Open thread: Fred on “The Tonight Show”; Update: Video added; Update: GOP oppo researchers start digging
posted at 11:10 pm on June 12, 2007 by Allahpundit
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If Karol’s staying up for this, it must be a capital-“e” Event. Likelihood of a surprise announcement: 20%. His aides were whispering about early July, but that could have been a smokescreen to set up a surprise tonight. Besides, why wait? He’s got poll momentum from the LA Times and Rasmussen. And there’s precedent here, with Arnold having announced on Leno and gone on to do fairly well for himself.
There’ll be video here later. Food for thought while we wait: “Right now, the Democrats’ best hope may be for the Republicans to veer right and nominate an erratic aging boy like the seedy Newt Gingrich or a Hollywood caricature of vintage 1910 American small-town life like the phlegmatically pithy Fred Thompson, whose homespun act feels tired and looks tired.”
Update: Nothing earth-shattering, but the Fredheads do get mentioned. Tonight Ragnar takes the Fred Thompson photo off his nightstand and sleeps with it in his arms.
Link: sevenload.com
Update: Karol stares into the abyss.
His jacket seemed too tight on him and, awkwardly, only one button was buttoned. He didn’t look at Jay very often, answering questions while looking off in the distance. The worst part is that he didn’t seem excited. I know campaigns are long and it’s hard to maintain that constant high energy, high enthusiasm personality. But his campaign hasn’t even kicked off yet. I needed to see some joy from him that he’s about to compete for the highest office in the land, in the world, some pride in the fact that he is a serious contestant for an office of that stature.
Between this and some of his speeches of late, he’s starting to get a rep for lackluster appearances. Eh. I thought he was fine with Hannity after the debate.
Update: Politico runs down the five points on which Fred’s Republican rivals are going to try to hit him. Three of them focus on his alleged centrism — his voting record, his support for McCain-Feingold, and his flirtation with a federalist pro-choice position, which ironically is belied by his actual voting record. I eagerly await watching Rudy McRomney trying to tar someone else as too liberal. As for the other points, his history as a lobbyist and his record as a trial lawyer, they’re less than meaningless. Particularly given that his most famous moments as a lawyer are (a) exposing corruption in Watergate, (b) exposing corruption in the Tennessee governor’s office, and (c) fighting corruption on “Law & Order.”
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So, I guess we should just go ahead and annoit Rudy now, huh AP?
BacaDog on June 12, 2007 at 11:18 PM
Well, if the staunchly conservative Republican strategist Camille Paglia of Salon says so, my mind’s made up: Let’s nominate Michael Moore.
Misha I on June 12, 2007 at 11:20 PM
Geez…..thanks for reminding me Allah! I didn’t want to miss it.
I think that since the nutroots put so much faith in the words of ‘actors’ that Fred! really has them spooked. Here is hoping he says something more then ‘plan’n-on-it’ tonight.
Limerick on June 12, 2007 at 11:25 PM
Well, maybe. But for now, he’s got both sides of the aisle in a snit. When was the last time an unofficial candidate led or tied the official candidates? Jeez, I can’t ever remember this.
Corn-pone? Who gives a shit. If he says he won’t raise taxes and opposes abortion, he’s more of a conservative than any of the others.
BacaDog on June 12, 2007 at 11:35 PM
“Huge disaster…NBC”
There’s always a little truth in comedy
sunny on June 12, 2007 at 11:35 PM
Show just started.
Cute opening joke about Fred being very concerned about the “Huge Disaster” on T.V.
Jay: Oh, you mean health Care?
Fred: No, NBC.
lol!
wearyman on June 12, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Ha ha, pretty funny joke to start!
WisCon on June 12, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Yeah, I hope he says he’s gonna announce soon, this kabuki game is even driving some of his supporters crazy.
Bad Candy on June 12, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Damn. Filter got me again.
BacaDog on June 12, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Unfair!! On the west coast we will be getting the interview three hours late. Oh well, I’ll wind up staying up for it anyway. Let us all know if he announces, or if he announces that he will be announcing, or whatever.
