New York magazine: Fred just might be enough of a lowbrow phony to get nominated; Update: Fred replaces campaign manager
posted at 1:20 pm on July 24, 2007 by Allahpundit
Half as nasty and twice as fun as that New Statesman sneer I posted in headlines the other day but the gist is the same, i.e., he’s a lightweight with little to recommend him except personal charm and a keen feel for the role conservatives want him to play. Money:
After getting the high sign from Thompson, Ingram began talking up a Thompson candidacy on Capitol Hill, where Ingram now works as Lamar Alexander’s chief of staff. “I was at the Capitol Hill Club at Bill Hecht’s table,” recalls Ingram, name-dropping the presence of a prominent Republican lobbyist. “Congressmen and lobbyists were coming up to me, and they were all really excited. It’s the closest thing to a presidential draft in my lifetime,” Ingram insists. I asked him whether the well-heeled well-wishers were familiar with Thompson from his Senate days. He hemmed and hawed a bit. “Well no, they mostly know him more from Law & Order than the Senate, but Fred’s not acting on the show. That’s exactly the way Fred was in his Senate office.”…
Thompson’s strongest card, his backers say, is his Hollywood-fueled image of strength. “People think that with presidential candidates, you need a lot of information about them,” says Tony Fabrizio, a GOP pollster not affiliated with any of the presidential campaigns. “That’s wrong. It’s all about the concept. He has the Schwarzenegger Factor. Just like it’s impossible to make Schwarzenegger look weak because people see him as the Terminator, voters see Fred as the tough-talking D.A. or the captain in Hunt for Red October. It’s powerful.”
Take advantage of the slow news day to gobble it up, keeping an eye out for the trip to the gun store and the obligatory quasi-zoological conservatives-in-their-natural habitat vignette at the end, where Fred’s laughter at one of Larry the Cable Guy’s fart jokes prompts a sad reflection on how voters prefer likeability to the rich substantive appeal of, oh, say, a Barack Obama. Exit question designed to make you read the piece: To whom did Fred once write, “The speech probably would not have seemed so long to some of us if you hadn’t been putting the wood to us so effectively”?
Update: Considering he’s already ahead in some national polls, I’ve got believe this is less a case of punishing his acting CM than simply making room for an old Washington hand who can run the campaign better.
Blowback
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This thread hits 100 posts mostly about csdeven in 5..4..3..2..1..
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Just don’t like mushrooms is all. I prefer Italian sausage and green peppers.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 2:43 PM
Fred!
NEIL BEFORE FRED!
unamused on July 24, 2007 at 2:44 PM
Well, if you’re committed to not being my 8itch any longer then I suppose you will cease your obsessive practice of obsessing on me.
There is a thread topic ya know, and until AP gives you guys a daily csdeven obsession thread, any deviation from the thread topic to the fixation on little old me, will just strengthen the view that you are one of the 8itches I have dancing on strings.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 2:44 PM
MediaMatters gives csdeven an award for the most searches of Fred Thompson on their website.
csdeven denies ever googling Fred on a liberal website…4…3…2…time out, he already claimed that.
csdeven claims he is the first one to uncover Fred and the liberal websites are following his lead and reporting what he is saying…4…3…2…time out again, he already stated that also.
claims we are all his 8itches(I know he said that too, but it is just to funny not to restate)…4…3…2…
right2bright on July 24, 2007 at 2:45 PM
See that, we can find common ground.
JackStraw on July 24, 2007 at 2:45 PM
csdeven psychosis deepens in 5..4..3..2..
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 2:46 PM
Silly little man, csdeven, you’re just an annoying troll, we’re having fun with you at this point.
csdeven tries pathetically to turn things around on me and fails abysmally in 5…4…3…2…1…
Bad Candy on July 24, 2007 at 2:48 PM
JackStraw on July 24, 2007 at 2:45 PM
You guys are just plain sick, next you’ll be ranting some unbelievable junk about how pizza should never be eaten while drinking beer…
And csdeven posts some more mindless you are all my 8itches nonsense in 5..4..3..2..
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 2:49 PM
I missed it by one minute. Okay lets count down again.
5…4…3…2…
right2bright on July 24, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Why? Are you serious? Here’s why…..
“Without raising a dime, I was in the pack. So I’ve already saved $50 million this year.”
fred? is like a AA ball player who thinks he’s is the $hit because he has more homers than a major leaguer. He wants it both ways and only misguided desperate people refuse to see that he should be challenged on that conception of himself.
