Patterico's Pontifications

9/6/2007

Give Me a T …

Filed under: 2008 Election,Politics — DRJ @ 4:09 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

Fred Thompson announced on the Jay Leno Show yesterday that he is officially a candidate for President of the United States. Here’s a transcript courtesy of NRO’s The Campaign Spot. This was Fred’s best soundbite:

JAY LENO: A lot of the pundits say, “Oh, well, you waited too long.”

FRED THOMPSON: No, I don’t think so. Of course, we’ll find out, but I don’t think people are going to say, you know, “That guy would make a very good President, but he just didn’t get in soon enough.”

I think this was his best policy response:

“JAY LENO: … I know we’re a good country, but I wonder what we have to do to get these allies, these other countries to maybe ‑‑ what are we doing wrong?

FRED THOMPSON: Well, part of that comes with being the strongest, most powerful, most prosperous country in the history of the world. I think that goes with the territory. We’re more unpopular than we need to be. That’s for sure, but our people have shed more blood for the liberty and freedom of other peoples in this country than all the other countries put together. (Applause.) And I don’t feel any need to apologize for the United States of America. We don’t make ‑‑

JAY LENO: I wasn’t suggesting that ‑‑

FRED THOMPSON: I know you weren’t. We make mistakes. I think we can do some things better. I think part of what we’ve got to do with regard to the global terrorist problem I talked about is for all the forces of civilization, all of our friends and people who love freedom need to understand that this is a battle against freedom and tyranny worldwide, that the good guys need to be on one side. To the extent that we can do better in reaching out and convincing people, sharing intelligence and sharing military operations and so forth and equipment and know‑how and technology, we certainly need to do that. We have shown how difficult it is to shoulder these burdens or the greatest share of these burdens by ourselves, and we need to do that. But we need to keep it in perspective. We’re probably never going to be loved by everyone as long as we’re that way …”

I also liked Leno’s suggested bumper stickers for Fred’s campaign:

“Fred Thompson. Because Giuliani is Too Hard to Spell.”

“Fred Thompson. He has a narrow stance.”

“Fred Thompson. Because I’m not Dr. Phil.”

Thompson replied that he has, in fact, been mistaken for Dr. Phil.

Jim Geraghty at The Campaign Spot had a mixed reaction to Thompson in general and a negative reaction to his appearance. (Glenn Reynolds disagreed.) Via Instapundit, there’s also this reaction from The Moderate Voice.

I don’t think the public will care how or when Fred Thompson entered the race or if he’s had staff problems during the start-up period. Initially, his biggest issue will be his appearance and demeanor. Americans want energetic leadership so he appeals to voters when he looks solid and strong, and not when he seems tired and disinterested. He will also have to deal with the issue all Southerners face: That some Americans associate the slower Southern cadence and sometimes rambling speech patterns with ignorance and slow-thinking.

49 Responses to “Give Me a T …”

  1. You know what I don’t get? All the crap that Fred caught for wearing Gucci loafers to the Iowa State Fair last month. It’s not as if all us hayseeds out here in flyover country have never seen a pair of Gucci shoes in person.

    Did Fred come to Iowa to campaign for president, or did he come to help me sort cattle or hogs? He’s not John Kerry, donning an Elmer Fudd outfit & asking “Can I gets me a huntin’ license here?”, and he’s not Dukakis riding in the tank. He wore a comfortable pair of shoes to walk around the Iowa State Fair. Is that REALLY a fashion faux pas?

    Russ from Winterset (208079)

  2. “some Americans associate the slower Southern cadence and sometimes rambling speech patterns with ignorance and slow-thinking.”

    -DRJ

    Some Americans also assume that a politician whose Hollywood resume outshines his Washington resume are pushovers not fit for the presidency of the United States.

    If people thinks ill of Fred Thompson, it’s got nothing to do with his accent. Nobody thinks James Carville is a moron.

    Leviticus (43095b)

  3. he skipped the debate in new hampshire, and the new hampshire voters won’t like that, why bother to host a debate otherwise?

    assistant devil's advocate (2c81db)

  4. THINK ill

    dammit

    Leviticus (43095b)

  5. Some Americans also assume that a politician whose Hollywood resume outshines his Washington resume are pushovers not fit for the presidency of the United States.