P. James Moriarty on June 12, 2007 at 11:41 PM
I wish they would let an attractive young educated woman host these late night shows. Who’s that girl that does the pole vaulting? You telling me she can’t read the joke cards and act goofy.
sunny on June 12, 2007 at 11:44 PM
the phlegmatically pithy Fred Thompson, whose homespun act feels tired and looks tired.”
You can call it corn-pone or tired if you want, but as long as he’s the only one pledging to lower my taxes is pro-life, and for strong border defense he’s my man. Rudy, no. Mitt, maybe. McCain, never in a million years.
Based on the past week, I’m almost ready to write-in Jeff Sessions.
BacaDog on June 12, 2007 at 11:47 PM
sunny on June 12, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Yeah, I’m thinking threads about Fred and the word “pole” need to be mutually exclusive from here on out.
:)
wearyman on June 12, 2007 at 11:47 PM
understood
sunny on June 12, 2007 at 11:51 PM
The left will somehow turn this into some type of class war propaganda..bet money on it. 100 points to the first who discover it! :D
lsutiger on June 12, 2007 at 11:51 PM
Colt 45 – It’s warm afer 3 swigs, why sell it cold.
sunny on June 12, 2007 at 11:53 PM
Woot! Leno gets a dig in on the Silky Pony!
wearyman on June 12, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Heh. That’s why we used to buy the 6 oz cans of “Country Club” malt liquor. Gotta admit though, the big magnum of beer in a bag is much cooler looking.
BacaDog on June 12, 2007 at 11:55 PM
sunny, you talking about Allison Stokke? Reminds me of Amanda Wenk, who was another one whos pictures went all over the intertubes, of course her internet celebrity was based on having a giant rack and making out with chicks. (PS, searching for Amanda will possibly give you NSFW results)
Bad Candy on June 12, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Ahem. What’s NSFW, Bad Candy. Lost my acronym guide.
BacaDog on June 12, 2007 at 11:57 PM
Edward FortyHands?
Bad Candy on June 12, 2007 at 11:58 PM
Uh, Not Safe For Work, I thought that was a pretty common one.
Bad Candy on June 12, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Allah,
Fred’s not even out the gate yet and you are calling a dead horse. Don’t you think there should be at least an actual active campaign before committing to criticizing said campaign or are you going left of center on us and playing the MSM’s game of discrediting opponents.
Give him week to fall on his face of fly then I’ll enertain your critiques.
Egfrow on June 12, 2007 at 11:59 PM
NSFW = Not Safe For Work. IE: pornographic or nearly so. Enough to get you in trouble at work should you get caught looking at it.
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Here comes Fred!
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM
ummmm…nsfworkkkkkkk
sunny on June 13, 2007 at 12:01 AM
CS!! He didn’t even drive out in his red pick’em up truck.
Maybe there’s hope.
Now, let’s listen.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:01 AM
grey suit? blue or black Fred…..blue or black.
Limerick on June 13, 2007 at 12:02 AM
First comment – Fred, get a tailor. The county fair suit needs work.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:03 AM
He should unbutton the coat. Leaving the button done makes him look a bit disheveled.
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:04 AM
He is speaking good, but he looks ‘worn out’.is it just my eyes?
I am sure folks like most of us will look toward character and substance…but we are not like normal folk….
lsutiger on June 13, 2007 at 12:05 AM
slow start…comes off as he always does. Plain speaking with experience all over the place.
sunny on June 13, 2007 at 12:07 AM
That’s what it is. It looks like it doesn’t fit.
Wearyman nailed it. Black or Dark blue, Sunday tie and white shirt.
Serious suit.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Didn’t Hilldowg work the Watergate case as well for the other side? He needs to be asked if she was a bitch then as well.
sunny on June 13, 2007 at 12:08 AM
Bacadog, if I thought Sessions had a chance I’d say let’s you and me start a draft movement — I’ve been ready since he pushed the HEROES act through the Senate — but let’s be realistic and just count on FDT to put him in the appropriate cabinet position. (He’d make a great VP as well, but Fred needs someone with a damyankee accent on the ticket with him. Like maybe Micheal Steele.)
bdfaith on June 13, 2007 at 12:08 AM
Yeah, his suit doesn’t look very nice.
WisCon on June 13, 2007 at 12:08 AM
but Phred is so phresh!
