Fred Thompson Wins, Hands Down (Freds' "I paid for this microphone" moment)

American Spectator ^ | 12/12/2007 | Philip Kline

[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.

[sweet_diane]

"I just donated to the first political candidate since I can’t remember when, and it was Fred D Thompson!"

Me too! And it was just hours before the debate! :)

Last time I gave political money was a donation bowl at the local Republican headquarters...and my 20 yr old daughter was in a stroller.

[xsmommy]

but he sounded like a raving loon! good grief i could barely stand to listen to him. he sounds like an angry madman. he outdid RonPaul for looniness IMO.

[pissant]

He was as he usually is. A blowhard

[for-q-clinton]

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

Keyes was a joke. Most were wondering why was he even there. And the moment you speak of...makes me think Keyes didn't even know why he was there. Not all candidates got equal time. And when he got his chance he rambled on and on...so if I was the moderator I would purposely skip him anyway.

BTW: Why was he there? My guess is the libs put him in there to spice it up and try to make the republicans look bad.

[pissant]

He was there for no good reason at all.

[xsmommy]

and an angry one at that. bitter about his irrelevancy.

[SweetCaroline]

And when he got his chance he rambled on and on...

It looked and sounded like he was on drugs.

[trisham]

Incredibly, the other candidates had instantly placed the mantle of leadership on Thompson without thinking.

*****************

Absolutely agree with this. It was a very telling moment.

[eureka!]

Re#231 Good morning. Hugh still does good interviews with good guests but I have written him off as far as the primaries are concerned. Yesterday was especially disgusting and I only briefly tuned in to confirm that his panties would be all wet with Frank Luntz declaring that Mitt was the winner of the debate.

Hugh, if you're lurking, listen to your show yesterday and consider how many people you are turning off...

[for-q-clinton]

Didn't Romney say something like this "Yeah, I'm with him".

I was thinking...wow did he just make a mistake with that comment.

[trisham]

It was quite revealing.

[sweet_diane]

Is it just me or is Alan Keyes not looking well these days?

[editor-surveyor]

I’m no Romney supporter, I’m just reporting my observation.

[Badeye]

Way way way overstated. He won a very bad debate, one that featured the worst moderator I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’m hard against 50 years now.

I want to like him, I want to support him, but Fred’s not ‘running’ he’s walking for the nomination.

[editor-surveyor]

Your strawman nonsense at the beginning of your reply tells all that anyone needs to know about you.

I could recite all the degrees verbatim easily since I have the book right here, but why? You just blow a smoke screen about any other subject. You love your darkness, so cling to it.

[Souled_Out]

"I watched as a few other candidates began to raise their hands until Fred said he would not raise his hand."

---

Yes, I noticed that McCain, Huckabee, Guliani and Romney had their hands going up almost immediately. Then when Fred started to speak they lowered them with Romney being the quickest one to catch on and Guliani being the last. When you slow it down on Tivo it is actually pretty funny. That was a real RINO moment.

[donnab]

Been there, done that. Woopdidoo. Fred’s old and tired.

Now I understand your support of Romney...you both use the same kind of phrases my kids use.

[wbill]

I’m not sure how many people noticed in the moment, but I did. Every other candidate said, “Yeah me neither.”

I noticed...it was a very telling moment. They even all looked to him. Fred owned it.

I caught a replay last night (this morning!) while I was giving my son a bottle. Fred hit it out of the park - hopefully this story grows some legs.

IMHO, there are people who are born leaders, and there are people who really, really wish that they were born leaders. When the chips are down, people who wish that they were born leaders are the first to run to a mike and say, "Hey, I'm in charge!". Born leaders don't have the need to do that as people are already listening to them.

Thompson is in the first catagory, most other pols are the the second.

[MeanWestTexan]

I am a three-time Worshipful Master in the Blue Lodge and a Knight Templar.

You are wrong.

[wbill]

Liberal media bias on display, guaranteed.

"So Mr. Edwards, do you see yourself as more like Jesus or more like Moses?"

"So Ms. Rodham-Clinton, just how incredibly Brilliant are you, and please use specific examples."

This is one debate that I'll be missing.