    Some Americans didn’t consider another Hollywood celebrity to be fit to be President. But Reagan was elected anyway. Twice. By overwhelming margins.

    aunursa (1b5bad)

  6. You gotta love ADA. His moral dyslexia is so clear but is exceeded only by his leftist sanctimony. How can the Left hope to win an honest election with trolls like him.

    Thomas Jackson (bf83e0)

  7. Although he was a Senator, his short tenure will not allow any to suggest he’s a DC insider. Of course,
    the fact that he did nothing while there helps reduce that derogation still further.

    Semanticleo (4741c2)

  8. As for Fred’s appearance, he always reminds me of Peter Boyle in “Young Frankenstein”

    So does his campaign, come to think of it…

    Puttin’ on the Ritz!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGN2aa3oQRM

    alphie (99bc18)

  9. There are a lot of Fred protesters here. How come?

    DRJ (8b9d41)

  10. Nobody thinks James Carville is a moron.

    ?????? I do! Carville’s more than a moron. He’s the epitome of ineptness and his diatribes are hilarious at best.

    As for Fred’s appearance, he always reminds me of Peter Boyle in “Young Frankenstein”

    Look for the monster, (Thompson) to throw Hillary and Bill from their ivory towers, coming soon to a theater/election near you.

    Rovin (7f64b8)

  11. dammit….

    S’OK Leviticus. We doesn’t worry too much about grammer roun’ heah?

    DRJ;

    I think most fear Thompson the way some fear Edwards. With the National Spotlight on them,
    they would be formidable candidates. Edwards with his Kennedy good looks and ‘aw shucks’ charm, Thompson with his good ol’ Boy persona (ala RWR).

    As to leadership, my objection to Thompson is, IMNEO,he would continue the flinty, obstreperous style of the current WH resident, whereas Edwards would build some bridges and forge some cross cultural alliances.

    Semanticleo (4741c2)

  12. Fred! Fred! Fred!

    Oh wait, he’s really going to run?

    Frodo! Frodo! Frodo!

    So far, I have been very impressed by what appears to be the complete lack of qualification among the self-nominated candidates. They all seem to be over 35 and native-born, perhaps the Founding Fathers should have added a few more to the list. 🙁

    htom (412a17)

  13. Like leading America’s largest city from recovery from poverty, crime, and the largest attack on civilians in U.S. history?

    Or governing a state, building several successful businesses, and being a well-recognized decent family man?

    Or serving your country in war, surviving as a POW, then going on to serve your country honourably for years in the senate?

    What, pray tell, are you talking about, htom?

    Christoph (92b8f7)

  14. Most people who don’t like or who disagree with Carville go through a tremendous munber of terms before they get to “moron”.

    A great many who think ill of our President either don’t have such a vocabulary or play to a crowd that doesn’t.

    spongeworthy (45b30e)

  15. DRJ- concerning the “Fred protesters”

    Role call for all taking shots at Fred Thompson so far:

    Leviticus
    ada
    Semanticleo
    alphie

    I don’t think Senator Thompson was counting on those votes anyway.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  16. […] Patterico’s Pontifications » Give Me a T … […]

    Neocon News » Fred owned last night. (aaa2c9)

  17. … whereas Edwards would build some bridges and forge some cross cultural alliances.

    With whom? On what?

    LarryD (feb78b)

  18. Like leading America’s largest city from recovery from poverty, crime, and the largest attack on civilians in U.S. history?

    Giulania. I don’t see how his dictatorial management style is going to go well with a Congress. IIRC, he’s anti-gun and pro-choice; this may be good for being elected, but it’s bad for being nominated.

    Or governing a state, building several successful businesses, and being a well-recognized decent family man?

    Romney? or Huckabee? In either case, “Who?”

    Or serving your country in war, surviving as a POW, then going on to serve your country honourably for years in the senate?

    As a character exemplar and leader of men, McCain is probably without peer. Sadly, he’d have to govern a nation of crybabies, and his pro-choice stance will make it very unlikely he’d be nominated.

    McCain, though, and to a lesser extent Giulinia, seem to be the best things going. McCain/Lieberman would be nice.

    htom (412a17)

  19. Thompson,

    with Lieberman Sec State
    McCain Sec Def
    Giuliani homeland sec

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  20. “There are a lot of Fred protesters here. How come?”

