Mary Katharine Ham on Fred: Where’s the beef?
posted at 3:36 pm on October 5, 2007 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | regular view
I’m swiping her video of his speech to the Americans for Prosperity Foundation so I won’t say much about her post in order to force you to click over there. Suffice it to say, she’s the first person whose judgment I trust to have reviewed Fred on the campaign trail and after watching the clip I agree with her completely. I can also see, though, how he might make a better impression on the average voter than on journalists or bloggers. His rhetoric about terrorism has been old hat in the right-wing blogosphere since 2002, his rhetoric on immigration old hat since last year, at least. If you’re not knee-deep in punditry every day, it must sound much fresher. His fundraising take this quarter was a million dollars more than the early projections last week, in fact — although still behind Rudy, which surely isn’t where the conservative savior expected to be after his big splash entry into the race.
MK also says Jeri looks even better in person. Damn.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
Rudt, Rudy, Rudy!
JayHaw Phrenzie on October 5, 2007 at 3:40 PM
RUDY’S FINISHED.
Allahpundit on October 5, 2007 at 3:42 PM
Ya listening Fred!?…….I’m an ol’Texas porch sitter…so I get your drift…but you don’t need me, you need the MKH’s and the AP’s and the Survivor watchers(not directed to MKH or AP btw).
Ya got 96 hours before Chris Matthews asks you about those beans and weenies.
Limerick on October 5, 2007 at 3:50 PM
What do you mean by that?
saiga on October 5, 2007 at 3:52 PM
I think that’s kinda the point.
Lawrence on October 5, 2007 at 3:56 PM
No matter who gets the GOP nomination and therefore the White House, nothing will change anyway. Nothing ever changes. So why not root for a guy who’s cool, knows how to speak, is not a liberal and has a hot wife? Telling it like it is is boring, while lying and propagadizing like Hillary is exciting and alluring. GO FRED, GO.
Griz on October 5, 2007 at 3:57 PM
But at least it’s much the same rhetoric as that of the right-wing blogosphere.
flipflop on October 5, 2007 at 3:57 PM
You guys sound like Newt…You do a better job of tearing down candidates than the opposition. History will remember you.
tomas on October 5, 2007 at 4:00 PM
Why? He’s our only hope.
Ian on October 5, 2007 at 4:01 PM
He oughta be…we all should, I don’t care how dumb or nonsensical anyone thinks it is, it could happen.
Bad Candy on October 5, 2007 at 4:02 PM
For a split second there when Fred Stand next to the man who announces him you get a real look at just how much larger than the average person Fred is. You see that again at the end when the announcer shakes his hand. Fred is a bigggg man…
Money quote:
Second money quote:
doriangrey on October 5, 2007 at 4:02 PM
Nothing against MKH, but she blogs for townhall.com, and there seems to be an unstated, institutional endorsement for Romney at that site, with lots of Fred-bashing action.
Between Hugh Hewitt and Dean Barnett frequently and unabashedly shilling for Mitt and the regular appearances of articles written by members of the Romney campaign (offered without comments enabled)… it seems like Townhall has unofficially endorsed a candidate and thus I question the objectivity of their staff- even if it’s someone I respect like MKH.
Hollowpoint on October 5, 2007 at 4:04 PM
I think whenever AP posts something in all caps he’s being a bit facetious.
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 4:04 PM
Only if your hope to split and marginalize the Republican party, that is.
Hollowpoint on October 5, 2007 at 4:05 PM
I’ve got a feeling that MKH will get more clicks from the headline link than this.
KelliD on October 5, 2007 at 4:10 PM
Ahem. That is strictly a HughHewitt.com preference, not institutional. If you’ll check my archives, you’ll find plenty reviews of Mitt that peg him as as uninspiring as Fred. Rudy’s about the only guy I applaud on the charisma front– and I admit I dig him– but he’s got other issues with, you know, the issues. Today, Rudy was very good. Fred was eh. Tonight, Mitt will undoubtedly play the part but be basically uninspiring.
