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Low Key or Low Energy? Thompson's Doing It His Way
ABC News ^ | Oct. 25, 2007 | JAKE TAPPER and KATIE HINMAN

Posted on 10/25/2007 9:10:48 PM PDT by Doofer

CELEBRATION, Fla., Oct. 25, 2007 —

At Water Tower Florists in Celebration, Fla., former Tennessee Sen. Fred Dalton Thompson has come to woo women voters.

Thompson needs to win the support of Florida Republican women in order to win this Southern state that is key to his strategy. The setting conjures memories of his nearly 20-year bachelorhood between his two marriages when he had a reputation as a ladies man.

His smooth ways were on display at Water Tower Florists  the dapper dress, the low, reassuring slow-jams voice full of homespun common sense.

In contrast to some of his more aggressive and energetic competitors for the Republican presidential nomination, Thompson has a style that is decidedly low key. He is also, perhaps unfairly, competing with the commanding presence he has projected on the big and small screens for decades as an actor in "Die Hard 2," "In the Line of Fire" and on "Law & Order." And as Ronald Reagan learned before him, reality is a far cry from the tightly scripted drama of his movies and TV shows.

His relaxed manner coupled with his relatively late entry into the race, his modest fundraising and his less-than-frenetic schedule have some observers wondering whether he's lazy or even worse  ambivalent about being president. Thompson says that's all nonsense.

"I'm kind of a laid-back guy. & If people think I'm too laid back or not ambitious enough, that's their prerogative. I'm gonna be me, and that's what they get," Thompson told the gathering at the flower shop.

Thompson Defines His Own Terms

ABC News joined Thompson, sometimes behind the scenes, for his recent swing through Florida. He brushed off suggestions that the roughly two public events he did a day was evidence he wasn't fully engaged.

Thompson explained to this reporter that his campaign has a certain rhythm and reason to it. "A campaign is a long process and it involves many things. I've even done a couple of fundraisers you weren't invited to. I don't want to hurt your feelings," he said with a smile.

Thompson says the chattering classes are missing what the voters will ultimately see  that not being consumed with winning empowers him to be a better politician.

"If I can't tell the truth, then it's not worth running for president," he told the dozen women at Water Tower Florists. "It's a risk, but it's a risk I'm willing to take, because I have the freedom. And if the people aren't ready for that, they can tell me. But I think they are. I think the people are better than the politicians give them credit for," he said.

That's the key to his pitch  he's doing this on his own terms - and whether the press buys it or not, he's clearly hoping it resonates with voters.

"I do things my way. I don't feel like I have to come out and explain to the national media every time I make a decision as to how, when, where I want to campaign," he told ABC News.

Family Tragedy and a New Political Vision This determination to run on his own terms seems to stem from a family crisis five years ago after the January 2002 death of his 38-year-old daughter, Betsy.

Within two years of Betsy's death, the lawyer-turned-actor-turned-senator retired from the Senate, married a woman 24 years his junior and started a new family.

One year after that, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is currently in remission. The 65-year-old begins his day in his hotel suite with a briefing on the news and the day's schedule, a chewed-on cigar and half-eaten breakfast sitting nearby. He is trying to be healthier, but old habits die hard.

He tours the Port of Tampa and wants to talk about homeland security, but the conversation turns instead to the Terri Schiavo controversy. Thompson gets surprisingly personal, discussing for the first time details of his daughter Betsy's death after an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

He talked about the painful decisions he and his family made. "I had to make those decisions with the rest of my family. And I will assure you one thing: No matter which decision you make, you will never know whether or not you made exactly the right decision. Making this into a political football is something that I don't welcome, and this will probably be the last time I ever address it. It should be decided by the family. The federal government  and the state government too, except for the court system  should stay out of these matters, as far as I'm concerned."

The last few years have clearly changed Thompson's perspective on a lot of issues.

"You can't live as much life as I have lived, not just in length but in quality and in terms of things that I have seen, and remain exactly the same person," he told ABC News. "I've had the worst thing that can happen to a father and the best thing that can happen to a father. It gives you a sense of perspective and it frees you up in some ways," he said.

