Posted on 11/27/2007 12:26:29 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Fred Thompson's presidential campaign has been unorthodox since Day 1, and his decision to grab the "third rail" of American politics with both hands is a clear indication that he really is a different kind of candidate.
Since agreeing to run, after a mild draft effort by conservatives looking to fill the void in the race for a candidate who shared their views and values, Thompson has pursued what can only be considered a nontraditional path.
He has eschewed the traditional 24/7 campaign run by his competitors and expected by the Washington-based mainstream news media, which has labeled him poorly prepared, lazy and lackluster.
Yet he runs second in many national polls of GOP voters and leads in parts of the South. Although in recent weeks his numbers have dropped.
Now, the former Tennessee senator turned actor is making reform of Social Security and Medicare — the kind of issues presidential candidates typically avoid like the plague — a major campaign topic as he seeks the Republican nomination.
Although some might consider his course courageous, the conventional wisdom, at least inside the Beltway, is that this is akin to committing political suicide. It will put a big, bright target on his back.
Some of his own congressional supporters are distancing themselves from his ideas. They are aware that since the national retirement program was enacted by Franklin D. Roosevelt 75 years ago, Democrats have successfully used any GOP attempt to change it to bash Republicans as taking food out of the mouths of the elderly.
And, it's likely that Thompson's GOP opponents will try to do the same this time, too. That's because when Thompson says "reform," he means making changes in the financing of those popular programs to ensure long-term fiscal solvency.(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at dailypress.com ...
Awesome? He seemed tired, confused and talked in circles and vague generalities. What was to love about that?
As a Tennessean, and someone who previously supported Thompson in his Senatorial campaign, I was unimpressed. I really expected more. Fred has no chance of winning the nomination unless he suddenly develops a pulse.....
Fred bump.
Vote for Fred.
Maybe that's what it is. Fred is better when he's scripted, such as speeches. One on one in interviews and debates, he gives me the impression that he's either confused or his heart really isn't in it. He tends to speak in vague generalities with a lot of "ums" and "uhs" when he gives his "Washington insider" answers to questions. It makes him look unprepared, or not willing to divulge specifics, not at all unlike her Thyness. I really expected more from my former Senator....
I'd love to, but he's really got to start showing some interest in running for POTUS. Right now, he's a long way from earning this Tennesseans vote.....
For me, at least, a vote for Fred is a vote FOR Fred ... not just a vote against the other guy(s).
As someone who thinks Fred is the best candidate in the race, I can still appreciate your sentiment. All I can say is, Fred doesn't look so bad to me, I have done worse, I voted for guys named George Bush on the national ticket in six of the last seven Presidential elections.
He just doesn't seem to be "connecting" with the voters like the Huckster or Rootie. I seriously doubt the casual observer, the ones who are just now starting to pay attention, would pick Fred over either of those two. Fred really needs to work on his public persona and he needs to quit talking in Washington inside the beltway gobbledygook. Very often he talks to the general public or to media talking heads as if they were a member of his staff who understands the Washington jargon. That turns off and looses a lot of folks if you axe me. Fred also needs to be more specific when he's asked specific questions. He tends to speak in vague, often rambling responses that really don't answer the question asked. McCain does the same thing and it's one of many reasons why he will never win the nomination.
Well, yeah ... that would be the point, eh? If you can get the other side arguing with you about substantive issues, then you're the de facto candidate.
An excellent way to set yourself apart from the pack, and to show your leadership credentials.
And I'm sick of "slick" candidates.
I don't either, but a successful candidate these days has to be able to navigate the MSM and deflect their agenda effortlessly instead of accepting the premise of their loaded questions and going from there. Reagan was a master at this. Unfortunately, to date, Fred hasn't shown me the same ability. In fact, I'm not at all thrilled with any of the GOP field. A lot of that has to do with the fact that the truly good, intelligent people with real core values want nothing to do with the filth of modern day politics.
FWIW, I'm not only sick of "slick" candidates (are you listening Mitt?), but I'm also sick of having to choose between the "lesser of two evils"...
What facts? I stated my OPINION. Get it?
You can say whatever you want about me. That's a pretty common, albeit worn out, distraction tactic here on Free Republic. In the end, it isn't about me and what I think. It's about Fred Dalton Thompson charging up the electorate. No matter how you choose to spin it, that ain't happening, partner. He's putting people to sleep.
I'm a Tennessee resident and voter of more than 25 years. Fred was my Senator. I think I'm pretty familiar with the man through LOCAL knowledge. You, on the other hand, are the one that is getting your "facts" from the Laimstream media. Please consider that for a moment before you decide to jump on me about my expressed OPINIONS about Fred.....you might just decide that you should listen to the folks who know him best.
I'm a registered 'Rat from Upstate NY. And I'm voting for FDT. I know where he stands on the issues, and he doesn't have to do a darn thing for me other than have his name on the ballot. And I know a lot of other folks, including other 'Rats, who feel the same way.
http://www.whoradio.com/pages/2008elimination/index.html?feed=119197&article=2855869
Goody for you! Given the Dim field, I can see why.....want a cookie?
Remember that the MSM always labels Republicans “lazy”. They used to say that about Ike (always golfing) and Reagan (doesn’t put in much time at the WH). In fact, when I think about it, all the stereotypes that the MSM applies to Republicans are just about the same as what racists say about blacks - lazy, stupid, dangerous, untrustworthy, cheaters, yada, yada, yada. Of course, our saintly heroes in the MSM would never be bigoted.
All right, I gotta jump in here on that one. My parents are both Tennesseans, my grandaddy played football at Tennessee in 1921. Other than when my dad took jobs out of state or my Air Force career, I’ve been a Tennessean and in Tennessee all my life (I’m almost 49). I also live in Fred’s hometown’s neighboring county.
Alot of people say,” we need to clean out Washington and get a whole new bunch”. Now here’s Fred who doesn’t act like a typical politician (that’s worth points to me); who doesn’t run a campaign like a normal politician (more kudos); and keeps his image as a quiet spoken southern gentleman (because he is). One thing that I know about Tennesseans is that looks can be deceiving, you go against their core values and things they passionately believe in then you gotta heck of a fight on your hands from a person you thought looked “lackluster”.
Is Fred perfect, heck no (neither am I). But I do believe he has America’s interest at heart and except for Duncan Hunter, has much more conservative values than any of the rino’s in the race (I like Duncan also and think he and Fred would be a great team).
One poster on another thread stated something about Fred running his campaign so he doesn’t peak too early but right when he needs to ... I believe that is a good analysis. In another thread, I wrote that Fred reminded me of Teddy Roosevelt that he “Speaks softly but carries a big stick”. I think that sums up Fred very well. We are all entitled to our opinions and will see things differently, these are mine (from another long time Tennessee resident).
Courage is right, but it will either be the best idea in the world or nobody will get in the race “late” ever again and it would not surprise me if the election cycle gets longer and longer and that does not thrill me one bit.
Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinions and everyone clearly sees things differently, especially when evaluating my comments. I haven't been critical of ANY of Fred Thompson's policies, only that he isn't exciting the crowd with this inside the beltway Washington speak. His poll numbers clearly show that. His tactics up until now are very much UNLIKE how he campaigned for Senate. Remember? In his quest to be POTUS, he frequently uses acronyms and phrases that would only be known to a Washington insider or staffer and that is where he looses a lot of people. I had expected him to be a bit more Reaganesque in his delivery. I agree he and Duncan Hunter would make a great team, but Duncan Hunter thus far, along with Tancredo, has been pretty much relegated to being a bookend at the so-called "debates".
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