Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Election Analysis: Giuliani Still Ahead; Thompson Gains
NewsMax ^ | 3/29/07 | Dick Morris

Posted on 03/29/2007 2:32:52 PM PDT by pissant

THE REPUBLICANS: THE THOMPSON THREAT

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson poses a direct threat to Rudy Giuliani's substantial lead in the Republican presidential primary. If he gets in . . . it's bad news for Rudy.

The March 23-25 Gallup Poll shows surprising Republican support for Thompson. As an undeclared candidate, he is getting 12 points in a GOP match. And, almost all of his vote share is coming from either Giuliani and Romney. McCain and Gingrich are not affected at all!

Three weeks ago, Rudy was at 44 percent in the same poll — without Thompson. But now, with Thompson added, Rudy drops to 31 percent, and Romney goes from 8 percent to 3 percent.

So . . . if Fred Thompson decides to make the race, Mitt Romney might as well go home — since Fred eats his lunch and knocks him down to 3 percent of the vote. (It wouldn't be a bad idea for Mitt to go home anyway.) And, if Thompson runs, Giuliani will have to battle for his lead.

Why is Thompson so lethal to Rudy? Forget the left/right division; its not really applicable. What matters is media/nonmedia or charisma/noncharisma. Rudy and Fred are both television candidates. 9-11 vs Law and Order. America's Mayor faces America's prosecutor. Both have been intimately involved with the voters.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: fred; fredthompson; rudy; thompson
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-58 next last
Look for hit peices on thompson coming soon.
1 posted on 03/29/2007 2:32:53 PM PDT by pissant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: pissant

Many of them have been posted here, by the usual suspects.


2 posted on 03/29/2007 2:38:22 PM PDT by flashbunny (<--- Free Anti-Rino graphics! See Rudy the Rino get exposed as a liberal with his own words!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant
General Patton said "do not take counsel of your fears," because it would undermine your goals.

The RINO Rudy supporters prime reason for their support is not love of Rudy's positions or character, but that "He's the only one who can beat Hillary" which is essentially based on a fear of losing to Hillary.

These are the ones who see Thompson as a "famous guy" with initial name recognition that makes them feel less fearful, and these are the ones who are the first to defect from RUDY.

The silly thing is that name recognition now is entirely irrelevant to the general election in 20 months. Each major party nominee always has PLENTY of name recognition by the election, which is decided based on how people perceiver the candidates, not based on how famous they used to be.
3 posted on 03/29/2007 2:40:40 PM PDT by Beelzebubba (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant

They'll try and hit him because they are afraid of him. I still think that Thompson and Newt should both run and let the people decide. The others won't have a chance. These two guys are serious and the dems are not going to want to mess with them. If they did run Hillary would be asking Bill for a cigar to get her mind off of the whole thing.


4 posted on 03/29/2007 2:41:04 PM PDT by RC2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RC2

Newt running is a waste of money that could be used in a general election.

Now that there is an electable conservative in the race (Thompson), Newt should swallow his massive ego and endorse him.


5 posted on 03/29/2007 2:43:41 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Lezahal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: pissant

Wow, and Thompson hasn't even declared yet.


6 posted on 03/29/2007 2:54:17 PM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MeanWestTexan
Now that there is an electable conservative in the race (Thompson)

When did he announce??? Oh, he didn't.

7 posted on 03/29/2007 2:56:33 PM PDT by wireman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: pissant; STARWISE; Howlin; jellybean; Graymatter; Sturm Ruger

Grin ping!


8 posted on 03/29/2007 2:58:29 PM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant
I'll vote for Fred everyday and twice on Sunday. He may not want to run, but that's the type of guy we need in office.
9 posted on 03/29/2007 3:04:16 PM PDT by Herakles (Diversity is code word for anti-white racism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant
Look for hit peices on thompson coming soon.

What an alarmist you are. Looking in the mirror?

10 posted on 03/29/2007 3:07:22 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

Did I post a Thompson hit piece? I kinda like him for veep.


11 posted on 03/29/2007 3:08:08 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: wireman

"When did he announce??? Oh, he didn't."

