Posted on 07/24/2010 3:47:23 PM PDT by Brices Crossroads
Below is a transcript of a portion of Fred Thompson's interview with Rich Galen on his radio show July 23, 2010 in which Thompson and Galen discuss the relative merits of Gingrich and Palin, as well as the likelihood that either or both will enter the GOP.
Galen is a former press Secretary to Gingrich, and he gives the back of his hand to Sarah Palin in the interview, calling her "a really interesting personalit[y]...but not necessarily ... qualified to be the nominee or be president." Incredibly, and to his discredit, Thompson laughingly agrees:
"THOMPSON: Uh huh...
GALEN: And uh, I don’t think Sarah Palin’s ever going to be the nominee. I don’t think she believes that she can be the nominee and I’m not sure she wants to get into that. I mean, I think she’s, uh...you know...she’s doing what she does and she’s doing what she does better than anybody we’ve seen in a long time.
THOMPSON: You know she may be in the first stages of Newtism, and that is, uh, being...being a real player and going around the country making lots of money. (Laughs)
GALEN: Yeah, and ...
THOMPSON: That’s what Newt’s done for a long time and maybe he’s ready...maybe he’s ready for the next stage and maybe, uh, you’re right. Maybe Sarah’s idea is that she’ll do this for a while and then her second stage will come along a little later."
As someone who supported Fred Thompson in 2007-8 both on this forum and financially, I am bitterly disappointed that, at a minimum, he did not correct Galen's outrageous statement that she is unqualified to be either the nominee or the President. I know Rush Limbaugh or Mark Levin would have defended her because I have heard them both do it. In fact, Galen would never even have made such an outrageous statement in front of them because he would know it would draw a harsh refudiation from either El Rushbo or the Great One. (In fact, I heard Levin take Ann Coulter to task one time because she trashed Thompson).
Instead, he says "uh huh" and proceeds to amplify Galen's canard by citing the lamestream media/GOP Establishment wishful thinking-spin that she is too happy making money to run. Galen is a RINO "gun for hire" and former employee of Gingrich. He is not admirable, but he is doing what he is paid for. Fred Thompson has no such excuse. Shame on him.
The transcript of the entire segment on Newt and Palin is below:
"THOMPSON: Rich Galen, the founder of Mullings.com, the wit and wisdom of Rich Galen uh, if you want to check that out. Rich, you’ve been around here a long time, uh, you worked for Newt Gingrich, you worked for Dan Quayle and, uh, GOPAC and uh...
GALEN: And Fred Thompson..
THOMPSON: Yeah, I thank you much for that. We had a lot of fun on the campaign trail. They’re coming out of the woodwork now. Do you think Newt might be serious this time...?
GALEN: Yeah I do...
THOMPSON: You know Newt pretty well and Newt, this time of the year every four years you know, uh, says, “Well, I’m thinking about it, I’m thinking about it” and then he doesn’t. What do you think?
GALEN: Yeah, I think that, uh, that this time, unless there is some..something pops up between now and next February that says “don’t do it”, he’s...I think he’s disposed to do it. So I think he’s gonna be a candidate.
THOMPSON: Is that right? How do you think he figures...is it as clear as, you know, it seems to be, and that is that Obama is very unpopular and, uh, he can’t come back like Reagan did, uh, in his second two years and be re-elected?
GALEN: And Clinton did...
THOMPSON: And Clinton did...
GALEN: Yeah, you can’t..I don’t think you can project that far out. I think what Newt is...and I’m putting words in his mouth; I haven’t discussed this with him...I have discussed the first part with him, but not this part.
THOMPSON: Uh huh...
GALEN: The, uh, I think what Newt is looking at is A) the Republican competition, first of all. I mean, it doesn’t matter whether the incumbent can be defeated. If you’re not the nominee then it doesn’t make any difference. Um, and uh, I think he looks across the landscape, uh and he sees some really interesting personalities.
THOMPSON: (Loudly laughs) You’ve been in town too long Rich, you’re becoming too diplomatic. (Loudly laughs again)
GALEN: But not necessarily people who are qualified to be the nominee or be president.
THOMPSON: Uh huh...
GALEN: And uh, I don’t think Sarah Palin’s ever going to be the nominee. I don’t think she believes that she can be the nominee and I’m not sure she wants to get into that. I mean, I think she’s, uh...you know...she’s doing what she does and she’s doing what she does better than anybody we’ve seen in a long time.
