Posted on 01/06/2008 9:52:40 AM PST by TornadoAlley3
Fred Thompson has been understandably frustrated with the media's obsession with "process" and horserace stories, particularly when media outlets fanned false rumors that he was ready to get out of the race. So Team Thompson is understandably happy with this exchange from NBC's Today Show, in which he refused to engage speculation about the source of anti-Thompson rumors and told Lester Holt "I owe you nothing."
The BushCo wing also see voters (power)
He gave a credible performance on the show. He’s worth whatever he gets. In acting, as with everything else, a person’s worth in a job is measured by how much he can get.
My point — perhaps more subtle than it needed to be — is that he’s no media outsider.
He’s as dependent on the media as any other candidate. However, he does know that he can insult them until the cows come home and they’ll still cover him. In fact, a candidate who insults the media probably boosts ratings.
I looked for the story on her site and couldn’t find it. Got a link?
What does that have to do with the media? I.e., the press?
By “media”, as in MSM, it pretty much a given the press is being referred to and not the entire entertainment industry.
Good interview, though I don’t watch CNN. He should do more of these.
There are only five or six major media companies — most of whom (like Fox/News Corp) also own news outlets.
Or you could have said, like I did, he is *not* overtly hostile....:)
I’m not sure if you misread what I said or are adding to it?
I think you’re adding to it, but I’m not positive...lol
Nice — from your newsbusters link:
LESTER HOLT: We saw on the Democratic side Iowa became kind of a viability test. We saw some of the lower-tier candidates drop out after seeing the results in Iowa. What is your gut check right now in terms of your own viability? will it be South Carolina, will it be Super Tuesday?
FRED THOMPSON: I’m not going to engage in that — further beating the process issue to death. We’re talking about the future of our country here and the fact that our worst enemies are trying to get their hands on nuclear weapons and we’re bankrupting the next generation. That’s what I’m talking about. The rest is all speculation and I don’t engage in it.
Fantastic.
And his exact words are important
Yes they are, and the little snippit put out by National Review doesn't do justice to the context of his remarks.
They got it from News Busters and the whole interview is there. Here it is:
The black bolding is from the News Buster's site, and the red bolding is mine.LESTER HOLT: We saw on the Democratic side Iowa became kind of a viability test. We saw some of the lower-tier candidates drop out after seeing the results in Iowa. What is your gut check right now in terms of your own viability? will it be South Carolina, will it be Super Tuesday?
FRED THOMPSON: I'm not going to engage in that -- further beating the process issue to death. We're talking about the future of our country here and the fact that our worst enemies are trying to get their hands on nuclear weapons and we're bankrupting the next generation. That's what I'm talking about. The rest is all speculation and I don't engage in it.
HOLT: It's a fair point you make; you don't engage in it. But you were the victim of some rumors on this subject of your viability and questions if you would drop out. How much did that hurt you?
THOMPSON: Well let's think about that. It did hurt me, and the media lapped it up. It was put out by another campaign; made no sense at all.
HOLT: Which campaign?
THOMPSON: A few days before the election and made no sense at all, and I was coming strong, and the media took it up, and spread the rumor, and probably cost me two or three points in Iowa. So the lesson there is not, you know, politicians being politicians. The lesson there is that the news media really ought to check these stories out and come to me, and ask me, and take my word for it.
HOLT: Senator, fair shot against the news media, but what candidate were you mentioning that put that out there?
THOMPSON: I'm not gonna. I owe you nothing, frankly, in that regard and I'm not going to say anything more about it right now
You obviously like the guy and intend on voting for him, if he stays in the race. That’s fine. I haven’t made up my mind yet. However, I wouldn’t vote for a guy based on an attitude — real or contrived — about how he feels toward the press.
Great quote.
I watched him a lot after 9-11 before I got Fox. I thought he was quite good but... he seemed to be enjoying it all a bit too much.
Because of the visibility! Even when they are twits it gets Fred on the air for people. He doesn’t have to spend his own money, and he sure takes their measure. Man, I respect Fred more and more, everytime he smacks down these media types. Every conservative needs to get on board. We need him as President!
The vast majority of votes from illegals will be for Democrats, who offer more free benefits than Republicans.
If Republicans say they’d get more votes than Dems, they’re either ignorant or lying.
“However, he does know that he can insult them until the cows come home and they’ll still cover him.”
Late Thursday night it was clear Fred came in third in Iowa. The cable news channels could only bring themselves to talk about McCain who came in fourth. They mentioned Fred very little. This blatant boycott of Thompson has been going on for months.
When I say blatant boycott, I mean they either skip him entirely or only briefly mention his name, when the context gives coverage of Thompson equal or greater news value than other candidates discussed to significantly greater extent.
You say “they’ll cover him,” but the opposite has been happening.
Yes, I replied to your post to add to it. I see how it wasn’t clear, sorry about that.
I think you are very confused, OR you don’t have a clue how to express yourself.
Residuals are paid to actors for their work over a period of time. Fred may be receiving residuals, but he does not owe residuals.
What in the heck are you trying to say?
By plain spoken I meant to imply that his positions were common-sensical as well as directly delivered.
Well, they did find a way to take him out of context anyway.
Thy’re really good at that, aren’t they? I guess it’s all the practice they get.
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