Fred to Fredheads: “We don’t wear any hats unless they’re our own”
posted at 1:34 pm on December 21, 2007 by Allahpundit
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A reference to the now notorious Politico piece, of course. I find it irritating but his supporters will wet themselves over it so I salute him for being brilliantly shrewd. The cowboy hat, the red pick-up truck from his senate campaign, the cracker-barrel admonition here that doesn’t really mean anything but sure sounds good as an empty display of principle: It’s all calculated to affect the manly southern image for which the Fredheads adore him. Every time he pulls something like this I think of Carl Cameron snickering about his Gucci loafers at the Iowa state fair, but whatevs. It works. Let me pay Huckabee a compliment, though, and note that for all of Coulter’s sneering at him for being “cornpone,” he never resorts in his delivery or mannerisms to props like cowboy hats. He saves his identity politics for his rhetoric, where he’s a thousand times more shameless than anyone else.
If McCain stops at a firehouse and poses with the “silly hat” on, I’ll really take a second look.
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heh…..he should have just left the hat thing alone.
What I took away from this is ’send money’. I think that about sums up where he is at. Iowa is everything and he needs more cash to try and pull it off.
Go Fred!
Limerick on December 21, 2007 at 1:40 PM
This shows that Fred doesn’t need both hands, a focus group, push polling, and flashlight to find his…hat. The turnaround on this is great. He just needs to memorably convert a half-dozen more awkward moments like this to get ahead in a large pack in one election.
Patrick_Lasswell on December 21, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Not as irritating as east coast elitism.
Bill C on December 21, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Not even Jimmy hats?
ReubenJCogburn on December 21, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Next week: Fred Thompson as James Dean.
Spirit of 1776 on December 21, 2007 at 1:41 PM
You forgot the “rule” as in silly hat rule
Probably an oversight.
a capella on December 21, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Huck? Is that you?
Spirit of 1776 on December 21, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Right, that’s exactly the game he’s playing here. Just like Huckabee: “You criticize me? Well, then you’re just not authentic, pardner.”
Allahpundit on December 21, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Real southerners don’t wear hats on a bus :/
lorien1973 on December 21, 2007 at 1:43 PM
I didn’t think it was that bad, but the cowboy hat looked bad on him.
Esthier on December 21, 2007 at 1:44 PM
For the numbers alone, this thread may be moved to the left already. It will generate huge amounts of comments, all amounting to about as much as the one of two days ago. But, it will be as much fun.
Entelechy on December 21, 2007 at 1:44 PM
all hat…no cattle.
zane on December 21, 2007 at 1:45 PM
Not when they’ve been worn by someone else first.
Bob Owens on December 21, 2007 at 1:45 PM
It’s like bizarro cornpone elitism. “Feh. You east coat elitists just don’t understand us REAL conservatives.”
Big S on December 21, 2007 at 1:46 PM
Maybe you find it irritating because you and everyone else that got PWNED by Politico also just got PWNED by Fred. His response was exactly what was called for.
In all fairness, though, I gotta give you credit for putting the video on a new thread.
wccawa on December 21, 2007 at 1:46 PM
On the upside he was remarkably lifelike in that bit. So, he’s got that going for him.
Drew on December 21, 2007 at 1:46 PM
But will it play in Iowa? It’s hard to tell.
Entelechy on December 21, 2007 at 1:47 PM
Fred’s moving up!
No. of stories on Hotair’s Front page:
Rudy: 1
Huck: 9 (record of 11, so he’s down)
Fred: 5
Hill: 8
Romney: 3
Obama: 1
Edwards: 1
lorien1973 on December 21, 2007 at 1:47 PM
Eh I took it as Fred poking fun at a silly dustup over something insignificant
William Amos on December 21, 2007 at 1:47 PM
I’ll take an irritating true conservative over a soothing RINO every time!
db on December 21, 2007 at 1:48 PM
I don’t think it was a game. Watching that video I got the impression he really did not want to put on the hat and his explanation makes sense.
On the east coast cynicism is de rigueur. I think you are taking it to an extreme level.
Bill C on December 21, 2007 at 1:49 PM
Even if it was condescending.