THOMPSON: You know she may be in the first stages of Newtism, and that is, uh, being...being a real player and going around the country making lots of money. (Laughs)
GALEN: Yeah, and ...
THOMPSON: That’s what Newt’s done for a long time and maybe he’s ready...maybe he’s ready for the next stage and maybe, uh, you’re right. Maybe Sarah’s idea is that she’ll do this for a while and then her second stage will come along a little later.
GALEN: There’s no, uh, I mean there’s no advantage for somebody like Sarah Palin to absolutely do, uh, you know, do a, uh, what’s the statement that we always talk about?
THOMPSON: Sherman-like...
GALEN: A Sherman statement, you know, if nominated I will not run. If elected, I will not serve. I mean, it doesn’t do any good to take herself out of the running. It makes good sense for her to be among the mentioned and, uh, you know why get in the way of that? Next Spring, sometime, she’ll decide what she wants to do and everybody will react to it then. But uh,...
THOMPSON: Uh huh...
GALEN: Yeah, I think the threshold question is I think Newt is serious about it.
Oh! thank God you stepped in to inform us of the size and scope of Alaska!
Up until now we was just thinking it was like a great big country and all! mayhaps even bigger than new york!
thank u oh wise one for fillin us in!
You are using liberal talking points against Sarah Palin. Thats what im trying to say. You sound like the other side. That should concern you.
It was just a joke. The moron brought it on himself.
I don’t think it is good to use a disabled child in a joke to insult someone.
That reveals your true colors to me.
You are correct in that Newt’s first wife was his former HS teacher. I am not sure if it had anything to do with trying to avoid the draft.
Just to be clear, you said more than you'd be drinking on election day. You specifically said that you wouldn't vote.
Here's your quote....
I've stated my own opinion and you call me out as using the liberal talking points.
And you don't see the idiocy in your own position.
It was a very tasteless joke.
Marriage didn’t help avoid the draft, did it? He was in school forever...that was an exemption.
Whatever you say..
I just think it is sad that you believe the MSM talking points on Palin. She seems like a good person and she deserves better.
I am just someone who cares about my country and wants what is best for it. That is all. I don’t think you really care.
Your posts would be informative if they contained information about Gov. Palin that people might not know. They don’t help your cause when they just take shots at other people’s opinions.
“Newt is by far the better choice.”
Nice try. Newt is a RINO, friend of Pelosi and cap and tax and a member of the Establishment par excellence in an anti-Establishment year. His personal life disqualifies him as well.
His political judgment is off as well, as witness his support for Scozzafava, Grayson and Deal. He will be clobbered by Palin. He is not a conservative in a party that is overwhelmingly dominated by conservatives.
You can’t spin him as more conservative than Palin. No one this side of the cuckoo’s nest believes that.
Rich Galen=weasel.
The factthat this piece of work was Newt’s spokesman tell you all you need to know about Newtie.
Jindal, by his own admission does not meet the requirements to hold the office, and will not be running, so support/no support for him is moot.
Mike Pence has an uphill battle, similiar to Hunters, because of low National name recognition, and the historical difficulty of reaching the White House from the US House of Representatives. Plus no Goverment Exec experience.
Paul Ryan is looking good! In a very few years he may be a powerful factor on the National Stage. That said votes in the legislature can always be twisted, by either side, against you....Best to move up before that record gets too big!
Jim DeMint is also a great Conservative. Yet again I am concerned about the path from Congress to the White House...Yes it has been done, often with less than desired results........Kennedy, Johnson, Obama.........
Romney has the executative experience and record to be a contender.......too bad his record is stinks! I agree no Romney, No way!
Newt is highly flawed. He has interesting ideas, but no executive leadership skills....a definate non starter.
I think you judge Palin too early, and under the light of a Democrat lampost.... It appeares to me that she’s the only one on the national stage that is consistantly taking the fight to Obama, who frequently responds to her critisms.
The opposition is telling us who they fear...and it is not Jindal, Pence, Ryan, DeMint, Romney, or Newt. To their mind it is only Sarah Palin...... Time tell.
Please tell me who you think is up to it. I think Sarah is busy boning up on issues, and she has great instincts. I am not resistant to someone else running. I can’t think of anyone better.
Newt is Obama with a higher IQ, in White Face.
.
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