Politico: Thompson/Gingrich?
posted at 9:22 pm on July 25, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Well, probably not.
Publicly, Gingrich has been sending signals making clear that a presidential candidacy for him is becoming less likely. Privately, he and some of his closest advisers have been meeting with — and, in at least one prominent case, going to work for — the lobbyist-actor and former Tennessee senator.
“I’ve always said it was unlikely I would run,” Gingrich said in an interview last Friday with The Associated Press. And, he added, if Thompson “runs and does well, then I think that makes it easier for me not to run.”
The same day that Gingrich made his comments, his former communications director, Rich Galen, disclosed that he had signed on as an adviser to Thompson’s campaign in waiting. In an interview, Galen termed the coincidence “an unfortunate confluence of events,” denying that there was any link.
But that was not the only evidence of a possible Thompson-Gingrich alliance in 2008. Gingrich and his wife, Calista, had dinner with Thompson and his wife, Jeri, at the former senator’s home in McLean, Va., on July 16, according to two Republican sources close to both men. A Thompson aide would say only that “a good policy discussion” was had over the meal…
Friends and former aides … say Gingrich’s true aim is not to insert himself into the race but to press his agenda for modernizing government institutions for a new generation of problems into the heart of the contest.
He’d be bad news on the ticket because of his baggage, which I’m sure he recognizes vis-a-vis his supposed presidential run. A shrewd operator like him has probably sized up Fredmania, sees it’s his best chance to reach another position of influence, and is hitching his wagon to it now in hopes of parlaying it into a cabinet position later. And a good thing too as he’s one of the few prominent Republicans anymore who seems to have any ideas beyond “terrorists are bad.” He’d be wasted in the vice presidential role (although not, perhaps, if it continues the Cheney mode) but he’s an easy pick for some or other secretaryship. Where do you put him, though? The brainy types usually go to State but can you imagine the dissension in the ranks if Newt swept in to Foggy Bottom to ride herd?
It’d be just what they need, actually.
Update: “If you want to say no to jihad, you WILL say NO to Fred Thompson. He chose, and now we must choose against him…”
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Debbie knows how to write and research.
Bye, bye, Freddie…we don’t need Jihadist supporter or immigration lobbyist near the White House.
As someone wrote on her website; a Bush who can communicate.
right2bright on July 26, 2007 at 8:01 AM
I am not a huge Fred fan right now, for a variety of reasons, but thinking of veeps…
one thing that worries me is that Fred’s BESTEST buddy in the Senate, his bosom friend, with whom he voted almost all the time, the man who might well be Fred’s first inclination for a veep should he make it that far is ….
none other than…..
Mr. Amnesty Himself.
John McCain.
yes, we should be worried.
Always Right on July 26, 2007 at 8:01 AM
And I can’t type this morning, so I am jealous of those of you who CAN. ;)
THAT would be POLITICOS.
seejanemom on July 26, 2007 at 8:03 AM
That would be a BETTER ticket, admittedly, is GINGRICH were on top…
seejanemom on July 26, 2007 at 8:04 AM
Don’t mess with the Fred! Rudiani ticket. Newt would make a good Secy. of State or Ambassador to the League of Nations however.
saved on July 26, 2007 at 8:05 AM
OK…I give up on the fingers this morning…
IF IF IF Gingrich were on top.
……………..I quit until after coffee…………..:trolls cheer::
seejanemom on July 26, 2007 at 8:05 AM
But without Fred!, where does that leave someone like me? I can’t possibly vote for Rudy because of his awful social policies (MY biggest factor in electing someone), so where do I turn? Mitt? He’ll never win the nomination. Folks like me are screwed without Fred!
Vaporman87 on July 26, 2007 at 9:09 AM
Run him as VP I would love him to preside over the Senate
EricPWJohnson on July 26, 2007 at 9:10 AM
Enough about Newt’s baggage.. I am so sick and tired of hearing about it. And funny thing is, I only hear it from coming from my friends on the right. The media is going to villify any Republican candidate for anything anyway and his baggage is inconsequential compared to someone who would STILL be President if there weren’t term limits. That’s Billy Jeff if you aren’t quite awake yet. Newt is a statesman, more knowledgeable about the issues than any other person I can think of let alone the primary candidates. Not to mention, he has a plan for everything. Ask him.
