Frist: Fred’s in
posted at 5:24 pm on April 14, 2007 by Allahpundit
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When Thompson met with Bill Frist at the Mayflower Hotel, they had important business to discuss. More than two years ago, Thompson had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is “indolent” lymphoma, a slow-growing form of the disease that is not usually symptomatic. If you’re going to have one of the 33 varieties of lymphoma, Thompson says, this is the one you want. “It’s easy to diagnose, easy to treat and easy to live with,” Frist, a physician, confirms. But it sounds scary, the kind of thing that might spook potential primary voters if it were disclosed by an announced candidate.
“We thought we had to get it out early,” says Frist, “in the sense that he’s going to be announcing.”
Not enough proof?
Thompson says he came to respect George W. Bush during the 2000 campaign because of his plan to reform Social Security. Congressional Republicans considered the plan a political liability, and it went nowhere. Thompson says that although it was only tinkering on the margins of real reform, it was a good start. He won’t share his own plan–“I’ll roll that out at the appropriate time”–but the general principle he articulates sounds like a political risk.
I don’t know any private citizens planning to “roll out” their plans to reform social security, so unless something very unusual happens in the next few weeks, he’s in.
The full piece is easily the best profile of him that I’ve read so far. Takeaway: “Over the next two decades, Thompson would appear in dozens of films and television shows as a character actor, often one who personifies government strength. It is a role that seems to fit.” Exit question: How many weeks after the announcement until he leads in the polls? (Exit answer: Six!)
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Imagine that! I still like Newt, but I could live with Fred. Would Newt settle for number two, or is he too egotistical? At least he’s never shot anyone.
RedWinged Blackbird on April 14, 2007 at 5:41 PM
If Fred has the right stance on illegal immigration and illegal immigrants (those already here) I’ll support him all the way. If not, then it is Tancredo or a 3rd party candidate.
MikeG on April 14, 2007 at 5:43 PM
Fred!
robblefarian on April 14, 2007 at 5:45 PM
Well…
The magic might start to fade when he becomes a real candidate. Not to rain on anyones parade or anything.
Max Power on April 14, 2007 at 5:51 PM
Thompson Gingrich ‘08!
John on April 14, 2007 at 5:52 PM
That’s why he needs to declare sooner than later. We gotta see if Fred! is the candidate or not. Better tomorrow than in 4 months. With the early primaries this time, gotta be sure sooner than ever.
lorien1973 on April 14, 2007 at 5:53 PM
I’m just hoping for a candidate that will stick to conservative values. Who isn’t, right? (well… besides the obvious ones) I want offshore drilling of oil, tough on crime, tough on illegals and immigration, and someone who doesn’t pussyfoot around in a war situation where our boys are in harms way (read; overwhelming force)… yeah, and considering the whole social security thing is going belly up in 2038*, someone who will actually attack the problem early enough that it doesn’t become a crisis.
rahjr2k on April 14, 2007 at 6:07 PM
Thompson Hunter ‘08!
bdfaith on April 14, 2007 at 6:12 PM
I tend to doubt we’ll be seeing Newt on anyone’s ticket… especially after all the global warming stuff.
Watcher on April 14, 2007 at 6:14 PM
Fred!
Cavuto has a short piece on Fred! that’s worth reading too. He’s the real thing.
IrishEi on April 14, 2007 at 6:15 PM
Thompson / Steele!
Mooseman on April 14, 2007 at 6:15 PM
Sorry, here’s the link.
IrishEi on April 14, 2007 at 6:16 PM
After the latest Pics of Rudy in drag, looking like Marilyn Monroe, it’ll only take Fred 2 -3 weeks before he’s ahead in the polls and, unless he stumbles badly, he’s a lock. Fred/Miit is looking like the ticket.
Giuliani’s cross-dressing antics back in spotlight
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2007 at 6:29 PM
IrishE, that link is great! I am so tired of the celebrity entourage mentality. I like what it indicates about his personality!
INC on April 14, 2007 at 6:29 PM
I like Thompson/Watts!
