Fred Thompson writes to Pajamas Media and Other online Forums

PajamasMedia ^ | May 18, 2007 | Fred Thompson

[TennMountains]

To PJM and Friends

By Fred Thompson

So, I hear you all have been talking about me.

It seems that I ought to respond, at least briefly, to all those who have expressed confidence in me — both here and in other forums. I do not take that confidence lightly.

The Pajamas Media poll is certainly good news, especially when, for a lot of politicians, encouragement to run from three relatives and an unemployed campaign consultant is considered an unstoppable groundswell. When people are saying nice things about me, I try to remember the proverb that compares flattery to a net at your feet. To be sure, the Pajamas poll results are very flattering, so let me return the favor and throw a net at your feet.

Whether or not the Internet can elect any particular candidate in any particular race, it’s clear that all of you and our many friends across the blogosphere and the Web are part of a true information revolution. That’s why so much of my effort has been focused on talking to Americans through this medium. By empowering individuals and building communities, the Internet provides a way of going around the inside-the-beltway crowd to reach people in numbers unheard of not that long ago.

I believe this direct communication and discussion is going to have an enormous impact on our political process. Our nation is facing unprecedented threats, and the challenges of globalization. We have a 70-plus trillion dollar entitlement shortfall and a government that is not effective in important ways.

[TennMountains]

Fred's a Blogger? This is going to be very interesting!

[rhombus]

So he’s going to set a new tone in Washington? Where have I heard that before? Has he hired a Bush or Obama speech writer?

[Hazcat]

I try to remember the proverb that compares flattery to a net at your feet.

Showing my ignorance here, but does anyone know this proverb?

Thanks

[SMARTY]

Fine, but he overlooked one thing. For example, out here in the real everyday world, if I put a Bush/Cheney sticker on my car, my tires would be cut when I returned to it. That’s the environment here now.

[pikachu]

It seems Mr.Thompson is the class act of the presidential field. Can he afford the pay cut going from actor to POTUS?

[Fabozz]

If the pimp-slapping he delivered to Michael Moore the other day is an example of the “new tone” he sets in Washington, I’m all for it.

[michigander]

Proverbs 29:5
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

[TennMountains]

“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.”
Proverbs 19:5
KJV

[Pietro]

Fred needs to understand that its the quixotic quest for "bi-partisanship" that has served W so disasterously.

Hey Fred, the dems will use you like a sock puppet!

Hey Fred, the dems are not honest!

Hey Fred, that article was so much mish-mash I've got to wonder exactly what the excitment was about, it was just so much same-old same-old.

Get back to us when you've got a clue Fred.

[gooleyman]

Proverbs 29:5

[xcamel]

Things too boring for you over at DU?

[rhombus]

Fred did great with that video. We need more of it and with “Turn the Other Cheek” Bush leaving, the gloves should come off. I was a little disappointed in the “can’t we all get along” tone in this blog. I hope to see more of the Video Fred in the near future.

[rhombus]

Things too boring for you over at DU?

Cheap shot. You can do better, I'm sure.

[rockinqsranch]

We live in the times today in which the results of years of “negotiations”, thus “compromise” have yielded nothing more to “negotiate”, thus “compromise”.

The only way now to proceed is for one favorable ideology to overwhelm the unfavorable.

I don’t see “Bi-partisan” as viable anymore.

[true_blue_texican]

bttt

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Was the original article too boring for you to read it through?

[mcshot]

“...I don’t see “Bi-partisan” as viable anymore...”

I see it as a BOHICA warning.

[TLI]

Get back to us when you've got a clue Fred.

I smell smoke...

[Dilbert56]

...for a lot of politicians, encouragement to run from three relatives and an unemployed campaign consultant is considered an unstoppable groundswell.

Too funny. This man is so well grounded. He has the potential to rise above the sniping a la Ronald Reagan. Reading Reagan's biography it's amazing to see how much he got done with a Democrat-run Congress. There is no such thing as "bi-patrtisanship", period. Getting votes from more than one party on an issue requires a public opinion steamroller that threatens the continuity of incumbents. Removing Saddam was a perfect example. Many Democrats would never have voted for the Authorization for Use of Militatry Force but about 70% of the people favored it. Their true colors came out soon enough.

That's been the President's biggest mistake - doing what he felt was right without worrying about polls. He needed to to both. Once his poll numbers fell the Democrats, including Specter, Hagel and Snowe, all jumped ship on him. His Social Security reform is a perfect example. Even his own party wouldn't go to bat for him on it. The net: If you're not popular you can't do what's right if it requires Congress.

[Fred Hayek]

Unfortunately bi-paritisanship is a thing of the past. If the Democratic Party were still run by the likes of Henry Jackson, Sam Nunn, Hubert Humphrey, and Dan Moynihan, it would be possible (three out of those four are now dead). Now the Democratic Party is defined by Stalinist orthodoxy (I almost typed Satanist - how true). As far as the previous poster mentioning the slashed tires, it’s just further sad proof that the time of political discourse is drawing to a close. Civil War II is coming.