I try to call ‘em as I see ‘em.
marykatharine on October 5, 2007 at 4:11 PM
RUDY!RUDY!RUDY!RUDY!RUDY!
for attorny general
Joe Arpio
for Sec. Homeland Security
TheSitRep on October 5, 2007 at 4:12 PM
Im not sure I like the down-home, folksy, meanderin’ aw shucks style either, but then I am an urban slicker from Noo Yawk.
However, I am wonderin’ (heh) if the rest of the country, especially moderate Democrats that we need to woo to win in ‘08, are going to respond to this style after 7 going on 8 long years of Bush Texas drawls, country twangs and gosh darn folks-isms.
Personally, I think Fred’s style will remind people of Bush, even subliminally, and that is not something we want our next candidate to do for the next 13 months. Huckabee is from Arkansas and has a folksy style too, but it is FAR different from the down-home style of either Bush or Fred.
What he heck, I am a Rudy supporter, so twangin’ aint my problem.
Always Right on October 5, 2007 at 4:13 PM
Where’s the beef?
In between Wendy’s buns?…
Hey, SOMEBODY had to do it!
mojo on October 5, 2007 at 4:13 PM
You run to the center, and everyone will bail. There’s more than religious who are devoted to principles, there are liberty based conservatives who aren’t keen on restrictions on personal liberty(be it guns speech SUVs tobacco or anything else) who will bail, Free market types and fiscal conservatives who don’t like the big gov’t and reckless spending of the GOP.
You run as diet Democrat, we might as well just cancel the election and prep for Hillary’s coronation. Its not just religious conservatives who would bail at that point.
Bad Candy on October 5, 2007 at 4:14 PM
I assume AP is taking the Evangelical Right’s threat to go 3rd party seriously.
Killgore Trout on October 5, 2007 at 3:57 PM
If Rudy “Sanctuary City Mayor/partial birth abortion” Giulini gets the Republican nomination and the evangelical right gets a third party candidate going, I’m voting for him and I’m an atheist. And if that “elects” Hillary then so be it.
MB4 on October 5, 2007 at 4:15 PM
Newsflash!: MKH kinda sorta endorses Rudy, single-handedly reunites Republican party.
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 4:17 PM
Good for you, and I notice with great satisfaction that at no point do you ever engage in attempts to destroy any candidate in your (in my opinion objective) analysis of the candidates strengths and weaknesses.
doriangrey on October 5, 2007 at 4:17 PM
I’ll take his public speaking style over Hill’s fake accents any day. While his views have been around the internet for a long time, they are still valid and correct.
ChrisM on October 5, 2007 at 4:17 PM
I’m not AP, MKH or a Survivor Watcher. Is Fred saying something in Texas code/style that we’re not hearing? It took me a long time to understand that Bush would say little but do what he said. Is Fred being forceful and showing leadership in some way others don’t see?
JiangxiDad on October 5, 2007 at 4:21 PM
Yeah, I’ll vote Rudy too, but having him as our candidate could be a disaster if people decide to bail en masse, and I think that’s a strong possibility.
Bad Candy on October 5, 2007 at 4:21 PM
I rest my case.
Killgore Trout on October 5, 2007 at 4:18 PM
You will have a bad case of the Hillary blues come election night if Rudy Tootsie gets the Republican nomination.
MB4 on October 5, 2007 at 4:23 PM
I could be wrong, but that’s certainly the impression that I get as a regular Townhall.com reader. It’s not just from Hugh’s part of the site that I’ve gotten it from.
I’m not accusing you of being a shill, MKH- just that I’ve too often gotten the impression (which I’m sure not everyone shares) of a Romney bias as soon as I hit the front page, and that raises at least a bit a skepticism when I see a Townhall blogger write about the race- be it warranted or not.
Anyways, keep up the good work.
Hollowpoint on October 5, 2007 at 4:24 PM
President Hillary is going to scare you a hell of a lot more than me. Go for it.
Killgore Trout on October 5, 2007 at 4:29 PM
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil…Because I
am the meanest son-of-a bitch in the Valley.know lots of good hiding placesMB4 on October 5, 2007 at 4:38 PM
I agree. The opposition tears down its competition and doesn’t care if it uses lies and slander. The right tears on both sides of the aisle, because they have principals and character. The Golden Rule bites the right in the rearend everytime because they won’t do unto others.