RobertCSampson on July 26, 2007 at 9:16 AM
Hey Allahpundit, the update you posted about Fred picking Spencer Abraham for campaign manager might merit it’s own individual post. I’d be interested in your take on that.
Joshua P. Allem on July 26, 2007 at 9:17 AM
Why is that? He leads in Iowa and NH and is very competitive in NV.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 9:17 AM
Didn’t Newt get into some trouble for a book deal? Compared to the immoral causes fred? chose to twist arms for, Newt is the savior of America. Hell, fred? doesn’t deserve to be mentioned on the same day as Newt is.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 9:21 AM
Are you kidding?
I met him in Nashville when he came here to promote his novel “Gettysburg.” Before the book signing, he spoke for a solid hour on the deeply detailed intricacies of the Civil War era, the events leading up to Gettysburg, and his speculation regarding what might have been different if Pickett’s Charge had succeeded … and how the 21st century world would have been changed.
He delved deeply into not only the history, but also the economics involved, the societal implications, even the psychology of the famous and less-famous participants …
… for an hour. Without glancing at a note. Without notes, period. Without pausing or stuttering or saying the word “um” even once.
When it came time for questions, he answered each in amazingly deep detail, citing philosophers, military theorists, and historians, some of whom you’d know, some of whom are so obscure you couldn’t Google them.
Newt is always like that. I caught him on C-Span the other day - and I don’t watch C-Span. Yet I sat there for two hours, listening to him answer, once again, questions on economics and politics, in details that most people couldn’t come close to grasping, in language many can’t understand, and do it without notes. Without preparation. On topic after topic, he was able to expound at length, with both theoretical and real-world evidentiary support for his positions.
Anyone who claims Newt doesn’t “come off” as an intellectual has never taken the time to listen to him. I challenge you - find an event he’s speaking at, and go listen. Ask him a question. Then come back and tell me how he comes off. Make it interesting: pick a toughie. Something on federal reserve economics maybe. Or health care - his ideas on health care are amazingly detailed and considered.
In fact, I welcome all the anti-Newties to take the time to really listen, just once, in full, when Newt is speaking.
Like him or not, baggage or not, this is a man who has real ideas. New ideas. Real solutions to real problems, solutions that might actually work.
And unlike every politician I saw at the Democratic debate the other night, when Newt is asked a question, he’ll have an actual answer.
He’s an impressive man, intellectually and philosophically.
My only question is whether he has the executive managerial capabilities to lead. I’d personally like to see him given the chance.
Professor Blather on July 26, 2007 at 9:27 AM
Agreed. Completely.
It is precisely this knee-jerk reflexive (and frankly frothing and rabid) sort of attack on Fred! that’s pushing me to take a much closer look at him.
These attacks on his campaign manager’s former positions, or a dozen hours he billed for some pro-choice organization over a decade ago … or - Dear Lord! - the alleged ideological bent of his television show … all strike me as intrinsically intellectually dishonest. They strike me as a very liberal-partisan way of attacking a person.
And strangely desperate.
And also rather interesting. I keep wondering about their motivations. Cui bono, right? Who exactly is benefiting from the strident attacks on this non-candidate?
Makes me wonder. Why exactly are some so eager to force their anti-Fred views on those of us who aren’t yet ready to form an opinion … until we, you know, actually hear the man speak, or see him in a debate?
It’s all very curious.
I’m now really looking forward to getting to know the guy. The critics have raised some good questions, and I look forward to hearing his answers. Most of all, I want to know what the man thinks on the issues.
Not his campaign manager. Him. And not a couple decades ago. Today.
If the critics are right, we’ll all know soon enough. For now, all they’re really doing is drumming up more interest in Fred.
