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On Stump, Low-Key Thompson Stirs Few Sparks (New York Times)
The New York Times ^ | October 4, 2007 | ADAM NAGOURNEY

Posted on 10/04/2007 12:27:38 PM PDT by presidio9

Twenty-four minutes after he began speaking in a small restaurant the other day, Fred D. Thompson brought his remarks to a close with a nod of his head and an expression of thanks to Iowans for allowing him to “give my thoughts about some things.”

Then he stood face to face with a silent audience.

“Can I have a round of applause?” Mr. Thompson said, drawing a rustle of clapping and some laughter.

“Well, I had to drag that out of you,” he said.

Mr. Thompson is a former United States senator, television actor and Watergate investigator. His entry into the presidential race was highly anticipated by many Republicans, who saw or hoped to see in him outsized political talent and a commitment to conservatism that would enliven a Republican field that many found lacking.

But as Mr. Thompson campaigned across Iowa this week, he was something other than the dynamic presence that some in his party have been yearning for. Iowans saw a candidate who is subdued and sonorous, a laconic presence who spoke in soft monotone, threw few elbows and displayed little drive to distinguish himself from his opponents.

Mr. Thompson told few jokes and, while an easygoing presence, did not appear to have much interest in the small talk that is a staple of retail campaigning. As he defined his candidacy, Mr. Thompson spoke in broad generalities about the conservative principles that he said had informed his political views — in particular, federalism and cutting government spending — and led him to run for president.

In the process, he often lulled audiences into the kind of stillness that engulfed the room when he finished talking at the “Lunch with Fred Thompson” in Marshalltown.

“On prosperity, I have a real novel approach, a real creative approach,”

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: alreadyposted; antifredhitpiece; axisofdesperation; romneyattackmachine

1 posted on 10/04/2007 12:27:43 PM PDT by presidio9
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To: carra

Is this really the way it was?


2 posted on 10/04/2007 12:29:21 PM PDT by w1andsodidwe (Jimmy Carter allowed radical Islam to get a foothold in Iran.)
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To: presidio9

You're probably going to have some people hatin' on you because this has already been posted.

3 posted on 10/04/2007 12:31:48 PM PDT by yellowhammer
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To: presidio9

Who do you love and trust more? SeeBS News or the Old Grey Whore?


4 posted on 10/04/2007 12:35:45 PM PDT by Petronski (Congratulations Tribe! AL Central Champs)
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To: presidio9

Why is this post being posted again? There has been sufficient responce on the other post that it is not neccessary to start it all over.

See: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906303/posts


5 posted on 10/04/2007 12:40:29 PM PDT by jonrick46
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To: yellowhammer

Not my fault of Adam Nagourney or his editor decided to re-write the headline.


6 posted on 10/04/2007 12:42:59 PM PDT by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: Petronski

Thompson may be a dud, he may not, right now it seems that an action line is forming in the MSM:

Thompson=Boring

That can change of course, with power of televised debates, he may perk up a bit, or this just may be his own style.


7 posted on 10/04/2007 12:45:06 PM PDT by padre35 (Conservative in Exile/ No more miller brewing products, pass it on....)
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To: jonrick46

This atricle contains important new findings. While Thompson used to be “subdued,” he’s moved on to “low-key.”


8 posted on 10/04/2007 12:48:22 PM PDT by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: presidio9
If he wins the nod (I don't think he'll beat Rudy in the primaries...but he has the best chance of doing so), I hope he picks it up a few notches in the general campaign.

At least 1/2 of the people who vote, place their vote based on who they "like". Said, but true.

No political loyalty, no philisophical underpinnings...it's a simple as what they feel when they see the person speaking.

9 posted on 10/04/2007 1:01:30 PM PDT by Mariner
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To: presidio9

Which brings up the point that FDT is not equal to the task. But Duncan Hunter is, in every way!


10 posted on 10/04/2007 1:03:19 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( Vote for Duncan Hunter in the Primaries for America's sake!)
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To: Paperdoll
But Duncan Hunter is, in every way!

You can't win any election that I'm aware of with 2% of the vote.

11 posted on 10/04/2007 1:07:32 PM PDT by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: presidio9

Methinks that padre3 is correct, the MSM mantra will become: Thompson = boring.

OK, an unrejectable truth of nature is:
Hillary = repulsive grifter

I’ll take boring over repulsive grifter any time.


12 posted on 10/04/2007 1:07:46 PM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: Paperdoll

Do you think Hunter would have any hope of beating Her Heinous?


13 posted on 10/04/2007 1:09:11 PM PDT by RockinRight (Can we start calling Fred "44" now, please?)
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To: presidio9

I think Fred is tired. He’s got a much younger wife and 2 small children.

Hell, makes me tired just thinking about it.


14 posted on 10/04/2007 1:36:54 PM PDT by wolfcreek (The Status Quo Sucks!)
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To: jonrick46
It may have had *sufficient* response but, it was posted at 9:30 PDT. Most of America is in bed about that time.

Guess it didn’t have *sufficient* coverage.

15 posted on 10/04/2007 1:42:03 PM PDT by wolfcreek (The Status Quo Sucks!)
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To: padre35
It isn't just the MSM, even WTMJ Charlie Sykes in Milwaukee (one of the biggest conservative talk show hosts in the state of Wisconsin) brought this up today.

He didn't say whether or not he believed it, he just brought up the subject. Once a meme becomes reality it is difficult to shake.

16 posted on 10/04/2007 1:46:59 PM PDT by codercpc
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To: w1andsodidwe

The NYT is wrong. When he first came in, he came to each person, introduced himself, shook hands and answered questions that people asked. Because this presidential selection process is so important, we listen, watch him, and assess his ability to win. Choosing a presidential candidate is a serious obligation. There was not wild cheering, we were not there to see a star, but to listen to what a prospective president had to say. I was impressed with him.


17 posted on 10/04/2007 1:50:21 PM PDT by carra
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To: presidio9

I have to admit this guy makes Bush look articulate and super charismatic. I’ll reserve ultimate judgment for awhile.

I can ultimately accept anybody but Guiliani, but who knows what will happen. There is a lot of time still even before the primaries.


18 posted on 10/04/2007 2:08:04 PM PDT by Reagan79 (Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys)
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To: Da Coyote

But that could change if Fred picks it up during the debates.

These little meetings are not “shouting” events, they are cozy gatherings, we’ll see what happens when Fred gets on stage and the lights come on.


19 posted on 10/04/2007 3:20:02 PM PDT by padre35 (Conservative in Exile/ No more miller brewing products, pass it on....)
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To: wolfcreek

Yes. I forgive you. I thought the link would put those who missed out on our PDT fun with this NYT hit piece could check in to our “coverage.” A good word. Makes me think of an electric blanket on high. Dual coverage. Dual controls on high.


20 posted on 10/04/2007 3:45:47 PM PDT by jonrick46
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