I like character and principals. The thing that frustrates me is when the right concedes to possibilities too often. Go listen to that video with Tucker and Gen. Wesley Clarke. Tucker is willing to concede that Rush could have meant what the left is accusing of him in order to make the bigger “principaled” argument that the Gen. is advocating to diminish free speech. Why concede that? Examples like that are all over the place.
Sultry Beauty on October 5, 2007 at 4:38 PM
Given the vision and temperament of the world today here on AL-QUDS DAY you dam sure better vote for someone who won’t flinch when it’s time to kill several million Islamic religious finatics.
Griz on October 5, 2007 at 4:39 PM
Heh heh yea, I bet you could hide behind a single blade of grass…… ;p
doriangrey on October 5, 2007 at 4:43 PM
I have a problem with the people who are supposed t be giving us unbiased news, i.e. journalists, bashing anybody, Dem or Republican.
The pundits??? Well, that’s their job, isn’t it? giving us their opinion, so I take everything they say with a grain of salt, with the knowledge that they may be glossing over their own favorite candidate’s faults, while exaggerating someone’s they don’t like.
As for me, I like Fred. Much better than Rudy or McCain. Hell, to be honest, I like Obama better than I like Rudy, so if it comes down to a face off between Rudy and Hillary , I may not bother to get out of bed on election day.
eclark1849 on October 5, 2007 at 4:45 PM
First off, my apologies as it may have already been said in a better way. (Haven’t read through all the comments)
And therein lies the rub. From someone who is probably a little above the typical voter (in political knowledge), but below most of the commentors here, I say alot of the talk here is over-analysis to the point of no return. It’s like predicting the weather. Sure there are common factors that are certain, but there are so many other variables that simply make it impossible to predict the end result with any certainty beyond a short time frame. Too many changes from day to day and the entire system is too complicated.
synycalwon on October 5, 2007 at 4:58 PM
It is his manner. Hard to explain why I ‘feel’(OMG Lim used the Lib word) that Fred is a TR kinda Republican. You all know I’m a Fred man, but I’m honest. He has been given the keys to the car. Nothing else us supporters can do for him.
Come the night of Oct 9 it is all up to him. I am betting on a good performance, but if he tanks…well I am also a realist and will move on to the next candidate.
Limerick on October 5, 2007 at 5:00 PM
Yea, she never once mention that he gave legal advice to Libyan terrorists!!!
tommylotto on October 5, 2007 at 5:07 PM
Sorry MKH but TH is TOTALLY anti-Fred! I have NEVER seen a positive Fred Blog from any TH regular. And I read ALOT of ‘em!
I know that Hugh and Dean are totally in the tank for Mitt. And they do admit to being Mitt-en. I don’t know fer sure about MKH and Ruffini and Matt Lewis. But I KNOW no one over there likes Fred. The same at Fox News. I’m thinkin’ it’s a corporate open-border thing. TH, Fox, WSJ, etc. were VERY SLOW to git on the Anti- Amnesty bandwagon!
FDT the next POTUS! Yeah Baby!
Ex-tex on October 5, 2007 at 5:09 PM
So…what’s the new rhetoric all y’all want to hear? Has it changed? Do you just want it repackaged, or relabeled, or not even put out there? The ones wanting everyone to MoveOn -heh- and have new talking points aren’t the people I plan on voting for.
Oh, and it seems a bit early for lots of details to plans, even if all the pundits and politico-philes want a new bone to really chew over. We’re barely into the hand right now. No sense in tipping your cards before everyone’s all in.
El Cazador on October 5, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Gotcha. Thanks.
JiangxiDad on October 5, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Rudy can’t make it because of his personal makeup. That’s first his temperment, but also his personal life and social issues positions. I like Mitt. They say he’s not a Christian, but to me, close enough. I know he’s so white bread, and says some ridiculous things, like double the size of Guantanamo, or detain Ahmadinejad. Like he’s trying to be a conservative on steroids. He’s smart, he’s competent, I think he can beat Hillary. He’ll match up well against her in the debates. His honesty shows. Love to see that contrast with Hillary. Hillary’s busting it to appear presidential recently. Like she’s already been elected. Mitt’s got game. Let’s see him take her on.
