Redstate

A full fledged conservative speaks from values conviction. Not to win elections. You have missed the whole point.

The FIRST duty of a politician is to get elected. No victory = no enactment of the agenda. If the principles get him elected, kudos to him. But if they don't, he's just a good guy, but not your president.

The world only goes round by misunderstanding - Charles Baudelaire

I'm not sure why you imply Thompson can't be elected. He runs quite well against the leading Democrat nominee on Rasmussen. Only a small percentage separates the winners and losers on several polls, and it is changing all the time. It's extremely early in the race. Don't forget that our conventional wisdom President was Dean, then Kerry at this stage in 2004.

Thompson has run the early gauntlet and no major skeletons have come tumbling out, only minor talking points. There is no reason that he or several other Republicans cannot win this race.

You're right - it's too early to rule anyone out completely. I learned that polls meant nothing the hard way: I was a Deaniac :(

This is why I imply that Thompson might not be elected. Running for president is more expensive than ever. I'm watching him closely. He has a lot of potential. If he can convince people to give him big wads of cash because of his "principles," he'll be a smashing success.

The world only goes round by misunderstanding - Charles Baudelaire

Nice informative link, thank you.

Democrats have no anchor when the winds of adversity start to blow around them. Their lament is "I said what you wanted me to say. What more do you want?"

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

It doesn't need to get to God's ear. It needs to get to the ears of the folks pulling the strings at Thompson campaign HQ. =)

The problem is that he's practically cadaverous. He puts people to sleep in small gatherings and he looks like a wreck on national television.

I'm sorry, but that's not a sign of a guy who wants the job.

upon a key point.

"And what's the response? He's not a great campaigner, he's lazy, his wife is too young... blah blah blah. People who should be writing checks until it hurts and leading the charge are sitting back and taking pot shots."

Many of the Conservatives that have complained for years that our candidates, when they win, become "moderates," are now complaining that the true consevative candidate doesn't have enough "pizazz." He hasn't had a lifelong burning desire to feed at the public trough. They can't seem to decide between Conservatism and glitz.

Their real problem is that they're so used to losing that they can't believe a Conservative can really win. They'd rather get behind a semi-Conservative and hope he is lying to them about his liberal tendencies. Or they'll support a candidate because they know he's with them on ONE issue, to the exclusion of everything else. All because they can't believe that Conservatism can be persuasive, even though it persuaded them.

It may well be that any of the Republicans can beat HillObama. Or maybe none can. Why not throw in with the real Conservative and give Conservatism a chance?

Choose a candidate with too much "fire in the belly" and the electorate just might end up with heartburn.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

Erick has more fire in the belly and so do most of the people who founded this website. The problem that Thompson has to address is that he's underwhelming. He's trying to be the President of the United States and yet every time I see him, he looks tired and desultory, and when I hear about him speaking the accounts are that he's putting people to sleep.

Fred Thompson is a character actor of considerable depth and experience and I can think of this in two ways:

1) He's deliberately holding off seeming more enthusiastic ... or
2) He really doesn't have much enthusiasm for the job.

Because anyone can read the lines. Anyone can memorize the briefings and repeat the words. But so far, Fred doesn't seem to want to give up the actor's life -- it's much tougher when he's actually responsible for history than it is when he's just acting a scene about it. I think he's a lightweight, as I've said before.

And his persona gives him away. If he wants to change that, he'd better start acting like he wants the job, and looking like it. Because I'm not putting my vote on a reluctant actor.

Flagstaff:

"Their real problem is that they're so used to losing that they can't believe a Conservative can really win. They'd rather get behind a semi-Conservative and hope he is lying to them about his liberal tendencies. Or they'll support a candidate because they know he's with them on ONE issue, to the exclusion of everything else. All because they can't believe that Conservatism can be persuasive, even though it persuaded them."

That is not the case. We(at least I) don't believe that a conservative can win if he appears half dead.

On another issue, can anyone enlighten me on the proper way to make text bold while posting?

The naive forgive and forget.
The foolish forget but do not forgive.
The wise forgive but do not forget.

There are two of you, probably more, who think Fred looks "half dead." I don't deny that appearances are important. But I disagree with your characterization.

The easiest way to bold is to surround the bolded area with asterisks, one on each end.

For italics, do the same thing with the underscore symbol.

Before you hit "post comment," make sure you've clicked on "input format" just above the "preview" or "post comment" buttons, to select "Filtered HTML."

Neil has more complete instructions linked from his signature line.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

I watched Thompson last night and the guy had the biggest bags under his eyes of anyone I've *ever seen* in a Presidential debate. He looked worse that anyone I've ever seen, like the voice was there but the body wasn't. I frankly don't trust this man to be the President. He already looks cadaverous and he's not even the front-runner.

If anyone with Thompson's pedigree showed up to a nationwide debate with heavy eyelids and a face that was so droopy he had to pick it up off the ground, I'd consider that to be a mediocre candidate.

Thompson, who is most certainly RedState's guy, has been a terribly poor performer in almost every venue he's arrived at from the beginning. And last night he looked like he had one foot in the grave, even if he didn't sound like it.