And just as Betsy's death prompted him to leave politics in 2002, Thompson cites his 4-year-old daughter, Hayden, and son Samuel, who will soon turn 1, in his decision to leave his comfortable world as an actor on "Law & Order" and return to the political arena.

"I'm more concerned about the kind of world my kids are going to grow up in, my grandkids are going to grow up in than I have about any material comforts I have at the moment. We're going to need strong leadership in these next few years. There are going to be decisions on the president's desk that will impact our future for a long time to come, matters concerning our national security, matters concerning our economy and the prosperity. It's important stuff, and I think we need someone who is not burning with longtime personal ambitions, who can afford to tell the truth about important things as you see them. And I can do that."

When told that his wife is one of the top Google searches related to his name, he smiles. "That's one of the things I'm most interested in, too," he said.

After his divorce in 1985, Thompson was one of Washington's most noted bachelors, dating country music star Lorrie Morgan among others. That ended when he married Republican operative Jeri Kehn, but much to Thompson's chagrin, some of the attention given to Jeri has been negative. There have been crude comments about her looks and whispers about her controlling the campaign.

"She refused to behave like a candidate's wife until her husband became a candidate. She was taking our little girl to preschool. She had a 6-month-old baby at the time. She had her priorities straight. She got anonymous phone calls from people telling her why we couldn't run and things like that, which of course made her resolve even stronger, and mine, too. But she refused to go out and defend herself against being a trophy wife or whatever it is they decided to call her. She just let it go. They couldn't understand that," Thompson said.

Thompson said it's not a "fair characterization" to say that she wanted him to seek the presidency. "She wanted me to do what I felt like I ought to do. She thought that I could do some things for the country and I probably ought to step forward, that I was not at my highest and best use, that I could do something for the party and that I could, more importantly, do something for the country."

A 'Law & Order' Conservative In Florida, Thompson emphasized what he would do for the country in terms of immigration, visiting with law enforcement on the front lines.

"Can I just say how much I appreciate you sheriffs and what you're doing here. Of course, I just naturally gravitate towards people that believe in law and order," Thompson said jokingly to the group.

He outlined an aggressive immigration reform program, seven points including a hard line against amnesty, attrition through the enforcement of current laws and bolstering border security .

He also used the issue to distinguish himself as more conservative than his Republican competitors Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain.

"I was a conservative yesterday. I'm one today. And I'll be one tomorrow," he said.

Asked about his lack of executive experience that Giuliani had as a mayor or Romney had as a governor, he said, "Management's important, but leadership is more important. Managers are people who leaders hire."

Thompson says his newfound freedom lets him take politically perilous positions, such as grabbing the so-called third rail of American politics  Social Security.

"I've talked about indexing benefits so that they increase with inflation and don't increase with wages, which is what we do now. Dollar for dollar, they'd get the same thing current retirees get, they just wouldn't get more than current retirees get," he said.

It's a complex concept to spell out in a campaign and an easy one for opponents to cast as an attempt to cut Social Security.

"That's why people don't bring it up, so therefore we continue on the current path and we bankrupt the system," he said.

Thompson has also taken some heat from another crucial voting bloc for the Republican Party  evangelical conservatives  for saying he does not often go to church.

Thompson tried to sum up his spirituality. "I think that when a man has been through the heights and depths of life, and when he's had the tragedies and the blessings of life, as I have, I think you develop an even greater sense of what's important and what's not. A person has to realize at some point in his life it's not about him. It's about higher things, and the need to be right with God. And to be right with those who love you. And if you've got that, none of the rest of it matters."

Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; fredthompson
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To: CheyennePress
Top 10 RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) Human Events 12/27/05 - (Mitt Romney is ranked #8)


Romney isn't a flip flopper...he's a liar!
Romney supports abortion in general, and believes in sustaining Roe v. Wade. Boston Globe, 3/2/2006


Romney ran against Senator Edward M. Kennedy in 1994. During a debate, Romney declared: 'I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a US Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.'

When [during their debate] Kennedy called him 'multiple choice,' Romney demanded an extra rebuttal. He revealed that a close relative died of an illegal abortion years ago and said, 'Since that time, my mother and my family have been committed to the belief that we can believe as we want, but we will not force our beliefs on others on that matter, "and you will not see my wavering on that."