Paul-Cincy on October 5, 2007 at 5:20 PM
posted at 2:04 pm on October 5, 2007 by Allahpundit
Entelechy on October 5, 2007 at 5:20 PM
OH MAH GAWD!!
I was reading the thread at the same time as Mary Katherine!
I think I’m gonna faint.
peacenprosperity on October 5, 2007 at 5:21 PM
By the way, Mary Katherine, I’ve reserved a table at Ruth’s Chris on a permanent basis.
When are you available?
peacenprosperity on October 5, 2007 at 5:22 PM
She’s long gone dude, you are too late…
tommylotto on October 5, 2007 at 5:25 PM
As does MK.
eeyore on October 5, 2007 at 5:28 PM
I am starting to wonder about Yahoo News objectivity:
‘Republican Presidential hopeful, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, right, and his wife Jeri ‘Kandy’ Kehn, wave prior to Thompson’s address before the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in Washington.’
pc on October 5, 2007 at 5:33 PM
Forget Fred, let’s get Jeri to run. She’d lock up the male vote (especially the typically-apathetic 18-25 group), and might convince even Billy Jeff to vote Republican in the general.
Harpazo on October 5, 2007 at 5:34 PM
He oughta be…we all should, I don’t care how dumb or nonsensical anyone thinks it is, it could happen.
Bad Candy on October 5, 2007 at 4:02 PM
I’m glad some are finally seeing the light on this.
I’m going to whisper something here. Real quite. Don’t get upset or anything.
Just listen.
*John McCain*
Rightwingsparkle on October 5, 2007 at 5:53 PM
MKH, you are a real dear. I enjoy your flushing antics. I think you were easy on Fred. Let’s all admit it, Fred needs a speech coach. He better hurry up, because the debates are coming up fast!
I agree with the man’s message, and it comforts me to think about him sitting in a chair across from (insert your favorite dictator) and telling said dictator to dissapear or the US will do it for him.
Still voting for Fred. The more the establishment comes down on him, from all hues of the political spectrum, the more I like him. There is plenty of time AFTER he is prez to polish up.
AZCON on October 5, 2007 at 6:04 PM
Shame on you for the foul language. The “F” word I could understand, but the “JM” word? That’s just crude.
And did you see who signed that letter you linked to? No wonder they support McCain- they’re so old they’ll be lucky to make it to Super Tuesday much less have to live through a McCain presidency.
Then again, no one is young enough that they’d to see a McCain presidency.
Hollowpoint on October 5, 2007 at 6:15 PM
MKH: Not anti-Fred!
marykatharine on October 5, 2007 at 6:18 PM
How is the “low teens” game?
The ken doll won’t win more than 1 state in the primaries (if even 1).
omnipotent on October 5, 2007 at 6:18 PM
Keep up the great work M to the K.
omnipotent on October 5, 2007 at 6:19 PM
Yeah, he’s finished too.
Slublog on October 5, 2007 at 6:56 PM
Fred! will be playing the part of Obi-Wan, not Rudy.
Rudy’s our only hope….yeah right. He rode 9/11 as far as it could go.
Fred!’s consistency and sincerity will see him through and we will all be better for it.
MKH, AP, forgive me if I don’t buy into the opinions of people whose job it is to have attention-grabbing opinions. In fact, the more the pundits push against someone, the better they appear to us unwashed masses…
unamused on October 5, 2007 at 7:26 PM
Good gravy!!!
It’s obvious these talking points were written by a 40 year old who thinks that just because this rhetoric is new to them, that it must be new to the rest of us. This stuff blows Jeri’s skirt up and it’s enough to keep her mind occupied, but those of us who are experienced knowledgeable conservatives know that the rhetoric gets nothing done.
We get it Fred. We been saying this stuff for months and years. WHAT are you gonna do about it?
Or is this just a purposeful attempt to scuttle your campaign so you can funnel the $7 million into your families pockets? You’ve done it before, why should we think you wont do it again?