Look, the signs of freds? complete unsuitability to be the CinC is painfully obvious to those of us whose eyes aren’t are starry eyed for fred?. Sorry to break it to ya, but I’m not going to spare you fred?heads the truth just because you can’t handle it.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 2:52 PM
AP bans EVERYONE for hijacking this thread in 5…4…3…2…1..
pullingmyhairout on July 24, 2007 at 2:54 PM
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 2:30 PM
So Fred Thompson must be close to announcing. Judging from the article you linked it appears that someone at the IRS has handed over his financial disclosure statement to the MSM. Has FT broken any laws by hireing his sons firm? That has been a time honored tradition where I come from. At most it would seem unethical. Given the credibility and accuracy of the MSM I wouldn’t get happy feet just yet CS.
sonnyspats1 on July 24, 2007 at 2:55 PM
The story of your involvement here.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 2:56 PM
Aw, what the heck.
csdeven suffers spontaneous combustion in
5…4…3…2…
jdawg on July 24, 2007 at 3:03 PM
I think PAC’s financial statements are public record.
If hiring ones son to perform a job that…
A) he wasn’t qualified to do
and
B) paid him more than the benefits to the goals of the PAC
…are time honored traditions around your parts, well, I guess you’re gonna be surprised when that unethical behavior is brought before the general electorate and they dump the lying fake fred? for a third party candidate and give the election to Hillary.
Face it, the guy is a liar and a fake and this process we are going through is the vetting process he is desperately trying to avoid.
fred? thinks his folksy colloquialism’s will work in the real world the way they work on TV. He thinks he can run sound bite to sound bite and that relates to an informed electorate. Well, informed people dealing with real life, don’t suspend belief until next weeks episode.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Uh oh…
It looks like somebody is AFRAID of csdeven!
Fear the csdeven! The only man(?) who can save America!
Big S on July 24, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Awwwwww. And you were doing so well. Tsk, tsk.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 3:07 PM
Neil who?
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:08 PM
Bwahahahaaaaa!
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 3:09 PM
csdeven bans us all from the “table” in 5…4…3…2..
This is just so predictable, it doesn’t even warrant response.
Fred lied, red truck died….
blah blah blah
jdawg on July 24, 2007 at 3:09 PM
csdeven brays like a donkey…again in 5..4..3..2..
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 3:12 PM
Okay…
Okay…
The NYT is calling Fred Thompson a phoney?
Pot.
Kettle.
Black.
Lawrence on July 24, 2007 at 3:26 PM
Naw, not this time. Sometimes it’s just fun as an adult to watch the children flail around chasing their own tails and laugh because the kids THINK they are actually making progress.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 3:27 PM
Who? His roommate at the mental institution? He’s an insignificant attention-whore and troll without an original thought in his damaged brain. Hardly an intimidating figure.
Hollowpoint on July 24, 2007 at 3:29 PM
I’d love to drink a beer with the guy, but he lost me at McCain-Feingold.
What I really want to know if why you guys whine constantly about csdeven, and then continue giving him exactly what he wants. Does anyone understand the concept of not feeding trolls?
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 3:29 PM
I vote for Fred Thompson anyway in 5. . . .4. . . .3. . . .2. . . .
Vaporman87 on July 24, 2007 at 3:30 PM
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 3:27 PM
what delicious irony
csdeven coughs and sputters in 5..4..3..2..
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 3:31 PM
We do, but we enjoy watching him.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Oh, and incidentally, what in the hell does this mean?
I lived in Georgia for four years, Mississippi for two, and Tennessee for one — so I consider myself fairly southernized — but that line is still bouncing right off me.
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 3:32 PM
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 3:29 PM
csdeven is a very special pet troll, we must give great care to the proper feeding of him…
csdeven claims were are all his 8itchs again in 5..4..3..2..
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 3:33 PM
Why?
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Nah, we’ve moved from complaining to open mockery.
Bad Candy on July 24, 2007 at 3:38 PM
csdeven claims that only liars and phonies like Fred would stoop to using “the enemies” symbols (including Arabic numerals), and furthermore, a TRUE conservative would only use Roman numerals in
V IV III II I…
CyberCipher on July 24, 2007 at 3:38 PM
Morbid curiosity. We just want to see what he’s going to do next.