Professor Blather on July 26, 2007 at 9:49 AM
I don’t know much Newt history. Talk about his “baggage” a little more. I think Americans are a forgiving lot when it comes to some human frailties (divorce, business, wild parties, sex under the desk, etc.) But don’t f… with national sovereignty and the borders… Whew…that’ll sink you every time.
Ernest on July 26, 2007 at 9:50 AM
Newt Gingrich has such a huge intellect. I love the fact, that he is a professor of history. That tells me alot about how he would govern. My biggest problem with Newt, is his potential of being a micro-manager. Who does he trust, to delegate matters to. He would have a cabinet, but who would be HIS advisor. I think the ship of state would rest in the harbor, because all the details haven’t been worked out yet, to set sail.
captivated_dem on July 26, 2007 at 10:16 AM
I’ll second that.
Unfortunately the MSM has done a thorough job of demonizing Newt and portraying him as a has-been, wife-cheating buffoon. The braindead sheeple of America listen to the Rather-Stream-Media, accept it as the gospel truth and would never take the time to analyze any spoken word - in the MSM, on C-SPAN or anywhere else.
The MSM has spoken and we now know the truth. Hillary is the smartest person in America and Obama is the most articulate and charming candidate. Poor Newt, all he brings to the table is wisdom, knowledge and experience. He’ll never make it in this fantasy land we live in, where up is down and down is up.
But you’re dead-on right Professor.
fogw on July 26, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Well you certainly don’t stay home! Odds Rudy would pick Justices that you would be very comfortable with? - At least 75%. Odds that Shrillary would pick super far lefties who believe in Agenda Justice and abhor every value you hold dear? - Oh….metaphysical certainty.
eeyore on July 26, 2007 at 10:20 AM
I don’t know Hunter very much, but I like what I do know about him. He’s a conservative from California which could possibly help him win that state. If a Republican wins California, no Democrat has a chance.
I would like to see maybe a Hunter/Gingrich ticket. I think that would be the strongest and most conservative of the current hopefuls. I wish Hunter would get more press. I don’t know why Fred got the press over Hunter. But I don’t think a Hunter/Gingrich ticket would be beaten by a Hillary/anybody ticket.
This way Newt wouldn’t be on the top of the ticket so his baggage wouldn’t be so important, but he would still be steering the debate in a conservative direction.
ThackerAgency on July 26, 2007 at 10:25 AM
It’s called movie star worship by the MSM. And then you have his groupies who have been screaming, crying, and renting their hair over fred? because THEY think he’s a rock star too. I have read several times where his supporters claim fred? doesn’t have to act in his roles. He just shows up and is who he is! The MSM never pays attention to the regular folk who are just sitting back and waiting for fred? to do something. Look at Paris, Lohan, and Spears. The MSM loves them and they are the most vacuous, empty headed fools this country has to offer. fred? is no different. All talk, no substance.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 10:50 AM
You may want to go check your facts… the vast majority of Judicial appointements Rudi made were DEMOCRATS!
Romeo13 on July 26, 2007 at 11:11 AM
There is one great truth about hero-worship. Just as we love to lift them up, we love to bring them down. I think Fred is in danger of his own Howard Dean decline. (Without the yell of course).
Spirit of 1776 on July 26, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Yeah, I gotta agree with that. I don’t mind the attacks on fred?. If he can’t beat the MSM’s scrutiny, how the heck is he gonna function as the CinC?
fred? has miscalculated how far his star power would take him. I also think that the MSM is tired of reporting on his supposed announcement dates, because he isn’t just lying to us, he lies to the media and they carry his message to us. So, for the sake of being fair and balanced, it’s time for them to report the other side of freds? persona.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Yes I think Newt is an intellectual and comes off as such. Professor Blather will vote for him. If he runs I can see him getting 100% of the vote of all the right wing professors. Newt will do at least as well running for president as Adlai Stevenson.
Right you are. It’s hard to be heard when you’re just part of the herd. Like Newt, Duncan Hunter is trying to beat machines and money with ideas alone. Good luck.
