Video: Fred on 9/11
posted at 9:06 am on April 2, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Good stuff via Instapundit. The “aw shucks” tone of the radio bits is gone here; the occasion called for some greater and he delivered. September 16, 2001…
Roll Call says he’s genuinely interested in getting in, but it’s getting late and he’d have to build a team from scratch. Or would he?
Update: Novak’s reading the tea leaves:
Sophisticated social conservative activists tell me they cannot vote for Giuliani under any conditions and have no rapport with McCain or Romney. They do not view Sen. Sam Brownback, representing the social right, as a viable candidate. They are coming to see Thompson as the only conservative who can be nominated. Their appreciation of him stems not from his eight years as a U.S. senator from Tennessee but from his role as Manhattan district attorney on the TV series ” Law & Order.” The part was molded to Thompson’s specifications as a tough prosecutor, lending him political star power…
I met Fred Thompson in 1974 when he was Howard Baker’s 31-year-old minority counsel on the Watergate investigation. I considered him cool, careful and conservative. He still is, and that is how he would run for president, which appears in the offing.
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Fred!
thebookkeeper on April 2, 2007 at 9:22 AM
Ya know…I like Fred. He said all the right things in this talk…just like everyone else was saying for the most part.
Sorry, but what he said back then doesn’t matter a wit to me now. It was easy to say it then. I want to hear his plans for the GWoT now that we have allowed it to teater on the edge of a finely tuned media signal.
As for the exit question…YEAH…he should build a team from the ground up and leave Frist’s people wherever they are. Frist was a very VERY weak leader and a pitiful communicator. Fred shouldn’t be associated with such folks.
Pilgrim on April 2, 2007 at 9:23 AM
I agree he better jump in quick. 9 months to Florida/Calif/Texas/etc primaries. He needs a war chest and I am getting worried that the party ‘good ol’-boys’ won’t be offering Fred! much help.
Limerick on April 2, 2007 at 9:41 AM
Limerick,
Good point, but I’m betting there will be a historical conservative landslide of private funds shipped his way by folks like you and me. Regardless of what the GOP does or does not do.
This one’s going to be interesting.
techno_barbarian on April 2, 2007 at 9:51 AM
He’s by far the best choice I’ve seen so far. I hope he goes for it.
KCtheKat on April 2, 2007 at 9:52 AM
I will work for his campaign when he announces.
Theworldisnotenough on April 2, 2007 at 9:55 AM
He’s no Reagan, but he is a good speaker. While he’s one of my top candidates, this video doesn’t exactly show his leadership abilities. 5 days after 9/11, everyone and their cousin were saying the same thing. If you want to argue on speeches and reaction to 9/11, then it would hold that Giuliani is a great leader. He was at Ground Zero, got trapped under rubble in the command post, stood with the firemen, and with President Bush.
amerpundit on April 2, 2007 at 9:57 AM
…Why has NO ONE stated the obvious ticket?
Thompson / Romney 2008!
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on April 2, 2007 at 10:09 AM
This was an awesome speech. Thanks for posting it. I hope Fred Thompson runs. He is definately Presidential material… and he’s pro-life, too.
BillyKess on April 2, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Uncle Fred! gave the audience what they needed at the time. He was reassuring, calm, and strong. Run, Fred!, Run!
Matticus Finch on April 2, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Blair needs to say this about the British hostages. It cannot be allowed to stand.
CrimsonFisted on April 2, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Wasteland…
I agree. I think Romney in the VP slot would be a great addition to a presidents foriegn policy team. I’m still waiting to learn more about Thompson before I jump the Romney ship, but so far, I like what he says, and especially HOW he says it. He communicates ideas very well and does not fillibuster questions.
csdeven on April 2, 2007 at 10:26 AM
You bring up an excellent point. There is one or tow things to add to this. I’ve heard several speeches from persons, specifically from 9/11. John Kerry comes to mind in fact. There’s no conviction to his words.
Look at any great leader and they mean what they say, say what they mean.