Like the Iraq power plant thread. There was just one tiny mention of Fred in it, but before we could blink he was all over it. Even Bryan congratulated him for hijacking the thread.
It never is and never has been personal. Hell, I think I’d probably like him if I ever met him. I take a swipe at him now and then just for fun to see how he’ll react. He’s got 2 sons in the military. I have 1. We have that in common, and it is something I respect him for. Raising children who believe in God and country in this day and age is no easy task.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:40 PM
Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think csdeven is a man. I’m not trying to be insulting, there’s certainly nothing wrong with not being a man (unless you’re John Edwards). I’m just saying that I think csdeven’s writing style is feminine.
csdeven, if I’m wrong I’ll take my lumps like a (?). Like I said, no offense intended.
jaime on July 24, 2007 at 3:43 PM
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:40 PM
Ya, I think most of us like him, myself included, his behavior is just so comically immature on this one subject that we cant resist poking fun at him.
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 3:43 PM
I totally agree…but CS? I mean Timothy McVeigh had parents…3-2-1…
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 3:44 PM
A) he wasn’t qualified to do
and
B) paid him more than the benefits to the goals of the PAC
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 3:06 PM Says Who?
sonnyspats1 on July 24, 2007 at 3:45 PM
Now that, IMO, was uncalled for.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:47 PM
So, if Mr. Thompson approaches the presidency as an actor playing the role of a conservative president, and puts in an academy award winning role by doing everything a conservative president would do, protecting our country from terrorists, appointing conservative judges, not caving in to the liberals in congress on both sides, etc. Then, I say let him have the part.
Rose on July 24, 2007 at 3:48 PM
What I wrote:
What was quoted:
This is an indication of your accuracy. Which is why everyone has had such a good time…at your expense. This is what they see.
Here is the way you state your arguments, these are from your posts today (stated the way you quote others).
Shame on you, for writing such things.
This is what you get when you misquote. Get it?
right2bright on July 24, 2007 at 3:49 PM
Exactly.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:49 PM
…-14568923..-14568924..-14568925..
Big S on July 24, 2007 at 3:49 PM
I appreciate that a few of you can bait him without malice, but it sounds like you’re in the vast minority.
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 3:50 PM
LOL…I have thought the same myself…total emotion…and MEOW cattyness…CS has pronounced him/herself above us all…so perhaps CS is like the old PAT character from SNL..in a down-in-the-basement sort of way….3-2-1…
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 3:51 PM
I can’t say whether we are or not. What I can say is that I figure he’s laughing just as hard as we are when we get to going at each other like this.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Because they believe this….
This guy (and others) ACTUALLY believes this. If they’d get out of their own fantasy, they’d realize that I didn’t hijack the thread because I was on topic. THEY are the ones who went off talking about someone who wasn’t in the thread topic. Namely, little old me.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Man, you should have stayed out of this thread and like messed with every one and stuff.
Like we tell our liberal comrades, inaction is action.
- The Cat
MirCat on July 24, 2007 at 3:53 PM
You are right and I apologize to everyone…
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 3:54 PM
True we did. And why? Because you just couldn’t leave the mention of Fred alone. It was about the power plant, not Fred, but you just couldn’t resist. lol
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:56 PM
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:52 PM
He has actually made that claim himself several times and I for one have no reason to doubt him on that.
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Accepted
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 3:57 PM
CITIZENS ARREST CITIZENS ARREST!!! Alot of these folks came on during the recent sign-up period and don’t realize that we all at least once tried to have decent debate with the great one…in fact ‘hijacking a thread’ was a new term to him and it’s been cute watching him trying to use it…
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 4:00 PM
MirCat on July 24, 2007 at 3:53 PM
That is what made this thread so funny and predictable, there was a far greater chance that a crack hoe would not drop her pants at the sight of a little plastic bag with white power in it than there was of csdeven being able to resist posting in a thread with Fred mentioned in it let alone one specifically about him.
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 4:01 PM
Out of very, very idle curiosity … do you think your behavior makes you look like the “adult” here? Really?
Do most of the adults you know use “dance for me ’8itches’” as a rhetorical device?
I suspect what most of the actual adults here have gleaned from this thread is that the anti-Fred! crowd seems to have a few … issues. Like obsessive-compulsive psychosis. And an aversion to good pizza.