INC on April 14, 2007 at 6:30 PM
I’m hoping this doesn’t become a three-way race of cancer victims. It doesn’t quite show the Republican Party in a healthy light and the media will play the “Cancer Party” thing for all it’s worth. You can hear it now: “Some people are saying these are the perfect candidates for a political party that…”
Perchant on April 14, 2007 at 6:34 PM
I’m not gonna gripe much about whoever Fred
would pick as his VP, that’s just politics and has more to do with getting votes than lockstep agreement on issues. I do admit that Thompson / Steele sure sounds good. I know I’m impressed with Steele too.
Buzzy on April 14, 2007 at 6:34 PM
Me too. He is truly the only candidate I could get excited about. And I’m afraid to say this out loud, but I really think he could win…I’m more afraid of him not getting the nomination because of all the back-slapping morons in Washington.
IrishEi on April 14, 2007 at 6:36 PM
YES!
Theworldisnotenough on April 14, 2007 at 6:39 PM
YES! Fred is definitely the best choice for President of the United States I have seen in 2 elections. FINALLY A CANDIDATE WE CAN VOTE FOR WHO WILL LEAD, AND NOT GET THE VOTE BECAUSE OF DOING THE LEAST DAMAGE! FINALLY!
omegaram on April 14, 2007 at 6:44 PM
For those interested, here’s a page that lists how Fred! has voted on all the issues. Make sure you check out the quotes associated with each section for clarification.
IrishEi on April 14, 2007 at 6:45 PM
The Weekly Standard article is very informative.
You know as I read it, the one thing that really comes across about Fred that is just going to kill the other candidates (and the backslappers in D.C.) is:
NO NUANCE!
And how about this quote?
INC on April 14, 2007 at 6:47 PM
Allah:
We need a more presidential photo of Fred! I like this one.
IrishEi on April 14, 2007 at 6:58 PM
Buzzy wrote:
We need to view the VP choice as a way to line up someone good for the 2016 race. That said, I still like Hunter as a VP choice but I’d have no trouble at all getting behind Steele in a big way and he might help offset the “novelty” factor in a race between Thompson and a woman or a half-African-American, especially if we talk up the “and, we can elect our first black President in ‘16″ aspect.
bdfaith on April 14, 2007 at 7:05 PM
Does my heart good to see so many Fred supporters! Yep…these statements make it look like it’s going to happen after all…Thompson must be feeling the pressure.
It’s a bit early to be talking running-mate, but I’m thinking make this a Southern ticket all around. The South decides these elections, and the Repubs are favored there. I’m thinking Steele, or perhaps even JC Watts (where has he been lately?) Or how about Katherine Harris (just kidding!)
I’m eager to see the poll numbers after the Fred-man declares…and if he’s strong, how the Dems will attack him…
JetBoy on April 14, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Yeah, he looks like he wouldn’t hesitate to shove a scimitar up a jihadi’s a$$.
RedWinged Blackbird on April 14, 2007 at 7:12 PM
The average Russian doesn’t take a dump without a plan son.
What have Fred presidential line have YOU said today??
Ringmaster on April 14, 2007 at 7:13 PM
My favorite line in the movie A Hunt for Red October. :)
djohn669 on April 14, 2007 at 7:22 PM
Newt has in fact shot someone. HIMSELF!
Newt shot himself in the foot when he aligned himself with the global warming group. Remember the photos of him a couple of days ago standing on the stage alongside John Kerry agreeing with him on all the crap about warming that the chicken littles are putting out. Before this happened I was a Newt backer but he now has a zero chance of being nominated for president unless it is on the dem ticket. It’s all over for him.
Now for Fred – this man has got what it takes to be president. Too bad we can’t just declare him president right now. Fred – ‘you de man’!.
One unrelated comment if I may – Michelle has really proved that she is a brilliant, outstanding person during the last few days. The way she handled those black panthers (or what ever they are) was unbelievably impressive. You go girl!!
OBX Pete on April 14, 2007 at 7:24 PM
Anyone hear the interview Fred Thompson gave Sean Hannity a couple days ago on his radio show?
Anyone hear his answer to Sean about joining in the race?
{Paraphrasing, in that wonderful Southern accent of Freds}
“Well, I’ll keep listening to the folks, seeing the layout of the land, and if there is support, who knows, you learn a lot reading from Allahpundit, and other bloggers….”
If you’re reading this Mr. Thompson, you, and the Mrs., have my support…..
