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.
BTW some things about Jindal that aren’t mentioned.
He was on John Breaux’s commission to write health care a few years ago. He is a supporter of the health care law and univrsal health care.
He is attractive because he is “mostly” conservative but remember he is from a state that elected Huey Long and still has that bent. He is RC, has a gorgeous family.
But he is soft and short,,I swear. I met him and his handshake is soft, like a tiny womans and he is shorter than I. Comes across as lacking power. Just a thought here. Ithink you have to be able to project power, have a firm handshake and seem tough. He doesn’t.
Speak softly and carry a big stick, eh? I agree there has to be a certain conveyance of power for an ideal candidate.
Let me ask you a question, assuming you are actually a woman, CajunGirl. You mentioned Haley Barbour’s weight and Jindal’s height as hampering qualities for them to achieve higher office. To what extent does the physicality of a female candidate influence their electibility? I am asking if its an issue for you or for others. I don’t see that it is for me, but does that impact female voters at all?
By the way, McCain is very short (5’7” - in heels - vs Obama who is at least 6” taller than McCain)...to what extent do you think that played in the appeal of the candidates?
For me, its more more in the way they communicate.
Three votes here plus I am working on..family and friends..to start!!!
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).
I think it has an enormous impact on women and men. I could vote for Haley or for Jindal, more for Haley. Soft, small, weak handshaking men leave me really cold and suspicious. For women, I think it has to have an effect. Hillary looks neat and well groomed so she could have a go but a really fat blowsy woman, no deal. I think we distrust people who cannot control their bodies,,i.e. Gore. Pretty good looking people do better in all kinds of situations. I have a gorgeous daughter who drives like a ding bat. She never gets a ticket tho she gets stopped. She looks at the lane of cars next to her and men let her cut in. No matter what she does, she gets a break. I am old and wrinkley and get no breaks except in the south where old people are treated with great respect.
Palin is gorgeous, I think it helps her but she needs to back off the high boots. It didn’t go well on Condi and doesn’t on professional women. I like her heels, her dress, her hair. I think it helps her a lot when you pair it with all those kids,,you just can’t help but respect a good looking fashionable woman who has a passel of kids,,it just has an admirable quality. ANd somebody like Madeleine Albright,,not a prayer. Thatcher had great presence, not beauty and she did fine.
Just rambling here.
Interesting. Hard to argue good looking people are preferred in a lot of scenarios. How old did you say your daughter is?
(just kidding)
Let’s hope we get someone to come forward in the next 6 months who we can all get behind. If its Palin, so be it, but she should step up her game.
There is no chance I will either sit out the vote or put in a protest vote no matter who the candidate is!
Me either. Anybody but Obama. Actually anybody but Obama works for me. If Hill challenges him I might vote in the dem primary for her but I suspect she might be harder to beat than Obama. I still am mad at Rush for his tactic,,it resulted in Obama winning if I am not mistaken.
Wow, you pay attention to things that I would never think about in a million years.
maybe lighten up a little bit, relax. Guzzle down a 6 pack or two and listen to some loud country music or classic rock. It works for me. LOL
but seriously..
Sit out of the front porch and watch the sunset with your husband or a friend if you are single. Don’t worry too much about how you look or what other people look like. Life is what you make it.
I try to make life as less complicated as possible. being a good dad and a good husband.
I’m sure you’re trying to make some kind of relevant observation, but I have no idea what it could be.
They do look quite a bit alike. I’ll look into that movie... hopefully subtitled. My Russian never was very good. ;-)
LLS
LLS
Thanks for the info on Barbour. I am not a big fan of his, but if he is a pro-Kelo property grabber, cross me off his list for anything. He should be retired to Yazoo City next year.
He has been a great Governor overall... this is a major point of contention with me also... but he is solid on almost everything else... but he is a corporatist... not a Capitalist. It is NOT his time.
LLS
My screen name is the location of my college. One of today's biggest news-makers went there--as did a professional athlete in the who turned to politics, served in the cabinet, and eventually won his party's nomination for an office in the executive branch.
If this is true, cross him off. Last thing we need is another big-government Republican.
He has been stellar on all but this one issue... on eminent domain, he is a disaster.
LLS
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.