"I tell you, he is not particulary interested in running for President! There is no fire in that belly. Fred is lazy, which is why he is running for president! I saw it on the American media..."
Posted on 12/30/2007 12:53:58 PM PST by sonsofliberty2000
Fred Thompson acknowledged Saturday he's not especially fond of running for president, but he thinks he'd be a good choice for the White House.
Asked at a town hall meeting in Burlington whether he had the desire to be president, Thompson said it wasn't his idea to seek the office, and he wasn't enamored with campaigning.
"I am not consumed by personal ambition. I will not be devastated if I don't do it," he said. "I'm not particularly interested in running for president."
But he said others convinced him to run.
"I approached it from a standpoint ... of kind of a marriage. You know if one side of the marriage has to be really talked into the marriage, you know it probably ain't going to be a good deal for either one of them. But if you mutually think that this is a good thing -- in this case you think it's a good thing for the country -- then you have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together," he said.
"I'm offering myself up. I'm saying that I have the background and capability and the concern to do this."
People who question his commitment should note that he's dropped lucrative television and radio contracts and no longer accepts paid speaking tours.
"I and my family have made sacrifices for me to be sitting here today. I haven't had any income for a long time because I'm doing this," he said. "I guess a man would have to be a total fool to do all those things and to be leaving his family, which is not a joyful thing at all, if he didn't want to do it."
Thompson said candidates have become too absorbed by the process and have lost sight of the ultimate need to serve the country.
"Nowadays, it's all about fire in the belly. I'm not sure in the world we live in today it's a terribly good thing that a president has too much fire in his belly," he said.
Thompson said that unlike his opponents, he's honest about why he's running.
"I like to say that I'm only consumed by very, very few things and politics is not one of them. The welfare of my country and my kids and grandkids are one of them," he said. "But if people really want in their president a super type-A personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night thinking about for years how they could achieve presidency of the United States, someone who could look you straight in the eye and say they enjoy every minute of campaigning -- I ain't that guy."
Thompson said voters know what to expect from him.
"I go out of my way to be myself cause I don't want anybody to think they're getting something they're not getting. I'm not consumed by this process. I'm not consumed with the notion of being president. I'm simply saying I'm willing to do what's necessary to achieve it if I'm in synch with the people and if the people want me or somebody like me," he said.
The man who asked the question, Burlington attorney Todd Chelf, said he appreciated Thompson's reply.
"It's almost refreshing to see that kind of response as opposed to what we get normally," he said. "I think there's a passion there. I think that it's an old-fashioned passion."
Later at a stop in the community of Washington, Thompson joked about Democrat John Edwards, who had an event at the same time just a few blocks away.
"I understand my friend John Edwards is in town. He's over at the library. I hope he learns something while he's over there," Thompson said. "I like our bus better. Go out and check them out."
On Saturday, Thompson was accompanied by Iowa Rep. Steve King.
So finally he’s admitted what anyone looking at him honestly has known from day one.
Same thing applies to you, did you read the other post on this topic?
The reporter seems to have cherry-picked some quotes from Fred’s actual message (shocking, I know) to give the impression he/she/it wanted to give of Fred. Questions? Go to Newsbusters.org.
This reporter twisted his words!!!!
That he’s not a political whore?
Take the attitude over here and read this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1945980/posts
"I tell you, he is not particulary interested in running for President! There is no fire in that belly. Fred is lazy, which is why he is running for president! I saw it on the American media..."
I find it very refreshing that we asked him to be President and he is not doing a desperate sell job on us.
That is a great message from Fred. Thanks for posting the link.
What A country. Even with your reading disabilities you are still allowed to post on Free Republic. You should be proud. And maybe sign up for some remedial reading classes. This country allows many education opportunities for adults who are mentally challenged.
I truly believe a part of this guy doesn’t care if he wins or not, or possibly even hopes to lose, in a small way.
It is quite a refreshing break from the ego-driven career politicians and the aspiring despot who are presumably consumed with ambition focused on the position of president, and will say and do pretty much anything to get elected. Please note that I do believe, no matter how far out there his foreign policy views are, that Ron Paul is another guy who says what he thinks, no matter how much some of it makes me cringe.
Heck, he said it for me in this interview.
“”But if people really want in their president a super type-A personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night thinking about for years how they could achieve presidency of the United States, someone who could look you straight in the eye and say they enjoy every minute of campaigning — I ain’t that guy.”
This is all over the news since nothing else is happening this weekend. Just drains what little excitement there might be right out of the campaign.
I know what you’re saying. It is truly refreshing to hear, a candidate that speaks his mind & is what he is. Go Fred! What you see is what you get. What a novel concept!
And yes, even though there is much I disagree with Ron Paul about, he doesn’t tailor his answers to what he thinks the people want to hear. He is what he is, as well. I do respect him for that.
The MSM outlets have to pay bills too dontchya' know.
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.