Thompson Easily Wins Debate
By Tennessean Posted in Archived — Comments (34) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Too bad nobody was watching. Huckabee lost this debate with his 3 point sermons (uh I mean answers), ridiculous and silly metaphors and political speak. Romney performed very well.
Thompson clearly had the best answers and was very sharp.
His teasing remark to Romney playing an actor was tongue-in-cheek and came off superbly well.
When Keyes responded to a question on global warming with a wild rant about elites running the country, Thompson brought down the house by saying something along the lines of, "And that is Alan Keyes' position on global warming."
That line was downright hilarious--I wish that Fred had showed up at all the previous debates.
I loved it when he said he didn't do the "hand show." To Romney's credit, he said "I'm with you." I also liked how he refused to be pushed into giving a one word answer. Fred showed the most leadership today.
With today's performance, Fred may be off his political respirator.
I've decided on my list of candidates:
Thompson
Romney
McCain
Huckabee
Rudy
Full disclosure: I am a Southern Baptist, b-school student at UTK and member of army national guard. I am also a former Huckabee supporter.
Nice. I can't support Rudy b/c of abortion issue. Although I would have to plug my nose and vote for him against Hillary or Obama.
Can't argue w/ you much on McCain and Romney swapping places. I am partially worried McCain will jab me in the eye somehow w/ another one of his grand compromises. I think Mitt will run on his rhetoric. Although a lot of dems and GOPs in Taxachussetts probably thought the same thing when they voted for him 2002.
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...and I like his exec experience in business and politics. his health care plan gives me cause for concern though.
This is my favorite quotable on Fred today:
"This guy looks like he could eat most of the rest of the field for lunch."
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTViNzVjMTc5Yzc5NzBmNTgyO...
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
Fred desperately wants to discuss the serious issues that this country faces, but these debates will never allow that. He was brillant in mocking the whole debate format and having fun instead of playing nice. You put Fred at a table without time limits he could give you more depth, more principled thought on just about any issue than any candidate up there.
My List:
Thompson
McCain
and I just can't say I can put anymore below this. I just don't trust any of the others. And I have to say, this is the hardest nomination to call! I have no idea who will win.
"The conqueror is always a lover of peace; he would prefer to take over our country unopposed."
- Karl von Clausewitz
....if for no other reason than the "raising hands" comment. Mitt also did well, but I have to be honest and say Fred won. Also, am I mistaken, or did Fred refer to the moderator as "Nurse Ratched" after the debate?!?! If so, he might be my new hero.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
...when he refused to answer question...
Spitballs?!?! / Yo No Soy Marinero, Soy Capitan
I'm still for Giuliani, but I have to give Thompson credit for doing better than everybody else tonight. This is by far the best performance I've seen from Thompson in debates or anywhere else this campaign.
Thompson had several good moments. I especially liked the "I'm not doing hand shows today." On more substantive ground, he made good points about social security.
But it seemed like Romney took it while Fred had the best moment. I was real happy to see a candidate let loose on a moderator.
______________________________
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
I thought the same thing. Maybe, if the pundits can pull their heads out of those dark places, they will tell somebody about it.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
I felt Fred did a great job. He had a nice back jab to Romney on the actor comment, but when I watched it, I could barely hear that conversation.
Romney did a good job on the issues. I was actually very suprised that Huckabee came off poorly, imho. He usually is on message, but tonight we got the sermon, not the speech and it showed.
Then there's Luntz with his focus groups... enjoy :P
If only Fred had performed this well at the last few debates I would still be a supporter of his rather than Mike Huckabee's.
The very first debate I watched was the one Fred was in, and exactly for the reason that Fred was in it and I was very excited to have a real conservative who had a chance in the race. It was at that debate Fred had a mediocre performance, looked old and ugly (electability factor at play), and sounded more like a Conservative History Professor than an President.
I started giving Huckabee a second look there and thus began my conversion into a Huckabee supporter.
I think I am not alone in this. Many conservatives finally tuned into the debates on that faithful day when Fred had his first debate and came out Huckabee supporters. Luntz's focus group showed that (Fred people converting to Huckabee fans) and so do poll numbers.
Think about it: the Hucakbee rise started primarily after that debate and hasn't stopped since. The only difference between that debate and every other Republican debate up to that date was the entrance of Fred Thompson (which made a lot of conservatives and other curious republicans tune in).
Too bad there won't be another debate or two for Fred to redeem himself before the first ballots are cast.
And note, that just because I am a Hucakbee supporter doesn't mean I don't like Fred (because I do like Fred. I like Giuliani a lot too). It just means I prefer Huckabee more. I am sick and tired of people who support one candidate assume that the supporter hates everyone else. I am also sick and tired of supporters of one candidate bashing the other candidates and their supporters into the ground.
Judy T.
Bashing other candidates is not bashing when differences are pointed out.
