Video: Fred’s first ad
posted at 10:44 am on September 5, 2007 by Allahpundit
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The plan was (and is) to roll this out tonight at the start of the debate, then informally announce on Leno right after midnight just as a 15-minute video is going live on his website. I guess they couldn’t wait, though: both Jim Geraghty and Marc Ambinder just posted copies of this spot, presumably leaked to them by the campaign. Contrary to popular belief, says Ambinder, this isn’t going to air during the debate but during the last block of commercials for “The O’Reilly Factor.” Smart thinking: given the size of Bill’s audience and the creeping boredom with the debates leading people to tune out, he may get more viewers doing it that way.
They shed another staffer today and Geraghty says the secretive yet influential Arlington Group might be about to abandon ship. (Update: See below for more.) And then there’s this:
Roll Call columnist Stu Rothenberg already has an opinion: Thompson blew his best chance by not getting into the race in the spring or summer. “In delaying his entry into the Republican race, Thompson has looked indecisive and weak,” writes Rothenberg in in his Monday column (subscription only). “He has lost potential supporters and contributors to other campaigns. And he has limited the strategic options of his campaign. But maybe more than anything else, he gave an opening first to Romney and more recently to Huckabee that neither would have had.”
More on Mitt in a minute. Stand by for updates.
Update: Already linked in headlines, but be sure to read Tom Bevan’s enjoyably pissy shot at Hugh Hewitt and the other Fred-bashing water-carriers for Mitt. I especially liked the pointed inclusion of HH in the MSM. But let’s go easy on the term “fragging,” okay?
Update: Geraghty follows up on the Arlington Group. One of the things I most like about Fred is one of the things they like least. Ah, the libertarian(ish)/social con divide.
This individual said the Arlington Group members have not been able to agree on a candidate. “There has been a great deal of excitement about the possibility of a Thompson campaign; many of us are very happy about how clearly he criticized and called for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. But there is concern that the federalist constitutional amendment that he leans toward on marriage just wouldn’t work. How can you have a couple married in Massachusetts and then, when they move to Tennessee they’re not married anymore? It just seems to our legal people that America is going to end up with one definition of marriage. That’s what we want, actually, and we want that definition to be the traditional one… We hope to convince all the candidates that on this issue federalism is a not as high a value philosophically as making sure marriage has traditional configuration.”
The source goes on to hint that they’d probably be leaning towards Huckabee if they thought he could win. Which he can’t.
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I don’t think it’s too late. Not many have made their minds up yet. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Rs go to convention without a clear nominee. I might add some sparkle to the Rs proceedings, in contrast to the Ds who will likely know their nominee (shudder).
Laddy on September 5, 2007 at 10:49 AM
As a Fred! fan……weak ad….the head bobbing quarter angle was who’s idea?
Limerick on September 5, 2007 at 10:50 AM
freds? new moniker: Bobble-head fred?. I pointed this out after watching his pathetic video where he lied about always being pro-life. You know, the one where he dragged his wife and kids out like stage props.
freds? bobbles his head to emphasize his points JUST LIKE A ACTOR. Most people do it a little bit, but fred? cannot help himself. He’s reading from a script he has memorized. He is not speaking from his convictions.
Bobble-head fred?. hahaha
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Eh.
I don’t like the “Security-Unity-Prosperity” tag. The anagram of which can be reversed to a smelly, sticky substance most are averse to.
IrishEi on September 5, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I am confused about the domain name listed in the video ad above.
Does anyone know if that will become his domain name once he is finally official?
dc84123 on September 5, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Don’t worry, csdeven… you’ll get used to calling him “President Bobble-Head” eventually.
But yeah… that bugged the hell outa me too. He needs to lose that and FAST.
hindmost on September 5, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Meh. The ad was more “wait and see how awesome I’m going to be” than anything else. He’s got to stop building expectations and start fulfilling them.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM
It was a nice ad… and a weak one.
And… he looks very old.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM
What’s wrong with his head? The continuous bobbing and nodding up and down is a horrible distraction.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM
I love Fred, but he looked like a chicken at feed.
He needs to get those head-bobs under control.
VolMagic on September 5, 2007 at 11:02 AM
If you go to it, it redirects you to ImWithFred.com.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Easy with the head, Fred.
