It's Thompson or bust (Fred Alert!)

Guardian ^ | August 3, 2007 | Eric Alterman

[Josh Painter]

On the Republican side the news this week was all about Fred Thompson... As the only candidate who is acceptable to conservatives, acceptable to moderates, admired by the media and potentially saleable to independents - he knows how to act - he is also the only candidate on the Republican side who can win...

I was of two minds about the whole Rudy thing until last Sunday when I was on a Creative Coalition panel with Ed Rollins, who ran Ronald Reagan's campaigns among about a zillion others, and he reminded me that while it's actually possible that the Republicans could nominate a pro-gay rights, pro-abortion rights, three marriages-including-one-to-his-cousin-guy, they can't do without inspiring a third (or fourth, depending on Ralph Nader) party challenge that will sweep a considerable portion of the Christian conservative vote, without which the Republican Party might as well be a third party itself.

OK, that was a long sentence but read it again. Rudy gets the nomination. Democrats win. If Bloomberg enters the race, which I don't think he will, then the narrative becomes how much better a mayor he is than Rudy was and Democrats win again.

Do they win if it's Romney? I think so. While he may not inspire a third-party conservative challenge, since it would be really bad manners to announce that the reason you're running against a guy is his religion, the fact is a great many evangelical conservatives in the south do not think Mormons are Christians and hence won't vote for one. Republicans lose again.

What's more, in a YouTube election, the fact that he was a Massachusetts liberal until 15 minutes ago is a real problem, since there are loads of video clips available of him saying things like taxpayers should fund abortions.

[Josh Painter]

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Quick Reference

Fred Thompson FAQ: THE Fred Thompson Web Resource

[Man50D]

As the only candidate who is acceptable to conservatives, acceptable to moderates, admired by the media and potentially saleable to independents - he knows how to act - he is also the only candidate on the Republican side who can win...

The major flaw in the is statement is Fred is not a candidate! It's sad to see Conservatives are so desperate as to support someone who hasn't even declared.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

The major flaw in the is statement is Fred is not a candidate!

Picky, picky, picky!

[Josh Painter]

“...admired by the media...”

Which media would that be, Eric? The media that attacks Thompson’s wife for nothing more than her good looks? The media that regurgitates the Clintons’ anti-Fred talking points? The media that forgives Rudy his trespasses, but no other GOP candidate need apply?

The LA Times?
The NY Times?
The Boston Globe?
The Indianapolis Red Star?
CNN?
PMSNBC?

I’m just a little confused on this point...

[pissant]

Eric Alterman is an expert on conservative politcs. /s

[JCEccles]

As the only candidate who is acceptable to conservatives

*Puke*

[JCEccles]

The Tennessee Dud

(as sung by Johnny "No Cash" McCain)

Back 'bout nineteen and ninety-five
free speech 'bout incumbents was still alive
I never could've killed it through the slaughter and blood
If I hadn't had the help of the Tennessee Dud

The Tennessee Dud was tall and old
Lazy as a post but his voice was bold
But he came through for me like I knew he would
No one ever had a voice like the Tennessee Dud

[bnelson44]

Termed "the most honest and incisive media critic writing today” in the National Catholic Reporter, and author of “the smartest and funniest political journal out there” in the San Francisco Chronicle, Eric Alterman is professor of English at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and Professor of Journalism at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. He is also the “Liberal Media” columnist for the Nation, the Altercation weblogger for MSNBC.com, and a contributor to the Huffington Post.

I think I'll pass on what he thinks, thank you.

[Seeking the truth]

Well, we all know that Alterman is third rate - on his best day!

He “reports” that FDT is 67 and of his fellow travelers who commented said he is “over 70”

Fred D. Thompson was born August 19, 1942....still 64 & soon to be 65!

Liberalism is a mental disorder.

[Congressman Billybob]

I was taking this article seriously, until I saw that it was written by a liberal wh*re, Eric Alterman. He doesn't write so much as a birthday card without having an anti-Republican bias built in, somewhere.

With Alterman, it is doubly true that "If your mother says she loves you, check it out."

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "It Bleeds, It Leads, It Deceives"

[Prokopton]

The major flaw in the is statement is Fred is not a candidate!

Of course he's a candidate, he campaigns every day. Hillary was a candidate, and everyone knew it, way before she "declared" as a candidate. Why do some people get so high centered because Fred is going to make a tactical decision on when is the best time to officially declare his candidacy? Tied for first place shows that not only is he a candidate but that he is a pretty successful candidate. Don't be confused by form over substance.

[Reagan Man]

Hardcore lefties love this liberal POS.

[quantim]

Still trying to figger' out (it can't be done) why so many supposed smart folks think electing an 'ex' senator who has not announced candidacy to the WH is a good thing.

Fred and his minions give 'pied piper' a new meaning.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Eric Alterman really creeps me out.

[airborne]

It's Rudy Thompson or bust

How Rudy-esque!

If it's all right with you, I'll think for myself, thank you.

[airborne]

I was taking this article seriously, until ...

So it had a ring of truth in it for you too?

[Man50D]

Of course he's a candidate, he campaigns every day.

No one is a candidate until they formally declare.

Why do some people get so high centered because Fred is going to make a tactical decision on when is the best time to officially declare his candidacy?
Why do some people fail to see there is a fundamental and profound difference between someone who has made a commitment to the American people compared to someone who is going through the motions?

Tied for first place shows that not only is he a candidate but that he is a pretty successful candidate.

He isn't tied with anybody because he hasn't formally declared.

Don't be confused by form over substance.

You should heed your own advice. So far Thompson has been all form and no substance.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

It is equally sad to see folks like yourself badmouthing conservatives on a conservative website.

[Redbob]

Then there’s Rudy’s pedophile-priest friend...

[Swordfished]

BUST