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.

[wbill]

Luntz said that somebody screamed out “#$%^ Yeah!” when Fred wouldn’t raise his hand. Did that really happen?

Yes it happened, but I was in my living room. I doubt Luntz heard it.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the additional comments. Good to know about Tancredo and we agree about the rist as well.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your thoughts on this Huck.

[DoughtyOne]

Yes that’s how I saw it too. It was a little strange.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks Trisham.

[redtetrahedron]

I have a Google News Alert set up for Fred Thompson. I get several hits a day. There were at least 24 news stories since yesterday. I would not call that disappearing.

[DoughtyOne]

I can see why you say that, and I’d like to think so too. Lets hope others see it that way.

[Mr Inviso]

You can’t be President, period, if not born here. To run for VP, you have to meet the qualifications to be President.

Fred would probably NOT choose Ahhnuld, anyway. WAY too different in philosophy.

[upcountryhorseman]

Fred has some excellent ideas: GO FRED!

[Huck]

Yer welcome. I was surprised to be most impressed with Romney. Didn’t expect that coming in. Fred was the same as always. I really don’t like Rudy, and I don’t take any of the others seriously. Alan Keyes got the mute button. Keyes, Hunter, Tancredo, and Paul should all get off the stage. I’d like to say McCain should go, but his numbers are just as good as Fred’s, so if Fred stays, McCain stays. Oh yea, I don’t like Huckabee either. He seems like a southern George Pataki.

[DoughtyOne]

I can't put my finger on it, but Romney strikes me as 'el Slickmeister del Norte'.  (the Slickmeister of the North)

People are going to support who they will and I'm not here to give them grief over it.  I just give my thoughts on it and let it go.

I'm not sure why Keyes was included.  He's clearly not running a meaningful campaign, unless it's a campaign to bring in a few dollars more.

As for Hunter, Tancredo, McCain, Huckibee and Paul, I am glad they were allowed to participate.  From what I hear, yesterday was the last debate.

I would encourage top tier or second tier people to be contacting some of the also rans for endorsements and whatever support they could provide.

I'd like to see Hunter and Tancredo throw their support behind Thompson, and Thompson use the event to herald their shared values.

[sweet_diane]

"I have a Google News Alert set up for Fred Thompson"

I have a few google alerts already, like for my hometown etc, but hadn't thought about Fred Thompson. duh! lol

Thanks for the idea!

[longtermmemmory]

(sarcasm on)

Now Infobabe rule. An infobabe must be attracted when viewed from behind as well as when viewed from in front. Clearly this hag was attempting to conceal her ratings detraction.
(sarcasm off)

[WOSG]

“Gee, Mitt, must be nice to have a year-long, family vacation in Iowa but the rest of us had to go to work every day and make a living”.

For Huckabee and Rudy, and Thompson since the summer, it would be untrue. All but the Congresscritters have been fulltime candidates. And then you have Alan Keyes, who seems to have no visible means of support except as a career candidate.

[WOSG]

“Oh yea, I don’t like Huckabee either. He seems like a southern George Pataki.”

That’s a new one.

Add that to the list:
Huckabee the Huckster = Jimmy Carter + John Edwards + Bill Clinton + Gomer Pyle + Elmer Gantry + George Pataki + ...

[editor-surveyor]

Enjoy!

[mamelukesabre]

THat is a good point. I stand corrected.

[ellery]

Thanks for the response! (btw, I’m with Thompson, but Tanc is my number 2 — he’s a great limited government guy).

[singfreedom]

PBS, eh, I should have known. Those folks always get their tails in a crack when they try to do anything serious. Their attempt at “news” would be comedy on any other channel. Juan Williams, the quintessential lib “contributor” on FOX, is an absolute cartoon.

[MeanWestTexan]

I do; thanks.