Reading through the USAToday blogs, I learned that the Democrat National Committee is starting a fundraising website devoted specifically to defeating Fred Thompson.
The Democratic National Committee has started an anti-Fred campaign in anticipation of a full-fledged candidacy. Among the elements so far:
? An anti-Thompson fundraising site called Stop The Act.
? An e-mail yesterday that says “Tentative Thompson” may be hesitant to get into the race due to his “lackluster” tenure as a Tennessee senator.
? A fundraising letter last week that tried to tie Thompson and his lobbying career to what the DNC calls “the Republican culture of corruption.”
According to the New York Sun, the Democrats are terrified of a Thompson candidacy:
WASHINGTON ? The Democratic Party is so alarmed by the prospect of competing against Fred Thompson, a Republican who portrays himself as a successor to President Reagan, that it is advising campaigners how to attack the actor and former Tennessee senator.
According to AOL Newsblog, the Democrats:
Democratic strategists say Thompson’s populist style and show-biz allure could prove extremely appealing in a general election at a time when voters are so down on Washington. So the party has launched a preemptive campaign against him that includes a DNC fundraising e-mail branding Thompson, “The inside-outsider.”
While discussing how they think Republicans should fear a possible Edwards nominee because of his high numbers in a general election, the liberal TexasBlue blog said this:
I am sure that Democrats all over with half a brain are getting The Fear about Fred Thompson. Not because of what he is, necessarily, but rather because of what he could be.
Liberal journalist and author Eric Alterman, who I actually really respect as a writer, had this to say:
I’ll admit this Fred Thompson fellow has me really worried.
And last, but not least, Senator Chuckie Schumer said this:
“Watch out for Fred Thompson.”
What I think’s got em really riled up, however, is what longtime Thompson friend and King of Georgia Zell Miller said recently:
Although he won’t be active, Zell Miller said he’s waiting to see if two old friends – Tennesseean Fred Thompson and/or former House Speaker Newt Gingrich – get into the Republican race.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Tommy,
I agree the Dems are going nuts about Thompson and this one I sort of agree with them on. Thompson seems like a nice person, and on many of the issues I agree with him on but….
1.He looks like he is 126 years old
2.He plays the “Im a southerner in my red truck, vote for me” like our current ineffective President.
3.He is at the top of many polls while doing NO Campaigning.
4.He was a former lobbyist, turned actor, turned Senator, turned actor who authored no leglislation (except McCain-Feingold-Thompson campaign finance), and has nothing but “Im more conservative, Im more southern” to bring to the field of GOP candidates.
As I stated before, McCainiacs love their guy because for more than 2 decades in Congress, he stood for something and got something done. I didnt always like what it was, but he is an american hero, and I get that others like(d) him.
Rudy too was thought by many to be an american hero post 9/11. He did a decent job with NYC, with regard to taxes, crime, etc, and so I get those that support him, although I dont. Mitt has a proven record of fixing problems over the past 30 years. It started in business as a CEO, then with the 02 Olympics that were in the toilet. Later with the state of MA that was also in dispair. Although I havent always agreed with him, I like his positions today.
Fred Thompsons resume wouldnt get him to be CEO of Staples, Burger King, Foot Locker, or Cinnabun but he thinks he can be CEO of the USA? Did I miss something here. Isnt there an application with work experience that each candidate must provide, including a resume? Well there should be, and once their resumes are made known to the American people, Mitt’s will look the best (as he looks the best too) and he will win the nomination.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:12 am
He does make a good DA on Law and Order, and I do think that he is qualified to run a Papa Johns store, maybe Subway, or a WBNA team President.
CEO of the GOP and the US? No, it takes more than just being more southern with a smoking hot wife. I get it, a few others do too. And after he announces, others will see and hear him, and get it too.
And whatever happens Tommy, I always thought you were a stand up guy. I’ll save you a seat on the Mitt bandwagon.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:48 am
The fact that Thompson is a threat to the DNC shows how basic our electiosn have become. Its not about suitability to serve, its about looking the best on TV.
Thompson is as ill-qualified as Edwards & Obama. A thin resume is ignored because he has appeal as a Southern folksy charmer (have we learnt nothing with Bush 43?), & high name ID through being an actor.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:53 am
Wow Tommy, you have a pretty low threshold for describing something as “absolutely nuts”.