TunaTalon on July 26, 2007 at 11:31 AM
The problem with Newt is that he is smart…and voters don’t like smart. Hometown, “one of us”, “understands us”, “came from humble background”, “feels our pain”, and all the other cliches, rank much higher than intellect when it comes to choosing our leaders.
The last real intellect voted into office was, was, was…
right2bright on July 26, 2007 at 11:49 AM
I disagree. Obviously.
I’m beginning to think Jeri miscalculated. As we’ve discussed before, his non-candidate candidacy has change it’s tenor. His campaign has lost some of its home-spun grassroots feel and is replaced by political gamesmanship. I think he will need to reconcile those soon (by announcing or announcing a date at the minimum)to maintain or increase his poll numbers.
Spirit of 1776 on July 26, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Ill admit to not knowing much about Thompson, so was awaiting more pertinent info. But, what I’m hearing now is a problem for me. Also, Thompson’s apparent reluctance to enter the race is also becoming a problem for me. Will take a bit of doing to tilt me towards Thompson from this point on.
jeanie on July 26, 2007 at 12:12 PM
I’ve been wondering about Fred for a while and this sure puts the nail in the coffin. Pity he didn’t come up with a reason for supporting him as I’d been hoping, instead of a very very good reason for ditching him.
He was talking all the right talk in his editorials, but he sure isn’t walking the walk, unless you consider walking straight off a cliff while dead drunk as walking the walk.
Pity.
Aylios on July 26, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Wow. Slow news day, huh?
Let’s not consider anything positive about this. Let’s all jump to conclusions and make rash statements and final decrees of ship jumping. Let’s not even wait until FDT declares as a presidential candidate. Let’s not even consider that traditionally (isn’t that sort of, like, conservative??) the presidential campaign doesn’t start until 12-13 months out. Let’s not even consider that no other candidate’s wife (with the exception of silky pony’s) is discussed with rancor. Let’s not even consider that with the exception of one or two responders, any of us would be hard-pressed to name one campaign manager of any other candidate.
No, let’s all just take the “facts” as presented by bottom-feeders or MSM hit pieces and sometime-lunatics as the truth.
Just like Liberals do.
Tennman on July 26, 2007 at 12:23 PM
A Pro-Life Non-candidate candidate who lobbied for abortion has his non-campaign campaign managed by an Arab Christian that lobbied for Muslims. The morally blind leading the morally blind. Is there anyone in Washington with principals other than $$$?
tommylotto on July 26, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Nothing wrong with a president having an awesome intellect. However, show me a person with a huge intellect, and I’ll show you a person with a huge ego/sense of self. A huge ego, tempered by a reawakening of his religious beliefs, might give Newt the required balance to preside over a superpower. A Fred?/Newt? or a Newt?/Fred? candidacy? It would be like watching two bulls, just out of reach of a heifer coming into season.
captivated_dem on July 26, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Are you saying that judging someone by their associations is not a great way of getting to know someone?
If Fred didn’t know his campaign manager’s past then that is a strategic judgment blunder.
Think George Bush’s judgment bias’s because of his blind commitment to “friends”.
What gives here?
Mcguyver on July 26, 2007 at 12:54 PM
I’ll say that. But I’ll also say a campaign manager is not just an association, that’s a representative.
Spirit of 1776 on July 26, 2007 at 1:07 PM
I have to admit that I was one REALLY hoping Fred would be the candidate for me, not a Fredhead, but definitly willing to contribute to his campaign if he did well in a dabate. The choice of Abraham says a lot about Fred’s competence to me. I’m sorry to say, but Fred’s not the answer.
kongzilla on July 26, 2007 at 2:24 PM
I see you have the Debbie Schlussel link.
Good. He always made me nervous, anyway.
bye bye citizen fred.
yonaton on July 26, 2007 at 2:30 PM
Yeah, that is not good for his image. And you’re right about Jeri. She’s the one making the mistakes. I remember a few weeks ago I was discussing a rookie type mistake that his campaign made. I said at the time it seemed more like a mistake a 40 year old would make rather than a 64 year old Washington insider.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 2:42 PM
Another thing I’ve been thinking….