PinkyBigglesworth on April 14, 2007 at 7:29 PM
Fred Thompson’s candidacy is fabulous news. I do hope he considers Tancredo or Hunter as a running mate, as well as Hugh Fitzgerald (of Jihadwatch.org) for Secretary of State.
National security will definitely take on a logical and meaningful character with this combination.
heroyalwhyness on April 14, 2007 at 7:44 PM
You mean the guy who wrote Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas? He’s dead.
mikeyboss on April 14, 2007 at 7:47 PM
PinkyBigglesworth,
I missed that. Sounds like a signal from Fred to the groundswell here! :-)!
INC on April 14, 2007 at 7:50 PM
JetBoy,
It looks as if J. C. Watts has been busy. This old interview notes that the age of his children were a large part of his reason to retire. I’d like to see him back in politics, but it may have to wait until later.
Remember this gem?
INC on April 14, 2007 at 7:58 PM
heroyalwhyness:
I think Hugh Fitzgerald has a great mind, but I don’t agree with his take on everything. He wants us to pull out and let the entire Middle East implode/explode and I’m not sure I’m ready to take such a chance. More importantly, he buys into the global warming thing too! It shocked me because I really felt he was too intelligent for that kind of thing. Besides, he’s not a politician of any sort.
IrishEi on April 14, 2007 at 8:06 PM
Thanks, INC …looks like Watts is doing well, anyway.
I do disagree that his children were a main reason for his retirement from politics. I still believe the GOP kinda used him…pushed him into much face-time on television to show a black Republican. The Dem’s did (doing) the same with Obama. He probably got tired of it. Shame, because he’s a smart, solid guy…and missed at the Capitol.
JetBoy on April 14, 2007 at 8:39 PM
Exit answer: 3 weeks. I know little about him, but this is the guy.
kahall on April 14, 2007 at 8:51 PM
Oh, I love that. That’s the “bring it on” picture. Yeah!
Glynn on April 14, 2007 at 9:00 PM
IrishEi –
Link?
***
As if the ME awaits our permission? Expecting the US to babysit the islamic imperialistic beast in every theatre it explodes in – is misguided and suicidal. The doctrine of islam is an exercise in natural selection. Whether our troops are there to babysit -or not- makes little difference . The sooner we accept that bitter reality – and dump the multi-culti pc claptrap, the sooner we can fully address the threat at – and – within our borders.
That’s the idea . . .it’s long past time to clean house at state and he’s got the cojones to do it. Hugh isn’t a politician- of the PC sort, yet his writings suggest he has some history within diplomatic circles and he projects scholarship without equal.
Ain’t no b.s. wool gonna be pulled over his eyes.
heroyalwhyness on April 14, 2007 at 9:16 PM
Fred! on global warming HERE
JetBoy on April 14, 2007 at 9:40 PM
JetBoy, IrishEi implied Hugh Fitzgerald buys into global warming . . . I’ll check out the Fred! link too. . . thanks.
heroyalwhyness on April 14, 2007 at 9:48 PM
JetBoy:
Thanks for that global warming link – I LOVE IT! The more I learn about Fred!, the better I like him.
I really hope he announces soon. He’ll be the first candidate in decades I’ll be willing to support financially.
rmgraha on April 14, 2007 at 9:52 PM
Run! Fred! Run!
Thompson/Steele ‘08
The combo reeks of strength and testosterone. Perfect for these times. I think Fred!’s going to be very very popular. He’s gonna scare the crap out of the dem candidates. They aren’t even confident enough to stand up to Fox New’s audience. How are they going to be able to even be in the same room with Fred!?
Go read the latest Day by Day, by the way. It’s absoultely on target, as usual.
techno_barbarian on April 14, 2007 at 11:08 PM
If Fred is in, then I would like to see a Thompson/Romney Ticket for ‘08.
rhuppertz on April 15, 2007 at 12:51 AM
I’m liking Steele… I was really pulling for him in 06… way out here in California doing him no good whatsoever :)
rahjr2k on April 15, 2007 at 2:45 AM
Exit answer: 1
Thompson/Tancredo. Let Fred! take care of fighting Congress over judicial appointments, military funding, and energy independence (ANWR), let the Tanc deal with the issue he wrote the book on.