Mojave Mark on June 13, 2007 at 12:09 AM
Yeah, I think he came off well so far. Yeah, the suit wasn’t a great choice (although the shirt and tie combo wasn’t bad) but overall he’s doing well. Straight talk without being pedantic, funny without being goofy. Let’s see how he does after the break…
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:09 AM
Or Rudy
sunny on June 13, 2007 at 12:10 AM
LOL….right now his people, reading this and all the other blogs, are burning up their cell phones trying to fire the tailor!…..ok here he is again
Limerick on June 13, 2007 at 12:10 AM
Rudy’d be fine but would he accept a VP offer?
bdfaith on June 13, 2007 at 12:11 AM
Rudy ain’t gonna take a VP spot! His ego would never allow that, and neither would Fred’s if he were offered the VP spot.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:11 AM
Oops, looks like he’s not announcing tonight. Although Leno is trying to drag it out of him. He DID say he WANTS the job, so that’s part way there, but no official announcement coming tonight it seems.
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:12 AM
Now you’re talkin. I think Steele would be a great choice. Maybe not the best, but a damn good one.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:13 AM
Sec of State or Defense for Rudy then?
How about, wait for it…Jeb Bush
sunny on June 13, 2007 at 12:13 AM
I’m so excited. I can’t take it any more.
Is he or isn’t he? Wearing a double breasted suit?
Christoph on June 13, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Looks like he straightened the suit out too. Much better.
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Look here, Fred. The Fredheads are here.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Well, that was just ok. Nothing earth shattering, just a bad suit.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Nice. Looks like he might be back on Leno again. Very well put regarding Iran too.
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:17 AM
I was hoping he’d get asked to verify some of the Fred Thompson facts.
frankj on June 13, 2007 at 12:18 AM
Luke warm……about all I can say
Limerick on June 13, 2007 at 12:18 AM
He did a pretty good job. I didn’t really “feel” the energy though.
WisCon on June 13, 2007 at 12:18 AM
Alright, a question(I won’t call it an Exit because I don’t wanna mess with Allah’s schtick): How long would it hypothetically be before Fred’s stalling on announcing starts to hurt him?
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:19 AM
Well, Fred’s not exactly a “high energy” kind of candidate. But that’s part of why we Fredheads like him.
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:19 AM
Like the rumor of him staring at the southern border and stopping illegal immigration for a month. Good stuff Frank.
sunny on June 13, 2007 at 12:19 AM
but Ron Paul says Iran is no threat????
jp on June 13, 2007 at 12:21 AM
He’s got the best of all worlds right now. But, it’s a temporary thing as folks will either get impatient, or not take him seriously if he doesn’t formally declare soon.
It’s easy to answer questions from the context of “If I wanted to be President”, rather than “When I am President”.
TIme to get serious, Fred. Folks are waiting.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:22 AM
You mean he’s not doin’ crack like silky pony?
Christoph on June 13, 2007 at 12:22 AM
I am still concerned that America at large will find him simply too old. But maybe I’ve been snookered by the drive-by’s into thinking America wants a “fresh face” instead of a princpled conservative??
SouthernGent on June 13, 2007 at 12:22 AM
Can someone please tell me that not every “Republican” is a vicious and irrational hater of any Southern candidate? I don’t mind if other country club (RINO) Republicans feel the same way Allah does but please tell me that true Conservatives don’t feel this way.
Capitalist Infidel on June 13, 2007 at 12:22 AM
That depends on the groupie factor. Clear thinking folks have had it up to their eyeballs with freds? BS for a couple months now. We’re just waiting for the groupies to catch up.
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:24 AM
From the sounds of it, he better perk up a bit, cuz Rudy’s got energy, and if Fred looks sluggish in a debate next to Rudy, and Rudy’s looking like he’s ready to kick ass and take names, its gonna hurt him. Unless its mellow, relax, I got this taken care of, like a kungfu master kinda vibe.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:24 AM
Tomorrow with the electron addicts like us. Every blog comment is being picked apart right now to see how he played. He seriously seems to think that later is better. Good plan or folly?
Limerick on June 13, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Au contraire, Monsieur Infidel.