So which is it, Fred?

The man is the most conservative candidate in the race, puts out excellent policy positions, tells you exactly what he will do and doesn't hide or obfuscate on it, and all you can focus on are HIS LOOKS???

Thompson is a calm, considered, thoughtful man who has put a lot of thought into his positions and what he says. If you want an Energizer bunny, fine. Your choice. But you deserve what you get.

I'd settle for a guy who doesn't remind me of Lurch. Fact is that Fred Thompson was inveigled into this race and he's a big disappointment. It seems to me each time I watch him that he's less and less interested in actually being the President: he just wants to act it. But acting is only 5% of the reality, and I think Thompson is finding that out, and I'll extend him an invitation:

Fred, my advice is that you should leave the race if you think that. Don't string anyone else along. Because you looked horrible last night, my man.

as surely as he had said "I endorse Fred!". By identifying him as the ONLY 1st tier conservative, he winked for Fred. Rush winks are called tsunamis. Conservatism is what matters, and Rush wrapped Fred in it!

Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com

word disappoint doesn't belong in the same sentence.

submit to the wonder of Rush

resistance is futile

Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com

Shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. I'm talking about what the guy *looks like* when he utters them. He's terribly unenthusiastic. I'm sure he can rattle lines off from his handlers, but his body language and the rest of his persona as a candidate don't lie: he looks whupped, like he doesn't want to be there.

you post in response to yourself a lot... I guess that's why you're a verb now. :)

Seriously, we can have a botoxed president like Kerry, or we can have someone who is genuine.

I guess it all depends on what you expect a president to "look" like.

Fred Thompson looked no worse than half the other candidates.

Fred does look gaunt, but if he's skinnier and healthier for it, than that's good.

It is pretty unfortunate when you have people saying that a candidate is cadaverous.
Good thing you are not on that podium speaking in front of a crowded room and on camera with millions of people watching you. I wonder how you would look under those bright spotlights? Cadaverous? Deer in the Headlights? Overbearing? Timid? A little on the obese side?

Give a man where credit is due. Some people may not be a damn glamour model. And honestly, I would rather have a book smart nerd who looks like hell, compared to a freaking poodle with no brains or common sense.

Because he's articulated good policy positions. I just don't know whether he wants to really go through with making them reality. I have a lot of doubts about whether or not Fred Thompson intends to do what he has said in his public statements he wants to see happen.

I think he's disappointed a lot of people in this race so far, including me, because he's either skylarked around or acted as though he really didn't care.

I frankly still don't trust him as the Presidential nominee for this country. I think he should go back to acting and admit that he's not the politician that Ronald Reagan was. He certainly hasn't had a *single moment* in the time I've been watching that would suggest otherwise.

Suddenly he's a serious candidate for President of the United States and basically there's not much there except the stuff that anyone could repeat from his advisors.

I don't think much of him.

Take a step back and put yourself in his shoes. Then realize what you are debating with. Half of them aren't being truthful, the other half are just freaking crazy.

I think what the problem is, is the simple fact you are a defeatist and that is all you know how to do is put people down for no other reason by how they look.

I hope someone NEVER looks at you and decides that you aren't worth of that promotion, that new job or God help you if you aren't married, go on a date... due to what you look like.

I would rather have someone who is stable, can think about an appropriate answer then make themselves look the fool... as you have and are doing right now.

Good Day!

If you were a blind man, kowalski , i suppose that every thing Fred is SAYING would be enough for you but you just don't like his look and mannerism?

Apparently there is a Perky Eyelids Wing of the Republican Party that I was unaware of.

:-)

"Not looking like you haven't slept in 48 hours" wing of the Republican Party, also. And Fred is not a part of that wing.

Dude looked like he not just didn't go to sleep, he didn't wake up from not going to sleep. It's sad.

Maybe we could snag Katie Couric as the standard bearer. Sure, she might not be conservative on the issues, but she looks lively and bouncy which seems to be your prime criterion here. And look how Americans have been drawn to support her... right?

(cmon now, I'm saying that with a smile on my face Kowalski)

get George Clooney to throw HIS hat in the ring. Except it'll probably be the Democrat ring.

Is he good looking enough for you, K?

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

I haven't said so until now, but here goes:

I Hate George Clooney.

There you go.

I'm talking about something a little different, though. Even George Clooney would be more enthusiastic about his place on a national Presidential ticket than Fred Thompson seems to be. Thompson doesn't seem happy, or eager, or positive about it. He seems like he doesn't want to be there, like he's accepting questions under duress, and only when he wants them.

My guess is that he'll make an AWFUL president with that attitude.

this topic, but just exactly what is it that Fred could do that would satisfy you? I know you're a reasonable person, so I'm curious.

You know he can't change the way he looks. You don't really want a John Edwards, do you? I thought not, even if he does bear some resemblance to the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

He does smile when something is worth smiling at. Perhaps a generally more "happy" demeanor. Maybe some of those grimaces that John Kerry sometimes attempts to indicate he's not completely devoid of humor. You say more positive, but I don't notice anything negative.