Reagan at the Berlin Wall,
Kennedy’s inaugural Speech…In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility–I welcome it.
FDR, Churchill, MacArthur, Lincoln…the list goes on and on.
I think of Michael Dukakis telling what he would do if his wife was raped. I think of hearing Pelosi setting the time-table for withdrawl and can’t even get the date right.
Speeches are one thing, Passion is something else.
Conviction in what you’re saying is more important than how it’s said. Lincoln’s Gettysburg WAS NOT considered “passionate” at the time. A simple speech.
The conviction behind it is what makes the leader.
With that being said, New York(Long Island) would like to cast it’s remaining Electoral Votes for Fred Thompson
HarryStar on April 2, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Go Fred! Jump in and get some of that Hollywood money before Herself sucks it all up.
Ellen on April 2, 2007 at 10:36 AM
I don’t think that Fred will have much of a problem with money, but don’t count on Hollywood money…count on the donations coming from the South, Fly over country, and die hard conservatives like me…the only California money he will get will be from that area East of the fault.
DoctorDentons on April 2, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Fred is the best candidate that the Republicans can field by far. I do think that he should announce soon with all the “front loaded” primaries. It would come down to a contest between “fly over country” and the east and left coast. I also still think that Steele or Kasich would be a better choice for Veep than any of the top tier candidates.
duff65 on April 2, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Fred is simply the only viable candidate. I find it impossible to understand conservatives who would still cast their vote for Giuliani.
Oh, here’s a little taste of Giuliani from 1996 for anyone who still doubts the troubles this man would bring if elected.
Gregor on April 2, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Fred is the best candidate for President of the United States to emerge, from either side, in some time. I really, really, really hope he enters the race.
Fred would be such a superior choice to the likes of Bush or McCain. We would not have to vote for the one who would do the least damage, but for a candidate that really does exhibit the qualities of leadership that the United States needs. What a refreshing change Fred would be.
Run for President, Fred, We Need You!
omegaram on April 2, 2007 at 11:22 AM
The video is no longer available. What’s up?
B Moe on April 2, 2007 at 11:24 AM
I can’t access it either. Was it too hot or too red meat for YouTube?
Mallard T. Drake on April 2, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Just noticed that, too.
mikeyboss on April 2, 2007 at 11:30 AM
I’m guessing that it’s been deemed ‘islamophobic’ or somesuch.
The Monster on April 2, 2007 at 11:37 AM
And Allah, you misspelled “Fred!“
The Monster on April 2, 2007 at 11:40 AM
YouTube seems to be a little twitchy today.
Slublog on April 2, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Add Fred! to the Banned on YouTube list.
TheBigOldDog on April 2, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Thompson/Pence’08
tormod on April 2, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Funny. That’s not what the firemen are saying.
Gregor on April 2, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Thompson/Giuliani, in any form. If that wouldn’t give the terrorists and Iranian loons a “positive change” message…
March 11, 2007, on “Fox News Sunday” will go into history as a very significant moment.
Entelechy on April 2, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Why is youtube withholding my daily Fred! fix? How am I to make it through the day?
mojowire on April 2, 2007 at 12:24 PM
I will not compare him to Reagan, I will not compare him to Reagan, I will NOT compare…Dammit, I haven’t seen anyone else like him since…
His ability to simply answer a question, without ducking or using any weasel words, is a hallmark of a man confident of his convictions. A man not easily shaken off the path he chooses. I could support a man like that and be sure there wouldn’t be backtracking when the going gets tough.
He needs to get into this race. Sure, he’d be tested by the adversarial press and op-researched by the Clintons, but if he does, he’ll not only get my support, but my money too.
OneEyedJack on April 2, 2007 at 12:52 PM
I agree, Fred! is the best candidate so far. I have been dieing for a plain spoken common sense person to actually run for president. Thats what this country needs. Hell, Just look at Robin Williams “Man of the Year” movie. You have a guy that basicly means what he says, and does not quibble with the truth. Alot of people walked out of that movie talking about how they would have voted for Williams, just because he was honest. Fred! would be in the same boat.
