Thompson: Too Much Belly Fire Not Good

AP ^ | 12/29/07

[ellery]

WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Fred Thompson said Saturday he's not consumed with winning the White House and that a president with too much fire in the belly is not necessarily a good thing in a dangerous world.

"I like to say that I'm only consumed by very, very few things and politics is not one of them," Thompson said at a town hall meeting in nearby Burlington. "The welfare of my country and my kids and grandkids are one of them. But if people really want in their president a super type-A personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night thinking about for years how they could achieve the presidency of the United States, someone who could look you straight in the eye and say they enjoy every minute of campaigning — I ain't that guy."

Thompson said some candidates have become too absorbed by the process and have lost sight of the ultimate need to serve the country.

"Nowadays, it's all about fire in the belly," he said. "I'm not sure in the world we live in today it's a terribly good thing that a president has too much fire in his belly."

Burlington attorney Todd Chelf, whose question elicited Thompson's response, said he appreciated the reply. "It's almost refreshing to see that kind of response as opposed to what we get normally," he said. "I think there's a passion there. I think that it's an old-fashioned passion."

"I am not consumed by personal ambition," Thompson said. "I will not be devastated if I don't do it. I'm not particularly interested in running for president." He said others encouraged him to run and he decided it was the right thing to do.

"I approached it from a standpoint ... of kind of a marriage," he said. "You know if one side of the marriage has to be really talked into the marriage, you know it probably ain't going to be a good deal for either one of them. But if you mutually think that this is a good thing — in this case you think it's a good thing for the country — then you have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together. I'm offering myself up. I'm saying that I have the background and capability and the concern to do this."

However, he said people who question his commitment should realize that he dropped lucrative television and radio contracts to run and no longer accepts paid speaking tours to make the run.

"I and my family have made sacrifices for me to be sitting here today," he said. "I haven't had any income for a long time because I'm doing this. I guess a man would have to be a total fool to do all those things and to be leaving his family, which is not a joyful thing at all, if he didn't want to do it."

Thompson said he just wants voters to know what to expect from him.

"I go out of my way to be myself cause I don't want anybody to think they're getting something they're not getting," he said. "I'm not consumed by this process. I'm not consumed with the notion of being president. I'm simply saying I'm willing to do what's necessary to achieve it if I'm in synch with the people and if the people want me or somebody like me."

At his stop in the community of Washington, Thompson joked about Democrat John Edwards, who had an event at the same time just a few blocks away.

"I understand my friend John Edwards is in town. He's over at the library. I hope he learns something while he's over there," Thompson said. "I like our bus better. Go out and check them out."

Thompson was accompanied on his Saturday campaign stops by Iowa Rep. Steve King.

[Earthdweller]

"Thompson said some candidates have become too absorbed by the process and have lost sight of the ultimate need to serve the country."

Absolutely spot on!

[aruanan]

Thanks, MOgirl! I hope it can express how some of us feel about Fred as well as the rest of the bunch on either ticket. I think Zell Miller would be a Democrat version of Fred.

[helen crump]

I remember when Bush was running for governor of Texas. So many people wanted to know if he won would he leave office after a short time to run for president. Reporters asked him that question over and over again in every way imaginable. His answer was always the same. “I don’t know. If it is that important to you to know one way or the other to vote for me then just don’t vote for me.”
I loved that candid response. No spin. No skirting the topic. No play on words. Just his typical it is what it is type response. That is what I like about Fred Thompson. No masks. He has the same sense about him that says “This is who I am. This is what needs to be done. I can do it. If you agree, vote for me. If not, don’t” But none of this changing and playing with words to try and please everyone.

[MrB]

“I’ll not be devastated...”

Reminds me of how absolutely nuts Algore went after he was denied his lifelong consuming ambition -

went of tilting at the windmill of Global Warming.

Unfortunately, he has a following that could be dangerous.

(Hey Al, it’s THE S-U-N, not the S-U-V, that causes ‘global warming’.)

Hey, that’s a great tagline! The S-U-N, not the S-U-V.

[TXnMA]

Nicely done!

[devere]

“Well, at least they got the quote right over at AP.”

And that’s big news in itself. The AP files a fair and honest story about Fred. The age of miracles has not yet passed.

[seekthetruth]

Fred will be on CNN Late Edition tomorrow 12/30 at 11:00AM Eastern. A campaign event in Iowa will be shown on CSPAN tomorrow at 4:12 Eastern and then Fred will be on Fox News Sunday with Chris Walace at 6:00PM Eastern. GO FRED!

[aruanan]

Thank you, TXnMA.

[pandemoniumreigns]

Nice...

Thanks.

[aruanan]

Thank you! I'm tired of the Clinton continual campaign mode and how it has made everyone else start 8 months earlier than usual. But look, eight months earlier and Huckabee still doesn't know the geographical relationship of Afghanistan to Pakistan or that talk of a single 23% sales tax to replace the other federal taxes just begs the question of why there should be that level of taxation to begin with or that illegal immigration is not God's way of the U.S. making up for slavery because that price was already paid in the bloodiest war in U.S. history, because many illegal immigrants are themselves no better than slaves, and because, though someone may willingly take another's burden upon himself, it is both immoral and perverse (though liberally Democratic) to use the force of government to make someone else do this and then call it God's will.

[Politicalmom]

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

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

[pandemoniumreigns]

Slow down and take breath....That’s God’s will...

[ImpBill]

As a little “r” republican you state the single most important argument for Fred Dalton Thompson to become the next President of our Republic!

[Utah Binger]

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Don’t look now, but, by attacking MITT, you will automatically be accused of attacking Mormonism... go figure ?

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Right on, Right on...

[LadyNavyVet]

This is refreshing and perfectly in keeping with the Founding Fathers’ idea of a citizen-run government, where competent individuals would leave their private lives for a time to do something good for the country, and then leave the political stage (Are you listening Clintons? You’re supposed to GO AWAY!)

The Founders never envisoned the dangerously entrenched political class we have today, those who cravenly seek power for its own sake, who will do and say anything to get elected, to attain high office and keep it for as long as possible.

I don’t want a President who’s been dreaming about wielding vast power since Kindergarten. From such people tyrants arise.

[sweet_diane]

Dittos to what you said!

When I had the opportunity to shake hands with Fred Thompson after a rally, I was wondering what to say to him. What I ended up telling him is "Your the guy I wished would run for President, but never thought you would! Thank you for running!" He was nice and thanked me for my support, tho I wish I could have been more eloquent!

[sweet_diane]

"This is refreshing and perfectly in keeping with the Founding Fathers’ idea of a citizen-run government, where competent individuals would leave their private lives for a time to do something good for the country, and then leave the political stage "

Exactly! Our Founding Fathers sacrificed to serve something greater than themselves. A novel notion in this day of celebrity hungry politicians.

[Edit35]

Good analysis.

I love Fred, and donated $20 to his campaign recently.

But he is on Fox News Sunday right now, and the bags under his eyes have grown to about 20-pounds each.

It’s hard to watch the physical strain these campaigns put on good and decent people like Fred Thompson.

I support Mitt .. in part because I believe a ‘convert’ to the ProLife position is the BEST way to attract more people to become proLife .... but also because he has the desire, the stability, the experience, the financial backing... to win and be a successful US President.

But I admire Fred, Duncan, and even Rudy to some extent for making this effort. (Huck... nope, don’t care for him)