Posted on 11/25/2007 12:23:47 PM PST by dano1
Fred Thompson attacked Fox News on Sunday for what he called a "constant mantra" that his floundering campaign for president is troubled, and he accused the network of skewing things against him.
Thompson certainly isn't the first politician to make that accusation, but he's the first high-profile Republican to do so.
The assertion was arresting because Fox News was frequently Thompson's forum of choice when he was contemplating a campaign and as he tried to find his footing after he announced.
Where did Thompson do it? On "Fox News Sunday," in a heated exchange with host Chris Wallace, who played clips of Fox commentators saying his campaign had been a disappointment.
"It's a lot of the same kind of stuff that I heard when I first ran for office, when I was 20 points down. And fortunately, I wound up 20 points ahead on election night," Thompson said.
"This has been a constant mantra of Fox, to tell you the truth. And I saw the promo ... for this show, and it was kind of featuring the New Hampshire poll. Let's put things in context a little bit, to start with."
Thompson was referring to a CNN/WMUR poll that showed his support in the Granite State had collapsed to 4 percent, putting him in sixth place among the Republican presidential hopefuls.
Referring to Fox commentators, Thompson said: "From Day One, they said I got in too late, I couldn't do it ... wouldn't raise enough money, and that sort of thing. And that's their opinion. They're entitled to their opinion. But that doesn't seem to be shared by the cross section of American people. If you look at the national polls, you'll see that I'm running second and have been running second for a long time."
The latest Real Clear Politics average of national polls does have the former Tennessee senator in second place, far behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and slightly ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
"They're entitled to their opinion," Thompson continued. "But for you to highlight nothing but the negative in terms of these polls, and then put on your own guys, who have been predicting for four months, really, that I couldn't do it, you know, kind of skews things a little bit."
In April, when Thompson wanted to reveal that he had battled lymphoma, now in remission, he chose Fox anchor Neil Cavuto. Last month, when his wife, Jeri, was being criticized in the press, the two of them went on Fox's "Hannity & Colmes" for a respectful joint interview.
Now, though, he's none too happy with Fox. Here's a bit more of the exchange between host and candidate:
WALLACE: Do you know anybody who thinks you've run a great campaign, sir?
THOMPSON: It's not for me to come here and try to convince you that somebody else thinks that I've run a great campaign.
WALLACE: Well, but that's why I ...
THOMPSON: I'm talking about no, let me ask you ...
WALLACE: ... I'm just asking you the question.
THOMPSON: When you get past New Hampshire and look at some of these other states states that I'm leading in in the South, for example and straw polls that I've won, endorsements that I've got I've got more endorsements in the state of Georgia than all the other candidates put together. So I understand the game of buildup and I understand the game of takedown. And we all go through it. And I'm perfectly willing for you to do that with regard to me as you do the other candidates.
WALLACE: I was going to say, senator...
THOMPSON: But you have the right to put in your one side, and put in the Fox side, and I have the right to respond to it. And thankfully, you've given me that opportunity.
WALLACE: I was going to say, senator, I'm glad I asked the question, because I got a heck of an answer.
Yea, like your Christian Socialist of a Candidate is really going anywhere!
Also, that statement, once again, is inserted like it is fact but is actually the opinion of the author.
Flounder is my favorite fish but I would not base my campaign for President on fishing.
Amazing hot to anti FReds always seem to have the latest politico postings at hand.
Eh, sHuckmeistser?
Biting your fingernails are you?
Good for Fred!
http://dougpowers.com/2007/11/25/taxes-fred-style/
http://draftfredthompson.com/forums/index.php/topic,11807.msg74941.html#msg74941
http://www.christiannewswire.com/index.php?module=releases&task=view&releaseID=4841
http://conservativebelle.blogspot.com/2007/11/fred-thompson-on-fox-news-sunday.html
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZGY2MmM0YTYwZWU2Yjc2ZWI2ODE0NmI0NTdkMDI0MDM=
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2007/fred-challenges-wallace/
sorry I missed it!
Mmm...flounder...yuumm...
Thompson was correct Dano1, the Special Report All Stars did write him off for dead maybe a month ago.
His still in there, I like Fred, I would vote for him in a minute.
Lol, good to see Duncan on Fox News this morning...
Fred didn’t attack FNC. He was attacked by FNC and when he defends himself he’s called the attacker. This “The Politico” website seems to have an agenda from what I’ve read from them lately.
To paraphrase (Ron Paul is nothing more than a naivete candidate with no chance of winning)
Paul will get what the little boy shot at with his new BB gun, NOTHING.
Fred needs to raise hell with Fox as they have already anointed Rudy as the Republican representative.
Fox has sold out it’s base of original viewers and turned their once great News Network into nothing more than run of the mill pandering to the same viewers as PMSNBC and the Clinton News Network.
I only watch Fox now for Brit.
I was surprised by this since Thompson is normally very calm and cool. It seems as though this could hurt him in the long run. Even in the short run it makes him seem to join the Democrats in their criticism of FOX News. Thompson may get unfair treatment here and there on FXNews, but it is red carpet treatment compared to the other networks. And should he win the nomination, it will be the only news station giving him a fair shake — that is if they aren’t carrying a grudge.
What did Thompson say that wasn’t true?
“Fred Thompson attacked Fox News on Sunday for what he called a “constant mantra” that his floundering campaign for president is troubled, and he accused the network of skewing things against him”
It’s about time!!
Rudy’s law firm represents Murdoch!
“Where did Thompson do it? On “Fox News Sunday,” in a heated exchange with host Chris Wallace, who played clips of Fox commentators saying his campaign had been a disappointment.
“It’s a lot of the same kind of stuff that I heard when I first ran for office, when I was 20 points down. And fortunately, I wound up 20 points ahead on election night,” Thompson said.
“This has been a constant mantra of Fox, to tell you the truth. And I saw the promo ... for this show, and it was kind of featuring the New Hampshire poll. Let’s put things in context a little bit, to start with.”
B T T T
Beware of Hucksters, Pilgrim. They’re always trying to sell you something that’s not as good as they make it out to be.
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.