You’re not an auctioneer.
Tancredo-Hunter 2008
profitsbeard on September 5, 2007 at 11:02 AM
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Man I sure hope you are saving every extra penny you can get your hands on, cause you’re going to need them to buy beer when Fred gets the nomination.
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 11:03 AM
What was that website again?
Fred – oh, wait?
kjspeedial on September 5, 2007 at 11:04 AM
im with ya on the slogan. sorta sounds liek something out of V for Vendetta. these days republicans have national image problems, and that just seems some darth vader shit
ernesto on September 5, 2007 at 11:05 AM
You are totally insane.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:05 AM
You are being redirected to ImWithFred. Click here to go there now.
Is the web master too cheap to afford an apostrophe or something?
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Like everything else he’s done so far, this ad didn’t actually tell you anything. It told you to stay tuned for when he actually does tell you, when he gets around to telling you.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:08 AM
That’s just in Arizona. Nationwide, the latest poll shows Clinton beating Thompson 48% – 44%.
Giuliani leads Clinton 47% to 44%.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 11:09 AM
You can’t put an apostrophe in a domain name.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:09 AM
No, I meant the abbreviation. It wasn’t a URL. And the title on the web page has an apostrophe.
Anyway, it was a joke. If you visit the site, the web design has trended WAY up.
Awesome job. I particularly like the background hover CSS check boxes for the left navbar menu. Great idea.
I may just have to borrow it, albeit with different color/size check boxes!
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:10 AM
*right navbar… was thinking of my site.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:11 AM
I don’t think you can have an apostrophe in a domain name.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 11:11 AM
Ah, ignore above comment.
And the new site is much better than the previous one.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 11:12 AM
doriangrey, I call shenanigans.
Without linking to your source, you quoted one state when it’s the national campaign that matters.
Either you made a huge error… in which case you owe as an apology… or you attempted to swing the debate here in your favour by dishonestly leaving out that crucial detail.
Either way, you owe us an apology.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:13 AM
It is a scientific fact that conservatives eat their own…geez.
tomas on September 5, 2007 at 11:14 AM
A man can dream, can’t he? Never take away a man’s dreams, Christoph.
Gravel-Kucinich ‘08
America united. Perfect combination. Kucinich can stand on Gravel’s famous rock to heighten his image, and Gravel can stare at a winsome redhead instead of a camera.
IrishEi on September 5, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Yeah, it’s bad, but turn your sound off and watch him. It’s hilarious!
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 11:15 AM
He’s going for the teen demographic. “Like, how kewl is that? A candidate you can IM!”
smellthecoffee on September 5, 2007 at 11:15 AM
I actually saw a Gravel ‘08 sticker on a car the other day. Wish I had my digital camera with me at the time.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 11:15 AM
I’m sure he’s sitting at twitter right now waiting for the message.
Oh, wait, sorry, that’s Vitter.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:17 AM
You’re right, it is! Especially at the very end, when the bobbing speeds up.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:17 AM
doriangray, any chance of getting an apology for what is increasingly looking like an intentional lie?
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:20 AM
I certainly hope Fred’s plans for the country are more substantive than these unimpressive campaign tactics.
And since it requires “unity and resolve” to solve America’s problems, it would have been nice to have seen some “resolve” from Fred.
I look forward to seeing what he has to say, and my initial impressions are of someone who has difficulty making those all important “decisions” President’s must make.
Buy Danish on September 5, 2007 at 11:20 AM
I wonder if he’s as decisive as Bush is?
Have a good cry, then resolve a course of action when you’re done.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Can someone with palsy be elected president?
Labamigo on September 5, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Fred’s voting record in the senate, as well as every other position he takes, should best be viewed through the lens of Federalism since that is his stated philosophy of government. Individual votes or declarations might appear to support a position he opposes (or vice-versa) IF he believes that the power to decide these issues resides at the state or local level.
Given our current national political climate, this will run contrary to popular opinion.
kjspeedial on September 5, 2007 at 11:23 AM
The guy is all facade and has NO substantive message! I’m sure his groupies are reacting to his machinations just like the hair band groupies of the 80’s reacted to their violent head bobbing.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Christoph-
Just throwing out the possibility of a team that would work for America instead of themselves.