As much as I rag on fred?, I have always in the back of my mind felt like he could salvage his image by doing and saying the right things. But lately, I’m feeling like he may not be able to convince me. Of course this is relative to the other candidates. Short of Rudy and Mitt! imploding, I think fred? might be too far gone.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 2:46 PM
We do consider all that. That is why we are so disappointed in him. He wants to have it both ways, and that isn’t wise in a primary. fred? keeps talking about how it’s too early, but it’s been clear for 3 months that he is campaigning. So what is it? Too early or just right? It’s like I’ve been telling you for weeks now, fred? could announce a date that he will announce and be done with it. But he doesn’t because he wants to raise money. So, either get into the early campaigning, or stop 8itching about it and stop fund raising.
It’s disingenuous to manipulate people who invest a lot of hope into you.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 2:54 PM
AND his son makes more money from freds? PAC than conservative causes did. And fred? said that practice was “normal”. The guy has a serious disconnect when it comes to what the regular folks view as ethical.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 2:56 PM
Yeah. Seem to be feeling their way along too, which I think will doom him, frankly. A good leader I think continues the strategy that is working, but is always expanding and developing other avenues in case the enemy finds an effective deterrent to successful strategy.
Here Fred used the blogs/radio bits to vault himself to national attention, but the blogs/radio can’t take him to the next level. Temporal summation if you will. He seems to failed to do that, but we’ll see. Lots of time left.
Looks like Rudy or Mitt to me though. If Fred goes down in the polls, then Newt too. My guess is though that Fred is going to try to stretch his current position (I doubt he can)past Newt’s Oct 1 deadline. Maybe I’m cynical, but that’s my guess.
Spirit of 1776 on July 26, 2007 at 3:30 PM
My point exactly. Disappointed why? Because we are reacting just like the MSM wants us to. Including DS, above, who is — how to nicely put it? — exceedingly interested in her own point of view. Read some of her past blogs. Yeeeeesh.
Tennman on July 26, 2007 at 3:48 PM
Exceedingly interested - that is a good way of putting it.
Spirit of 1776 on July 26, 2007 at 3:54 PM
CLASSIC!
DCJeff on July 26, 2007 at 4:01 PM
Thanks, 1776. I thought megalomaniacal might be harsh.
Tennman on July 26, 2007 at 4:13 PM
The vast majority of New Yorkers are Democrats.
Big S on July 26, 2007 at 4:26 PM
I don’t know anything at all about DS’s reputation but unless her summary of Abraham is incorrect, I don’t see why it should matter. People aren’t reacting to her “opinion”, they are reacting to Fred’s appointment of Spencer Abraham to such a prominent role in his non-campaign.
FloatingRock on July 26, 2007 at 4:28 PM
I don’t know that I am acting the way the MSM wants me to. I am disappointed with fred? for the reasons I mentioned and not necessarily because he has not declared. If he’s gonna act like a candidate, then announce. If not, give us a date sometime in October and stop stumping like you are running.
I am reserving judgment on Debbie. My first experience with her was on a thread where she went off on Hannity. She had him dead to rights, but the conversation went on and on and she would let it go. She certainly is tenacious and that’s a good thing. I like what she writes and I don’t mind a person that has pride in themselves.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 4:35 PM
FR - Sure it matters, it’s a credibility issue first. And when AP linked it, it was for the opinion. Note the three parts: Tone: “Don’t believe..” [Advice to form opinion], “I know Spencer Abraham.” [Trust my personal opinion], “If you want to say no to jihad, you WILL say NO to Fred Thompson. He chose, and now we must choose against him:” [Action based on opinion] - the whole of it is personal credibility piece.
Spirit of 1776 on July 26, 2007 at 4:36 PM
I retract that line, I don’t know his intent.
Spirit of 1776 on July 26, 2007 at 4:42 PM
I completely agree. It’s time to take a fresh look at Duncan Hunter.
And don’t even start with the “He can’t win against Hillary…” BS. Find a candidate who’s principles and ideas most closely match yours, study his resume and voting record, and vote for him in the primary, then see what happens.
