Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Fred Thompson Wins, Hands Down (Freds' "I paid for this microphone" moment)
American Spectator ^ | 12/12/2007 | Philip Kline

Posted on 12/12/2007 2:30:09 PM PST by JRochelle

First, let me say that this was by far the worst debate yet. The questions were not only skewed to the left, not only almost entirely neglected foreign policy, but they were so broad as to allow the candidates to fall back on talking points. Also, there was no room for back and forth between the candidates. Absolutely awful.

With that said, Fred Thompson was the only candidate who stood out. He was funny, charming, and peppy. Here was a guy who wasn't afraid to speak hard truths, and who displayed knowledge of the policy issues--especially on entitlements. But the moment of the debate, the moment that will be talked about should he defy expectations and go on to win the nomination, was when he refused to raise his hand at the behest of the moderator. This demonstrated conviction, showed he was able to stand up for his principles, that he was a man who valued substance, a leader rather than a follower, and somebody who is running a different kind of campaign. In short, today Thompson was everything that conservatives had hoped they'd be getting when he announced his candidacy.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Iowa; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: 2008; election; elections; fred; fredthompson; gopdebates; ia2008; noraiseasteenkinhand; statesman; tas; winners
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 321-340 next last
Good job Fred!
1 posted on 12/12/2007 2:30:12 PM PST by JRochelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

Frank Luntz took a moment on Fox to point out this exchange as “that moment” that we all remember. It was very popular with his focus group, and he added that “some in the group applauded even though they weren’t live in Iowa.”

It’s going to resonate.


2 posted on 12/12/2007 2:31:40 PM PST by Petronski (Reject the liberal superfecta: huckabee, romney, giuliani, mccain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle
...almost entirely neglected foreign policy....

Good. Gad.

3 posted on 12/12/2007 2:31:51 PM PST by mewzilla (In politics the middle way is none at all. John Adams)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

Well, I’m not so sure it was as bold as Keyes demanding not to be skipped, but what the hay.


4 posted on 12/12/2007 2:31:57 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

Thompson came off with three to five hilarious one-liners sure to have won anyone but Tancredo, Hunter and himself the debate, if spin weren’t king.


5 posted on 12/12/2007 2:32:14 PM PST by DoughtyOne (California, where the death penalty is reserved for wholesome values. SB 777)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jellybean; Politicalmom; girlangler; KoRn; Shortstop7; Lunatic Fringe; Darnright; babygene; ...
PING!!

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.

6 posted on 12/12/2007 2:32:28 PM PST by Politicalmom (Huckabee is the GOP's Jimmy Carter. Are you ready for the plundering of your pocketbook?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SE Mom; Politicalmom; jellybean

Pingly please.


7 posted on 12/12/2007 2:32:30 PM PST by Petronski (Reject the liberal superfecta: huckabee, romney, giuliani, mccain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle
when he refused to raise his hand at the behest of the moderator What does this mean? why did the moderator ask him to raise his hand?
8 posted on 12/12/2007 2:33:00 PM PST by SF Republican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Politicalmom
YOU CAN HEAR MY THOUGHTS!
9 posted on 12/12/2007 2:33:28 PM PST by Petronski (Reject the liberal superfecta: huckabee, romney, giuliani, mccain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

Anyone who says he is lacksadaisical or boring to the point of sleep needs to see how he handled himself today. I watched as a few other candidates began to raise their hands until Fred said he would not raise his hand. The others then applauded and acted like ..yeah what he said.
Fred was great today.


10 posted on 12/12/2007 2:33:56 PM PST by donnab (saving liberal brains...one moron at a time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: SF Republican

Moderator asked for a show of hands on a compound question about “global warming.”


12 posted on 12/12/2007 2:34:11 PM PST by Petronski (Reject the liberal superfecta: huckabee, romney, giuliani, mccain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Petronski

From NRO’s Campaign Spot,

FRED THOMPSON

Fred Thompson’s ‘I Paid for This Microphone’ Moment

When Thompson refused to do the show of hands, Frank Luntz’s dial-meter spiked. When he asked for a minute to explain his views, and when he refused to answer without time to explain his views, his numbers spiked again.

Luntz says the dial-meter folks not only liked it, they applauded.

12/12 03:54 PM


13 posted on 12/12/2007 2:34:15 PM PST by JRochelle (Mitt Romney: "He (Huckabee) would make a fine President!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

CONGRATS!!! BOB DOLE!!!!!!!


14 posted on 12/12/2007 2:35:17 PM PST by GoMonster (GO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

bumpity bump!


15 posted on 12/12/2007 2:35:31 PM PST by ellery (I don't remember a constitutional amendment that gives you the right not to be identified-R.Giuliani)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant

“Keyes demanding not to be skipped, but what the hay.”

Keyes needed to skip the debate entirely. The mute button came in handing when he spoke.


16 posted on 12/12/2007 2:36:11 PM PST by Rick_Michael (The Anti-Federalists failed....so will the Anti-Frederalists)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: SF Republican

Apparently she asked them to raise their hands if they believed global warming is a problem and Fred refused. Good for him! He has already said that he thinks the debates are like a bunch of trained seals waiting for a fish to be thrown at them. As run by liberals, they’re pitiful.

I missed the debate...dang it...will have to catch a rerun.


17 posted on 12/12/2007 2:36:13 PM PST by Aria (NO RAPIST ENABLER FOR PRESIDENT!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: SF Republican

It was a slimy set up question such as -When did you stop beating your wife?

Fred was superb with his answer- and funny to boot.


18 posted on 12/12/2007 2:36:35 PM PST by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: SF Republican

It was a question about which candidates believed “global warming” was a problem. I think.


19 posted on 12/12/2007 2:36:40 PM PST by Brad from Tennessee ("A politician can't give you anything he hasn't first stolen from you.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

Now, Fred needs to work his ass off in Iowa the next couple of weeks and move ahead of Romney there. If he can get into second-place, he can win South Carolina and can win the nomination.


20 posted on 12/12/2007 2:36:47 PM PST by Ol' Sparky (Liberal Republicans are the greater of two evils)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 321-340 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson