Posted on 10/09/2007 3:24:20 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Fred Thompson took the stage in Michigan this afternoon in his first presidential debate. Thompson entered the race just over a month ago, announcing his candidacy on late night tv -- in an effort to upstage his opponents sparring that evening in another debate.
Some political observers called this the most important performance of Thompson's life. Over the past three weeks, support for Thompson has slipped in the polls, while rivals Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney noticed steady increases.
The moderators started the debate, " Senator Thompson this is your first debate, and we kick it off with you." Answering his first question about the economy, the former trial attorney seemed more shaky, than smooth. Thompson replied, "the stock market seems to be doing well, uh, I see no reason to believe we're headed for, uh, economic downturn."
Thompson's opponents waited anxiously for this day, hoping to tarnish some of his hollywood sparkle by showing their knowledge of the issues. Mike Huckabee said "I want to make sure people understand for many people on this stage the economy is doing terrifically well, but for a lot of Americans its not doing so well." While Congressman Duncan Hunter attacked, "Senator Thompson the other senators, you all voted for most favored nation status for communist china, that set the ground work for 1.8 million high paying manufacturing jobs moving off-shore."
Thompson ad-libbed well, joking about a tiff between Rudy Guiliani and Mitt Romney over who cut taxes more, in areas known for high taxes. But under direct questioning , he offered few ideas for fixing domestic issues, like unemployment, taxes, and trade with foreign countries. "So we need to do everything we can to make sure we're doing all that we can to protect the infrastructure we've got and scrutinize these deals number one first and foremost from a national security standpoint," Thompson replied to a question about allowing a foreign company to invest in NASDAQ.
Thompson's advisors had one goal for their candidate in this debate, show voters he wants the job his supporters drafted him into appling for.
9 Presidential hopefuls took part in this debate, making it tough for any one candidate to stand out.
If you missed the debate this afternoon, you have another chance to catch it tonight, when it will be re-broadcast on MSNBC at 9:00 PM.
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Poll Will Fred Thompson's debate performance impact his candidacy?: Yes, he did great and should get a boost Yes, he faltered and will tumble in the polls No impact
I just wish he would stop saying “uh” so much.
Started a little weak, finished fine.
I don't think they're too wild about the prospect of another republican presidential candidate who is
a) able to communicate effectively
b) likeable, and
c) conservative
...after so many years.
Huh?
That said, I voted no impact.
I think he did ok, a tad rough around the edges perhaps, but I think he is in a good spot right, fly just at radar level and let the other guys beat the crud outa each other. He will have to step it up in later venues tho’...
I would have to say that he did better than Tancredo and McCain and probably worse than everybody else. The substance of his answers was fairly good. However, his presentation wasn’t that great. He looked tired and spoke in a slow almost monotone way that was fairly boring. His weakest answers were at the beginning about the economy and his strongest answers were toward the end the debate on national security and then fluff questions directed to him.
Ouch.
Ditto. I think he did fine, and will improve.
Like with Bill Clinton and George Bush, Yale graduates, both, always mis-pronouncing the word "nuclear".
I think Fred just needs to knock lay off the cigars for that cough.
Oh, and he also stumbled a lot in his answers. With lots of ums and repeated phrases. Again, he did better with this towards the end of the debate.
Tom T has more life and electability from what I’ve seen last two debates. Brownback gets a few issues (the importance of the family and its significance re: economy, crime, drugs, etc.), but I wouldn’t support him. Huck panders on certain issues. Like it or not, in terms of performance Rudy and Romney are the best. Hunter was right there with them (and he’s better on the issues, but I don’t think as good on the stage) and McCain had a great night.
Lastly, I like having Ron Paul on the stage, he demonstrates his ignorance (unconstitutional to take military strikes? huh war powers?) and wackiness. If he wasn’t there he’d be some mythical god. Now everyone gets to see that while he has some great catch phrases and espouses conservative principles he’s a wackjob (and it’s a shame b/c on some issues he’d right).
a) able to communicate effectively
gotta tell ya, man......if he is communicating effectively, he’s an empty suit with A.D.D. as well.
I’ve remain hopeful about his entrance in this race. As for this debate, I don’t think he hurt himself, though his performance was a bit flat. I think he’s lost more weight than I would prefer, and I think that may affect his energy level.
If this was the first time I’d heard him speak I’d agree with you.
I liked Fred, he did “okay” I think he had a cold, or allergies and couldn’t take any medicine for it.
And keep in mind that the stage was packed with also rans, as soon as some of the chaff drops off of the stage Fred and everyone else will get more of an opportunity.
I have to say, Mitt and Rudy did well.
I think their real problem with FDT is they the he is electable.
ML/NJ
If Fred did so poorly. I wonder why every left wing loony mentioned him in their first sentence when the debate ended. And he seems to be all they have talked about since. This happened because they fear the Fred. I think Fred did fine. Romney looked like a good choice for secretary of commerce. Hunter looked good for secretary of defense. And how about Guliani for attorney general. Oh I almost forgot Ron Paul I should be so lucky. What if Fred were to create a national director of dog catchers. Ron Paul would be great. He could travel around in a space ship and collect strays.
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