No chance in hell at even winning one state, unless al-Qaeda hits D.C. when they’re both out of town and they’re the only ones left, still, as little as I like the other R’s, I’ll vote for any of the front runners (Fred included) over HillObamaWards.
profitsbeard on September 5, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Buy Danish on September 5, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Oops, I should have said, “I look forward to what he has to say, BUT my initial impressions…
Little words have big meanings.
Buy Danish on September 5, 2007 at 11:28 AM
I still like my idea from yesterday…
That would be so awesome! It’d be even better if he did a commercial with the red pickup (with rockets strapped to thee sides) landing on the Mall in DC and him coming out of it like in “The Day The Earth Stood Still.” Klaatu Barada Nikto, y’all!
Bad Candy on September 5, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Hear, hear.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:29 AM
You’re joking right? The “A Rasmussen Reports telephone survey” thing didnt tip you off to where that came from?
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/thompson_outperforms_mccain_in_arizona
Ok so try this one on for size…
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-analysis_02tex.ART.State.Edition1.41fae05.html
If there is an apology owed it would be from you.
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 11:30 AM
I wonder who he is planning to “unify” with? Perhaps McCain/Feingold, his pro-choice stance, and his pro-immigration stance are indications that he is going to run to the left the minute he is nominated?
fred? has no experience in leading except when it came to stifling free speech and lobbying for scum. He has said he will let the troops decide when to leave Iraq and we all know his wife is driving the campaign and his friends forced him into running.
Milk toast, lazy, cowardly, fake. And a bobble-head to boot. No thanks freddie boy. You better start flip-flopping on all those former stances or you’ll never get past the next month. But then again, this may be all part of a grand scheme to destroy his campaign and eventuall funnel his left over funds to his family.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 11:30 AM
The head bobbing is a bit much, needs some Haddaway to play in the background.
Bad Candy on September 5, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Shit. He didn’t say “Russians don’t take a crap without a plan, son.”
John from OPFOR on September 5, 2007 at 11:34 AM
It was a poll of Arizona voters. From the page you cited:
This statewide telephone survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports August 30, 2007. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 11:37 AM
You didn’t link or quote a specific poll. We were left to believe that you were referring to nation wide, as Arizona is just one state, Rudy leading the country.
He came in second place in Texas. So, coming in first in Arizona and second in Texas means CSDeven:
Again, by coming in first in Arizona and second in Texas.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Also, freds? health is an issue. I don’t trust him because he plays fast and loose with the “spirit of the law” in many situations. Judging by his appearance, he looks old, tired, and uninterested in this entire process.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Where am I? HuffPo, DK, DU?
IrishEi on September 5, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Oh the Irony…….
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 11:41 AM
I said “no” I’m not “uncurious”.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:43 AM
I’m confused, did I spit out a Democratic party line or something?
John from OPFOR on September 5, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Never seen that video before – Whew is that some sexy stuff going on! Suggestion seconded!
ps. Fred, may I recommend some cheeseburgers, tater tots, and jumbo ice cream sundaes? Too thin doesn’t suit you.
RushBaby on September 5, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Hilarious people……
It is like Animal House around here. After all the SuperDuper Tuesdays we will all be best buddies again and going rah-rah-rah-zip-boom-bah. I have been taking lessons on crow cooking. Many here might want to think about that too.
Limerick on September 5, 2007 at 11:43 AM
fred? looks like Henry Kane.
“God is in his Holy Temple”
Remember what happened with his rabid groupies? His victims certainly could not be blamed, but blame surly rests with Kane for leading astray the most uninformed and gullible of our conservative society.
;-)
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Says it all…
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I left the second part open. If I wasn’t curious about the second part, I would’ve said “no”. I don’t know if I’m curious about the second part, because it sounds very clear cut.
Actually, in between comments, I’m looking for the past votes from the other post.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:47 AM
don’t now = didn’t.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:49 AM
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Hah hah hah sure whatever…
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 11:50 AM
As a Fred fan, it’s tough to see such an ordinary video. Mitt’s was much more slick and professional. I still say it’s anyone’s game at this point, on either side. So much more road to cover before the election. I had resolved not to pay much attention to the race until there was less than a year to go, but here we are.
The only camp I’m in now is the “please, please, not Hillary” camp – and she’s the least threatening of the top three Dems!