I think Duncan Hunter would be fine, but I kinda like him as a SecDef nominee. And I’d be happy with Newt for State, Romney for Treasury, and Rudy for Attorney General. Use these men where their expertise lies. And watch the Socialists lose both houses again.
Freelancer on April 15, 2007 at 6:22 AM
Sorry to be a party-pooper – I’m pretty sure Thompson said Instapundit.
I get that “right man for the right time” vibe from him. And lately a big plus is that Thompson isn’t falling for the “man-made” global warming so-called consensus like all the other contenders. That in itself says a lot. I wonder how much heat he will take for that (no pun intended lol)…
JimRich on April 15, 2007 at 6:33 AM
I find the prospect of having a candidate that allows me to simply read/hear what his thoughts are without having to dissect every line to try to understand the ‘underlying’ reasons delightful. I am so tired of trying to listen under the radar to every word that comes out of politicians mouths. Having to ‘hear’ what isn’t being said more than what is.
Fred! is not all about nuance, as someone noted earlier, he opens the mouth and says what he means. He doesn’t strike me at all as trying to cover all the bases and adjust his message as needed to suit the crowd. God…..how refreshing is that??
RUN FRED!
dustoffmom on April 15, 2007 at 7:39 AM
heroyalwhyness on April 14, 2007 at 9:16 PM
Believe me, I understand your skepticism! Nonetheless it is true that Hugh Fitzgerald believes global warming is caused by man. He writes at the Iconoclast – New English Review and there are numerous articles on that page that support my claim. Pay specific attention to these posts:
19 March – Revival of Jihad
14 March – RealClimate(dot)org OR That Channel 4 Documentary
15 February – Guiliani for President
4 February – Myth & Reality
23 December – How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic
18 December – Same Goal, Different Motive
If you doubt that this is the same Hugh Fitzgerald of JihadWatch fame, note that whole sections of the 4 February Myth & Reality article from Iconoclast are included in his 2/5/07 article Nato Must Meet on JihadWatch.
I admire Hugh Fitzgerald as you do, but I’m not sure I agree with many of his ideas regarding the situation in Iraq. Sadly, when I found out that he was more or less a Gorebot, I was totally disillusioned.
More on your other points in a minute…
IrishEi on April 15, 2007 at 8:15 AM
Hugh Fitzgerald and others feel that it would be to our benefit to leave Iraq and let them all kill each other–fewer lunatics for us to deal with. He admits that a holocaust will surely follow in the ENTIRE middle east after we pull out and will kill even more of them, and thinks we should let that whole scenario play itself out.
In my darkest moments I sometimes wonder if maybe we should leave and let them at each other’s throats. BUT—a BIG “BUT”—it would also disrupt the entire world’s oil supply. That would be catastrophic. Think about it: no cars, no trucks, no ships, no freight trains, no tractors, no reapers, no generators. No way to move food, water, consumer goods. Many, many businesses would fail. People would have no way to get to work or school. Many homes would be without heat. The list goes on and on… The economies of every developed nation would collapse and the world would face a depression far worse than 1929. More importantly, the Jihad will not end as a result of this; it will march on, and we will be less able to repel them!
Iraq truly is a mess, but I’m not willing to cave. I have complete faith in our troops, and will never turn my back on them. IMO, Iraq is just the beginning. Most of us on this site realize that we are in this war for decades at least, and the threat is existential. There is nowhere to hide; and to do so is cowardly and wrongheaded.
My God, it all seems so hopeless sometimes. I sometimes feel that maybe we should just let this pending world war start already and get it over with–nuclear weapons and all. No, not really. But I have no faith that the Islamofascists can be reconciled to civilization. DAMN these barbarians.
IrishEi on April 15, 2007 at 8:49 AM
Screw Gingrich. He already caved and bowed at the altar of “Glo-ball Vorming” with F’ing Scarry. Leave Newt to be a outside commentator. Still to early for me to call anyone. Let it unfold. Dem’s won’t debate. They won’t say anything that can and will be used against them in the political court of elections. They’ll hold off til near the end. Course we already know what their plans will be. A Lib is a Lib. No centrist b.s. for them.
auspatriotman on April 15, 2007 at 10:30 AM
IrishEi, Your candor is truely appreciated.
