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.
Ron Paul is 72??????????? WOW!
Fred seems like a very genuine man. He is also, though an older man, a very nice looking one as well. I do want him to lie down with some cold tea bags on his eyes before appearances for the bags under his eyes. He does NOT need to get surgery, but there are simple cosmetic creams and even home remedies that are good for undereye bags. Not to harp on it, but Fred needs to get something for the bags under his eyes. It’s the only thing that makes him look tired. He can borrow some of Jeri’s beauty cream or something and not be so macho about it. You can bet Hillary is using everything in the Estee Lauder bag of tricks to keep her undereye bags at bay. Please Fred!! Don’t be so macho; I know how Southern men can be about anything they consider “sissy”. I’m telling you the truth!
So what if he’s a one-termer. In the next few years someone will be replacing a few members of the SCOTUS.
I would prefer Fred, or Duncan and not Rudy, Mitt or Hillary be doing the nominating.
Reminds me of the days when my twin brothers were little. Come to think of it there probably isn't a picture of me as a youngster with shoes on.
I agree with your comments and hopes. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Take care.
I can't be sure he's not another globalist like Bush/Clinton/Bush, the last thing America needs right now.
That fact that he will most likely be a one termer makes his VP pick that more important
That really was my only point.
But here's one thing I noticed. Fred has a great way of communicating when things are quiet and everyone is paying attention to you, such as it was on the Leno show. How is he going to stand out among 9 other candidates on stage? Can he get animated and smack down Paul the way Huckabee attempted (and failed)? If he's looking to play the part of the wise old conservative warrior, that part is already filled, by John McCain. The interesting thing about the race now is that Huckabee keeps gaining ground among conservatives. This lends even more importance to Mitt's early state strategy. If no candidate grabs more than 20% of the vote in national polls, people are going to start looking for a winner to rally around. If Mitt strings together three wins in Iowa, NH, and Michigan, he will perform well enough in SC and FL to convince many Americans that he is the guy. I don't see Fred being able to increase his "market share" above what it is now. But, hey, I've been wrong before! I think it will be one heck of a race and I'm grabbing my popcorn to see how the rest of it plays out.
Congratulations to FredHeads! You're guy is finally in the race!
His age, the political climate, dealing with a war, his age and most important his children will be moving into early teens and he will be moving into older age,
He won't want to miss their growing years for another four years
So, who would you like to see run as Thompsons VP?
Hunter?
Gov. Bush?
Steele?
or ???
Yeah. Lincoln should have had a lift too....looked way too old to lead.
“Yeah, he did look old and tired”
I remember many saying that about Ronald Reagan in 1980... and I worked for his campaign in my State.
LLS
He does not have recurring cancer... he has released medical records stating such just weeks ago. Brit Hume covered it.
LLS
Well, my short list would be Newt, Hunter, Huckabee, in that order
I like that about Fred Thompson too. I also liked the fact that when, I think it was Sean Hannity who interviewed him before he announced, that Sean said he showed up by himself and left my himself. No crowd of sycophants around him. I think Sean was impressed as well.
And you're claiming this based on what inside information?
It's the POLICIES that matter to the 300 million plus citizens of this superpower. Not bags under the eyes, monotone speech pattern, or acting ability.
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