Wink. Wink. Nudge.

When he annouces he'll have to give up his Paul Harvey gig. Maybe even Law & Order episodes go off.

He'll be the un-announced-announced candidate for a while.


12 posted on 03/29/2007 3:08:30 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Lezahal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Herakles
....He may not want to run,...

It's work and he doesn't have the fire in the belly to stay in the fight.

13 posted on 03/29/2007 3:08:31 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: pissant

No my dear, if memory serves, it's you who attacks other GOP candidates.


14 posted on 03/29/2007 3:09:37 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: pissant

If memory fails, I apologize.


15 posted on 03/29/2007 3:10:37 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: MeanWestTexan

Sounds good to me. I just think he may be waiting too long.


16 posted on 03/29/2007 3:10:44 PM PDT by wireman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

I attack liberals. It's actually one of the main purposes of this website, if I recall.


17 posted on 03/29/2007 3:10:55 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: pissant
Day 18 of the Fred Thompson stalking horse watch. Twelve days since I said that if he is not getting in look for him to drag it out for a long time, since that puts the brakes on any other conservatives in the race. Nothing has happened of significance for several days, no endorsements, no announcements by anyone of significance, so the rabid right wing media yank out the old Gallup poll that shows Fred at the AMAZING, INBELIEVABLE number of 12 PERCENT!!! Meanwhile, today Quinnipiac gave Thompson 6 percent in Pennsylvania.

This Thompson campaign is one unbelivable unstoppable train, alright. It's about as exciting as watching paint dry.

18 posted on 03/29/2007 3:11:21 PM PDT by massadvj
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pissant
Weren't you attacking Giuliani? Or is that a straight line for you?
19 posted on 03/29/2007 3:12:10 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: massadvj

He won't enter probably til midsummer, if he even does. Never considered Dick Morris to be right wing. Moderate lefty, as I recall.


20 posted on 03/29/2007 3:13:00 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

I disagree on name recognition. Do you ever listen to Hannity's "Man on the Street" interviews? Most people can't even name the Vice President or a Supreme Court justice. Name recognition is a VERY valuable commodity, which is why Duncan Hunter and Sam Brownback have no chance, period.


21 posted on 03/29/2007 3:13:13 PM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of News)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: pissant

I'm sorry.. I will not vote for Thompson when Dobson doesn't support him.




*sarcasm*


Unfortunately, this is how some idiots vote.


22 posted on 03/29/2007 3:13:50 PM PDT by TNLawyer (Feminazis the world over can shut up now!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: massadvj
..... This Thompson campaign is one unbelivable unstoppable train, alright. It's about as exciting as watching paint dry.

He wants someone to say "action, cut, print" and waltz into the White House. Ain't gonna happen.

23 posted on 03/29/2007 3:14:25 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

I said I attack libs, didn't I? Of course, I try to be relatively polite about it, since there are a few fans of his here.


24 posted on 03/29/2007 3:14:51 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: pissant
Never considered Dick Morris to be right wing. Moderate lefty, as I recall.

I was refering to Newsmax. I didn't even look at the byline, to tell you the truth.

25 posted on 03/29/2007 3:15:06 PM PDT by massadvj
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: TNLawyer

I'd be willing to bet Dobson is not all that popular here on FR. He's a non-entity to me.


26 posted on 03/29/2007 3:15:39 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: pissant

Thank you for being so sweet. Really! I'm smiling and hoping we will beat the Dems in this battle. My best.


27 posted on 03/29/2007 3:16:46 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: TNLawyer

Dobson pretty well recanted/disputed that bit.


28 posted on 03/29/2007 3:17:00 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Lezahal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: massadvj

Yes. Newsmax is right leaning to be sure.


29 posted on 03/29/2007 3:17:19 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

Me too. But that bridge is after the primaries. It will be here soon enough.


30 posted on 03/29/2007 3:18:24 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: massadvj
Fascinating piece in the American Thinker today, arguing that in three Paul Harvey op-eds, Thompson has yet to make any real conservative statement or take a significant stand on any of the topics he addressed.