Darksean on December 21, 2007 at 1:49 PM
Allah,
Is there anyone, that speaks with a southern accent, that isn’t irritating to you? Just wondering.
Limerick on December 21, 2007 at 1:50 PM
Does Lorrie Morgan or Faith Hill or Miss Teen South Carolina count ?
William Amos on December 21, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Yep, that’s how I read it.
I’d be worried about the MLK issue though if I was a Mitt supporter. I’ll bet that story has some legs to it.
omnipotent on December 21, 2007 at 1:54 PM
The hat thing doesn’t and didn’t bother me at all. But Fred is always better after the fact, than during.
JiangxiDad on December 21, 2007 at 1:54 PM
Sure will. contrary to popular opinion, Iowans have a sense of humor and may even enjoy a bit of thumb in the eye fun, when warranted.
a capella on December 21, 2007 at 1:55 PM
As the recipient of countless RP Supporter emails, I’d like to add his supporters to that mix. If you dare criticize their man, it’s “Well, I can’t expect you to understand. It takes someone who truly loves freedom to support Dr. Paul”.
amerpundit on December 21, 2007 at 1:58 PM
Not as irritating as east coast elitism.
Ditto.
amish on December 21, 2007 at 1:58 PM
Beat me to it…
Bad Candy on December 21, 2007 at 1:59 PM
Why I’m a FredHead
I’m committed to the conservative principles that Ronald Reagan epitomized; strong national defense, low taxes, constructionist judges, pro-life, proud optimism, and recognition that our ideology is valid and deserves to be defended. I also have come to the belief that while it may be beneficial to our economy to have a certain number of illegals in this country working, the explosion cannot continue. We HAVE to control our border to protect our security, sovereignty, and our culture.
Every major candidate (until Fred entered the race) had real and substantive problems with one or more of these points:
Rudy’s a liberal RINO. Good on 9/11. Good in NYC. Bad on most everything else.
Mitt talks the talk but his record as Governor shows a go-along-to-get-along moderate to liberal who compromises and flip-flops more than I can tolerate.
Huck is a total disaster. Enough said.
McCain is who he is because of his willingness to betray conservative and Republicans. Classic RINO. He has been the darling of Chris Matthews. That’s enough for me.
Fred is the only REAL conservative with a record to back it up. Fred is FAR more adept at campaigning than he’s given credit for here. Fred is the only candidate who can unite the fiscal cons, and the social cons, he will appeal to moderates and Reagan Democrats.
Fred will be the first President since Reagan to unapologetically and articulately promote and defend CONSERVATIVE values.
Fred is the only choice!
I’m not giving up.
edgehead on December 21, 2007 at 2:01 PM
As for the response, c’mon, it was fun!
Bad Candy on December 21, 2007 at 2:01 PM
It was great that Thompson tweaked the moderator in that terrible debate, but enough already. It was a nice moment, not an act of great political courage.
Slublog on December 21, 2007 at 2:01 PM
Maybe as a southerner I guess I’m just missing the whole point Allah is trying to make. The ‘raise hand’ and ‘hat’ remarks are just ear candy. The basic message is what stuck out to me and that was the plea for cash. The hand and hat remarks are just his way of smoothing out the message.
Limerick on December 21, 2007 at 2:03 PM
IMHO, I think his remark about the hat was a dig at firefighters unions. The republicans can pander and suck up to them all day long, but we all know too well they will never get the FF Union endorsement. It’s usually 99-1 for the democrat. He might as well put on the NAACP hat. A waste of time. He should have never even went to the firehouse.
roninacreage on December 21, 2007 at 2:04 PM
It was a nice moment, not an act of great political courage.
Exactly. But it was still more courage than anybody else had on that stage.
p.s. Fred picked up Tancredos Iowa director today.
amish on December 21, 2007 at 2:04 PM
Hey!
Faith hill doesn’t have an accent… does she?
I hate her politics but she is a babe.
edgehead on December 21, 2007 at 2:04 PM
That wasn’t just a ‘moment’, it’s part of his platform. No snark intended.
