Posted on 10/10/2007 1:58:05 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
WASHINGTON -- Fred Thompson emerged Tuesday from weeks of preparation for his first presidential debate, but largely watched from the sidelines as rivals Mitt Romney and Rudolph W. Giuliani clashed over who can return the party to its fiscally conservative roots.
Thompson, a former senator from Tennessee best known as a TV and movie actor, did not officially enter the race until last month. On the stage of a theater in Dearborn, Mich., he sought to allay concerns that he lacked the drive and preparation to run for president.
Thompson appeared nervous in the debate's opening moments. But he displayed flashes of humor as the two-hour forum on economic policy, sponsored by CNBC, MSNBC and the Wall Street Journal, drew to a close. A debate transcript is available here.
By and large, the nine men seeking the GOP nomination echoed one another in calling for restraint in taxes, spending and government regulation.
But Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, took on Giuliani over his fiscal record as New York mayor. That, in turn, led Giuliani to criticize Romney more harshly than before.
"I led, he lagged," Giuliani said, insisting that he was more vigorous than Romney in cutting both taxes and spending.
The competition to establish their bona fides as champions of fiscal discipline comes as Republicans are struggling to regain the edge they once held on economic issues. Recent polls have found that Americans favor Democrats for dealing with the deficit, federal spending, taxes and the economy.
Michigan, hit hard by foreign trade and a beleaguered auto industry, is emblematic of an awkward reality for the GOP: Even though the economy is strong by many measures, including the booming stock market, many voters remain uneasy about the future, and large parts of the manufacturing sector are struggling.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Link only per copyright restrictions.
That may be true, but facts and facts and Fred was not inspiring at all. He did ok at best. McCain, Rudy, and MItt, granted “RINOS” simply did better, perhaps because they are more comfortable. Duncan and TomT also did well. Huck panders and Ron Paul is a wack job, but Fred disappointed and no one can claim a win from that “performance”
I like seeing what happens on Intrade before & after. Huckabee won, Romney lost. No one else seems to be suggesting an better unbiased source.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1908787/replies?c=8
To: CounterCounterCulture
Snapshot at Intrade
2008 Republican Presidential Nominee
2008.GOP.NOM.GIULIANI
Rudy Giuliani to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 38.9 39.2 38.8 116921 +0.2
2008.GOP.NOM.ROMNEY
Mitt Romney to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 23.8 24.0 23.8 97384 -1.9
2008.GOP.NOM.THOMPSON(F)
Fred Thompson to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 22.0 22.1 22.1 86218 +0.2
2008.GOP.NOM.PAUL
Ron Paul to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.7 5.8 5.5 64923 -1.4
2008.GOP.NOM.MCCAIN
John McCain to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.2 5.3 5.2 145572 -0.0
2008.GOP.NOM.HUCKABEE
Mike Huckabee to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 2.8 3.3 2.7 49872 +0.1
2008.GOP.NOM.RICE
2008.GOP.NOM.HUNTER
Duncan Hunter to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 27578 0
2008.GOP.NOM.BROWNBACK
Sam Brownback to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 32441 0
2008.GOP.NOM.TANCREDO
Tom Tancredo to be the Rep Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 31505 0
8 posted on 10/09/2007 12:03:58 PM PDT by Kevmo (We should withdraw from Iraq via Tehran. And Duncan Hunter is just the man to get that job done.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
To: All
Post debate snapshot at Intrade: huckabee won, Romney lost.
2008 Republican Presidential Nominee
2008.GOP.NOM.GIULIANI
Rudy Giuliani to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 38.9 39.2 38.9 116951 +0.3
2008.GOP.NOM.ROMNEY
Mitt Romney to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 23.6 24.0 23.6 97414 -2.1
2008.GOP.NOM.THOMPSON(F)
Fred Thompson to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 21.7 22.1 21.7 86268 -0.2
2008.GOP.NOM.PAUL
Ron Paul to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.7 5.8 5.7 64978 -1.2
2008.GOP.NOM.MCCAIN
John McCain to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.2 5.3 5.3 145604 +0.1
2008.GOP.NOM.HUCKABEE
Mike Huckabee to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 2.8 3.4 3.3 49903 +0.7
2008.GOP.NOM.HUNTER
Duncan Hunter to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 27578 0
2008.GOP.NOM.BROWNBACK
Sam Brownback to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 32441 0
2008.GOP.NOM.TANCREDO
Tom Tancredo to be the Rep Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 31505 0
1,401 posted on 10/09/2007 3:08:34 PM PDT by Kevmo (We should withdraw from Iraq via Tehran. And Duncan Hunter is just the man to get that job done.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
So then why do you post negative articles on him...
Why waste anytime at all on Thompson...
Hum....
Don't worry, I won't admit to people that I am a afraid of heights either...
Only your narcissistic wannabe would care.
It’s not about “showmanship” to FRed, or to real people who are seriously concerned about our Country.
It’s about Principles, Integrity, and Courage. ALL of which your guy lacks.
You can back your POS candidate until the cows come home, it won’t change anything.
There were two winners last night, and for different reasons.
And, there were 7 losers. One of which was your guy. It’s an absolute shame that a guy like Hunter, who I very much respect and am proud of, can’t get with the program, and gather enough support to, at least, climb into the top tier.
It’s a three way contest, at this point, FRed, Rudy, and the liar Mitt. At least Rudy has the balls to admit he’s a RINO, FRed admits his mistakes and defends his principles, Mitt just clings to his fantasy of self perfection.
Republicans, Conservative Republicans especially, need to face reality and gather around those that can get the job done for our side.
I guess Fred is the guy then, Rooty is unacceptable and will not get my vote.
It seems its too late for the sleeping Americans. The store was sold behind our backs.
I am beginnning to think the vote is merely to amuse us. The outcome is pre determined.
ROFL! Good one, Redness.
Great post to a misinformed response!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.