How should he show his enthusiasm? Tap dance? Vocal inflections? That last might work. They're OK with me, but perhaps he could perk them up somewhat.

I'm not big on body language, myself. It may have more validity than astrology, but I don't think so.

I don't know where you get "like he's accepting questions under duress." But I agree he would benefit from lightening it up a little.

Seriously, what should he change that he can change? My suggestion would be a little quicker on his answers, and, as you indicate, more apparent energy on delivery of any speech or interview.

All the candidates have some problems with their deliveries. Mitt is "too glib." Rudy is "too New York." Tancredo is "too single issue." Hunter is "too intense." Ron is "too nearsighted." McCain is "too mutinous." Huckabee is "too earnest." Thompson is "too rumpled," but he's also the only one that is anywhere near "too conservative."

Anyway, I'm sure you're not alone in your opinion. Hopefully, his advisors are trying to do something about it.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

This was my one and only "Kowalski gets tough on Fred Thompson's Persona" thread and that deserves an answer:

What Fred Thompson Should Do:

1) Stop using boring, dissembling speeches to small gatherings of people, causing them to nod off. That's fatal for him as this campaign goes forward. He can't do any more meet and greets where people are yawning, or he shows up late, or fails to at least engage the audience. Mitt Romney can do it. Rudy Giuliani can do it. Heck, even Newt Gingrich can do it and he's not even running. You have to be able to do it too, Fred.

2) Try to get a little more sleep and look alive there on stage. Like it or not you're competing with two guys -- Romney and Giuliani -- who come across with a lot of zing and energy. They look and sound -- with their own personal quirks and regional color, of course -- like they've got their skin in the game and are eager to do the job. Fred's got to stop making me think a part of him is being dragged into this thing against his better judgment.

His answers aren't the problem -- it's his presentation. I know, that sounds so terribly shallow. But this is a shallow country among certain segments of the electorate, and I think Fred needs to show a little more pep. This is important. Get psyched, Fred.

That's it. I'm not going to bash him any more. But if he wants my vote, he's got to show me some energy.

I think you left a sentence out of #1, but reading between the lines I see "He needs to make some longer, major presentations to bigger, more important groups and get some media coverage."

I agree, appearances are important. If he were still around, we could ask Dick Nixon.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

candidate who has publicly stated exactly WHY he is running. He's probably the only one who has been asked.

"I'm still asking why he thinks he wants the job."

You can find the answer if you look for it.

The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.

"Asked directly if he would like the job of president, Mr. Thompson said, “I’ve never craved the job of president, but I want to do some things that only a president can do, so the answer is yes."

He's never craved the job. Well, that's certainly true, even until this moment he doesn't seem like he craves the job. The question of what Thompson can do if he doesn't crave the job is open to interpretation. He considered the early debates to be "denigrating" and essentially his response last night shows that he still wouldn't want to be a part of them, if he had the choice.

Fred Thompson on Jay Leno

I mean, if you read the whole interview, who knows why the h**l Fred Thompson wants to be President? Nobody knows, except Fred. That's why I'm not going to vote for him. He's very weird and underwhelming and not terribly impressive for a guy who should know all the lines.

when you are hardly asked anything. Fred's campaign posted a video of all of his answers. I counted five questions with a total of just under ten minutes airtime. CNN knew who they wanted to promote and it wasn't Fred. I'm not saying it was a vast left wing conspiracy, but they decided to focus on Rudy and Mitt and also on Huckabee and, to a lesser extent, Paul. Can't blame Fred for that. And he isn't the type to start butting in. That may be what you want, but it isn't his style.

I think of his interview a few days ago when Thompson laid out a whole initiative on taxation and what got covered was his "attack" on Fox News.

and one I'd love to have an answer to. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Good thought. Let's get this train rolling. And kudos to Eric.

a thousand times, yes! As anyone can see the whining by "others" has already started, a la post-NRLC endorsement. Sheesh.

www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie

has held that "endorsement" untill a certain candidate began to surge in the polls. Coincidence? Maybe, but listening to him today I got the feeling he was putting out another message as well.

5

He's got nowhere to go but down. His only chance is if all the conservatives stay in the race the whole time. As soon as it gets to Rudy vs the conservative bye bye Rudy.

LOL.

Yeah....that's a tough problem.

www.joinrudy2008.com

his seal of approval is going to put Rush's job in jeopardy now?

Methinks thou dost protest too much. I'm quite willing to give this crazy thing a couple of months. It's just now starting to get interesting.

www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie

Half a dozen "Go Fred Go...PLEASE!!" diaries, and I'm the one protesting too much.

Someone here mentioned before how they thought that the end result of Fred's campaign would be a cushy radio job. I can't remember who that was, but I think they may be on to something.

How you extrapolated that into putting Rush out of a job I don't know. That was certainly not my meaning. I think Rush' job will remain secure.
:)

Like you said, there's a ways yet to go. However, your man better wake up and start acting like he WANTS to be the next POTUS or it will be over for him soon.

www.joinrudy2008.com

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