Don't get me wrong: if he's running, he'd vault ahead of my current (reluctant) #1, Rudy.

But it's all going to come down to this: the first guy to figure out that we want a FIGHTER will win, regardless of his position on many issues. We've seen six years' worth of conservatives (including people like Trent Lott and George Allen and Pete Dominici) bend over and grab their ankles when the Dems squeal. We've seen the horrible results of the "new tone." We've seen political appeasement in action. We have a House and Senate full of Chamberlains.

The first Churchill who stands up, wins, even if he's pro-abort, or whatever. Our side would rather fight and win on 30% of the issues and have the other 70% just sit there dormant than have a guy who is 100% true blue who won't fight.

31 posted on 03/29/2007 3:18:32 PM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of News)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: pissant
I'd be willing to bet Dobson is not all that popular here on FR. He's a non-entity to me.

Remember when Steve Forbes called Pat Robertson a "toothy flake?"I was rippied a new one for faithfully supporting Forbes.

I like a lot of family advice that Dobson has promoted but he seems to be venturing into the realm of "toothy flake" political postering. I didn't like it when he said Thompson wasn't "Christain."

Sad, sorry stuff.

32 posted on 03/29/2007 3:24:05 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: LS
Don't get me wrong: if he's running, he'd vault ahead of my current (reluctant) #1, Rudy.

No way. Did you see the Quinnipiac polls today? They polled Thompson and there is very little support for the guy. Meanwhile, Giuliani is outpolling Hillary and Obama in Pennsylvania and Florida. Republicans are not stupid. They fully understand that the first order of business is to win. Ideology is a secondary concern, especially after the 2006 fiasco.

The Thompson supporters are delusional. They think the guy is another Reagan. He doesn't have anywhere near the support, name recognition or popularity they think, but they are so desperate for a conservative to beat that no good gun grabbin', baby killin' cross dressin' librul RINO Giuliani that they would sell the entire country out to do it.

I think their backup plan is to back that guy from Weekend at Bernie's if Fred decides not to run.

33 posted on 03/29/2007 3:27:11 PM PDT by massadvj
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: LS

Considering what Bush has accomplished even with a milquetoast GOP behind him, I'd take him for a third term right now.


34 posted on 03/29/2007 3:28:19 PM PDT by pissant (The new Fred Astaire: Rudy Rodham Bloomberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: LS
......The first Churchill who stands up, wins, even if he's pro-abort, or whatever. Our side would rather fight and win on 30% of the issues and have the other 70% just sit there dormant than have a guy who is 100% true blue who won't fight.

Bump!!!

35 posted on 03/29/2007 3:28:28 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba
The RINO Rudy supporters prime reason for their support is not love of Rudy's positions or character, but that "He's the only one who can beat Hillary" which is essentially based on a fear of losing to Hillary.

Actually, I think they agree with Rudy's policy ideas and record, they just can't admit it.

36 posted on 03/29/2007 3:35:11 PM PDT by AuntB (" It takes more than walking across the border to be an American." Duncan Hunter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: massadvj
but they are so desperate for a conservative to beat that no good gun grabbin', baby killin' cross dressin' librul RINO Giuliani that they would sell the entire country out to do it.

So the choice is: Rudy: gun grabbing, pro abort, pro gay, pro illegal immigration (& amnesty) RINO (republican in name only), from liberal NYC, or: a gun grabbing, pro abort, pro gay, pro illegal immigration liberal democrat from anywhere.

Hmmm... decisions, decisions, decisions...

37 posted on 03/29/2007 3:42:46 PM PDT by AFreeBird (This space for rent. Inquire within)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: massadvj

Your insults are getting tiresome.


38 posted on 03/29/2007 3:43:31 PM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: pissant

Agree with that. Wouldn't that freakin' send the Dems to the kool-aide pitchers?


39 posted on 03/29/2007 3:56:26 PM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of News)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife
Agree. It always raises the hairs on my neck when someone starts to decide who is, or isn't, a Christian. Jesus said "he who isn't against us is with us," meaning that just because they weren't disciples in that particular group didn't mean they weren't called by God to spread the Gospel. Remember Roger Williams, the Puritan who grew so skeptical of everyone's salvation that he concluded he couldn't know that ANYONE was saved . . . then he went in the other direction and said, therefore ALL must be saved!