Us southerners (well, me) don’t hate southern conservative candidates. Just those dastardly carpetbagger Democrats – and maybe Lindsay Graham.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Does he look sluggish or does he look serious and well thought out. Much like Cheney looked against lieberman in thier one debate in 2000. Granted, it was lieberman.
sunny on June 13, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:19 AM
I’d say he’s got about another 2 1/2 – 3 weeks. He has to announce by the 4th of July or he’ll start to fizzle.
He did have an interesting point though. Why the heck are the races starting so dang early? I think it’s obvious by the current polls that a substantive candidate can have a huge impact even late in the race.
I also think that Fred’s intentional procrastination is part of his charm for many people who are weary of the barrage of candidates that hit us so early. It’s getting so that candidates are campaigning two cycles ahead, and I think many Americans are sick of it. (I know I am.)
So Fred can hold off a bit longer, but not too much longer. I think Independence Day would be an excellent date to officially announce.
wearyman on June 13, 2007 at 12:28 AM
Maybe he should have ran down a list of states he intends to visit. YEEEAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH!
I thought he did well. He seemed presidential enough.
I’d like to see him have to mix it up a little bit, but I’m nearly sold.
thebriand on June 13, 2007 at 12:28 AM
God, cs, give it the hell up! We get it, you hate the guy. We’ll see how he does, and if he isn’t the best, he’ll lose. OK? You’re even worse than a Coulter acolyte.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:28 AM
CS, where have you been? I accused AP of a midnight bad earlier today.
Did you notice Fred’s toned it down. He didn’t even drive out on stage in his big red pick’em up truck. Is that class, or what!
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:31 AM
Leno starts here in a couple of minutes. I’ll stay up to watch and let you fredheads know what a regular conservative, who isn’t hypnotized by freddie boy, gets out of freds? performance.
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:32 AM
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:32 AM
it is already written in the stars cs.
Limerick on June 13, 2007 at 12:33 AM
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:32 AM
If you can find an unbiased conservative, let us know.
P. James Moriarty on June 13, 2007 at 12:33 AM
Hard to tell. He’s gotta be careful, we are up to the minute, where other people are a day to a few weeks behind, I think he’s gotta draw those on the delay in, without letting his online and activist base get bored waiting.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:33 AM
Allah is from New York.
New Yorkers think that the Delaware River is somewhere just barely east of Sparks, Nevada.
Stephen M on June 13, 2007 at 12:34 AM
Relax. I’m gonna watch him and I might have some good news for you and you’ll fell better. :-)
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:34 AM
As a Norhoosky friend of mine used to say, “Oh pfiffle.”
Tennman on June 13, 2007 at 12:35 AM
Personally I don’t want to be dazzled or razzled, I’m perfectly happy with low key common sense, honesty and communication. I think he did well, wish he had announced, but he did well.
Buzzy on June 13, 2007 at 12:37 AM
Seriously, Fred had better be getting briefed by some damn smart people.
the one liners are great, but he can’t leave the impression he is unable to intellegently respond to a legit question.
A they say on the farm, nut cuttin time is serious bidness/
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:38 AM
From the image standpoint (only)….the tailor has to go, the makeup person has to go, the little puff of hair on his forehead has to go, and some powerwalking. None of which means I am csdeven’s evil twin brother.
Limerick on June 13, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Yeah, I would probably nix the phrase “propaganda capabilities” too…
WisCon on June 13, 2007 at 12:41 AM
I doubt it cs. Apparently not one of his stronger appearances, and a bad suit too. Whatever, give him time, he’s rusty, he’ll just have to show that he can play the game. Rudy can, Mitt maybe, Fred we’ll find out.
Just for the record, you’re gonna be eating a lot of crow if he does turn out to be good, given what a supremely abusive jerk you’ve been toward him and his supporters.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:42 AM
That’s first thing I always look for when a guy wearing a suit sits down on one of these talk shows. My dad, who was an insufferable elitist in many ways, always said you can tell who was raised properly by this simple act. So I cringed for second when he sat down–but then I realized, he’s for real!! Screw this fake Fred! crap I’ve been reading on this web-site. If he were a fake, he would have unbuttoned the jacket, proving that the “cracker barrel” schtick is just schtick. By leaving the button buttoned, he earned his “I was country when country wasn’t cool” creds with me.