    -DRJ

    1) He’s inexperienced (which, in and of itself, is fine: I’m on the verge of becoming an Obama supporter).
    2) He’s more or less admitted that politics isn’t his thing (which ISN’T fine: I want to elect a candidate that’s going to be involved in the political process, not a surrogate who’s going to delegate everything to his fixers).
    3) Fuck The Hunt For Red October

    Leviticus (e87aad)

  21. Leviticus, uh, those sure are deep reasons …

    Robin Roberts (6c18fd)

  22. Robin,

    The first two ARE deep reasons. I don’t know how you could argue that they were shallow, especially when taken together.

    As for the third, well…

    No shit, Sherlock.

    Leviticus (3c2c59)

  23. I don wan another Southen prezdnt! I don wan another Southen prezdnt! I don wan another Southen prezdnt! Waah! I’m gonn a hold my breaf till I turn blue! Waah! I don wan another Southen prezdnt!

    nk (a6ecc6)

  24. Leviticus, no I don’t find the first two all that deep I’m afraid. The first is negated by your own admission and the second is really an odd conclusion based on a rather meaningless subjective remark.

    Robin Roberts (6c18fd)

  25. “We don’t want not southner… We want Algore!!!”

    Scott Jacobs (425810)

  26. Levi,

    I don’t know what kind of President Fred Thompson would make but as a general matter, I find your second point reassuring. As a conservative, I generally want less government – including an executive who favors a hands off approach to most things.

    DRJ (2afbca)

  27. Leviticus,

    1) There’s something in this, though responding by supporting an empty shirt may be a rash reaction.

    2) This is a plus, not minus in my book. The fewer Potomac IOUs and Get Out of Jail Free Cards the better. It also doesn’t necessarily imply delegating everything to fixers. Thompson doesn’t strike me as that type anyway.

    3) Well, good movie, but I wouldn’t focus on his part in it as defining.

    Semanticleo,

    Kennedy was never known for anything like ‘aw shucks’ charm. Charm, yes, but urbane charm, not ‘aw shucks’ charm.

    Edwards has good looks but is Ned Lamont redux as a general election candidate. Better looking to be sure and he does have the advantage of having had national exposure in the 2004 election. But being the darling of the progressive left won’t translate to a win in a general election as Lamont learned even in a heavily Democrat state.

    Worst thing that could happen to the Dems would be to nominate Edwards. Obama would be a disaster, but have the upside of giving him the experience of a national general election campaign for future personal and party consideration. Edwards would be a disaster without any mitigating upside for the future at all.

    Thompson does share that risk of being a one shot candidate that no future considerations can build on. He’ll fade from the national scene as quickly as Edwards would if either are nominated and lose the general election. Not neccesarily so with Reagan in the past, or Hillary, Obama or Romney today.

    Just Passing Through (cb6c8d)

  28. Leviticus – Your lack of defecation may be the result of fornicating with submarines.

    Gbear (5a473d)

  29. I don’t think Thompson can beat Hillary. He puts no extra states into play and she can pour a ton of money into Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, and New Mexico to tilt it her way. She won’t have to spend too much defending the states that went Democratic in 2004.
    And I doubt Guiliani is going to take a cabinet job.
    If Guiliani gets the nomination I think he should pick Hunter as a VP who can relate to his home state and other southwestern ones on the need for immigration reform and border control.
    Ca still will stay in the Dem column but they cannot lose it and will spend plenty to defend it.

    voiceofreason (96915a)

  30. Okay, Robin.

    How’s this for Thompson-bashing:

    The best thing Thompson has going for him is the potential, in the eyes of a bunch of nostalgic conservatives, to be “the next Reagan”.

    A lot of people think Reagan was an unqualified moron. By that logic, Thompson has the potential to be the next unqualified moron in the White House.

    Swell? I think not.

    Leviticus (68eff1)

  31. Leviticus, barely more substantive albeit thin.

    Robin Roberts (6c18fd)

  32. For those Thompson critics/cynics out there, I would suggest that you give a hard look to his resume, particularly the time before Hollywood.

    How many Hollywood actors are Minority Counsel to a Senate Select Committee, and, have brought down a corrupt Governor (almost single handedly – which is what got him into acting, BTW)?