As I see it, the Dems sense that Fred has the potential for being a viable candidate, and are preparing themselves for it. In other words, what all normal campaigns do all the time.
Had a bit too much coffee today?
June 28th, 2007 at 1:42 am
While Fred is talking a good conservative game right now, when has he proven that he is a Man of Action? Does the GOP really want to be a regional (south) party? Is the voice the new litmus test?
He just isn’t qualified and the job is way over his head. He is unacceptable to me as a nominee.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:04 am
I think this is the standard treatment for any candidate of FDT’s stature. He has raced to the the first tier so naturally the Dems are going to prepare to frame him in a negative fashion. They don’t really care how the GOP views him, but they do know that if they can’t get a negative image in the minds of moderates, it will be much easier for them in the general election.
Fred has huge potential to energize the party, but from what I have seen so far, he is very unimpressive in his unscripted moments. Mitt, Rudy and even McCain are good, even great in front of an audience and therefore have a huge advantage over the uncharismatic Dem frontrunners.
If Fred can shake off enough rust to appeal to non-southerners he will definitely win. My guess, and hope however, is that he can’t because I don’t see him as a Presidential material. He doesn’t have the passion needed, he doesn’t have an adgenda and he doesn’t have enough experience. He is however ideologically a pretty good choice and I would definitely support him should he win the nomination.
However, Senators never win. Look at history candidates who win were either governors or Vice Presidents, or if you go back far enough a general. The only exception is JFK and he was a poor president who actually had more legislative experience than all the Dem frontrunners combined, and much more than FDT.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:07 am
JFK a poor president? He compares well to Carter & Bush 43, although his Clintonesque activities were disappointing…
June 28th, 2007 at 3:11 am
Dskinner, I have to agree though. FDT doesn’t impress me.
There’s several things about this election that scare me.
1) The GOP seem to distrust anyone who doesn’t have a Southern accent (and its probably Edwards best (only?) political plus on the Dem side)
2) We have learnt nothing from 2000, focusing on candidates who are “exciting”, even if they aren’t qualified to be President (Obama & Edwards spring to mind, fortunately the GOP are better at this one although FDT is following the same trend).
Perhaps Paris Hilton should become President. People pay attention to everything she says, and she looks good on TV. Any other requirements?
June 28th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Sorry to the Fredheads but he must crash, and probably hard too.
People are putting him on a pedastal – for no disernable reason that I can fathom.
June 28th, 2007 at 6:27 am
“Fred Thompson got a step closer to entering the presidential primaries by forming an ‘exploratory committee.’ He has- ardent fans–the polls have him in the top tier of the race he has not even entered—but there are off the record scoffers in the other Republican campaigns. They say his first day in the race will be his best; that his major strength is not having bored everyone by campaigning over the last year. That is a mistake. Thompson has the most consistently conservative record of any of the top candidates; he is a serious man with well-thought-through positions; and he has a knack for presenting conservative philosophy as simple common sense. His rivals would do well not to underestimate him.â€
– The Week. The National Review. June 25, 2007. VOL LIX, NO. 11.
June 28th, 2007 at 6:36 am
“Had a bit too much coffee today?”
Tano, if you haven’t noticed, I’m a caffiene and nicotine junkie.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Thompson is pretty slick. The way he’s finessed his strong support of McCain-Feingold in the past, and the way he’s finessed his past pro-choice views without committing himself to specific pro-life positions that could hurt him in the generals has been pretty masterful. If he really is this good, I think he would perform very well in the general election.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Can any Thompson support answer the following question:
“Why would Thompson make a better President than Mitt Romney or John McCain or Rudy Giuliani?”
June 28th, 2007 at 10:11 am
One of my good friends, who is a Fred supporter, told me yesterday that Fred will never win the general election. He looks old (really old), does not think well on his feet and needs to lose the UHs. He also is letting himself be associated with Karl Rove which will be death in the general election. I could live with a Mitt or a Rudy Primary win but Fred scares me because I see loser written on his candidacy. The DNC does not have to worry about Fred. They should welcome a win by him.