Posted on 11/25/2007 2:48:35 PM PST by dano1
As Thompson traveled here Friday -- amid at least one report that members in his own staff are questioning his motivation -- a small crowd of less than 50 also seemed to lack an enthusiasm for the candidate. Throughout the roughly 20-minute speech, largely centered on national security, Thompson stopped several times for applause, yet there were only uninspired responses from the crowd. As Thompson entered the rustic VFW hall, the crowd had to be prompted to applaud by his campaign staffers in back of the room.
Phil Spencer, 79, was unmoved by the appearance. After meeting the former senator from Tennessee, he concluded that he was most likely going to vote for Huckabee in the New Hampshire primary.
“I think he would be a good fiscal conservative,” he said referring to Huckabee. The Thompson campaign and the Club for Growth have tried to prove otherwise.
Linda Teagan, a Republican from North Conway, NH, was one of the stronger Thompson supporters. “He is the only Republican in the race who is the consistent conservative,” she said sitting next to her husband Robert, a Vietnam veteran. “If people get to hear him, he is the New Hampshire type conservative.”
The campaign stop was in sharp contrast to an event held three days earlier by Obama at Memorial Middle School, just down the road from the VFW hall. That event drew hundreds of enthusiastic supporters who, according to the Obama campaign, waited more than two hours for the senator from Illinois. Obama spoke for an hour and a half before fielding questions from the audience.
Thompson spoke for only 20 minutes before fielding three questions.
(Excerpt) Read more at firstread.msnbc.msn.com ...
Yes, that's true.
Joseph Laliberte has no enthusiasm, that’s clear.
The worst part was the crowd was mostly Thompson staffers.
LOL! Using MSNBC’s item to support your candidate and to bash conservative Thompson. Pitiful propagandist, that’s what you are.
Less than 50 people turned up for him?
I am in his corner right now but I’m starting to think that he unfortunately will not be the nominee. Admittedly - He isn’t the most inspiring speaker.
Phil is an old fart ticked off because Fred hasn't camped in the Spencer kitchen. Face it...Phil ain't so damned important you base a political campaign based on his likes and dislikes.
ping
I have a great deal of respect for that generation.
Meaningless slogans are what inspires these days, and he doesn't do that sort of thing. It is hard to "inspire" with a well reasoned explanation based on Federalist principles when your audience can barely read the back of a Cheerios box.
Excerpts From the Sept. 17 Values Voter Debate
WorldNetDaily | 9/17/2007 |
From the Sept. 17 Values Voter Debate:
Dr. Scarborough: Good to see you this evening, Governor Huckabee. Who would have believed 30 years ago, while we were attending Southwestern Seminary, we would be in a setting like this tonight. Few value voters question your views on key social issues. But you have received much criticism from some in the conservative circles for doing too little to restrain the growth of government and for raising taxes in Arkansas while you were governor. How do you respond to this?
Huckabee: With the truth, Rick, with the truth. I cut taxes 94 times as governor. I actually signed a first-ever broad-based tax cut in the 160-year history of our state, and I did that going uphill against the wind because 90 percent of the legislature was Democrat when I became governor in 1996. As governor, I didn't have the joy, the pleasure, or frankly the dubious honor of what members of Congress can do and that is print money, or even just borrow money. We have to live within our budget. I think the federal government ought to do the same thing.
Of a budget that only had 9 percent margin after we paid for education, Medicaid and prisons, the three basic necessities of government, only 9 percent was left in the general revenue budget. I cut 11 percent during the recession. The fact is that people will look at our record – what they'll find is that not only did I cut taxes repeatedly as a governor, but I managed the state in such a way that after 10 and a half years of executive experience, more than any other person running for president, more than Rudy Giuliani had as mayor, the fact is we left that state with an $850 million dollar surplus, no deficit. And the spending we held was held within one-half of 1 percent per year for 10 and a half years, unless you factor in federal pass-throughs – and many of the criticisms have come from people who simply don't understand the nuances of a state budget. Let us go beyond that.
What I did do is one thing. That's a good indication of what I would do. But here's what I pledge. I would not only support but I would sell the Fair Tax. If we could have a tax that is flat, fair, finite and family-friendly, we could change the economy of this country. [applause] And for those who are pastors who would love to be able to speak freely and clearly without the IRS getting in their way and telling them what they can preach from their pulpits – do you know the simplest way to do it? Get rid of the IRS, get the Fair Tax and we'll change the economy in America. [applause]
OK class...how many articles have you seen entitled "Enthusiasm Lacking for Giuliani in IA" or some equivalent? Even though Rudi is clearly much weaker in Iowa compared to nationally.
...crickets chirping...
New Hampshire is getting more liberal every four years.
To think that folks in New Hampshire would be more supportive of a former Arkansas Governor with liberal leanings, over a solid conservative Senator from Tennessee comes as no surprise to me.
Go Fred go!
Wow. A Huckabee supporter. Look, everyone!
Go Fred!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.