.
Nope, he's in remission, and has been for a while.
How did he vote?
Who does he surround himself with?
Where has he taken money from?
What are his endorsements, friendly organizations supporting him, and vote index rating (report card) with conservative or liberal organizations?
ROTFL! So true, on both counts!
Oh, right, because Her Heinous is just so young and vibrant.
Now’s the time to push those candidates who will be the conservatives that we need. With a more conservative nominee, he can get out and campaign for them and bring them along with him.
I don’t go by looks. I go by intelligence and character.
Well the mental midget as you call him fooled everyone. Fred hasn’t the same fire as Reagan becuase he is just begining. The man has been official for a day and the attacks come as predicted. Surprise...surprise.
If only....
but theyw were wrong
but theyw were wrong
Thanks. Good night.
Fred released his med records. Please elaborate.
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