Palin and Newt, according to Fred Thompson and Rich Galen

Vanity | 07/24/2010 | Brices Crossroads

[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.

[Brices Crossroads]

LOL

[Rome2000]

1.Zero tolerance for marxists in US Government, all marxists OUT

2. Immediately reset all government spending to 2006 levels, no increases until surplus is acheived, starve the beast.

3. No more taxpayer funded government pensions for new federal employees, 401K only, 10% employer match.

5. Repeal all legislation passed by the marxist Pelosi Congress.

6. Suspend the marxist "Congressional Progressive Caucus" -Investigate all of its members for corruption and ties to communist and marxist enemy regimes.

[Gurn]

First, love the name "Brices Crossroads." I'm guessing maybe a half dozen people on FR get the significance.

That said, and I may be in a distinct minority here, I don't think Sarah's ready for prime time. And Newt is still to radioactive. Ultimately, I don't think Sarah runs; she knows her value is as a fundraiser and king-maker. Newt's gargantuan ego will force him to run, though.

[taildragger]

i think there is still someone in the shadows...

No he isn't. He is right under everyone's nose, they just don't get the best CEO in the country if not the world and outshines the whole GOP field maybe even Sarah....

Ford's Alan Mulally...

[paddles]

Rich is a good guy but he's just too close to Newt. Newt is damaged goods and nominating him would just be a Dole/McCain redux.

My hope is that Haley Barbour runs and Sarah Palin is his running mate.

[RichInOC]

I like Newt, and I like Galen’s stuff, but...let’s be serious. No. Whether or not Sarah Palin ever runs, Newt Gingrich is deeply, deeply unlikely to be the Republican presidential nominee any time in his lifetime.

[Dawgreg]

I don’t think I could take 4 or more years of “Clista and I”. :(

[rob777]

"... she is the only Constitutionalist of the four top ones."


She is doing a good job of going after the left, but a constitutionalist? No constitutionalist would offer support for the Law of the Sea Treaty. Her support for the Bush bailout is another reason to question that assertion without stretching the definition of the term.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

And Fred's wife Jeri is supposedly a friend of the Palins.

Disappointing, considering how his own candidacy flamed out. He should know better, and to let Newt's little weasel spout off like that and nod in agreement is simply low class.

[9YearLurker]

Barbour’s not winning on the top of the ticket nationwide. May not be fair, but it just isn’t happening.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

You may finding this troubling...

[Brices Crossroads]

“First, love the name “Brices Crossroads.”

Thanks. Although I come to a completely different conclusion than you do. But time will tell which of us is right.

BTW, if I turn out to be correct, the 2012 will be quite similar to Brices Crossroads. Care to guess who reprises the role of Sturgis?

[DCmarcher-976453]

!00% correct. Thank you.

[nhwingut]

This coming from Mr Late Nite Reverse Mortgage Infomercial King — who ran probably the worst presidential campaign in recent memory.

Screw Fred Thompson.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

i think there is still someone in the shadows...

Yep...

[DCmarcher-976453]

Hope you are doing really well Jeff.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks. I have posted a set of videos on Facebook that mark my progress of late:

Jeff at TIRR Gym walking (7/24/2010
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=415145899068

Jeff at store in scooter cart (7/24/2010)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=415148619068

Jeff with walking sticks, walking bacwards (7/20/2010)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=413951974068

Jeff in apt w/walker, & taking some baby steps (7/15/2010)
http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=755469068

Jeff in hospital on tilt tablt, 1st time at 90 degrees (6/8/2010)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=410259679068

[doc]

Newt is by far the better choice. He stated on the O’Reilly factor that he would love to debate Obama. He stated that it would be interesting to explore the two different philosophical differences, socialism, big government, higher taxes, less freedom, and marxism vs. individual freedom and liberty, smaller government, less taxes, and a free market. That is what this war is all about. Newt is also for strict control of our borders and enforcing current immigration laws whereas Sarah believes in ‘comprehensive immigration reform’(amnesty).

[mickey finn]

“THOMPSON: Yeah, I thank you much for that. We had a lot of fun on the campaign trail.”

Doing what? Galen must be a hell of a campaign manager. Instead of taking Quaaludes and sleeping through the primaries maybe they should have been taking methamphetamine and kicking some ass. That was the most pathetic excuse for a campaign I have ever seen, and I liked Fred.

Plus Newt is a POS and a blowhard who loves to suck up to Nancy Pelosi so he can keep his standing in the ruling class.

Palin at least has the energy to pull off a full blown campaign.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]