Lordy, Fred, don’t let us down. I feel like the gal in that movie (the name escapes me), where she’s a little off in some way, and the guys have always been rough on her, and she finally has a date with a guy who seems decent, and she’s really hoping this guy will be different, but she’s been burned too many times to really believe it. . . but. . . always hoping. Be that guy Fred! who’s going to be square, and deliver on the promises spoken and unspoken. We’ve been burned so many times.
smellthecoffee on June 13, 2007 at 12:43 AM
Your shtick is tiresome. A “regular” conservative would hold his tongue, or, at a minimum, make his point respectfully. You come in insulting people.
I don’t know you, but you come off like any nutroot, not at all like a “regular” conservative.
thebriand on June 13, 2007 at 12:44 AM
Well if that little chicken$hit can’t handle me, how the hell is he gonna handle the clinton smear machine?
Abusive? Who’s abusive? I love my little fredheads. :-)
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Capitalist Infidel on June 13, 2007 at 12:22 AM
CI, you know the quote was by Camille Paglia, who’s an intelligent and pithy writer from the elitist left. I generally like to read her articles. They are often pithy on both sides. She doesn’t spare her own at all. In her heart of hearts she’d like a liberal to win but she doesn’t feel good about the 3 lovelies at their top. Her interest ultimately is not for the right to have someone strong. She misses the popular appeal of Fred and really wishes Newt (so we can lose).
My take is that the field on both sides is wiiiide open at this point. It is insane to start this early. By fall this year we’ll be bored silly. I’m already almost there. Events will change much, and some will not be so good.
I only know that this country needs a strong daddy, in all earnest. The children are out of control and we certainly don’t need a nanny. This country is as great as it is, still, precisely because it is the least centralized (in government).
Entelechy on June 13, 2007 at 12:49 AM
CS has consistenely slammed ?Fred? from day 1. Time’s gonna gome soon where Fred is going to have to give us FredHeads something to “put on the bisquit” Heh.
Once he participates in the debate process, we’ll know for sure, one way or another.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 12:50 AM
Maybe cs is constipated…*snicker*
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:50 AM
See, you should have hung onto that thought for a while before writing anything else.
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:51 AM
Can’t handle you? Who the hell are you to him? He’s 6′8″, go call him that to his face. I’d buy a ticket.
smellthecoffee on June 13, 2007 at 12:52 AM
Entelechy, I couldn’t agree more about Camille Paglia.
I don’t just mean her Al Gore and other political comments… Paris Hilton, everything. A truly insightful blog post.
Christoph on June 13, 2007 at 12:54 AM
With the amount of pure crap he posts?
Why is that? What came after was dead on.
thebriand on June 13, 2007 at 12:56 AM
The issue isn’t ‘handling’ you, my guess is Fred could deal with you, its the fact that you’re a damnedable mosquito that won’t quit buzzing around and needs to be swatted. You’ve gone beyond being a skeptical critic to an obnoxious tool that derails any thread at the mere mention of Fred.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Ron Paul 2008!
RightWinged on June 13, 2007 at 12:58 AM
Entelechy, the wheels are off the wagon tonight. fred? musta bombed real bad on Leno?
Well, he’ll be up any minute and I’ll see for myself just how bad the train wreck was.
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 12:58 AM
RW, heh.
The man who can save America!
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 1:00 AM
I’m leaning Fred. But, I wanna see him behind the podium in a debate with the other candidates.
That’ll be a telling moment and will either bring ‘cs to our side, or push us all to Rudy or Mitt.
BacaDog on June 13, 2007 at 1:01 AM
Honorary troll.
smellthecoffee on June 13, 2007 at 1:03 AM
Maybe it is just me but I am looking for someone as President who isn’t just smart but also wise. I am always comparing the old with the new. Indulge me for a minute Fred! but this is the politician I am looking for………
Do I expect Fred! to be another Lincoln? No. But right now I am looking for someone who is a ‘man’(pardon me ladies) first and a politician second.
Limerick on June 13, 2007 at 1:03 AM
It wasn’t great. Which is sad.
Karol on June 13, 2007 at 1:03 AM
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