Sorry, but if flip flopping is bad the, Huckabee is a giant flip flopper on the issue on the top of my list as it impacts my life every day -- illegal aliens & immigration.
Huckabee tells me it is my Christian duty to allow this invasion of my country to continue. I looked at his immigration plan and I see a hole so big that I have no sense that anything will change.
Now the illegal alien invasion may not be an issue for you so you might consider it bashing. But when I can't even go to the 24 hour pharmacy because of the gang of men hanging out in the parking lot (assaults occurred in the area) my life is greatly impacted.
I want a President not a preacher. I
If he truly believes that it is a Christian duty to feed, cloth and give them our jobs then maybe he should be opening up his home and feeding, clothing and giving them his jobs.
And if he really believes that we can have security with open borders, maybe he should have all fences and locks on his property removed and keep his doors open at all times. Including the White House.
That actually should be a question that all candidates should answer.
Since you believe that virtual fences and open borders can provide security are you willing to have a virtual fence and open borders policy around the White House?
I think a breakthrough for Fred at this stage is finishing second and beating Romney. That's a tall order, but who would have guessed that Giuliani would stay so high in the national polls for this long or that George Allen wouldn't be a candidate, or that Mike Huckabee would be coming on so strong? So with Fred planning to stay in Iowa basically until the caucuses, maybe he can do it.
If he doesn't finish in the top two, it's hard to see how he can keep his campaign going until South Carolina.
2008 is BY FAR the wildest GOP nomination campaign since ??? 1964?
Not sure if you're aware of this or not, but George Allen is part of Fred Thompsons Virginia Leadership Team.
"Hillary is a blonde. But what she's got is a testicle lockbox."
-Rush Limbaugh
To never use slang in public places. Even if it's foreign slang.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
I loved it when he said he didn't do the "hand show." To Romney's credit, he said "I'm with you."
Its the chameleon effect. He has been trying to get cozy many of the conservative principles that he didnt have until he decided to run on our ticket. Whether it is abortion or the NRA; he'll be there when he needs to be; for Mitt and for Mitt only!
I mean, I understand that he was pro-choice in 1994 and for some people that's also evidence of hypocrisy, mendacity and all round nastiness. I understand also that some people believe that once pro-choice, always pro-choice, so it is impossible for anyone change on the issue.
You sound like one of them ... not that there is anything wrong with that.
What I am interested in finding out is the rationale behind the idea, held by so many people like you, that Mitt Romney, if he were to be elected President would raise taxes, repeal the Second Amendment, personally perform a partial birth abortion, nominate young Ruth Bader Ginsburg clones to the SCOTUS, socialize the entire economy (not just healthcare), destroy the military and finally flip over to the Democrats.
Because, unless you honestly believe he's gonna do all that, your scorched earth vitriol against the man is just a tiny bit unjustified - but that's just me.
My problem with Mitt is that he has not been tested on his newfound conservative principles. I would much prefer to see him in some lesser role somewhere proving that he is who he now claims to be. Anyone can say they have changed their mind, I have to be skeptical until I see proof.
Let's see...he eliminated a $3 billion deficit without raising taxes. He never signed an anti-life law (except maybe healthcare, and he tried to get that abortion caveat removed). He got a good deal of conservative principles in the healthcare bill that was inevitable-a great win considering that the legislature up there is 85% Dem.
He's been endorsed by National Review, Michael Novak, Jim DeMint, Orrin Hatch, and Judd Gregg on the national level. Yeah-they're all RINO's, I'm sure. In fact, he has the most endorsements out of Congress on our side of the aisle, and only Hillary has more overall.
Anything else?
Vote for the ulti-Mitt conservative. Romney 2008!
Formerly known as ShowMeConservatism. For more common sense conservatism, visit the Show Me Conservatism blog.
I wish that Fred had showed up at all the previous debates.
I wish that Fred had showed up at all the previous debates.
I wish that Fred had showed up at all the previous debates.
I wish that Fred had showed up at all the previous debates.
Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't Dean and Gephardt leading Iowa at this time in 04, with Kerry being an afterthought both nationally and in Iowa?
They're just so much more flexible than we are.
(Insert picture of contortionist standing on his own head.)
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
He has actually been strong at all the debates... but he won this won. First, Tennesean, didn't see anyone say this, but thanks for your service to our country. I've been considering joining the air guard myself.
Second, the comment about raising hands was important because it officially eliminated Fred as a panderer. So far, everyone else seems to do it, some extremely, other not as bad. Apparantly, Fred's team is better than many give credit. After all, I think his refusal to raise his hands, though true to his character, may have reflected the comments Rush has made about him.
The specific feedback about Fred from reliable sources has been great on this debate, God what I wouldn't give for some poll reflection.
True to my own form, Romney showed again why he is a far superior candidate to Huckabee (not Fred) and the acceptance of the "apology" was a class move from my new #2 choice.