Spirit of 1776 on December 21, 2007 at 2:04 PM
It’s the same sort of meaningless defiance that he’s playing to here with his “no hats but our own” crap. He rebuked Nurse Ratched! He won’t wear fire helmets! Principle, baby!
Allahpundit on December 21, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Agreed, it’s fund-raising with a twist.
Spirit of 1776 on December 21, 2007 at 2:05 PM
gee guys!
If we’re going to trash Fred for this lighthearted little remark, I can find you dozens of Gulianisms that would make your skin crawl.
edgehead on December 21, 2007 at 2:06 PM
If we’re going to trash Fred for this lighthearted little remark, I can find you dozens of Gulianisms that would make your skin crawl.
Who cares what Rudy says? He doesnt have a southern accent so its ok.
What the heck does Allah have against southerners anyway?
Im starting to think that Allah is Ned Beatty.
amish on December 21, 2007 at 2:10 PM
Before Thompson got in the race I liked Romeny a lot. He has a lot going for him but genuineness is not one of them. The tweak of the moderator and this hat incident make me believe he is who he says he is. That surely is an important quality in a president.
Bill C on December 21, 2007 at 2:11 PM
Well, after reading what Rush did to Huck today, I may have to revise my prediction of Fred taking third. Lots of dittoheads in Iowa. Timely.
a capella on December 21, 2007 at 2:14 PM
And until after the primary
Kini on December 21, 2007 at 2:26 PM
And yet when it comes to doing things that actually matter, such as investigating shady fund raising by the Clintons or standing up for the first amendment, Thompson whiffed.
I like Thompson. I think he’s a good candidate, but the incident at the debate and the incident with the hat have somehow morphed from relatively unimportant incidents to defining moments. It’s somewhat ridiculous.
Slublog on December 21, 2007 at 2:27 PM
Yeah. Wetting myself, that’s exactly what I do every time Fred opens his mouth.
God, Allah, take some chill.
Anwyn on December 21, 2007 at 2:28 PM
I don’t know what’s happened in the past two weeks or so but damn has this site become snarky. Once again, poke and prod the delivery all you want but it’s the message, the conservative principles that have been out there for all to see that we should be looking at. And if you can swallow the pill any other candidate is giving you then fine, but you sure as hell will get what you vote for if you base it on who wore a hat and who didn’t.
And frankly Allah, you’ve become more condescending with each passing week. I know you have to have a bit of steel to your spine to do what you do but everything in moderation.
CTDeLude on December 21, 2007 at 2:33 PM
Yeah, nothing embodies “freedom” and “liberty” like surrendering your will and becoming a mindless drone of some damn cult.
ReubenJCogburn on December 21, 2007 at 2:33 PM
If you snoop around Fred08.com, there is another vid posted that shows Fred on day 5 of the bus tour of Iowa.
A small portion of the vid is when Fred goes into a gun shop with King, and stands next to a lifesize cardboard cutout of John Wayne. Fred is wearing the hat he puts on in the bus vid. Jeri notes that Fred is taller than the Duke. So, Fred putting the hat on was a continuation of a day in the campaign, not some cooked up hokyism. The point he was trying to make, is that the fireman’s hat was nasty dirty inside, and may have some cooties.
Creds to Fred for even walking into a gun store, and picking up a shotgun, in a visual support of our 2nd ammendment rights. Try that on lifetime hunter Mitt!
AZCON on December 21, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Not for everyone. I look at campaign antics as entertainment and as evidence of the ability to manipulate. I can live well with Mitt, Rudy, or Fred, in inverse levels of desirability. None of them are perfect.
a capella on December 21, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Also, Allah, you’re dead wrong about “meaningless defiance” of both acts. The debate was a good statement–that you can’t sum up an answer with a hand raise and he doesn’t have to and he isn’t going to.
The fire helmet was a huge screwup, and I have no idea what possible hat rule he could have. All he had to say was “I haven’t earned the right to wear this; why don’t you put it on and let me shake your hand” or something to that effect. But after what actually happened, IMHO he’d have been better off to say nothing about it and go on, but this is about as low-key as it gets, so why are you having a cow?
Anwyn on December 21, 2007 at 2:35 PM
And yet when it comes to doing things that actually matter, such as investigating shady fund raising by the Clintons or standing up for the first amendment, Thompson whiffed.