61 posted on 10/26/2007 9:30:30 AM PDT by papasmurf (sudo apt - get install FRed Thompson)
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To: papasmurf

Makes you wonder what sort of “epiphanies” he would experience as President.


62 posted on 10/26/2007 9:34:26 AM PDT by The Pack Knight (Duty, Honor, Country.... Valor.)
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To: Doofer
"I think the people are better than the politicians give them credit for," he said. "

This is the attitude that first got my attention from FDT. I'm so sick of the slicked up, condescending politico who is eager to do nothing but tell me what I want to hear, in their quest for power. IMHO, Thompson understands the difference between confidence and arrogance.

63 posted on 10/26/2007 9:37:25 AM PDT by sweet_diane (We lived our little drama.... and thankfully it is over. Thank you Coach Saban!)
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To: Doofer
Fred Thompson is rapidly shaping up as the Perry Como of Presidential candidates.

So far, the best I can say about him is that he is better than Rudy 911, and that's not saying much.

64 posted on 10/26/2007 9:38:28 AM PDT by Clemenza (Rudy Giuliani, like Pesto and Seattle, belongs in the scrap heap of '90s Culture)
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To: papasmurf

So even Kennedy gets something right occasionally.

“Kennedy called him ‘multiple choice,’ “


65 posted on 10/26/2007 9:41:08 AM PDT by daylilly
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To: All
I'm not going to point any fingers, yet there's quite a few on this board who are beginning to sound like my friend (in tone) who worships at the alter of Ron Paul.

I'm just sayin'.....

66 posted on 10/26/2007 9:43:53 AM PDT by sweet_diane (We lived our little drama.... and thankfully it is over. Thank you Coach Saban!)
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To: daylilly

Multiple personality is more like it. :)


67 posted on 10/26/2007 9:53:11 AM PDT by papasmurf (sudo apt - get install FRed Thompson)
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To: The Pack Knight

On Abortion, gay rights, taxes, jobs, economy...I think he may have had them all, already.


68 posted on 10/26/2007 9:55:06 AM PDT by papasmurf (sudo apt - get install FRed Thompson)
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To: CheyennePress
"And let’s be honest, Fred Thomposon isn’t going to take Massachusetts if he’s nominated."

Oh that's rich, and Willard would if he wins the nomination?

Get real.

69 posted on 10/26/2007 10:57:05 AM PDT by #1CTYankee (That's right, I have no proof. So what of it??)
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To: papasmurf


Romney isn’t a flip flopper...he’s a liar!”

Correct!


70 posted on 10/26/2007 10:57:08 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: CheyennePress

I don’t know if the thought has ever crossed your mind, but a lawyer who has a law firm hires secretaries and legal aides, and runners and office managers and paralegals.... To have a law firm where you actually make enough money to support your family you have payrolls and hire and fire. My son has worked for law firms in several capacities while in college. Even with a few lawyers it is not small potatoes. Fred meets your criteria for a SUCCESSFUL firm or business.

It always helps to think before opening your mouth.


71 posted on 10/26/2007 11:44:46 AM PDT by daylilly
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To: Soul Seeker

I saw a campaign commercial [video clip] when people were seeking to draft Fred that he did for Bob Corker and helped to get him elected. You are correct:

“I am pretty certain he didn’t leave the Tenn GOP in a shambles.”

There are Republicans in office in TN today, after Thompson was in the Senate, and before Senator Baker it was pretty dry for Republicans. So Fred and Senator Baker et al worked to build up the Republicans in Tennessee.

Wonder what Massachusetts has to show for a Romney presence?


72 posted on 10/26/2007 11:49:21 AM PDT by daylilly
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To: papasmurf
HE IS NOT A LIAR! He just fakes things...

"He's been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly," Romney adviser Mike Murphy told the National Review in 2006.

Romney ran for US Senate in 1994 pledging to keep abortion ''safe and legal in this country." As a 2002 candidate for governor, Romney said he would not change the state's abortion laws. But in recent months, he has described himself as ''personally prolife" to out-of-town political audiences.

Mitt Fakes a Pro Choice Stance

THE REAL ROMNEY?