I suggest that someone demand Fred make a promise that when he withdrawals from the race he will return the donations to his supporters, or give the money to the rep nominee.
csdeven on October 5, 2007 at 7:33 PM
You win.
Fred! is unelectable.
Now get over it.
/s
omnipotent on October 5, 2007 at 8:08 PM
+
=
Does not compute
wccawa on October 5, 2007 at 8:29 PM
I don’t know Sublog, I get a feeling in the force that his time is not over.
I’ll come to this truce with you. If Rudy is the nominee, I’ll vote for him. If McCain is the nominee, you’ll vote for him?
Deal?
Rightwingsparkle on October 5, 2007 at 9:19 PM
Absolutely.
Slublog on October 5, 2007 at 9:22 PM
I just hit play……………let me know when it’s over.
ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Mcguyver on October 5, 2007 at 9:52 PM
Ya know, all the comments about what Fred!’s saying being old hat miss a point, in my opinion. They don’t take into account that the people that Fred is trying to reach are normal folks who don’t follow politics and world events like we online mutants do.
There’s a hell of a lot of people out there that still have no ideas of the whys and wherefores of what’s going on in the world. The msm is damn sure not educating them.
I’m with Limerick. I want to see Fred make his best effort. If he falls flat, well hey at least he tried.
And I’ll support whomever the gop nominates for POTUS. This election is too important. We simply can’t let the dems win this one.
techno_barbarian on October 5, 2007 at 10:08 PM
He is gaining on Mitt in NH and is doing fairly well in other early states. Or do you mean he is unelectable in the general?
csdeven on October 5, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Nah… he posted that for the same reason he lets you stay here.
Comment bait.
techno_barbarian on October 5, 2007 at 10:38 PM
I will not settle for Rudy. I will not be fooled by the pretender Fred, and I will never support the amnestist Mclame. If you nominate them, then you deserve what you get.
paulsur on October 5, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Really? You’re the only one here that is easy to bait. You are seriously challenging some other folks as my 8itch.
csdeven on October 5, 2007 at 11:04 PM
Blow me. ;)
techno_barbarian on October 5, 2007 at 11:12 PM
uh cs and techno… Larry Craig is in the other
stallthread. keep it clean ;)Bradky on October 6, 2007 at 12:18 AM
I have kind of a wide stance. Am I welcome here?
Oops! Dropped that again….
wccawa on October 6, 2007 at 12:41 AM
I had the exact same thought…
BTW, Yahoo doesn’t have news. They pull from AP/Reuters/etc.; so of course they’re NOT objetive.
On-Topic: I won’t have to hold my nose too tight to vote for Fred! I will have to a little bit for Mitt. I don’t have to worry about McCain anymore (thanks and praise God). But here’s the clincher. I WILL NOT vot for Rudy. He might defend this nation better than a Dem, but his domestic policy is essentially indistinguishable from theirs, which means that it is that much less worth defending. I’m up past my bedtme, so this may sound a bit extreme–even to me in the morning. But I have no interest in having to choose between islamo-fascism and utter moral depravity. Rudy will choose and defend the depravity. Hillary and the Dems will choose–but not defend–the dapravity, and will therefore lose it to the islamo-fascists. These seem to be the choices in Europe. But I’m just not satisfied with these options. There has to be another way. That way has always been the American way. Why won’t any of the top tier guys articulate and champion this? Or why Doesn’t a lower tier guy who is doing so get better publicity? I’m refering, of course, to Duncan Hunter. I haven’t heard enough about him to know what are his flaws. Anyone care to enlighten me?
urbancenturion on October 6, 2007 at 3:54 AM
Don’t even try to prove TH.com isn’t Anti-Fred to the FredTrolls, MKH. You’ll waste your time and theirs.
They believe FDT is the sainted savior of conservatism depsite the fact his committment to conservatism can be encapsulated not in “what have you done for us lately?,” but “what have you done for us ever?”