The debate itself should be the last straw in forcing the Republicans to demand changes in debate procedure in the future. Take out immigration and Iraq! Huh?????????
Note, of course, my screen name.
There, now I've given you every potentially substantive reason that Mike Huckabee has to explain why people might vote for him.
He granted some form of clemency to more than twice the number of criminals than did his three predecessors combined, even though they served for 17.5 years compared to his 10.5. One of those predecessors was Bill Clinton, mind you. He released more criminals than did the governors of all the states bordering Arkansas combined during that time span, even though the population of those states is twenty times that of Arkansas.
He brags of cutting taxes 90 times. There's a fine line between disingenuousness and outright lying. The net effect of Huckabee's tax cuts and hikes was a 47% increase for the average Arkansas household.
No matter how many times the Arkansas ethics authorities found him guilty and fined him, it was always because someone else had it in for him; that's just Arkansas politics. Those data backups are still missing, after he ordered certain hard drives destroyed when he left office.
Maybe he'll set up individual wedding gift registry accounts for each of the millions of people whose first act in coming to this country is to violate the law that specifies a procedure to do so with the approval of the nation. They seem a lot more deserving of compassion to him than are the victims of crime and their survivors.
Oh, he is pro life. He is so pro life that he insists on a highly principled unequivocal amendment to the Constitution that stands less chance of approval than Ron Paul stands of actually winning the White House, with Dennis Kucinich as his VP. Meanwhile, he denigrates a man like Fred Thompson, who has presented plans for both life and marriage that would actually stand a chance of passing, and would save the lives of millions of unborn while the Huckster insists on all-or-nothing out of his supposed principles.
I guess maybe I just don't appreciate the impression of ministers that someone like Huckabilly leaves in the minds of many good Americans. He seems to be playing the God card to promote himself.
I'm with Fred.
Jeremiah 17:9.
I'm with Fred.
Seriously, though, that's been one of my pet peeves about Huckabee is that he is playing off of religion to get votes. The other thing that peeves me about him: his support of the FairTax.
I was discussing this with some of my liberal "progressive" friends over adult beverages, and I even pointed out that I'm upset with him on that, because unless he actually wins, and even possibly then, all that he will do is bastardize the FairTax to where nobody will ever pay attention to it again.
Vote for the ulti-Mitt conservative. Romney 2008!
Formerly known as ShowMeConservatism. For more common sense conservatism, visit the Show Me Conservatism blog.
I was very impressed with Fred's performance at the debate. He presented himself as a strong leader who wanted to acknowledge the tough challenges that our nation faces. For an actor, he seems much less slick and polished than Huckabee or Romney (which I like and give him credit for being himself).
He really kept Rudy, Mitt, or Mike from running away with this last debate before IA, and has no doubt gained momentum.
I only have one concern:
I even hate to mention it because I think he's right on the issue, but here goes. He is being very honest about having to make adjustments (cut benefits) of our domestic entitlement programs. Nobody else is going to touch this issue with a 10' pole (and for good reason). This could be a make/break position for his campaign. I wish him good luck on convincing the baby boomers to tighten the belt, but next years recession may make that line of talk look very unattractive.
Fred's got his moment in the sun now. It's time for him to make something of it and start moving up in the polls.
"I even hate to mention it because I think he's right on the issue, but here goes. He is being very honest about having to make adjustments (cut benefits) of our domestic entitlement programs. Nobody else is going to touch this issue with a 10' pole (and for good reason). This could be a make/break position for his campaign. I wish him good luck on convincing the baby boomers to tighten the belt, but next years recession may make that line of talk look very unattractive."
There isn't going to be a recession next year, and I don't remember hm mentioning "belt-tightening." Maybe I missed it. The fact that he has a plan for SocSec and that he's willing to discuss it does three things for him.
First, it gives him credibility as an honest campaigner. Even if you don't agree with his plan, you can see that it is reasonable and that (contrary to rumor) he's willing to work to fix the problem.
Second, it gives him credibility as a man. He's telling us something we supposedly don't want to hear, and showing the guts to make us listen to it.
Third, it forces his opponents to either ignore it or engage him on it. They can't do the latter unless they have a plan of their own (which is good for the debate), and if they do the former it shows that they are either afraid or unprepared (which is good for Fred).
The most important thing for Fred to do right now is to start articulating his positions, loud and clear, on every one of those "controversial" items--SocSec, Illegal and legal immigration, border security, tax rate reduction, "death" taxes, national security, Official English, etc.
If he can come off a bit "eccentric" at times, so much the better, because it's so much the better to make the news the next day. After all, he wants to show people why and how he's different.
Fred isn't running on his pretty face. He's running on his position on the issues, the positions that you think are right (and many other people agree with you). He doesn't have anything else to give us. He has to convince enough of us that any way but with him lies madness. He can't do that by mouthing platitudes and "me, too"s.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
... and here's my list:
Thompson
McCain
Romney
Rudy G.
Huckabee