Exchanges in Latest Debate Highlight a New Dynamic in the Republican Field (Fred Thompson)

NY Times ^ | January 11, 2008 | MICHAEL COOPER and MICHAEL LUO

[tumblindice]

Perhaps the most salient thing that Fred advanced last night was the fact that, while the other candidates have been falling all over themselves to reform themselves, particularly on the illegal aliens issue, he hasn’t changed at all.
What you see is what you get: a conservative.

McCain’s assertion that he will be strong on securing our borders: $100
Mike’s position that he will reduce spending: $150.00
Romney’s opposition to higher taxes: $200
The rhinosaurus in the commercial for the medicine to fight rhino-virus, just after Hannity interviewed Giuliana: Priceless!

[Frank_Discussion]

“But...it’s a discussion forum right? Don’t you want to hear other opinions, or should we all just write laudatory comments about Fred Thompson ad infinitum?”

Certainly, so don’t shut up. But do indeed think.

Thompson has about as good a chance as anyone. As do all the Dem candidates against each other, though I think they are being the most cannabalistic of the two parties.

[Pistolshot]

We’ve had some weird newbies lately, don’t you think?

[CharlesWayneCT]

I think that if you want to discuss, providing an explanation of what facts inform your opinion about Thompson in the general election would provide a better chance for us to discuss those facts.

We could first debate whether the facts are actually true, and then we could debate whether those facts can rationally lead to your conclusion.

Simple statements of opinion are mostly useless for a discussion, because others simply express their opinion back, and there’s nothing to actually debate over.

Usually debates that start that way quickly become personal attacks, because the only thing to “debate” is whether the person giving the opinion has any credibility, and to win THAT argument you have to attack the other’s credibility.

Anyway, that’s my two cents, not just for you but really for everybody who posts. Provide facts, give your rational argument supporting your conclusions, and let’s discuss them.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

With all due respect, I think FR is a ceaselessly pro-Thompson campaign machine....

FR is a pro Reagan Coalition "machine".

And that coalition has a proven track record.

[b9]

Perhaps the most salient thing that Fred advanced last night was the fact that, while the other candidates have been falling all over themselves to reform themselves, particularly on the illegal aliens issue, he hasn’t changed at all.

But he has!

His passionate demeanor is the welcome needed change.
We need more FRED! He lit up the whole campaign!

[FlashBack]

Coming in late here but I agree with your statement 100%!!!
Thompson/Hunter 08????????

[MrB]

Hey, let’s get in a pissin’ match about who’s been here the longest!
/sarc

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

This despite the fact that he run a terrible, lazy-man's campaign, he's losing in the primaries to people like Ron Paul, he has no money, and South Carolina is widely regarded as his last stand before dropping out (and endorsing McCain).

You're merely regurgitating the MSM's talking points. And the MSM Fears The Fred!

[Grampa Dave]

Freddie’s back!

Sounds like a classic Freddie nightmare for the Rinos last night.

[Salvation]

Don’t count out FRED!

He won the debate. Stay tuned as the REAL conservative starts to speak out!

[SunkenCiv]

:’) I like Fred, but the mantra for the 2008 campaign is going to be “experience”. He’ll probably seem too old to run in 2012 (unless he winds up with toddlers by then). He might make a good running mate, but in my view Romney is going to wind up somewhere on the ticket, if not prez, then VP. Fred would make an excellent “elder statesman” VP; for one thing, an important role of the VP in a campaign is to say the rough and tumble stuff that the Prez candidate can’t always say, and Fred has a gravitas to make it sound just right.

[b9]

Fred as PRESIDENT and Jeri as First Lady.
What better representation for America?

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

However, she added, he isn't a very good actor, and occasionally the mask slips off and you see the 'real' Huckleberry underneath.

.....“Sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.”

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Has anyone noticed that the Huckster's rebuttal to anyone who brings up his record of raising taxes while governor is "that's what Reagan did when he was governor".

It's a very clever rebuttal. It depends on folks not knowing Reagan's record on taxes while governor of California.

Yes he did raise taxes. He was a budget balancer in those days. But he later said that it was a mistake. He said "everytime I raised taxes to cut the deficit the Dems would use it as an excuse to increase spending".

That was before Arthur Laffer and 'supply side' economics came onto the scene.

Reagan then became a 'supply sider' and embreaced tax rate cuts. Which is were Thompson stands.

[neverdem]

That has to be one of the most disingenuous editing jobs I’ve ever seen. I’m a HUGE fan of Thompson. But starting out with “Fred Thompson tried...”, leaving off that the sentence was about how his campaign is (supposedly) dead... that’s beyond the pale.

Fred went from third in IA to last in NH. Regardless of NY Times' choice of words, I had two limiting factors: excerpts limited to 300 words and folks who refuse to access the NY Times.

[tioga]

Good post.

[Politicalmom]

Welcome aboard!!

[Politicalmom]

Welcome aboard!!

[tioga]

OK, discuss this........can true conservative principals win in the general election?