Thompson Picks Up the Pace Across Iowa (Freeper [me] quoted)

The New York Times ^ | December 20, 2007 | Kate Doty

[xjcsa]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — At a campaign event here on Wednesday, a supporter of Fred D. Thompson started to ask a question, but didn’t get very far. “If you’re the nominee,” the questioner began, “I’ll have no problem voting for you.”

Mr. Thompson interrupted him. “Let’s have a little more enthusiasm,” the candidate said.

Mr. Thompson seems to have taken that idea to heart on the first legs of his 15-day bus tour of Iowa. Languishing near the bottom of many polls in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Mr. Thompson is making a last-ditch effort to finish third in Iowa, behind Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, even as he tries to dispel talk that he lacks energy on the trail.

[xjcsa]

The reporter for this story interviewed me at the event (she picked me more-or-less at random). We talked for quite awhile; she ended up using a one-sentence quote from me: “Romney might be a great manager, but Senator Thompson seems to be a stronger leader."

[ellery]

Nice job! *applause*

Thanks again — first-hand accounts are invaluable.

[Fred]

Link to Article

[Fred]

[Rome2000]

he tries to dispel talk that he lacks energy on the trail.

More of the big lie brought to you by the minor league propagandists at the NYT.

[xjcsa]

Thanks...somehow I forgot to do that.

[xjcsa]

One other note: when I was walking in to the building, I walked by a small room with a Thompson backdrop and some lighting and cameras. Turns out it was the room he used for the Hannity & Colmes appearance after his speech.

[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

Fred needs a Christmas miracle. Hopefully he’ll get a V.P. or cabinet position if he doesn’t get one.

[Squidpup]

That picture has an almost Norman Rockwell feel to it.

[Lancey Howard]

BUMP for great freeping!

[Lancey Howard]

first-hand accounts are invaluable.

Yep - - "freeping" in its truest sense (IMO).

[iowamark]

Arriving at the same event in Coralville:

[iowamark]

He has a rigorous schedule planned until the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, not counting a few days off for Christmas. And he seems to have loosened up: taking more questions, shaking more hands and making more jokes. In some respects, it seems to be an attempt at an antidote to his lackluster earlier performances, when some Iowans found him lacking in passion.

But for all that, he is still reserved,

Cate, Cate... It is called acting Presidential.

[TheThinker]

With so many conservatives attacking Huckabee, Thompson might find himself in a much better position in Iowa and especially South Carolina. Fred really needs to have a strong third place in Iowa and win South Carolina. Guiliani’s losing steam and with Huckabee starting to lose popularity, that would leave Romney vs. Thompson.

[byteback]

I like the way you think. Romney/Thompson would be a solid ticket. FRed overseeing the senate would be Cheneylike.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

I am so proud of you xjcsa ... keep the faith and keep up the good work, Fred is going to need it.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

" That picture has an almost Norman Rockwell feel to it. "
Yes, Commander in Chief.

[Glenn]

OMG!

He’s wearing leather!

How many cows must die for vanity?

[ASA Vet]

Yep, and shoes. Probably a belt too, Has he no shame?

[sure_fine]

oh no, he uses a saucer?

lol