Posted on 09/07/2007 12:27:54 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
The Reviews Are In: Thompson's Roll Out Falls Flat
Former lobbyist turned Senator, turned actor Fred Thompson is facing the sting of critics the day after a lackluster roll out of his delayed campaign for the GOP nomination. After only one day of attempting to woo voters in Iowa with his down-home routine, Thompson's performance evoked words like, boring, unimpressive, rambling, whimper, small, pathetic and low energy. Coinciding with yesterday's poor performance were stories about a Thompson aide chiding the role of Iowa's "first in the nation" status as well as news that Thompson accepted donations from a family charged with ripping off state and local government Medicaid funds.
One unorthodox review from a film critic said of Thompson's 15 minute web-video announcement, "it appears there isn't a cliché--or bromide, or old saw, or standby--he doesn't love." [The Politico, 9/6/07]
"After all the hype and buzz surrounding Thompson's entrance into the race, yesterday's lackluster performance proved that Thompson is just not ready for prime time," said Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Amaya Smith. "While other GOP candidates have had months to work out the kinks and fine tune their flip-flops, Fred Thompson is just getting started. Unlike Hollywood, there are no second takes and Thompson has already shown that he just can't cut it."
Lights, Camera… Cut! Thompson's Campaign Off to a Rocky Start Thompson's Kick Off Dubbed Unimpressive. "The former U.S. Senator and movie actor formally announced his long-awaited candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination at the Des Moines Convention Complex. It wasn't very impressive. The crowd of a few hundred didn't seem enthused. Thompson's oratory didn't soar but was somewhat rambling. He would have been better off just to repeat the announcement statement he posted on his web site. It is much better written and cogently delivered." [Tom Beaumont, DMRegister.com, Link]
Thompson Aide Snubs Iowa. "Former Sen. Fred Thompson chose Iowa Thursday to kick-off his bid for the White House, but at least one of his top aides has recently expressed frustration with the Hawkeye State's influence in the presidential nominating process. 'It's time to put America first and make Iowa go last,' Karen Hanretty wrote in the Hill's pundits blog on August 10. She recently joined Thompson's presidential campaign as deputy communications director." [CNN, 9/6/07]
Thompson Takes Tainted Cash From Fraudulent Donor. "Fred Thompson accepted at least $13,800 from a Tennessee family that oversaw a pharmaceutical company accused of ripping off federal and state governments. Though the contributions could become fodder for his critics as he officially launches his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, the Thompson campaign defended the family's support and pledged to keep the cash." [The Politico, 9/7/07]
Thompson's Speech Deemed Boring. "Written, aides said, by Thompson himself and contained in notecards that the candidate took with him to the podium, the speech was unnaturally quiet and reserved. There were a few moments of stirring language that gave rise to some applause. But for the most part, it was serious and thoughtful and - boring?" [WashingtonPost.com, 9/6/07]
Thompson's Campaign Dubbed Pathetic. "I'm writing from the filing center that the Thompson campaign has set up in the Polk County Convention Complex, and the verdict from the grizzled and cynical Des Moines press corps is harsh: 'Pathetic' was the word used by one vet. 'Small' and 'low energy' were the words used to describe the crowd. It's hard to disagree with that general take. The campaign -- as campaigns do -- deliberately chose a small room to amplify the size of the crowd. But even the small room was a good deal less than full. A couple volunteers (I assume) tried to start up a chant of 'Go, Fred, Go!' during the speech. It ended pretty quickly. One woman fainted, but it probably wasn't from heat (the room was nicely air conditioned) and it definitely wasn't excitement." [New York Sun, Latestpolitics.com Link, 9/6/07]
Oh, this is a DNC communique? For a moment I thought it was a vanity by one of Mitt’s sleazy dirtbag supporters.
Scared s**tless they are! LOL
Ping!
1.) The DNC fax machines are getting a workout.
2.) The fear of FRed is pervasive on the left.
3.) This the best they’ve got????
The DNC bedwetters are really worried about this boogeyman. Leave the nightlight on Mr. Dean. And get one of those giant jugs of bleach next time you’re at Costco. You’re going to have a lot of laundry to do.
They’re afraid. They’re very afraid.
Go tell that to the Mittites, who bash, slander and defame Fred and his supporters in a manner reminiscent of the KlinToon lie-machine at every possible opportunity. I'm not backing off. I played nice for a long time, but they've pushed things too far.
That was her job to say. How did she get to be such an authority? Must have good “screenwriters” of her own.
I didn’t see the campaign launch, but based on the general reliability of information from the DNC, I’m going to assume that it went just fine.
I smell fear.
For some bizarre reason I have an image in my head of a pot and a kettle.
Bob Dole II
“”Just because people are supporting a different candidate is no reason to mudsling like a Clinton.””
An awful lot of FR energy has been expended defending Ronald Reagan from the Romney crowd, and that is only a part of it.
Their attack machines are on "full-auto" now, and Fred is ready.
LOL! Howard, thanks for reminding us that you are dumb enough to bring this when one of your biggest criminal fundraisers has been on the lam and making headlines for weeks.
The campaign launch went great!
Its not like the DNC is going to come out and say:
“Wow, Fred’s entrance into the race really rocked, he will be a force to contend with I hope we are up for it.”
Sounds like somebody’s scared Mittless.
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