The Thompson's Campaign Post-Debate Look With RedState
Bill Lacy Chats About What Happened And Where They Go From Detroit
By Erick Posted in 2008 | Fred Thompson — Comments (20) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
"Nobody asked your opinion, Christopher."
With those words, Fred Thompson resolved any doubts that he would bring his game to the debate. Taking on Chris Matthews, who cut him off, was a brilliant move that the right side of the aisle has been clamoring for.
I thought he started off slow with the first answer, but by the end, Thompson was holding his own, throwing zingers, and by the luck of the draw, looking very statesman like standing between Romney and Rudy as they squabbled with each other.
I had the opportunity, just after the conclusion of the debate, to talk to Fred Thompson's campaign manager, Bill Lacy, who also ran Fred's 1994 Senate campaign.
Lacy thinks the campaign did what it had to do. Fred held his own. He showed he's a real conservative. He showed he could be President. He also showed an unwillingness to get into the weeds and instead focus on the big issues.
Thompson keeps hinting at a social security plan and a tax plan, both areas he took on tonight. He really hit a home run on the Alternative Minimum Tax and his closer was humorous and well done.
The Thompson campaign is breathing easier tonight. Their man might not be the universally acknowledged winner of tonight's debate, with strong performances and fights between Rudy and Romney, but he certainly proved he can hold his own and be a grown up.
Oh, and Fred knows who Stephen Harper is. Would Chris Matthews know, but for wanting to ask a silly question to score points?
You can hear the whole interview here on the hard link or use the flash player below.
or listen here:
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The Thompson's Campaign Post-Debate Look With RedState 20 Comments (0 topical, 20 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Fred's quip after Matthews popped off was refreshing.
To answer the question everyone's been asking, yes I think he did 'well enough' to justify the hype.
He looks real good if the statement, "white men are responsible for electing Presidents" is still" is as true in presidential politics as it was 10 years ago.
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The Show...
Fred's best line was tax cuts are lost money to government. They are in the peoples pockets. We shouldnt confuse the wealth of government with the wealth of the nation.
Ask not what I can do for my country, ask what my country can do for me. Washington Elected Elite
I agree with much of Erick's analysis, but I'd add the following.
These early debates are nothing more than "cattle calls". The debates usually hurt candidates more than they help them. In Fred's first big test, he started out a bit slow, but by the time the debate was over, I came away with the impression that there were only two candidates on that stage today that looked presidential - Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani.
While the mainstream media will continue with their transparent attacks on Fred, I'm willing to bet Fred will continue to rise in the polls. Why ? Because Fred Thompson comes across as a regular guy, while at the same time stresses conservative themes. Nor does Thompson get flustered when questioned, and his large frame and commanding voice give him a unique stature the others lack.
As for the rest of the candidates, I thought Mitt Romney was trying too hard to get quick "one liners" into the mix. Yet it was obvious he doesn't have the gravitas to make such one lines work. I don't want all the Romney supporters to get angry, but in my opinion, Mitt Romney was the most transparent typical politician on the stage. I just don't get the feeling Mitt would have a chance at defeating Hillary. And when he suggested he would consult with lawyers before deciding to act unilaterally in a military situation, that sealed the deal for me to oppose his candidacy.
Bottom line - this race is between Thompson and Giuliani.
I'm not an agent, I just write books
I agree Jack. I thought Romney's performance today was a little underrated, but in the long term is Rudy and Fred.
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for his first debate. A little rusty at first, he quickly got his balance and ended like a rolling freight train. Loved his retorts to Romney and Matthews.
I ended up feeling reassured that despite all the hand wringing and naysaying amongst Republicans, we clearly have a number of candidates available to the party that just knock the socks off anyone the Dems have to offer. (Then there's Ron Paul but why dwell on the halfwitted uncle that shows up at the reunion wearing his underwear on his head.)
I thought Thompson did well; not awesome but very respectable. Rudy was the best debater, although he won't get my primary vote. Brownback and Huck were the weakest sounding but still candidates that we can be proud of -- and that's the whole point.
Time for Republicans to get out of the dumps and back on the road to victory.
Erick
Was that you on XM's POTUS 08?
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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
XM is great stuff, gotta listen to that POTUS 'cast more often. I heard you then flipped over to the debate on CNBC.
Well listen to it after Baseball season is over, and A Rod joins the "A"'s.
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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
Rudy and Fred, going for the gold, the rest is just a waste of time now.
Fred looked like the President, Rudy looked like the Mayor.
he really is worried about Fred Thompson -- keeps attacking him!
Fred is off to a good start. He will continue to impress. Go here for Thompson bumper stickers -- www.fdt08.com
I agree that Fred Thompson did what he had to keep his campaign going. IMO he did not do enough to create a buffer against the future failures every campaign suffers at some point, but an inadequate performance today would have lost it for him right there. At the moment Giuliani is the only GOP candidate with such a safety margin, earned on 9/11, but he hasn't shown any sign of breaking out of the pack and remains vulnerable.
Fred Thompson is alive for now. He'll have to do much better to win, but at least he'll have the opportunity to do so.
It's clearly a three-man race for the moment, with Giuliani ahead but not by enough to be comfortable. Any of the three of Giuliani, Thompson and Romney has a shot.
Rudy and Fred.
Mitt is just not catching on for some reason and looks like he won't. I could vote for him, but he has this pasteurized, packaged, to slick by half aura that is off putting.
Does Mitt ever get passionate and exhibit some "fire in the belly" like Rudy does, and Fred has sparks of?
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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
My favorite moment...
here
http://www.damaverick.com/fredsmackdown.jpg
Matthews declined to attack Thompson when served up some fresh meat on Olbermann. Goes to show that whiner bullys will shut up when they know you aren't afraid to take them head on.
Ask not what I can do for my country, ask what my country can do for me. Washington Elected Elite
Was that he could have just said, "Nobody asked for your opinion," or "Nobody asked for your opinion, Mr. Matthews," or even "Nobody asked for your opinion, Chris." Instead he said "Nobody asked for your opinion, Christopher." Like he was talking to a little kid.
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This kind of liberty is, indeed, but another name for justice; ascertained by wise laws, and secured by well-constructed institutions.
-Edmund Burke
I remember either Reagan or Bush I calling some du Pont guy in a debate by their first name like addressing a child much like FT did to Chrissy. I think it was "Pierre". Anyone remember that?
"There's no need to go to war to take a country. First you take their minds, then they'll "give" you their country"! Karl Marx
Too bad you couldn't hear Fred say that clearer. Many missed it. A name calling bully like Matthews needs to be punched in the mouth just like Fred did.
Ask not what I can do for my country, ask what my country can do for me. Washington Elected Elite