Posted on 09/07/2007 1:38:39 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In a stunning move that caught no one by surprise, Fred Thompson announced that ... he's ... running ... for ... president.
Time to step up to the plate, he said.
And everybody hit their snooze buttons.
That Thompson is running for the highest office was a foregone anti-climax after months of testing, consulting, pondering, considering and, most important, letting the other candidates spend their money and exhaust Americans' interest with endless debates in which little new is said or learned.
The debates have become so boilerplate, in fact, that Thompson himself became one of the topics at Wednesday's forum in New Hampshire. Where was Fred?
Fred was chatting it up with Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" set, where he made his formal announcement. The other Republican candidates, doubtless weary from the previous 200 debates, took turns taking shots at Thompson.
Rudy Giuliani got off the best line, saying that he likes Thompson and thinks he's done a "pretty good job of playing my part on 'Law & Order.' I personally prefer the real thing."
The unflappable Thompson was in character when Leno asked him what he thought of the criticism. "It's a lot more difficult to get on 'The Tonight Show' than it is to get into a presidential debate," he deadpanned.
Despite criticism that Thompson played the Hollywood card by going on Leno's show, he was able to make some serious points about Iraq (stay until the country is stable), and complete his thoughts in paragraphs without interruption.
On important matters, Thompson is as serious as the DA he plays on television. And just as direct, as when he described Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as "a fellow who is not put together well upstairs running the country." As president, Thompson might have to be more diplomatic, but such frank talk is refreshing when most public figures are measuring their words with espresso spoons.
Thompson prompted applause when he answered Leno's question about why the U.S. isn't more popular with other countries. "What are we doing wrong?" Leno asked.
Powerful countries tend to attract envy and resentment, Thompson began. That's the price of being the biggest, strongest nation in the world. A 6-foot-6 man like Thompson might know something about that. But then he shifted focus from what we've done wrong to what we've done right:
"Our people have shed more blood for the liberty and freedom of other peoples ... than all the other countries put together. (Applause.) And I don't feel any need to apologize for the United States of America."
There's still much to know about this latest addition to the White House race, but as first impressions go, Thompson has at least two things going for him: He's utterly lacking in hubris -- or so it seems -- and he can communicate. If presidents are elected in reaction to the previous officeholder, that's a strong hand.
It is also impossible to picture Thompson as a cheerleader.
Whether he can get nominated is another question, but he already holds the No. 2 slot in the polls behind Giuliani. On the Internet, Thompson's Web site (ImWithFred) had the most unique visitors in July among the Republican candidates, according to a new Nielsen report. Barack Obama leads all the candidates in Web traffic.
Whatever happens next, Thompson at least gave commentators something new to talk about. Was it a mistake to go on Leno instead of the debate, they wondered? And, did he sign on too late, they speculated? Is he a team player?
Thompson must have chuckled all the way to Iowa. Too late for what? Most Americans still don't know who's running and don't share the punditry's obsession with quantifying who's up and who's down every 24-hour cycle. If they're watching television, they're more likely watching Leno, who averaged 5.9 million viewers in 2006, instead of the presidential debates, which tend to draw between 1 million and 2 million viewers, according to Variety.
By setting himself apart from the gaggle and having a one-on-one chat with 6 million Americans, Thompson messed up the political ecosystem. In a single well-timed appearance, he made up for a late start and got exposure and buzz. And it didn't cost him a dime.
Some mistake.
I was more focused on a lead in to post my sea urchin. Pretty, no?
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Unfair, and disappointing.
I honestly don’t think it’s about name recognition. I think he’s a micromanager. You can hear it every time he speaks. His battlefield scenarios are like porn to his supporters, but offer little or nothing to the public at large to support. He keeps droning on and on about the wall.
I want a guy who’s gonna get a wall built, but I start to worry when the guy’s got a hammer and nails in his hands marching down to do it himself.
What do you really expect from a dem? Look at who they are......criminals/felons/welfare moms/people who can’t speak english, immigrants and superjealous/bitter people who would rather see the USA turn into a third world nation that have a rich white person.
Yes, I too felt equating our military quota with meaningless details was unfair and I too was disappointed.
That it is. :)
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I'm sorry Hunter didn't have more success this time around. He's a good man, but he will not be the Republican nominee.
We shall see.
I like Hunter. I think he’s a good man, but few people are aware of him. He’s simply not going to establish himself in time. If Thompson chooses him for some role in his administration, Hunter may be able to go on for another run at the presidency at a later date.
Unfortunately, it’s not the stupidest thing that I’ve heard from the Duncanders.
Americans want to vote for someone who lets them sleep with both eyes closed.
Unfortunately I think you are one of the only 10 people who did.
Then I stand with the best :)
:>)
Good one!
That has been Hunter’s line since his first announcement speech.
If you’re just now asking that question...YOU got in too late. LOL
TeeHee.
FRed, you magnificent bast*rd!
I could care less. I have been worn down and my voting standards have been shamelessly lowered . I voted for elitists fratboys named George or Jorge Bush for President not once but FOUR times. After that I welcome, a mediocre actor with a political meddling trophy wife and who played footsies with and looked up to the likes of INSANE MCCAIN. The GOP is no longer the party of Reagan, Eisenhower, or even the tricky one, Dick Nixon for that matter.
The MSM does not repeat any good lines by conservatives. Only mispronunciations or attacks on each other will be seen in the MSM. I don't know how we can get through to the masses in this country. We preach to the choir on the internet, comforting though it is.
Nonresponsive. What was the point of your comment? Or were you avoiding making a response?
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