As far as money goes, He would be the first candidate I would donate money to. And I would even go as far as volounteering for is campain.
Wyrd on April 2, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Fred! is DA MAN!
Iblis on April 2, 2007 at 2:12 PM
Gregor,
You’re right, that’s not what the firemen are saying. However, you actually need to look deeper, than the outside. Their union, and its views, are very important to them. Their union’s leader has a personal grudge/hissy fit, against Rudy, for not giving him everything he wants.
amerpundit on April 2, 2007 at 2:52 PM
My only concern about Fred, is the only thing he’s managed in the last 6 years, is his acting career.
amerpundit on April 2, 2007 at 2:53 PM
In ‘08, more than just the usual people who follow politics will be voting in the primaries. Meaning, moderates and “RINOS”, as well.
amerpundit on April 2, 2007 at 2:56 PM
If Ronnie could survive ‘Bedtime for Bonzo’ then Fred! and surely survive ‘Law and Order’…….
Limerick on April 2, 2007 at 2:57 PM
Let’s see exactly how much we want to listen to the firefighters union, shall we?
amerpundit on April 2, 2007 at 3:00 PM
… Giuliani is a great leader. He was at Ground Zero, got trapped under rubble in the command post, stood with the firemen, and with President Bush.
amerpundit on April 2, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Funny. That’s not what the firemen are saying.
Gregor on April 2, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Don’t forget the speech Giuliani gave for David Rockefellar where he praised the work of the CFR and backed his One World Order.
That is why he always starts waffling on any immigration questions. Laura Ingraham had him stuttering about enforcing immigration laws and Amnesty.
Giuliani is a open borders, one world Government liberal that calls himself a conservative just like GWB.
Anyone that shaves his legs and thinks it is cool to put on pantyhose and a dress at cocktail parties has some major problems-IMHO
ScottyDog on April 2, 2007 at 4:43 PM
You said Die Hard
- The Cat
P.S. If this man can be a republican and not get blacklisted and, unlike The Govenator, a conservative and still not get blacklisted, he can certainly take on the libs with the people.
MirCat on April 2, 2007 at 4:51 PM
That’s not exactly true. Fred! has remained very active among his previous Senatorial colleagues, calling with advice, discussing votes, bills, and other issues.
From Bob Novak’s article today on Townhall.com:
He has never stopped caring about politics or the workings of Government, and has kept his feet wet behind the scenes. Don’t misunderestimate Fred!!
I agree with several other commenters that Fred! will receive a massive groundswell of support the moment he announces. I’m really liking the concept of a Tax Day press conference…
Freelancer on April 2, 2007 at 5:09 PM
Are any of you having trouble with the “draftfredthompson.com” site?
My husband and I are both registered there and when we try to login to use the forum we get the message ” Error. you are banned from using this forum.”
annoyinglittletwerp on April 2, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Weird…also problem here ‘Username does not exsist’…registered, signed petition. Never use other logins on sites like that. I guess my SS benefits are no longer any good either.
Limerick on April 2, 2007 at 6:11 PM
I won’t disparage Rudy. If not for a few very key issues, abortion being the main one, I would vote for him in a nanosecond. I remember this speech by Thompson back then. It matters to me that he said it then and meant it and he has never backed down from it. I do agree. We need Fred.
Glynn on April 2, 2007 at 7:29 PM
The video is back up………….
Just to have Fred in the debates would go a long way for the Republicans….
PinkyBigglesworth on April 2, 2007 at 8:44 PM
Freelancer, I’ve never lost a passion for politics, either. That doesn’t mean I’m qualified to be the next President. The Giuliani in pantyhose thing, was a joke, not a documentary.
amerpundit on April 2, 2007 at 9:28 PM
I’ve always like this guy, and almost couldn’t believe my ears when I heard he was thinking of “getting in”. He has an eloquence, a quiet strength, and a serious demeanor – all of which our country needs in these trouble times. Fred Thompson has my full support. GO. FOR. IT.
sbvft contributor on April 2, 2007 at 10:03 PM
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