Thompson Hits Bump on the Stump

Wall Street Journal ^ | October 4, 2008 | Amy Schatz

[Sans-Culotte]

When this thread started, I was worried that Fred must be slipping. Having read it all, I see that Freepers who support other candidates showed up and gave me a false impression. Fred has not changed anything since he intimated he might run. what was refreshing and honest a couple of months ago is now boring?

Of the current field, Fred is my choice. At one point I thought Romney would play well to America, but thus far, he seems to be making little impact. Boring old Fred (who only just entered the race) is still polling better than Mitt, and I am almost even with Hunter in the polls.

[donnab]

I dont want a movie star, I dont want pizazz.
I want meat and potatoes...in other words substance.
If he hit the right buttons whats the problem?

[carton253]

The problem? He is not a stepford candidate.

[carton253]

No, its easier to criticize than praise. Personally, most on those thread who are criticizing Fred will only be satisfied with a stepford candidate. He doesn't exist...

Don't worry about Fred. The dogs bark, but the caravan passes on.

[LS]

Because, like it or lump it, we are in a television, 10-second soundbite society. This isn't the days of Lincoln where people listened to speeches for 2 hours. ANYONE who doesn't master the applause line and the soundbite shouldn't be a pol. Meat and potatoes=massive loss in November.

Think of it: the most common criticism of Bush is NOT his spending or even his illegals bill, but (among the "common people") it is that he doesn't communicate well.

[donnab]

not communicating well and not having pizazz are two different things.
personally I dont think Fred has a communications problem unless you need pretty.. slick.. short attention span.. sound bite grabbing politico speak.

I dont need nor want any of that.

[LS]

Watch one of his speeches, top to bottom, and tell me he’s going to “turn on” large segments of the American public with that approach. What YOU like might be completely different from what “sells.” We are in the business of trying to win an election.

[donnab]

maybe we need to wake up.

[Oliver Optic]

Optic's first law of political scintillating-ness:

"A political candidate will be found off-putting by the general electorate in direct proportion to his ability to whip his party's base into a feverish frenzy."

Example: Alan Keyes (whom I admire greatly) would have had that crowd on its feet whistling and stomping ... but would have trouble cracking 35 per cent in a national election.