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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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Comment #41 Removed by Moderator

To: GOP_Party_Animal

He lost weight because he’s been on an aggressive diet & exercise program. Running a fair amount to “get back in fighting shape” so to speak.


42 posted on 09/06/2007 3:33:00 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Fred Thompson)
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To: Reagan Man

RM, that’s a great link and a great post. I hope you spread it around a while so people can see it.


43 posted on 09/06/2007 3:33:38 PM PDT by Petronski (Cleveland Indians: Pennant -17)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I went to http://fred08.com/index.aspx, and watched his introductory video (about 15 minutes). I'm more inclined to support him now, than I was before.
44 posted on 09/06/2007 3:33:38 PM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: fdt44

What a wonderful picture of FRED!! Thanks for posting it. Welcome to FReerepublic fdt44!!!


45 posted on 09/06/2007 3:35:24 PM PDT by VirginiaMom
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To: Spunky
"he had this annoying habit of slapping his leg."

Better than Larry Craig's annoying habit of tapping his foot...

46 posted on 09/06/2007 3:36:27 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: Primetimedonna
People like Hillary and Edwards seem desperate for the job, because their lives are empty without power being able to screw up other peoples' lives.

Fixed it.

47 posted on 09/06/2007 3:37:02 PM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Fred reminds me of Sheriff Taylor on the Andy Griffith show. Down to earth, straight shooter, and doesn’t talk down to the people.


48 posted on 09/06/2007 3:38:09 PM PDT by ParityErr (It's impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.)
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To: Carry_Okie

Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve been spouting nonsense for way more than a week. There have been numerous articles that have detailed Fred’s recent work to get fit for this campaign. You’ve been told before why he’s lost weight.


49 posted on 09/06/2007 3:40:16 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (John Cox 2008: Because Duncan Hunter just isn't obscure enough for me!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Fred speaks to that inner place in all of us that recognizes a persons sincerity, honesty, love of fellow man and finally, love of country.

Yes, Fred is the real deal. He has my full support.


50 posted on 09/06/2007 3:41:11 PM PDT by vietvet67
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To: fdt44

Nice screen name. :)


51 posted on 09/06/2007 3:41:24 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (John Cox 2008: Because Duncan Hunter just isn't obscure enough for me!)
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To: Primetimedonna
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.

That is what I DON'T like

That is the mark of a person with no ideals

Can you imagine Reagan saying that

I think not

He would have said he will continue to work hard in anyway he can to -------------------------etc
52 posted on 09/06/2007 3:41:37 PM PDT by uncbob (m first)
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To: billorites

That’s a good one! hahahahahahaha

Fred’s personality and record are in start contrast to the “conservatives” who currently inhabit the top of the polls, The RINOS are going to look even more foolish when they’re standing next to fred during the debates (and below him on the polls)


53 posted on 09/06/2007 3:42:17 PM PDT by Tears of a Clown
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
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.

Although I'm not convinced of Fred's conservativeness (is that a word?), especially on illegal immigration, I think he comes across extremely well. He's beyond likeable - he gives off a aura of being comfortable with himself and that makes others comfortable. He comes across as grandfatherly, self-assured, wise, calm, and down to earth. It's humorous to think of him debating Hillary, who is the exact opposite.
54 posted on 09/06/2007 3:43:07 PM PDT by CottonBall
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To: Petronski

Thanks, Petronski.

I’ll spread it around best I can.

Btw, I’m listening to the Rooty shills at Fox News -— MortK. and Fred Barnes -— give kudos to FredT for his campaign startup. Yes!!!


55 posted on 09/06/2007 3:44:07 PM PDT by Reagan Man (FUHGETTABOUTIT Rudy....... Conservatives don't vote for liberals!)
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To: fdt44

Please post the pic on your personal page of Fred with Larry the Cable Guy!


56 posted on 09/06/2007 3:44:19 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Our next president: Fred Thompson!! http://www.ImWithFred.com)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The competition should be real worried about Fred.

57 posted on 09/06/2007 3:44:35 PM PDT by vortigern (Defeat the RINOs: Bennett (R-UT), Craig (R-ID), Graham (R-SC), Gregg (R-NH), Hagel (R-NE), Kyl (R-AZ)
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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.........:>)

Well, presidents seem to able about 10 years for every 1 in office. Maybe he didn't think it would matter...
58 posted on 09/06/2007 3:45:11 PM PDT by CottonBall
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

LOL!


59 posted on 09/06/2007 3:46:29 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: Spunky

Completely agree!!! Geez, it sounded like his leg was miked!!

I really hadn’t seen him before, but left unimpressed. Wish he would have left more time for Jerome....

Really not impressed with much of anything I saw last night...hope Huckabee gets the VP nod-—maybe good with Rudy in a big tent approach.

Alas...go ahead...I know that’s not popular...yawn..


60 posted on 09/06/2007 3:46:31 PM PDT by KsSunflower
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