I’m convinced that once we find that solid conservative candidate, we can beat Hillary even if a single soul has not heard of him up to now.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. One step at a time, folks.
CliffHanger on July 26, 2007 at 5:01 PM
My concern with Newt is not the baggage from his divorce. My only concern, and a concern that keeps me from suppoting him, is the way he collapsed as speaker when the dems assailed him. We need a CEO with more grit.
chicken thief on July 26, 2007 at 5:15 PM
Of course you are. You just were one jump ahead of them. LOL!
I don’t mind a strong opinion when it’s based in reality. Take some time to go through some of DS’s archives.
Tennman on July 26, 2007 at 6:38 PM
Hahaha I like that one. I’ll have to remember that.
See, now you got me scared. I don’t know if I want to go through her archives. But, I will just the same.
csdeven on July 26, 2007 at 7:13 PM
I agree. Newt is a real smart guy, but I suspect Newt might have problems as an effective administator.
saiga on July 27, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Re Debbie Schlussel.
I lived in Dearborn. DS is one of very few who can go into an islamic center and understand what they are saying. DS does not read the WP or NYT to find out. She has watched the doofuses of our local FBI smile while speakers made fools of them in a different tongue. I think she is mad because our local FBI is being led by the nose and she has proven it. Maybe she thinks there really was a Holocaust.
We had a local all islamic channel on cable with some English programming. I happened on an ecumenical memorial ceremony from a local mosque. (Then U.S. Senator) Spencer Abraham spoke a long time, bragging about how much money he had brought into the islamic community from Washington; in that speech he made a point to emphasize he was with them. I wish I made a tape. I wanted to throw up. The Dearborn community still pussyfoots about 9-11 being deserved.
My biggest doubts about Fred go back to the Clinton impeachment, when Fred led the charge and then fizzled. Back then I thought - did they find some motel photos on him? Kind of like when Perrot fizzled.
Newt has been sending me newsletters, maybe via NewsMax. They are extremely well written and describe exactly the politics I like. I could post exerpts if anyone is interested. I do question Newt’s comment a while back about melting under Clinton’s charisma. Hormones I understand, not star worship. Newt did not crumble emotionally while battling in Congress which is a good test.
If Newt Gingrich can control his debate language the way he writes his newletters he can overcome the sleaze. The upcoming election slate is filled with people no one really wants.
Do we deep down inside want a mannish angry chameleon woman who is still mad at Nixon, a man with vague muslim background belonging to a black power church who just told La Raza his first goal will be the amnesty bill, the Mormon governor who sort of opposed or supported something and may do so again, or even the hero of 911 who offends both sides on their cherished issues, but is better on terror than the fluffy wimps
People are looking for someone who can hold it together for the next 911 and financial crises, and offer them an escape route from voting while holding their noses. Conservatives want to retain the America they cherish and stop the deconstuction of our nation starting with borders.
They have to forget a lot to vote for any of the above. Remember: a rabid press could not dissuade folk from voting for Reagan after they saw him present himself in the debates
So I would like Newt to appear in the first big debates, not sooner. Because I would have to see him played against the players to know what kind of President he would be. I know what he Could be, I need to discern what he really Would be.
Meanwhile, I really, really want Guilliani for Head of Homeland Security - right now. I also want Immigration removed from Homeland Security.
Currently Fred is the one with the least obvious baggage who seems to be anti amnesty and pro 2nd amendment. That makes him the most palatable. Spencer Abraham is the fly in the soup
entagor on July 28, 2007 at 3:32 PM
Although I am far far from being a Fredhead I have to throw the BS flag on the Schlussel article. Abraham was born in the US and has served in a variety of responsible positions.
Remember she was the one who made the breathless claim that the Vtech shooter was Pakistani. She was wrong then and she is wrong about Abraham.
Read his bio and then read her article again. Not “Republican enough” for some of the base I can understand, but an Islamist sympathizer or agent…. come on.
Bradky on July 29, 2007 at 1:51 AM
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