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 dont think Sarah Palins ever going to be the nominee. I dont think she believes that she can be the nominee and Im not sure she wants to get into that. I mean, I think shes, uh...you know...shes doing what she does and shes doing what she does better than anybody weve 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: Thats what Newts done for a long time and maybe hes ready...maybe hes ready for the next stage and maybe, uh, youre right. Maybe Sarahs idea is that shell 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, youve 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. Theyre 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, Im thinking about it, Im thinking about it and then he doesnt. 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 dont do it, hes...I think hes disposed to do it. So I think hes 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 cant 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 cant..I dont think you can project that far out. I think what Newt is...and Im putting words in his mouth; I havent 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 doesnt matter whether the incumbent can be defeated. If youre not the nominee then it doesnt make any difference. Um, and uh, I think he looks across the landscape, uh and he sees some really interesting personalities.
THOMPSON: (Loudly laughs) Youve been in town too long Rich, youre 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 dont think Sarah Palins ever going to be the nominee. I dont think she believes that she can be the nominee and Im not sure she wants to get into that. I mean, I think shes, uh...you know...shes doing what she does and shes doing what she does better than anybody weve 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: Thats what Newts done for a long time and maybe hes ready...maybe hes ready for the next stage and maybe, uh, youre right. Maybe Sarahs idea is that shell do this for a while and then her second stage will come along a little later.
GALEN: Theres no, uh, I mean theres no advantage for somebody like Sarah Palin to absolutely do, uh, you know, do a, uh, whats 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 doesnt 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, shell 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.
Newt has no shot. The media will back Romney, and once they get him where they want him, they'll gin up a scandal. If they even have to.
DISQUALIFIED!
She didnt quit her job.
Just what did the matriarch of the “Clan from Wasilla” do?
"Someone's got to say it: IS MITT ROMNEY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBAMA'S VICTORY?"
"Vanity: Team Romney Sabotaged Palin and Continuing to Do So?"
"Romney Supporters Trashing Palin"
"Romney advisors sniping at Palin?"
She changed directions and went from a local stage to a national stage.
We all have to do what is best to feed our families. She did the right thing.
I think Soros and friends rigged that melt down as an “October surprise”.
I've worked for three GOP members of Congress, and a GOP U.S. senator. I've served as a legislative assistant, a speech writer, a press secretary and a deputy campaign manager, the last in your home state. All for Republicans.
Taking all that into account, are you going to keep up your lame line that I'm not a conservative? In fact, why don't you tell me what all you've done to advance the conservative cause, since you deign to pass judgment on my conservative credentials.
Now, answer a simple yes/no question: Did she resign before her term was up as governor of Alaska?
You are a truly dim bulb.
I am with you, Gurn. I believe, and yes, I even “hope” we can do better than Palin.
[/moronic kid from Ohio]
Seriously: why do people take genuine, honorable disagreements so personally. Hell, I'd do her. Just don't think she belongs in the WH.
Yes. She resigned in order to move from a local stage to a national stage.
It happens everyday in radio and journalist.
I don’t care for the Republican party all that much. I don’t send them any of my money. I would rather not do anything for them.
transitive verb 1 : relegate, consign; especially : to give (oneself) over without resistance <resigned herself to her fate>
2 : to give up deliberately; especially : to renounce (as a right or position) by a formal actintransitive verb 1 : to give up one's office or position : quit
2 : to accept something as inevitable : submit
I don’t understand it either. I would think it would be best if we could debate the issues and candidate’s qualifications here on this board in all objectivity in the knowledge we’re all on the same side. We know the debate that lies beyond our ranks will be a lot less civil.
Yeah, you know, I think I remember reading somewhere that Alaska was really big. Like maybe even the biggest state.
Maybe that's why she quit. It was too big.
I don't hate Sarah Palin. I just don't think she's the best the Party could do in '12.
Some of you folks need either a drink or a clue or a piece of azz.
“Do her” ?
wow. isnt that mature folks
Links that bear repeating. It pains me to say it but if I were betting money on it, right now, the candidate would be Romney.
I held my nose for McCain, a war hero, and there was Palin if he bit the dust.
But Romney will never have my vote.
Stopped reading right there. Jeez!
I think Pence is one of the most articulate, intelligent voices of conservatiism today.
Nobody can say that about Palin with a straight face.
Plus, she quit her job.
It sounds like you’ve bought in to the media portrayal of Palin which was concocted on August 29th, 2008 on Journolist. Ignore 8 years of executive accomplishment as mayor and governor who fought against her own party’s corruption and instead focus on her femininity, invoking the “stupid woman” stereotype. Would a person who got decent grades at a state University (she’s released her records), and who has been a life-long journal writer, and who without any support from her own party, unseated an incumbent Republican governor be stupid?
If you read her postings on Facebook, or if you read “Going Rogue”, you will find the most articulate voice of conservatism writing today. Some will say that her writing is being edited or ghost written. In the case of her book, I’m sure she had able assistance in putting it all together, but her voice and style comes through plainly. Her Facebook postings are her own. Would an editor have allowed her to use a word such as “refudiate” even though its been used thousands of times by many writers since the early 80s?
As far as quitting, that’s been gone over many times. Would you allow yourself to be unjustifiably sued into bankruptcy to keep a job and then sit there and watch your employer lose even more? Those crazy democrat law suits let the horse out of the barn and now she’s running for the finish line.
And yes, I have a straight face.
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