Familiar with the New English Review, I ocassionally enjoy reading contributions by GrannyWeatherwax, Marisol and Rebecca at that site as well. I’ll go back and read those articles by Hugh. Thanks.
BTW, make no mistake, I support our troops and what they are accomplishing in theatre. I simply despise the legal and moral handcuffs placed on our soldiers and their commanders. The despair you express is a direct result of the pansy assed politically correct “JUST” war our troops are engaged in.
Our soldiers are the best in the world . . .forced to fight a war wearing blinders with one hand tied behind their back.
We need to allow our military to do what they are trained to do. Liquidate the enemy. The enemy has no such restrictions and the sooner we reflect this reality and respond overwhelmingly, without apology, the better.
heroyalwhyness on April 15, 2007 at 10:38 AM
I agree wholeheartedly.
And I have read enough of your comments to know that you do support our troops.
Until the new surge began, I thought I had a handle on the situation in the Muslim world vis a vis all the separate factions, etc. However, Allah’s recent posts on all the splinter groups and infighting has left me flummoxed. I am now reduced to drawing complicated and confusing diagrams for myself and still cannot keep it all straight.
“…a long, hard slog” indeed. God help us.
IrishEi on April 15, 2007 at 11:05 AM
The last professional actor we put in the White House worked out pretty darn well. I like Fred.
conservativecaveman on April 15, 2007 at 12:58 PM
I believe that combination is lock on the 08 election. Being from Texas, I find it difficult to support any canidates from the liberal northeast.
docdave on April 15, 2007 at 1:24 PM
IF you’re reading this Fred, run. Run like you’ve never run before!
Run, Fred, Run!
jaleach on April 15, 2007 at 1:33 PM
Just as long as Thompson doesn’t run with Frist. That clown is dead to me after killing online gambling.
Bill C on April 15, 2007 at 1:47 PM
Bill C,
The President and Vice-President have to be from different states. Amendment 12 to the The Constitution prohibits this:
I don’t know the historical background, it was passed in 1804, but the electors of any state can’t get together and decide to give their state a lock on both positions.
This came up in 2000, as I think Cheney had homes in Texas and Wyoming. I can’t remember the exact details, but officially I think his residence is Wyoming.
I wouldn’t vote for Frist either, but because I didn’t think he acted strongly enough as Majority Leader.
INC on April 15, 2007 at 2:25 PM
PIMF:
the The Constitution prohibits this:->
The Constitution states:
INC on April 15, 2007 at 2:30 PM
Fred!™ will have it locked up in two weeks.
Newt’s ego writes checks his polls can’t cash, Guiliani’s too liberal for the base, and McCain can’t decide who to placate more, some he comes off as opportunistic and untrustworthy.
Fred comes off as serious, and principled. He seems to understand what the base wants from a leader, yet he also seems to understand what the nation needs as a whole.
Iblis on April 15, 2007 at 2:46 PM
Thanks.
Bill C on April 15, 2007 at 3:30 PM
I love it……….
PinkyBigglesworth on April 15, 2007 at 4:06 PM
I know this is a dead thread, but here’s a recent YouTube bit on Thompson
Allah: you might want to grab a screenshot of him with that rifle!
IrishEi on April 15, 2007 at 4:23 PM
Bill C,
You’re welcome!
Maybe it was done because they were afraid Virginia or Massachusetts would monopolize :-) !!
INC on April 15, 2007 at 4:27 PM
I can just here the loons on DU–” . . . and just when America was ready for its first black Vice-President.”
Some other, longer footage of Fred!™ (ibid., I mean Iblis) up on youtube in the “related” column.
Hold your breath, everyone. He’s either got skeletons in the closet, or he doesn’t. Once he is in it won’t be long before they start to throw the mud up on the wall. Let’s all pray that none of it will stick.
smellthecoffee on April 15, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Although some of the new will wear off Fred should be able to capture the nomination without too much trouble. Considering the potential Dem candidates the general election should be a “cake walk”. He brings something to the table that we haven’t had recently. Someone you actually want to vote for instead of picking the lesser of two evils. As far as a running mate is concerned Steele would be a fine choice although I would prefer John Kasich.
duff65 on April 16, 2007 at 11:01 AM
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