Dr. Dobson should let the pols lead by their examples. Actions speak louder than words.

40 posted on 03/29/2007 4:00:29 PM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of News)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: massadvj
I think the Quin. poll was taken without using Thompson's name (could be wrong), but the Gallup poll had FT at 12%. That's pretty impressive for someone who is not running.

But as I say, it's all irrelevant: Rudy, Fred, Mitt---unless someone stands up and shows they will FIGHT the Dems across the board, maybe not on every issue, but pick several big fights and challenge them---it won't matter. Our side wants a fighter.

I hate to use this analogy, but it's almost like the superstar basketball player who is in trouble with the law. If he will bring a championship, after a while, people don't care what his rap sheet is. At some point, EVERYONE gets tired of getting kicked around.

41 posted on 03/29/2007 4:03:58 PM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of News)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

I am not defecting from Rudy. Rudy never had my vote and will never get my vote. A lib is a lib. There's no way Rudy is fit to be President.


42 posted on 03/29/2007 4:18:06 PM PDT by A1 Southern Man (Fred Thompson , the one who can win.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: massadvj

"Republicans are not stupid. They fully understand that the first order of business is to win."

You are very mistaken. Lots of Republicans have certian moral standards that Rudy doesn't even come close to matching.

I'll vote third party before I vote for Rudy.


43 posted on 03/29/2007 4:22:32 PM PDT by JRochelle (RudymccaINrOmney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife
Look for hit peices on thompson coming soon.

What an alarmist you are. Looking in the mirror?


I haven't seen anyone posting "hit pieces" on Thompson. Most everyone has said they would vote for him if he got the nomination.

44 posted on 03/29/2007 4:31:01 PM PDT by KATIE-O (Rudy Giuliani - Restoring Optimism in '08)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: massadvj

Were you born an a$$hole?
Or did you work at it your whole life?
Either way it worked out fine
'cause you're an a$$hole tonight.

Yes you're an A $ $ H O L E...
And don't you try to blame it on me.
You deserve all the credit.
You're an a$$hole tonight.

You were an asshole yesterday.
You're an asshole tonight.
And I've got a feelin'
you'll be an asshole the rest of your life.


45 posted on 03/29/2007 5:32:12 PM PDT by RockinRight (Support FREDeralism. Fred Thompson in 2008!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: pissant

a, It's Dick Morris.
b, He's talking about polls, 20 months before the election.
c, The poll takes Obama seriously.


46 posted on 03/29/2007 5:36:39 PM PDT by Graymatter (Let Freddom Ring!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LS
Fascinating piece in the American Thinker today, arguing that in three Paul Harvey op-eds, Thompson has yet to make any real conservative statement or take a significant stand on any of the topics he addressed.

I don't think that's really true. I think Thompson has a different approach. Although decidedly conservative, he doesn't "present" himself as a strict ideologue. Doesn't mean he's NOT one, but he doesn't PRESENT himself as such. His manner is more of a no-nonsense, common-man approach to the issue, a variation on the way Reagan articulated himself. I think it's a winning formula.

I mean, he's told Mexico where to shove it. He's told Iran where to shove it. And he's pointed out some silly conspiracy theories. Just on Harvey. On other appearences, I think he's done well to express his conservatism.

47 posted on 03/29/2007 5:49:10 PM PDT by RockinRight (Support FREDeralism. Fred Thompson in 2008!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: SE Mom
Your insults are getting tiresome.

His very existence on FR has gotten extremely tiresome.

48 posted on 03/29/2007 6:42:54 PM PDT by OldPossum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight

Re post 45, I suspect that the fella's right.


49 posted on 03/29/2007 6:45:09 PM PDT by OldPossum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: MeanWestTexan

Didn't Thompson support McCain Feingold? Why is he getting a pass on this?


50 posted on 03/29/2007 6:48:14 PM PDT by Pharmboy ([She turned me into a] Newt! in '08)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-58 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson