Posted on 10/09/2007 8:57:33 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Redstate’s Erick Erickson interviewed campaign manager Bill Lacy after the debate.
Marc Ambinder saw things very well for Fred:
First time debater Fred Thompson seemed well prepared and did not give in to fruity abstractions when talking about obtuse topics. Some of his rivals may have assumed that he would wither under tough questions from the moderators: he did not. Some journalists may have assumed that he would slouch or tire; he seemed energetic. If this was a test, artificial as it may have been, Thompson passed it. He demonstrated that his campaign has density. He did not fall for any of the traps that the moderators laid for him.
Chris Cillizza called Fred the “Tone Setter.”
Ed Morrissey focused on Chris Matthews bad behavior:
The first debate with Fred Thompson was expected to reveal whether the lanky actor had what it takes to make a national run for the office. Instead, it revealed Chris Matthews as a hack of the first order, one who tried his best to torpedo Thompson — and failed utterly. He got so desparate that he demanded to know whether Thompson knew who the Canadian Prime Minister was — and he did. Matthews grew so frustrated that he openly critiqued one of Thompson’s answer for being too detailed, which prompted a scolding from Thompson.
Fred did very well with the Heading Right crowd:
macranger:
It’s Fred’s day either way. All eyes were on him, he did well, even after Matthews needled him over WMD.
Rick Moran:
I would say that Fred and Rudy have shown themselves off the best.
Matt Lewis gave Fred the line of the night: “… It was getting a little boring without me.”
Kathryn Jean Lopez: “And the Winner Is… Fred Thompson.”
UPDATE: Here’s more positive reaction to Fred’s debate performance:
Rob at Say Anything: “Can you say ‘front runner?’”
Docweldon at Power Line Forum wrote,
Fred has said many,many things that I agree with and seems to have a core set of beliefs and rules that guide his answers.
Ed Morrissey added to his post saying,
I guess I had that about right, didn’t I? Also, I suggested that “the candidate who can push back best against Matthews’ potential low blows should be strongly considered for the nomination.” I think Fred qualifies as someone who can fight for himself.
For some of Fred’s highlights, including taking on Chris Matthews check out Hot Air.
I thought he did very well.
Seemed the antithesis of "energetic" to me. I hope his presentation improves in future debates. He is a good man.
There was nothing soporific about the way he came back at Matthews . That was trial-lawyer rattlesnake quick , and that is high praise from another old goat lawyer .
Positive from what I saw.romney stepped on his... never mind.
I don't want energetic. I want someone I can respect and trust. And I also want someone who doesn't want the job so much that they'll act like a show pony to get it.
Did you read the live blogging of the debate? Really good stuff.
Why? Just because the law firm of Trantolo & Trantolo is going to decide whether we invade Iran?
My bad. You had me thinking you wanted zippy the squirrel.
I think Fred is a good man and probably up to the job.
Nope, they want to see FRed doing the “Frenetic Ferret” dance right along with some of the other contestants.
Too bad. FRed will remain FRed.
It’s getting to be about time to pick a candidate who can actually win... With regret, I concede that Tancredo is unlikely even to win here in Colorado. I’m not enthused about Fred, but at this point the name of the game is finding someone to stop Rudy. I’ve soured a bit on Mitt, but I think either he or Fred would do very well against Hillary, as well as be respectable CICs, and I’ve decided I will support whichever one of them seems most likely to stop Giuliani. That may seem like a soul-less, unenthusiastic endorsement based on triangulation, and I suppose it is, but with a Rudy presidency we would lose even if we won.
I’m still waiting for Fred to wow me, but I can support him and feel comfortable casting my vote for him. He seems like a man of principle, which I value above everything else.
FredHead BUMP!
Hah, but but..
Tired? Old? Lazy? Lethargic?
Review the tapes. FRed stood there rocking and bouncing on the balls of his feet the whole night...like a spring, waiting to go BOING!
I’m with ya’ on Tanc. I wished he’d have taken a year’s worth of speech therapy first. I love the guy.
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