Is Fred Thompson the toughest tough guy in presidential race?

The Standard-Times (South Coastal MA) ^ | September 10, 2007 | Jack Spillane

[2ndDivisionVet]

I think most Americans know that politics is partly stagecraft and that all politicians practice it. Since the MSM found out a couple of days ago that "Freddie" is Fred Thompson's given name, they've gone to great lengths to inject it into their stories, but I don't think it'll hurt the man one iota. Being named Fred hasn't hurt me at all...it's just an old Germanic name that isn't used much anymore.

[gridlock]

Here's a prediction: The 2008 presidential election is not going to be decided by who's right or wrong about the war in Iraq. And it's not going to be decided by debates about national health care or Social Security or the price of oil or any other of any of the other very important issues.

Jack Spillane gets the award for voicing the post-Thompson victory Conventional Wisdom first.

After Fred Thompson wins the Presidency, all of the Liberals are going to be running around wondering how it could have happened. In 2006, they blamed the Evangelicals. But Hillary! made token moves to pander to Evangelicals, thus that factor must be neutralized (Liberals really do think like this). Therefore, there must be some other explaination.

So they are going to posit a "Toughness Gap", and chalk it up to the fact that the American voter is just too simplesme to understand that Democrat positions are just as tough, but in a squishy feckless way, or (quel horror!) they were afraid of strong women.

Thus, they can continue to lie to themselves, and tell themselves that Americans support their positions on wanting to lose the war in Iraq, or nationaling health care, or expanding Social Security or putting government price controls on oil. So, instead of admitting that most Americans are Pro-Victory/Pro-Free Market/Pro-Small Government, they will just say we wanted somebody "tough".

[gridlock]

Usually I disdain a politician who changes his name. I figure it is hard to trust any man who has to temporize when you ask “what is your name?”

But I am going to forgive Fred Thompson for dropping the “Freddie”.

[gridlock]

And, of course, Fred Thompson is the toughest of the field because he did not let himself be buffaloed by Hillary! Rodnam _(Clinton) into announcing eight months too early, unlike the rest of the tough guys in the Republican field.

We could have had the spectacle of the Democrats spending all their money and tearing each other to shreds all Spring and Summer, but "Tough Guys" like Giuliani, McCain and Rommey stampeded to announce last January, instead of waiting for the traditional Labor Day, because they were afraid of being left behind.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I was called “Fritzie” as a toddler. Thank goodness that moniker didn’t stick!

[Into the Vortex]

I like the name Fred! And if “tough” sounding names are gonna be required to win the GOP nomination, well “Rudy” or “Mitt” are NOT very intimidating either.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

Sounds to me like Jack Spillane is having his own gay fantasy about “tough guys” and projecting it on to others.

[Sun]

None of these guys are tough, because they are afraid to debate in the Values Voters debate:

“Finally, please call and e-mail the following
candidates and request they participate in the event
(These have not confirmed yet).

Rudy Giuliani 212-835-9449 and e-mail
mikeduhaime@joinrudy2008.com and
DanMeyers@joinrudy2008.com

Mitt Romney 857-288-6400 and e-mail at
http://www.mittromney.com/CommentForm

John McCain 703-418-2008 and e-mail jpblack@mccain08hq.com

Fred Thompson 615-390-9944 and e-mail at
http://www.imwithfred.com/Contact/Contact.aspx “

(from my e-mail)

[bajabaja]

This English reporter writes with such dripping, condescending haughtiness that we, in this century, have an idea of how George III came across.

Blimey, so many words to say so little. So much bias and bile, his predictions are not worth reading. No offense Second Div. Vet.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I didn’t know he was English, but the paper is in Massachusetts. We need to see the good and the bad to understand how the dems and the media (am I being redundant?) will try to define our candidates and shape the public’s opinions. As a soldier (Intelligence Analyst) in the U.S. Army, it was called “Know Your Enemy” and it is vital to practice it constantly.

[David Isaac]

I would think that their reason for not participating, is that their is a chance that they might not win, something no politician would want. The voters at the Value Voters debate are no-doubt dedicated conservatives, who know the difference between professing it and actually doing/living it.

[Nephi]

Freddie Dalton Thompson dropped the "ie" from his given name back in the late 1960s when he became an assistant U.S. attorney.

At least, he didn't say he dropped the "die" from his given name.

[2ndDivisionVet]

How is Congressman Duncan Hunter doing in the latest polls?

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

2ndDivisionVet is “Fritzie!”
2ndDivisionVet is “Fritzie!
We’ll never let you live it down now! :>D

[2ndDivisionVet]

Hahaha! Better than some other things I’ve been called! LOL

[Clara Lou]

I’m sure Mr. Hunter is proud of your obscene, offensive language. The Hunter crowd here is something else—and it doesn’t include “classy.”

[islander-11]

Two thoughts:

1.) We’ll see “Freddie” in print way, way more than we’ll see “Hussain” Obama, and;

2.) This guy from the Seagull Times in New Bedford, MA is used to writing about the Sodomite pols from that town - Jailbird George Rogers, George Leontire, etc. A real man like “Freddie” is a new concept for him.

[xcamel]

another report-in-print from the “castrati generation”