Fake Badges used by Romney Aide

Fake Web Site about Fred Thompson

An executive is responsible for the actions of those they manage.

An executive sets the ethical tone and level of permissiveness of his organization.

What tone does Mitt Romney set?

Look at the links above. They should make anyone wonder what exactly is going on here, these people involved in the incidents in the links were campaign and marketing professionals, not some bunch of college kids pulling pranks. So it can only be two things.

Either one, the people involved in both incidents thought this would be ok with Romney, so they had to get that idea from somewhere or two, they did not think about it at all and are grossly incompetent at their jobs, again not a great reflection on the consummate executive professional.

FAKE BADGES + FAKE WEB SITE + FAKE STANCES = THE REAL ROMNEY?

73 posted on 10/26/2007 12:40:04 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (265 pound Lemming with attitude for Thompson!)
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To: ejonesie22
Mitt Romney.
The man. The myth.
The multiple personalities.


I call him...Sybil!
74 posted on 10/26/2007 12:48:20 PM PDT by papasmurf (sudo apt - get install FRed Thompson)
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To: papasmurf

You left off the BS...


75 posted on 10/26/2007 12:49:54 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (265 pound Lemming with attitude for Thompson!)
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To: Sturm Ruger; jellybean; Politicalmom; W04Man
Excellent post! GO FRED!!!!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
76 posted on 10/26/2007 1:20:09 PM PDT by FlashBack (Need Some FReep Help: Vote for Gene Hinders at www.racingjunk.com Oct.15-Nov.15 2007)
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To: ejonesie22; stephenjohnbanker; The Pack Knight; daylilly; trisham; Man50D; Doofer; ...
Mitt Romney.
The man. The myth.
The multiple personalities.



77 posted on 10/26/2007 1:25:02 PM PDT by papasmurf (sudo apt - get install FRed Thompson)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

All Thompson’s justifications here amount to nothing more than an excuse for his laziness.


78 posted on 10/26/2007 1:29:36 PM PDT by Michael A. Velli (Mitt / Duncan 08, baby! -- because I "fear" FDT)
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To: Michael A. Velli; All
Yawn...

SSDD...

Call me when you are on your third or fourth career, graduate from law school, appear in almost 40 movies and TV shows, and do a couple of turns through the Senate...

BTW a couple of things:

You left off that Fred looks like a half corpse. It's Friday so I guess you are slipping. Rest up for next week.

Second, interesting tag, one of the strongest conservatives mixed with “Conservative? Is it Nov. 5 2008? No? Well then yes I am a conservative”

Don’t see it....

79 posted on 10/26/2007 1:43:41 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (265 pound Lemming with attitude for Thompson!)
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To: Michael A. Velli

How is it that a person can have his own law firm, take down a sitting governor for corruption, serve on the Watergate committee [long days], raise a family in his youth and in his later years, serve in the Senate working long hours [so the staff says, working until midnight], work your way through college, work multiple jobs at the same time, have multiple careers, work on committees to advise Condi Rice, shepherd a chief justice candidate through the Senate when in recent years it is difficult to get anyone confirmed, be a successful prosecutor and possibly be called lazy? I only work one job and care for my family. You’d have more cause to call me lazy even though I often work until one o’clock AM to get the laundry or the dishes done.

He’s run political campaigns, started a Young Republican group. Lawyers who make enough money to support their families actually work long hours. Prosecutors who get convictions work long hours. Even when you aren’t in court you’ve got preparation work to do.

Reading the book Marie written by Peter Maas, Marie Ragghianti made strong statements several times about how hard Fred worked, what long hours he put in. He won her case, he did the preparation himself instead of giving it to staff or assistants to do.

Excuse for laziness?

I’ve got a copy of a resume of Fred’s that runs to five pages of very small print.

He makes the point that he has two children under five and Hayden is obviously very affectionate toward Fred. During the years Hayden has been on this earth he was acting and lobbying and working on radio commentaries and publishing a column. That takes time and effort.

If I had one job and one small child that I cared for, that would be a lot of work.

What you said is despicable.


80 posted on 10/26/2007 1:43:57 PM PDT by daylilly
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