Posted on 03/30/2007 6:02:49 AM PDT by SE Mom
Bill Frist doesn’t know who is going to win the 2008 Republican primary, let alone the final list of candidates. One thing Frist does know for sure is if his friend and former U.S. Senate colleague Fred Thompson decides to enter the race, he will be “very, very supportive” of a Thompson candidacy.
But with some polls showing Thompson, Tennessee’s second-most-recent former Republican senator, in third place among GOP presidential hopefuls – only weeks after he first hinted that he was considering running for president – talk of Fred Thompson dominated much of Frist’s visit.
Frist confirmed much of the speculation surrounding comments Thompson first made on Fox News Sunday – in which the Law and Order star and movie actor noted that he was thinking of throwing his hat in the campaign ring – by saying he and Thompson have talked at least every other day about a multitude of issues, including a presidential run.
It was just weeks ago, as well, that Frist formally announced that he would not be running for president in 2008.
“He recognizes that at this point in history, people want somebody who can communicate effectively, who can communicate directly, who can cut through a lot of the rhetoric,” Frist said of Thompson. “And Fred can do just that.”
“Over the next several weeks, and it could even be months, he’s going to continue to consider it very, very aggressively,” Frist added.
(Excerpt) Read more at nashvillecitypaper.com ...
FRED ping!
“He recognizes that at this point in history, people want somebody who can communicate effectively, who can communicate directly, who can cut through a lot of the rhetoric,” Frist said of Thompson. “And Fred can do just that.”
“Over the next several weeks, and it could even be months, he’s going to continue to consider it very, very aggressively,” Frist added.
Excellent news!!!!
*nibble*
Encouragement! Thank you Fred!
*munch*
Ditto!
And the first thing Thompson should do is distance himself from anything having to do with Frist.
If he runs, I'll get off my butt and vote for him. Right now, there isn't a conservative I like (that has a chance of winning)that I would vote for. Duncan Hunter is great, but he has zero chance of winning.
Over the last two days,I've heard two political analysts,from very different directions ( Pat Buchanan,Dick Morris) both say they'd give Thompson a VERY good chance not only to win the GOP nomination,but the White House also. While I don't always agree with these guys,politics is their game and they think Thompson's got the appeal factor to go all the way !!!
( Pat Buchanan,Dick Morris) both say they'd give Thompson a VERY good chance not only to win the GOP nomination,but the White House also.
“He recognizes that at this point in history, people want somebody who can communicate effectively, who can communicate directly, who can cut through a lot of the rhetoric,” Frist said of Thompson. “And Fred can do just that.”
Fred can most certainly do all of the above better than anyone else in the race.
I read the piece by Morris...do you have a link for Buchanan?
One thing's for sure- this is shaping up to be a llllong primary season:)
Bill Frist is well liked in Tenn. Just not as a national figure. Being associated with him is not a bad think for Fred.
I voted for Frist - and I voted for Thompson.
I very much regretted voting for Frist.
He's a wimp.
Wow :)
I don't know, I heard once that Thompson did not come to a complete stop at a stop sign. Such disrepect of the law has to raise questions about his suitability for the Presidency.
I really thought Thompson did have a very good shot, but if Morris and Buchanan are saying this, I might have to re-evaluate. When have they been right in the last decade?
Politics does have a way of warping words, doesn't it? LOL!
I expect what Frist was referring to are the ongoing and numerous talks going on between Thompson and various people and groups within the GOP right now.
If his recent Paul Harvey segments are any indication of the type of direct speech Thompson would use in a Presidential race, Frist is absolutely correct on this score.
I'm intrigued by the idea of Thompson running, but if he's tight with that weak-kneed, Beltway smitten, do-nothing politician Frist, in addtion to McVain, then I have some serious doubts about Fred's ability to lead the conservative charge.
Morris is right about 50% of the time, typically because he usually takes both sides of any given issue on consecutive days.
God bless Dr. Frist but he is no politician (though he tries to play on on TV).
Thompson is the GOP's last hope.
Even broken clocks are right twice a day.
hiya, CG. i totally agree with you.
I only regret that Frist was Senate Majority Leader!
Of course you agree with me. Morning xs
I guess you wish you had voted for Sasser?
I agree. Frist became rather weak and spineless in the Senate, but he's a good guy and was consistently conservative. I have no problem with Frist endorsing Thompson.
Usually you would have to pay me to watch MSNBC but last night while channel surfing I caught Hardball with a discussion about Fred with Chris hosting Pat Buchanan and Margaret Carlson. Did Margaret once go out with Fred? I remember Mark Shields making some humorous remark about that on the Capital Gang many years ago.
Anyway, Chris Matthews was a little giddy over the prospect of Thompson running and says he likes him because he is not pretentious, and he gets right to the point of what he wants to say. It scares me just a bit that Fred seems well liked by a Chris Matthews type. But if Fred can start his campaign off without a barrage of attacks from the liberal talking heads, that is an advantage.
You guess wrong.
Good point. Morris like Kerry could engage in a heated debate with himself.
I can meet you halfway. ;-)
Paul Harvey reports urban legends to people who don't own computers. What is FT like on his show?
The entire 2008 campaign began prematurely and a fatigue-factor could set in, not to mention if Fred declares now it gives the MSM more time to slander and lie about him.
Sounds like stategery to me.
Well...as I look around..I'm beginning to think you have a point.
All else being equal- what sets Fred apart from other candidates is his ability to communicate EFFECTIVELY. We may decry the culture as shallow and pre-occupied. That fact gives Thompson the edge- his tone and manner cuts through the rhetoric and brings clarity to issues others are delighted to muddy.
LOL!!
Communication is a key ingredient for effective leadership.
He mentions them, and refutes them, from what I've heard.
Memo to Frist; Shut up !
Rudy would have come to a full stop! Thompson is a lawbreaking rino! This whole Thompson thing is nothing more than a ruse by Chevy to sell more red pickup trucks. I can't understand why you people don't see what's right in front of your eyes...
I also heard he dated women after his divorce from his first wife. Imagine that!
It would be funnier if I couldn't actually picture a Rudy supporter making that accusation...
Rudy, OTOH, lived with gay guys and cross-dressed.
If you go here- you'll see Editor's Note- click on it and you can listen for yourself!
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZDhkY2M1Yzk4YjM1YmYyNWFmNWRhOWJjM2Y4YmFkZjg=
In fact- NRO has published all of Fred's pieces on Paul Harvey and the links to listen to them..
Not to mention, as long as he doesn't declare officially, he gets the benefits of 1) all of the media buzz about "will he or won't he", and 2) the additional (non-regulated) exposure from filling in for Paul Harvey and his Law and Order appearances.
I respectfully suggest that the reason(s) Thompson is currently in third is that 1--he hasn't declared yet, 2--people know his face but not his name, 3--people don't know his policies.
2 and 3 will be cleared up when he does 1.
Yes they will:)
Fred Thompson For President!
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