Fred After False Withdrawal Rumor: 'I Owe Media Nothing'

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Fred Thompson today blasted the media for propagating a false rumor about his impending withdrawal, while bolstering the role he has created for himself as the candidate in this race who does not suffer unwelcome questions gladly.

Back in Iowa, Thompson famously refused to respond to the debate moderator/school marm's demand for a hand-show on global warming. Then this morning on Today, he declined to engage in horse-race speculation about his own prospects, then took the media to task for its propagation of that false rumor about his impending withdrawal. Weekend anchor Lester Holt interviewed the former Tennessee senator.

View video here.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Fred blasts media over false rumor; ABC’s Weir puts on Barack pom poms. Ping to Today show list.

[NewCenturions]

They fear him the most - so they ignore him or try and write him off. GO FRED!!

[SERKIT]

“I owe you nothing!” Great quote!!!

[Revelation 911]

LOL - he just “principled” himself right out of the race by pissing off the media - smart move

[popdonnelly]

Since the 1960’s, the media has believed it is part of the government. The most important part.

[greyfoxx39]

Fred Ping

[PGalt]

Very intersting. Thanks for the ping.

[Jackknife]

I was channel surfing this a.m. and saw Fred blast Lester Holt. It was priceless, as I think Holt is a pompous windbag.

[tiredoflaundry]

FReepers have been asking the Republicans to do exactly what Fred has been doing to the media, showing some backbone!

Yet, I read some comments on many threads and cannot help but be reminded of a picture of a "horse, and tight jeans".

I do not understand it.

[Eroteme]

Fred was absolutely right and wholly entitled to that stance. But I fear he could have been absolutely wrong to take it. As much as I, personally, cheer his statement, I also know it could be very costly.

Maybe not, though. Could they ignore him any less? If they try to punish him by airing the bit of petulance, he'll at least get some airtime. And he'll definitely pick up the Bobby Knight vote.

[okie01]

"I owe [the media] nothing."

Could it be that Fred is setting up the media and their behavior to become a legitimate issue in this campaign?

There is campaigning hay to be made in this strategy, I believe. It will be tricky, but productive -- if Fred can stay in the race long enough to make it pay off.

This could be the reason, though, for the initially low media profile.

[HerrBlucher]

Another great vid of Fred givin em hell....cool!

[HerrBlucher]

LOL - he just “principled” himself right out of the race by pissing off the media - smart move

Fred is in the race to do the right thing, not pander and kneel to the press. He is paving the way for a showdown between the press, and all those who value fairness, integrity, and honesty. We will see how it goes.

The right thing is the only thing, otherwise you might as well just hand your soul over to the devil with box of chocolates.

[normy]

video link?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Go to NewsBusters link.

[captnorb]

Many are afraid of Fred and in reality are Rinos calling themselves conservatives.

[carton253]

If you put the “I don’t owe you anything” comment in its proper context, he was referring to which campaign started the rumor that he was pulling out of the race. Holt was pushing him to name names. He said that he doesn’t owe the press an answer on that question. Why? Because he feels the media should have checked with him before reporting the rumor as fact... they did not and cost him a couple points in Iowa.

[Liberty Valance]

Wow! Fred didn’t mince words with Lester.
Go Fred!

[balls]

The reality is that the media decides who is viable and who is not and Fred has to play the game by their rules or else be a spectator. This is not solely the media’s fault, it’s the sheeple who look to the networks for leadership.