All you’ve done in this thread is make people like me – actual adults who don’t yet care much about Fred! – wonder what exactly you’re obsessing about …
You’re likely winning Fred! some votes. Please continue, if that’s your aim, my “adult” friend. You’re reminding me of nothing so much as anti-Bush liberals who got him re-elected in 2004 with their strident, mindless opposition.
“Adult?” Not so much. Counter-productive for Republicans in general and Fred!’s opponents in particular? Yup. Amusing? Clearly. Tell us who is dancing again?
Let me try that last bit of snark in more “adult” fashion: You’re dancing for me now, 8itch … now dance faster before my popcorn runs out. Or I fall back asleep. Whichever comes first.*
* Note for Tanya: the above is absent of malice. It is, however, over-flowing with vaguely bored bemusement. And that idle curiosity about why exactly Fred! brings out the “adult” in some folks. Fred! is like Ron Paul only backwards. But I say that with love for all the “8itches.”**
** Note # 2 for Tanya: I use “8itches” only sardonically; I mean no disrespect to womenfolk. It’s apparently a term of endearment, used by the cleverest and most mature conservatives, to indicate mutual fondness during the annual summer Dance of the Fred!
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 4:03 PM
Dick Morris. He just wrote a book on this kind of Washington insider horse$hit. So much for the “straight talkin” Ol’ fred?”. What a lying fake he is.
Here is just a little bit of the sweet juiciness….
Bwahahahahaaaaa!
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:04 PM
I though you woulda learned from the last time you tried to take me on and you went away whining.
Save it for someone down at your level.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:06 PM
No, I get that you and Kowboy and csdeven are having a laugh, to one extent or another, but it sounds like everyone else up there is over it.
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 4:06 PM
Unexpectedly weak. Try again. More dancing.
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 4:07 PM
Indeed doriengrey…the hatred is unimagineable…I’ve posted this question before and I don’t mean it in a mocking way…but why are Mitt$ supporters so hateful? Is it a religious thing?
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 4:08 PM
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:04 PM
You know you need to consider the source.
Looks like Dick Morris is afraid of Fred!
Big S on July 24, 2007 at 4:10 PM
Is *that* the motivation here? Are the “adults” Mitt supporters? It’s a Mitt! vs. Fred! thing? Please to explain.
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 4:10 PM
Right, that’s what I meant about feeding the trolls. You spend ten minutes playing with two termites, and suddenly you can’t get them out of your house.
Anyway, not my problem. I was just curious.
I’m just waiting for someone to explain “You know the dog ain’t eating the dog food when they put that one out there” now.
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 4:11 PM
That’s a koan, babe. Think on it and let me know when you reach enlightenment.
Allahpundit on July 24, 2007 at 4:12 PM
Over what? Like I said before, we’re having fun. If you scroll up, you’ll see that at times I actually defend cs. And I have agreed with him on several other posts not Fred related. My question is, why does it seem to bother you so much? No offense. I’m just curious.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:14 PM
Maybe I should be ashamed to admit this, but I am really feeling alienated/ostracized/rejected/neglected because csdeven hasn’t called me anybody’s 8itch yet.
CyberCipher on July 24, 2007 at 4:14 PM
It appears AP has reached suchness.
jaime on July 24, 2007 at 4:14 PM
Heh. I’m from Tennessee. I understood it.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:15 PM
Let’s just say it’s just been that way for awhile…and no,Mitt$ supporters are straight from the so-packed-we’re addin’-portables-quit addin’ wifes-romper room.
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 4:15 PM
I think it means “vote for me, I’m from the South.”
Big S on July 24, 2007 at 4:16 PM
Me, too, on the just curious bit. Just enjoying the spectacle. Not even sure why exactly the “adults” have their knickers in a bunch.
As for the dog food thing … does it involve dancing? 8itches? I’m not sure. It’s probably a bit too intellectual for me to grasp. If you figure it out, break it down for me.
Give it time. He can only insult so many people in his patented mature fashion in any given post. I’m sure you’ll be his “8itch” in, oh, about 5 … 4 … 3 …
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 4:16 PM
Kowboy I am as well…Go Vols
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 4:17 PM
Heh. I was actually just looking it up, and I found an explanation at cnn. “The problem is, as political consults call it, the dog food problem. That is, you can introduce a dog food with the right packaging and the right can, but if the dog don’t eat it, you’re in trouble.”
I’m still not sure I get it in the context of the 24 hour rule. If it’s law now, and they’re doing it, it sounds like the dog’s eating just fine.