Honestly, I’d take any of the GOP candidates over them. Even Ron Paul. Sure, he’d let Israel burn and Islamic Fascism rise over half the world, but the Dems were going to do that anyway, and he’d at least spare us the Marxist revision of the Constitution.
But, um, yeah, Fred!
Hannibal Smith on September 5, 2007 at 11:50 AM
doriangray, you deceived intentionally or otherwise. To make a sweeping statement about how we would all have to back off for not supporting Fred when he gets the nomination, then quoting a poll without mentioning it’s one small state… was disingenuous.
And if you don’t know it, amerpundit and I do, as do we all.
So it would still be you who owe me an apology. However, I don’t think one is forthcoming and I wouldn’t expect it from someone who was so dishonest to begin with.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Nah. In fact, I usually enjoy/agree with your posts. It’s just a pet peeve: potty mouth. It cheapens discourse, and I’d hate to see it get a foothold here.
IrishEi on September 5, 2007 at 11:50 AM
The votes I want to see are freddie boys non-votes. How many decisive conservative votes did he miss? How many controversial votes did he refuse to take a stand on? He did vote pro-life in the senate, but in 8years of service he only had a hand full of votes? And those votes were on less than spectacular bills.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Wow. You’re witty. You know, when you present a poll as evidence, without linking to a source or actually explaining it’s just a state-wide poll – not national.
As opposed to the other thread, where I was discussing whether I was personally curious about the votes, and decided to check them out anyway.
Smart man, you are.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Yeah, I like Fred and he doesn’t have Mitt’s obvious problems with electability because of his religion… but I think we have to face the (welcome) fact that Mitt Romney really is a very capable man.
He’s skilled in business and political leadership, including marketing. He is also intelligent and thinks well on his feet.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Huckabee’s going nowhere. I don’t know why people are investing any time on him. He can’t win a general election.
bnelson44 on September 5, 2007 at 11:54 AM
WOW, way to go Fred. Rocking and rolling already.
Like the ad, classy.
tarpon on September 5, 2007 at 11:54 AM
He also juxtaposes that with a sweeping statement we’ll all have to eat crow when Fred takes the nomination. That’s why I call shenanigans and doriangray is establishing, by his carrying on with defending the above, it was intentional.
And a cheap point.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:55 AM
You mean his head?
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:55 AM
For those interested in Thompson’s voting record, the Washington Post has a good database.
Slublog on September 5, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Heh…I was referencing this. Not the funniest thing in the world, but I’m not ashamed to pick the low hanging fruit.
Bad Candy on September 5, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Lighten up, Francis.
Bad Candy on September 5, 2007 at 11:59 AM
“Leadership To Turn Around Washington”
That’s REALLY good. What’s more, Mitt has a Turn Around record to stand on – it’s not just an empty slogan.
When Fred announces, I’m sending both he and Mitt a donation.
RushBaby on September 5, 2007 at 11:59 AM
doriangray, you deceived intentionally or otherwise. To make a sweeping statement about how we would all have to back off for not supporting Fred when he gets the nomination, then quoting a poll without mentioning it’s one small state… was disingenuous.
And if you don’t know it, amerpundit and I do, as do we all.
So it would still be you who owe me an apology. However, I don’t think one is forthcoming and I wouldn’t expect it from someone who was so dishonest to begin with.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Get over yourself, this is the internet I shouldn’t have to spoon feed you as if you were a brain dead paraplegic. If you have to be led by the hand to a drink of water you don’t deserve it. If you have to be led by the hand to find something clearly marked as Rasmussen really have no business on the internet.
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Cool. Thanks!
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 12:01 PM
here are the national polls comparing fred to hillary: the one below is the average…
Poll Fred Clinton Und Spread
RCP 41.3 47.8 9.5 Clinton+6
Link
zane on September 5, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Shorter doriangrey:
I dissembled. You won’t have to eat your words. There’s no reason to believe Thompson will take the nomination. My optimism was chutzpah.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 12:04 PM
fred? was for the Washington insider before he was against them.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 12:04 PM
csdeven,
I don’t think it’s fair to say that Fred is “Pro-choice”.
I do agree that his prior support of McCain-Feingold is problematic as that goes to core principles of free speech.
