Democrats tear into Fred Thompson

The Politico ^

[Sub-Driver]

Democrats tear into Fred Thompson By: Mike Allen June 25, 2007 04:35 PM EST

Even before his expected July announcement, Fred Thompson's all-but-declared entry into the Republican presidential stakes has prompted the Democratic National Committee to attack him as a potential GOP front-runner and to use his prospective candidacy to raise money.

Democratic strategists say Thompson's populist style and show-biz allure could prove extremely appealing in a general election at a time when voters are so down on Washington. So the party has launched a preemptive campaign against him that includes a DNC fundraising e-mail branding Thompson, "The inside-outsider."

"Remember the Republican culture of corruption?" the letter asks. "The revolving door of Republican politicians moving in and out of top political offices and Washington, D.C., lobbying firms? That's Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson. For years, acting wasn't the 'Law & Order' star's profession -- it was a hobby. In the real world, Thompson has made a fortune in a decades-long career as a Washington lobbyist. And just this month, as part of his role as the ultimate Washington insider, Thompson offered to host yet another fundraising event for Scooter Libby's legal defense fund. Thompson has been vocal in his support of Libby, saying that he would 'absolutely' pardon him. As he runs for president, he'll try his hardest to hide the truth from the American people. And we need to stop him. Support our efforts to get the truth out about Fred Thompson."

'Staunch supporter of Scooter Libby'

The DNC is preparing expensive postal mailings to follow up on the e-mails targeting Thompson, party sources said.

[RockinRight]

while the GOP wants to shove religion and morality down their throats. The GOP, unfortunately, doesn't always do the best job of convincing them otherwise.

While I don't believe this is true, I have said many times that there is a reason for this assumption. My profile goes into this, but at some point in the last 6 years, many Republican politicians have come to believe that as long as you're pro-life, you can be considered a conservative, even if you're an economic socialist, pro-open borders, and all that other crap.

[The Pack Knight]

I've actually read posts here that say precisely that. One poster openly stated that fiscal conservatism wasn't important to her, and that so long as her candidate was right on abortion and gay marriage, she didn't really care if he was a tax-and-spend or borrow-and-spend pork barreler. That's the sort of attitude that will relegate the GOP to the scrap heap of political history along with the Whigs and the Federalists.

It's good that we have principles, but personally, I'm insulted by any candidate who thinks that by just throwing us some red meat on a couple of hot button social issues, they think they deserve a pass when they govern like New Dealers and propose government largess that would make Huey Long blush.

Also, I just read your profile, and I agree with you 100%. There’s a (hopefully) small but distressingly vocal minority in the conservative movement who believe that social conservatism has to include a rather puerile, holier-than-thou, and, frankly, un-Christian attitude toward anyone who doesn't meet their own moral standards. Such people do nothing but harm to the cause of building a more moral society.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

They will not be denied power this time. We are at war.

[budwiesest]

Fred must be doing something right. Ya gotta love it.

Cool, calm, and collected, wins over heated, shrill, collectivst, everytime.

[do the dhue]

[phillyfanatic]

True, but that Libby thing will not be on voter’s minds. They will still be dealing with the WOT, taxes, education, healthcare, judges, and perhaps even more illegal immigration horror. Fred or Rudy or Mitt could turn the tables on the Dems and campaign on their do-nothing Congress, corruption ala Jefferson, and solid conservative issues. Even Bob Beckel today said the race was a toss up.

[aruanan]

Hey, Democrats! We will crush you with Fred.

[ken21]

democraps are scared of fred.

[jonathanmo]

You have touched the main themes of a Republican winning strategy...

WOT, taxes, education, healthcare, judges, and perhaps even more illegal immigration horror.

All three of the main candidates, at a Federal level, are very similar on these topics...the question will be, can the Republican candidate hold the Bush electoral states, and if not, which states can be taken from the Dems to replace those losses?

Thompson and Romney may be able to hold the Bush states, but I don't see any Dem states they can take. Giuliani may lose some Bush states, but puts some states into play that the other two can't.
Do you have a candidate yet?

[boop]

"Fred stands 6’7’’. I can’t wait to see him towering over Hillary on a debate stage"

Yeah, but the MSM will pull a Rick Lazio on him and complain that he was "intimidating a poor woman".

[rfp1234]

—Thompson, “The inside-outsider.” —

That sounds alot like the “In-and-Outer”. And Fred not only is better at the manly arts than BJ Clinton, he also has a LOT better taste in women.

The RATS have outsmarted themselves!

[Shelayne]

I had a bizarre dream last night that Thompson was touring the middle east and Ahmadinejihad kept trying to attack him.

What was he doing trying to jump up and bite him in the kneecaps? ;^)

[admiralsn]

Picture a debate: Fred is folksy, calm, humorous, personable. Hillary is shrill, loud, shreaking, cold. I would not be surprised if she turns down ALL debate invites for this very reason.

The dems have laughed for months because Republicans haven't been able to find a "clear cut frontrunner." Now that Thompson is appearing to fill that void, at least for now, they are freaking out.

[admiralsn]

I can't WAIT to see how the political cartoonists depict Fred. </sarcasm>

As Watergate loomed larger and larger, Nixon's nose and jowls got larger and longer. His face became darker and more sinister. It is documented. You can go back and look from 1967/68 to 1973. They were never exactly fair to him from the outset, but it definitely got worse as their mood towards him turned.

[YdontUleaveLibs]

We don’t need people from across the aisle. I invite them to convert, as I did, or stay out of the way. What will win the election is getting the Independent Vote and the getting the vote out, as not getting the vote out proved costly in 2006.

[Kimberly GG]

“Should read;

“Democrats (and Hunter supporters) tear into Thompson.”

*Raising my hand*

That would be me ;)

Taking the time to find out about Fred Thompson was a real eyeopener. Whether I vote for Hunter or not, rest assured it won’t be for Thompson.

[NurdlyPeon]

And just this month, as part of his role as the ultimate Washington insider...

Helloooo! This is a GOOD THING. We're voting for Fred because of his character and because of the things we think he will do. Being an insider, he will know how to get things done. He knows how to work the system, and he has a lot of friends and admirers who trust and respect him. I'm voting for character and the ability to get things done.

[skinkinthegrass]

BUMP! :)

[skinkinthegrass]

She’ll insist on being put on a pedestal

....that isn't unusual....she's alway wearing a crown.