    There is much more to Fred Dalton Thompson than a screen credit on “L&O”, or “Red October”.

    Another Drew (8018ee)

  33. Levi:

    Still opposing reason’s hegemony. We’ll it figures you’d support someone whose main claim to fame is going through sealed court records to discredit his opponent and making Bush sound like Einstein.

    I’m with Fred. You can tell a man by his friends and most importantly by his enemies. It is amazing to see the Morlock lineup for the dhimmies. No wonder the PRC is financing them.

    Thomas Jackson (bf83e0)

  34. Maybe I’d better stay out of this.

    I was wondering why I never saw Fred Thompson in “The Hunt for Red October”, but then I realized I was thinking of “Crimson Tide”. Either way, being linked to nuclear submarine service is not ideal for a Republican Presidential Candidate (see discussions of Jimmy Carter).

    Given the number of Dems I know who don’t like Hillary and how she ignites the opposition, I find it hard to see how she will win the general election, but then I didn’t think either Gore or Kerry had much going for them, either.

    David Robinson should run for something. He had wanted submarine duty but was disqualified when he kept growing once he was at Annapolis. (Not a random comment, just tangential, good night).

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  35. i have to say, thomas jackson is the dumbest commenter i’ve seen on here in several weeks.

    assistant devil's advocate (b5ae8c)

  36. ADA, Target sells mirrors pretty cheap.

    Robin Roberts (6c18fd)

  37. ADA, Target sells mirrors pretty cheap.

    Well played, Robin. 🙂

    Paul (5efd01)

  38. Paul, I was just trying to be helpful, since I deduced he didn’t own one.

    Robin Roberts (6c18fd)

  39. MD in Philly…
    Actually, in “Red October”, Fred played an Admiral in command of a Carrier Task Force.
    Scott Glenn was the skipper of the USS Dallas (Los Angeles class Attack Sub).

    Another Drew (33c3dc)

  40. Yeah, because you can tell someone is stupid just by looking at them… right, Robin?

    You and Paul are teh smartest commentatorz ever.

    Leviticus (43095b)

  41. Since I don’t mind saying things which are later proven to be totally wrong, I’ll jump into this too. To the vast majority of people it will matter most that the candidate is/is not a woman, black, or with a name that ends in a vowel.

    nk (a6ecc6)

  42. Yeah… it’s going to be an interesting election.

    I think the Republicans should nominate Nancy Reagan, just to mess with Hillary’s head.

    Leviticus (43095b)

  43. ADA:

    You know if you bought a mirror you could get the illustion that you doubled your IQ. Noi wonder the readers here use yyou for a pinata. I rarely have seen someone so detached from reality with the possible exception of your evil clone Alphie the sock puppet.

    Thomas Jackson (bf83e0)

  44. ada could have his proverbial way with you any day of the week, Thomas Jackass.

    Leviticus (43095b)

  45. Levi is feeling kind of salty today, huh?

    Why is it that Sen. Fred scares you folks so much, Levi?

    JD (f6a000)

  46. Levy:

    I realize you and ADA are an item. Your comments always demonstrate the depth of your intellect and the formidible education. Its nice to know that pre school prepared you so well for the Kos Kiddies membership you so proudly display.

    Lets hear from you again when you have something of substance to say, say when ADA also can marshall some facts in about say a hundred years.

    Morlocks braying at the moon, or in your case sock puppets are so obvious and tiresome.

    Thomas Jackson (bf83e0)

  47. Levi is feeling kind of salty today, huh?

    Yup, Levi is the Salty Sea Captain.

    Paul (5efd01)

  48. formidible education
    marshall some facts

    keep the laughs coming, bozo.

    assistant devil's advocate (c162b0)

  49. I’m going to vote for any Republican except Guiliani (I am absolutely not voting for someone who supports abortion, gun control and illegal immigration. What the hell makes that guy a Republican?) but I really, really hope that it’s not Fred Thompson. First, Thompson is the only Republican candidate who would lose the qualifications debate against Hillary and pretty much tie with Edwards or Obama, and furthermore, I don’t have any reason to think that he would be a competent president since he has never been chief administrator of anything larger that a prosecutor’s office.

    Doc Rampage (ebfd7a)


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