Buy Danish on September 5, 2007 at 12:06 PM
It’s called taking a page from the Democrat playbook, except they never get around to telling you.
There’s still FOURTEEN MONTHS before the elections. Think tortoise, not hare.
Head-bobbing is a lot less annoying than lip-biting or screeching like an owl – not that any of these quirks would affect who I vote for.
fogw on September 5, 2007 at 12:10 PM
And RR was the champion of Medi-Cal back as governor of California and before that the president of a union. My God how could we be so insane to have elected that man?
(say hi to the boy cs…mine is starting to pack)
Limerick on September 5, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Yeah, Mike “Nanny State” Huckabee fell off my list a week or two ago. He seemed like he could be a dark horse candidate if the frontrunners continue to screw up in the coming months. I liked the fact that he seemed witty and engaging and was socially conservative. But I didn’t realize what a big government guy he is (or has the potential to be) until recently. Deal-breaker for someone who shows no signs of being able to beat Hillary in any way. I put up with some liberalism from Rudy because at least he can win in the general. But I don’t see any reason to accept nanny-state type policies from the “conservative alternative” I’m looking for. If I’m going to support an unelectable conservative, I’m at least going to pick a real conservative–like Newt if he enters the race. If not, it’s gotta be Rudy. I unfortunately don’t think any real conservative can win this time because of the mood of the country, and we just can’t afford to give this election to the Dems. So, though I would support a genuinely conservative agenda-setter in the race to try to pull Rudy more to the right, I still think Rudy’s going to get the nomination because he’s our best chance to win in the general.
aero on September 5, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Mitt’s narrator is the same guy that does the Miller High Life ads on TV. Is that Mitt’s subliminal way of relating to the “regular guy”?
Mallard T. Drake on September 5, 2007 at 12:11 PM
I love the last frame of that Mitt ad. Mitt is potent.
Spirit of 1776 on September 5, 2007 at 12:12 PM
In all fairness to Fred!, his own CFR bit him in the butt and forced him to announce now. Notice that the 2006-2007 L&O reruns are now preempted by Sunday Night Football? It’s not a coincidence. Fred was contractually obligated not to muddy NBC’s waters by preventing them from running L&O reruns featuring Fred! Candidate Fred! would run into “equal time” problems on NBC had he announced earlier, and that would have prompted a big ol’ lawsuit from NBC.
So he announces now to avoid conflicts with NBC. And it’s all from CFR.
Talk about irony. His CFR support may be the one thing that actually prevents him from getting the nomination because it forced a late-entry.
Nethicus on September 5, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Hear, hear!
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 12:13 PM
I understand the federalism spin on this, but fred? could have said that abortion should not be legal and still left it to the states.
fred? has flip-flopped on abortion.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 12:15 PM
No. Just provide us a poll as evidence of us having to get use to his nomination, and leave out the fact that it only represented one state – not the entire nation’s opinion.
Any moron saw it was Rasmussen. The question isn’t who did the poll, it’s who the poll actually polled.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 12:15 PM
What is wrong with you people? freddie boy isn’t running for the general. This is PRIMARY season.
Excessive head-bobbing is an indication that he doesn’t really believe what he is saying. He is trying to attract more hair renting groupies.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 12:18 PM
That’s like the MSM leaving out or altering majorly important facts, then when it’s pointed out to them, telling you “Well, you have Google. Use it”.
amerpundit on September 5, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Same to yours. Mine has his “B” bag packed, got shots yesterday, and lands in Kuwait in roughly 3 weeks.
csdeven on September 5, 2007 at 12:21 PM
I was not harsh. Just my opinion.
IrishEi on September 5, 2007 at 12:21 PM
But thats ok, because you dont mind making up your mind before seeing all of the evidence, you made that perfectly clear in the other thread. Or perhaps you didnt notice that that was posted specifically to csdeven who likes posting things about Fred that are shall we say misleading…
doriangrey on September 5, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Disappointing ad, with or without the bobblehead.
But, “unity” is always disappointing to a partisan conservative.
And you know, it made me cringe when the word “Republican” was used in the end.
AZCON on September 5, 2007 at 12:26 PM
doriangrey, you’re the one who was dishonest.
I’ve never seen amerpundit act dishonestly.
Christoph on September 5, 2007 at 12:27 PM
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