BKennedy on October 6, 2007 at 7:45 AM
If you lose you lose…good luck with pointing out your allies weaknesses. The damage done at this point before power gets back is more important than your sick petty differences.
tomas on October 6, 2007 at 9:31 AM
You do realize that Rudy is recognized as the greatest crime fighter of the twentith century, and Fred pretended to be one on a TV show, don’t you?
tommylotto on October 6, 2007 at 12:53 PM
I don’t believe Fred’s the ’sainted savior’ or any of the other nonsense you and my 8itch cs and his drooling band of acolytes constantly spout. Fred’s just one of the choices to be considered.
I’m willing to give Fred and the other candidates an honest listen and see how the campaign season goes before making a decision. You guys have made your decision already and seem to want only to shut down any kind of debate at all about Fred by repeating the same handful of weak-assed claims over and over (and over and over).
And anybody who professes even the hint of interest in this gop candidate is routinely belittled with childishly lame attempts at intimidation in order to stifle any debate. Because it’s not debate with you guys. It’s a weak and impotent attempt at intimidation.
The level of discourse here on HotAir has really fallen. I know AllahP wants and needs the traffic during this current slow period, but it’s getting to where reading the comments here is just boring, quite frankly.
I come here for news and information and intelligent perspectives and insight from people who I respect, even if I don’t always agree with them. Lately I see less and less quality content in the comments and the top tier quality posters are posting less and less. While those with over-inflated egos, which in no way match their talents, gleefully attempt to stomp on any and all who don’t march lockstep with them.
I’ve been here at HotAir since the doors opened, and I can’t be the only one who sees this. Can I?
techno_barbarian on October 6, 2007 at 12:57 PM
I know what you are talking about. Look at the comments made when someone suggests Guiliani is a viable candidate.
I’ve been putting up with childish comments for simply offering a moderate view on many subjects. But I’ve put up with that for almost a year now. Leftie twit, leftard, libtard, traitor, are just a few of the invectives thrown my way.
The sad part is that what you are observing is the state of the GOP in general. It is not a united party and too many with singular issues are playing the “If it’s not my pick I won’t play” game. Too bad, the party is really setting itself up to blow an opportunity and get blown out in Nov 08.
Bradky on October 6, 2007 at 1:11 PM
Full disclosure from me; I blasted you pretty mercilessly the very first time you posted here on HA. But after honestly thinking about what you actually said, I recanted and realized you actually made/make some really valid points. And they were points that I would never have thought of on my own.
I also completely agree with this. We’re setting the dems up to win by default, if we keep this infighting up.
I try to imagine some normal person, (not a news junkie or punditry addict) coming to HA for the first time reading all this idiocy and childish vitriol and deciding, “Wow, if this is what ‘mature true conservative’ discourse is like, I want no part of it.”
Thanks for the post, Bradky.
techno_barbarian on October 6, 2007 at 2:25 PM
The best is being overlooked again…Tancredo and Hunter…men with true American values. Watch we’ll end up with another RINO like Jorge’s and his dad.
oldernslower on October 6, 2007 at 2:40 PM
Why should Fred’s positions be “old hat”. Does the fact that they are logical positions mean anything? Regardless of all the negative press I think the country needs to learn to say “President Thompson” sir.
duff65 on October 6, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Steveegg still gives the nod to MK, especially after seeing her in person.
steveegg on October 6, 2007 at 6:51 PM
Thanks for the reply. I’m the eternal optimist. Hopefully the GOP faithful will realize before it is too late, that the party that acts most like adults will be the one that draws more voters.
I’d agree with how some may view some of the HA threads. It’s time for people to stop being mad about the 06 results and concentrate on unifying a party that can tolerate/respect some differences of opinion.
Bradky on October 6, 2007 at 7:43 PM
I’ve been listening to Fred:
He’s been saying “AWW SHUCKS THAT DAWG DON’T HUNT I’LL THINK ABOUT THAT ‘N GET BACK TA YA THAT’S ALL FOWLKS!” for the last month. Since Fred seems to have nothing to say, I’ve moved on.
BKennedy on October 6, 2007 at 9:34 PM
Test
Allahpundit on October 7, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Test what?
steveegg on October 7, 2007 at 8:39 PM
Comment pages: