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2008 and counting: Thompson faces big Sunday talk show test (Meet the Press)
The Hill ^ | November 02, 2007 | Hill Staff

Posted on 11/01/2007 5:42:38 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) will undergo a presidential campaign rite of passage fraught with both peril and potential positives when he appears this Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Thompson has appeared on Tim Russert’s famed Sunday morning news show nine times, his campaign said, but this will be his first time as a candidate.

Karen Hanretty, a spokeswoman for Thompson, said the ex-senator is grateful for the chance to expand on some issues that warrant more time than debate formats allow for.

“Fred Thompson is a thoughtful candidate who has said many times that debates and 30-second sound bites don’t allow the American public to get to know a candidate,” Hanretty said.

“ ‘Meet the Press’ is one of the most respected political programs in the country, and Fred views this as an opportunity to expound upon why he’s the best person to head the ticket for the Republican Party in 2008.”

Scott Reed, a Republican strategist who worked for former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), said the show will give the senator a chance to reignite what some see as a listing campaign.

Reed said the appearance “will allow Thompson to not only put some meat on his conservative bones but also put forward some new and bold ideas. He needs to reignite some of the ‘wow’ factor he had earlier this summer.

“Thompson will not sustain these polling numbers without stepping out some and delivering a campaign message,” Reed said. “The Russert show allows his campaign to get a jump on the week.”

Russert has come under fire himself this week, as supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) have been critical of his performance moderating the Democratic debate in Philadelphia Tuesday night. Several Clinton supporters and donors complained Wednesday that Russert unfairly targeted the Democratic front-runner throughout the debate.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Mexico; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: New York; US: Pennsylvania; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: 2008; cankles; debates; democratdebates; democratparty; democrats; election; election2008; electionpresident; elections; elliotspitzer; fred; fredthompson; gender; gop; gopdebates; hillary; hillaryclinton; hillaryrodhamclinton; hillbillary; immigrantlist; immigration; media; mtp; republicans; sanctuarycities; shrillary; talkradio; talkshows; television; thompson; timrussert; whitehouse
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Hillary and her posse are wussy crybabies. Fred will do just fine.
1 posted on 11/01/2007 5:42:40 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I agree, Vet. Fred Thompson is a grownup with an intellect and a grounded individual. Something the Hildebeast can never hope to be. He will do just fine.


2 posted on 11/01/2007 5:46:31 PM PDT by Bahbah
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; Alas Babylon!; Phsstpok

FRed on MTP this Sunday. Must see TV.


3 posted on 11/01/2007 5:49:10 PM PDT by upchuck (Hildabeaste as Prez... unimaginable, devastating misery! She will redefine "How bad can it get?")
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I am looking forward to watching Meet The Press which I never watch. Will watch on Sunday to see Fred, however. :)


4 posted on 11/01/2007 5:50:24 PM PDT by seekthetruth
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Go get ‘em Fred!


5 posted on 11/01/2007 5:50:25 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Should be interesting. I think Fred can take care of himself.


6 posted on 11/01/2007 5:50:57 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Russert is a liberal suckup. I will give him credibility when he asks Hillary about her illegal campaign contributions.


7 posted on 11/01/2007 5:52:40 PM PDT by Fred ("It only goes to show ya, if it is not one thing then it is anothee"..Rosanna-Rosanna Danna)
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To: Cicero

He had better, time is running out


8 posted on 11/01/2007 5:53:00 PM PDT by reefdiver (The sheriff of Nottingham collected taxes on behalf of the common good)
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To: upchuck

Scott Reed, another whiner who the fred08 campaign did not hire...


9 posted on 11/01/2007 5:54:00 PM PDT by Fred ("It only goes to show ya, if it is not one thing then it is anothee"..Rosanna-Rosanna Danna)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
as supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) have been critical of his performance moderating the Democratic debate in Philadelphia Tuesday night. Several Clinton supporters and donors complained Wednesday that Russert unfairly targeted the Democratic front-runner throughout the debate.

That's a nice way of saying they stated that Russert "should be shot". Nothing like threatening political assassination as a campaign strategy.

10 posted on 11/01/2007 6:07:09 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (May the heirs of Charles Martel and Jan Sobieski rise up again to defend Europe.)
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To: jellybean; Politicalmom; girlangler; KoRn; Shortstop7; Lunatic Fringe; Darnright; babygene; ...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

11 posted on 11/01/2007 6:07:18 PM PDT by Politicalmom (Of the potential GOP front runners, FT has one of the better records on immigration.- NumbersUSA)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Thank you so much for the news. I can't wait to see him again. I am sure this will be our President, but we have to fight one fight at a time. First Huckabee, then Mitt, the Rudy.GO FRED GO!!
12 posted on 11/01/2007 6:13:28 PM PDT by Bobbisox (ALL AMERICAN GRANDMA FREEPER, and a LOYAL and DEDICATED FredHEAD!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Russert has come under fire himself this week, as supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) have been critical of his performance moderating the Democratic debate in Philadelphia Tuesday night. Several Clinton supporters and donors complained Wednesday that Russert unfairly targeted the Democratic front-runner throughout the debate.

LOL, after they come for the conservative radio folks Tim, they'll come for you.

13 posted on 11/01/2007 6:16:10 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: Fred

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are not memo’s circulated prior to the “debate” with talking points and a script. Very much like professional wrestling. This “tough” grilling of the girlie will establish Russert’s reputation as impartial. It will also establish Hillary as the one candidate (this was the spin line on Lerher News Hour) who is strong enough to be vague. Whether deliberately scripted or not, this is the latest action line.


14 posted on 11/01/2007 6:17:10 PM PDT by mission9 (Be a citizen worth living for, in a Nation worth dying for...)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

BUMP


15 posted on 11/01/2007 6:25:19 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: mission9

When Russert’s bias comes out, Fred will have to do more than address him as “Timothy” and concede different opinions. I doubt that he’s up to it really.


16 posted on 11/01/2007 6:35:58 PM PDT by SteveMcKing
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) will undergo a presidential campaign rite of passage fraught with both peril and potential positives when he appears this Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

While I hate to give Russert too much credit, I have to say this is true.

John Edwards may well have been the 2004 Democrat nominee if it weren't for his awful performance on Meet the Press, which was largely considered his "tryout" as a national candidate.

Fred Thompson is not John Edwards, however. This is Fred's kind of forum, especially when they're talking policy.
17 posted on 11/01/2007 6:57:09 PM PDT by The Pack Knight (Duty, Honor, Country.... Valor.)
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To: jwalsh07

Great point.


18 posted on 11/01/2007 6:57:21 PM PDT by TN4Liberty (A liberal is someone who believes Scooter Libby should be in jail and Bill Clinton should not.)
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To: SteveMcKing

“When Russert’s bias comes out, Fred will have to do more than address him as “Timothy” and concede different opinions. I doubt that he’s up to it really.”

I believe Fred will do just fine. Has anyone considered that since Fred has been on Meet The Press with Russert several times in the past that perhaps Russert thinks Fred is a nice guy? I believe that Russert will treat Fred respectfully and if he is biased I think Fred will hold his own. Looking forward to Sunday. :)


19 posted on 11/01/2007 7:00:09 PM PDT by seekthetruth
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To: SteveMcKing

Maybe he can call him Timmy....

or Fat Timmy

or whatever we call him on FR.


20 posted on 11/01/2007 7:00:34 PM PDT by altura (Fear the Fred)
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