[George W. Bush]

He set the pace from the beginning, and Russert did not bully him.

Fred can't be rushed into saying something or words put in his mouth. He's too sharp.

Russert really was pretty nice to him. I saw him completely savage Bill Richardson one day. Ambush would be too mild a word to describe it. It was almost a personal attack by Russert, on and on for a half hour. Richardson was shellshocked.

[Politicalmom]

PING!!

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you wish to join, please be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

[ellery]

Russert really was pretty nice to him. I saw him completely savage Bill Richardson one day. Ambush would be too mild a word to describe it. It was almost a personal attack by Russert, on and on for a half hour. Richardson was shellshocked.

I used to media-train people for a living. Russert was relatively nice to Thompson because as you said, Thompson controlled the interview (i.e., it wasn't for lack of trying to savage him). One of the advantages to talking slowly and deliberately, and verbally examining an issue in response to a reporter's question, is that the reporter subsequently has less time to run the interview his way. You'll notice Thompson didn't even let Russert interrupt him -- he kept talking when Russert tried to machine-gun him, and even told Russert "now, let me finish" several times.

Great job by Thompson.

[Bobbisox]

Don't you find it funny that Russert did not even approach illegal immigration with Fred? It was almost as if Russert had been ordered to keep this issue off the Sunday program. Maybe Hillary told him this was his only way off her sh$$ list. She needs time to get her war machine warmed up.

Russert also did not approach Social Security, almost questioning his desire to nail Fred on something. I find these points disturbing. Fred has solid solutions to these problems in contrast to Hillary, the DemocRATs, or even to his Republican rivalries. I feel Russert could not find anything to nail Fred on, and just couldn’t pin him down with the usual spin he has.