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 4:18 PM
Lifelong BAMA fan here. :-)
But I’m a Vol fan when they’re not playing each other.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:19 PM
Someone comes on and chastises the last few posters for forgeting the countdown… in…
…LAUCH
Romeo13 on July 24, 2007 at 4:20 PM
It doesn’t have to mean anything. It’s like his acting, all he has to do is package it right and those that WANT to believe will make it mean whatever they want it to mean.
I take it to mean that since the public hasn’t bought into the other fred? attacks, they’ll try a different one.
fred? is like an actor in a role who has these folksy little sayings that he wants to get into the script and they don’t necessarily have to be apropos or consistent with his earlier positions. The guy is re-packaging an faux image that worked on the folks in Tennessee in 1994. He is going to be seriously disappointed when he is eliminated from the competition shortly after he finally grows a pair and announces.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:20 PM
I don’t think he had a concrete point, he was just trying to sound folksy. E.g., “you can cook grits as long as you like, but just cause you turn off the burner don’t mean they’re done.” Meditate on it.
Allahpundit on July 24, 2007 at 4:21 PM
Because, based on this thread, everyone is apparently quite bored.
Miss_Anthrope on July 24, 2007 at 4:23 PM
So are you from the south or do you have to look these quotes up? :-)
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:24 PM
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 4:11 PM
I would explain it to you but I am afraid of angering the all powerful and knowing Allahpundit… AP I swear I did say anything…. :P
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 4:24 PM
I think like most koans you’ll find it easier to solve if you fast for a few days and then go stand under a freezing Honshu waterfall. Focus your chi and all that.
Or maybe try drinking. I’ll bet after a half-rack of Milwaukee’s Best Light … the whole dog food things makes complete sense.
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 4:25 PM
Sorry, guys –
No insult meant…some funny posts, but you appear quite bored today. Understand in reality it’s a hijacking message to csdeven.
Miss_Anthrope on July 24, 2007 at 4:25 PM
No doubt about it, considering he’s a paid consultant to the Huckabee campaign.
Hollowpoint on July 24, 2007 at 4:26 PM
You have to WANT to be my 8itch. It takes a certain personality, and sorry if it’s a disappointmant, but I haven’t seen it in you.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:27 PM
None taken. I’ve been up almost 24 hours, can’t sleep, and have to sit through a training class all night. So yeah, I’m bored. lol
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:27 PM
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:19 PM
Like them thar Red Elephants does ya…
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Damn, I must not have what it takes. lol
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Just football. I’m a Lady Vols fan. Pat Summitt for President!
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 4:29 PM
I bet I do. >:)
Miss_Anthrope on July 24, 2007 at 4:31 PM
As eeyore would say, “Thanks for noticing me.”
CyberCipher on July 24, 2007 at 4:32 PM
It probably a bit of both. If his CM did jump the gun on this (but other wise is completely qualified), he cannot have another screw up, or he will start to lose some of his more stanch supporters.
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:33 PM
:-)
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:34 PM
So Dick is afraid of everyone who he skewers in his book?
ok….
Bwahahahaaaaa!
csdeven on July 24, 2007 at 4:36 PM
UH OH…these people only think they’ve seen war!!! I know you are excited with Saban…I usually make it down to K-town but would love to come to T-looser…mebbe we can catch a game one of these days..
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Miss_Anthrope on July 24, 2007 at 4:31 PM
His real name is Al Bundy…You know..as in married with children… :o
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Ha. See, now that I would have understood.
Tanya on July 24, 2007 at 4:37 PM
You can’t get much more Northern than Minnesota, but I got it instantly- he was referring to the shamnesty provision that provided for background checks for applicants that were automatically approved if they took longer than 24 hours. For good reason most of us found that unacceptable, or “weren’t eating the dog food”.
Had he wanted to put people to sleep I guess he could’ve instead said that “given the inefficiency of government and the already overburdened immigration enforcement agencies, many skeptical voters felt this provision was an insufficient vetting process.”
Hollowpoint on July 24, 2007 at 4:37 PM
Actually not a bad suggestion. A collegiate or pro coach with that record of success would probably make a better chief executive than most of the current candidates.
Well, except Fred!
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 4:39 PM
must be another one on here…lol…gotta admit I love JEFF SESSIONS!!!!! Best thing outta Bammer since Tee Martin!!!! ;)))))
DCJeff on July 24, 2007 at 4:39 PM
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