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Why Thompson’s Folksiness is Out of Tune
GOPublius.com ^ | October 22, 2007 | GOPublius

Posted on 10/22/2007 5:39:51 PM PDT by americanophile

After seven years of suffering through the mangled articulations of President George W. Bush, and the juvenile, curiously incongruent attitude that has him joking at wartime press conferences, many in the GOP are looking for a savvy and articulate leader.

The “Bush fatigue” as it is commonly referred to is not simply confined to liberals and the international community. In candid moments most dedicated Republicans will admit to the palpable discomfort experienced by his own supporters while watching a Bush press conference.

Bush’s failure to be able to effectively articulate even the simplest of positions has left his party and the Nation without an effective advocate on a host of critical issues. Indeed, even Bush’s most impressive domestic achievement - an economy that has enjoyed nearly 6 years of uninterrupted growth is known by critics as ”the greatest story never told.”

There is no doubt that the mainstream media has consistently opposed and undermined the President from day one, but given the proclivities of the press, this is entirely unsurprising. That a modern White House communications team could be this ineffective despite nearly seven years of practice and a press office once headed by someone with as much media experience as Tony Snow is further evidence of the centrality and importance of any president’s ability to articulate a clear vision.

Given this reality, and the real sense of fatigue, Fred Thompson’s folksy demeanor and simplistic explanation of policy sound far too familiar to imbue him with the quality of competence or the sense of change that most voters are desperately seeking.

Indeed, Thompson’s single best retort in Sunday’s debate came in response to a question about his own widely perceived laziness. While his supporters cheered him, the reality is that effective presidential campaigns are not won by playing defense.

Despite the hopes of many, Thompson is clearly outmatched by several of his articulate GOP rivals, and his country tune out of place with an audience itching for an effective voice for conservatism.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: fredthompson; thompson
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1 posted on 10/22/2007 5:39:52 PM PDT by americanophile
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To: americanophile

www.iamwithfred.com


2 posted on 10/22/2007 5:41:10 PM PDT by GregB (Please pray for my grandchildren,Anna and Jacob!!!)
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To: americanophile
Yes, the American public is ready for nuance from the Intelligentsia! -sarc
3 posted on 10/22/2007 5:44:26 PM PDT by frogjerk
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To: americanophile

If this analyst is correct then the nominee will be Romney or Giuliani or more remotely Huckabee. Of those three, I can’t find anyone I support. With the exception of Giuliani however, I will hold my nose and vote for the Republican.


4 posted on 10/22/2007 5:45:35 PM PDT by saganite
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To: Politicalmom; Sturm Ruger; jellybean; 2ndDivisionVet; trisham; Petronski; FlashBack; ejonesie22; ...

ping


5 posted on 10/22/2007 5:46:11 PM PDT by lesser_satan (READ MY LIPS: NO NEW RINOS | FRED THOMPSON '08)
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To: saganite

I haven’t chosen a candidate yet, but I think Huckabee has managed to be both articulate and straight-forward in the debates.


6 posted on 10/22/2007 5:48:26 PM PDT by americanophile
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To: americanophile

BUMP


7 posted on 10/22/2007 5:54:16 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( Vote for Duncan Hunter in the Primaries for America's sake!)
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To: americanophile
I think this article is off. Fred, unlike Bush, is a clear communicator. That will never go out of style in the USA.

The last this we need is a lisping, Kerryesque intellectual.

Having said that, and being a big Fred supporter from early on - I believe he’s let his chance slip away.

8 posted on 10/22/2007 5:54:42 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: americanophile
Fred Thompson’s folksy demeanor and simplistic explanation of policy sound far too familiar to imbue him with the quality of competence or the sense of change that most voters are desperately seeking.

Yup. People really want a policy wonk like Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, and their 10,000 minions.

9 posted on 10/22/2007 5:55:35 PM PDT by AZLiberty (President Fred -- I like the sound of it.)
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To: americanophile

“Given this reality, and the real sense of fatigue, Fred Thompson’s folksy demeanor and simplistic explanation of policy sound far too familiar to imbue him with the quality of competence or the sense of change that most voters are desperately seeking. “

Says WHO??

I’m sick of flip floppers like Rudy and Huckabee who are liberals in 2005, and conservatives in 2007!


10 posted on 10/22/2007 5:56:07 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: americanophile

Although he is very soft on illegal immigration and hard on high taxation. Huckabee is clever with words, and as another FReeper has said, slightly on the unctious side.


11 posted on 10/22/2007 5:57:08 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( Vote for Duncan Hunter in the Primaries for America's sake!)
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To: AZLiberty

LOL!


12 posted on 10/22/2007 5:57:09 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: PetroniusMaximus

Yeah, it’s not like he was ever an actor or anything.

Clearly, Fred is at a disadvantage vis-a-vis communication skills.

ROFL


13 posted on 10/22/2007 5:57:51 PM PDT by Constantine XIII
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To: frogjerk

“The “Bush fatigue” as it is commonly referred to is not simply confined to liberals ...”

What fatigues me is the constant “Bush bashing.”


14 posted on 10/22/2007 5:58:29 PM PDT by elpadre
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To: americanophile
"I haven’t chosen a candidate yet, but I think Huckabee has managed to be both articulate and straight-forward in the debates."

link to Huckabee's issues website

15 posted on 10/22/2007 5:59:39 PM PDT by dano1
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To: americanophile

He’s also pro illegal immigration. That is enough to quell my enthusiasm for him.


16 posted on 10/22/2007 6:01:14 PM PDT by saganite
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To: stephenjohnbanker
RINOS are becoming quite recognizable. Why didn't one of the questions last night have to do with their stance on immigration? Huckabee, Rudy, McCain, Romney will all be exposed for what they stand for. Sanctuary citys, open borders.

I don't know about you folks, but I am sick of wondering what country I'm in when I have to "press 1 for English. That must stop. They must speak English as a requirement for citizenship. They must go the hell home and come in legally. Then, we will welcome them with open arms. Americans fight for Americans, not hyphanated Americans.

Fred Thompson is my choice and if not yours, go to the Ron Paul site. We are Conservatives here.

17 posted on 10/22/2007 6:01:16 PM PDT by Bobbisox (ALL AMERICAN OLD FEMALE FREEPER! and a FredHEAD!)
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To: americanophile
Why Thompson’s Folksiness is Out of Tune

But Why Giuliani's Smarmy Quipiness Is Not.
18 posted on 10/22/2007 6:02:07 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: Bobbisox

Thompson/Hunter 08!


19 posted on 10/22/2007 6:07:41 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: frogjerk; AZLiberty

I don’t see anything wrong with a candidate who can clearly articulate conservative values, and explain why liberalism is incorrect and won’t work.

I don’t see that in Bush, and I don’t see that in any of the Republican candidates either.


20 posted on 10/22/2007 6:08:18 PM PDT by proxy_user
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