Dude – 90 percent of the witnesses during that mess had fled the country. Combine that with the Democrats doing everything that they could to stonewall the investigation, a media carrying Clintons water at every step, and an appathetic public what did you expect him to be able to do?
Nobody ever laid a glove on Clinton.
The campaign finance reform thing: yep youre right. And even Thompson says it was a mistake. But again – look at all the shady fundraising the Clintions were doing. Buddhist temples, money from China, etc. People wanted something done. He and McCain and others did something. Fred says it was a mistake. McCain doesnt.
amish on December 21, 2007 at 2:36 PM
He probably shoulda left the hat thing alone, but I do understand his reluctance to wear hats for photo ops, recalling some other infamous moments…
>Dukakis in the tank with an army helmet
>John Kerry in the NASA suit looking like a bunny and something else that’s probably inappropriate to mention
>Pat Buchanan in the black cowboy hat
That said, Go Fred!
CP on December 21, 2007 at 2:37 PM
If Fred had worn that hat it would be on ebay right now.
TheSitRep on December 21, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Geez people I support fred and have no problem with snark at his expense.
If the worse that can be thrown at him is “He’s lazy and a bit standoffish” then I’ll take that critisizm
Remember they called Reagan “lazy” and a “Hands off” kind of president who took naps during meetings. And yet he did pretty god
William Amos on December 21, 2007 at 2:39 PM
There is that, but it doesn’t take back the law. I’d like to see him explicitly state he’d work to repeal BCRA. That would go a long way with me.
Also, on the investigation, I wish he would have used his chairmanship more as a bully pulpit to excoriate the Clinton tactics and the lack of cooperation by the administration. It was just a lost opportunity.
Slublog on December 21, 2007 at 2:39 PM
The fire helmet was a huge screwup, and I have no idea what possible hat rule he could have. All he had to say was “I haven’t earned the right to wear this; why don’t you put it on and let me shake your hand” or something to that effect. But after what actually happened
Go watch the fire helmet video. Its nothing like what Politico or Hot Air reported. It actually makes Thompson look pretty good.
The Sundries Shack Fisks the story and shows just how bad that it was blown.
amish on December 21, 2007 at 2:41 PM
That’s a great idea!
Fred! should heed your sage advice.
omnipotent on December 21, 2007 at 2:41 PM
No, it does not make Thompson look good, although it is not anywhere near the horrible earth-sinking moment Simon said it was.
Anwyn on December 21, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Well, its looking up a little today for us Fred Heads. Speaking for my self, I don’t require AP’s approval of my choice of candidates but I do welcome his scrutiny, skepticism and intellectual acumen, even if its leveled in a critical way, at my fellows and our candidate. I’m big boy. I can take it and it never hurts to learn of how you may be perceived by others.
Nyog_of_the_Bog on December 21, 2007 at 2:42 PM
Thompson calls for high fences, wide gates. The Daily NonPareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa
P. James Moriarty on December 21, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Damn…..I just hope Iowa is listening! Good read.
Limerick on December 21, 2007 at 3:01 PM
While I’m not a Fredhead I do support him. He’s the most principled conservative in the race and therefore the only one I trust to represent me.
Simple enough.
AP, the hat thing was ridiculous. By continuing to pretend that there was anything there and the only reason the Fredheads don’t see it is because they’re as crazy as Paul-bots is petty drivel. Politico pulled the wool over your eyes, don’t blame Fred supporters, blame Politico.
FloatingRock on December 21, 2007 at 3:04 PM
…and yourself for allowing them to do it.
FloatingRock on December 21, 2007 at 3:05 PM
For anyone that’s interested I have posted audio of the speech on the forums I help run.
Gianni on December 21, 2007 at 3:09 PM
AP, you’re becoming what you abhor in the lefties. And it’s not about doing your job. It may be about your ego and your unwillingness to admit when you got something wrong.
Admittedly, Fred would have benefited by forgetting the “Politico Fabricated” hat story. By the same token you would have been miles ahead forgetting it as well. Innuendo equals nothing intelligent to say. Nothing intelligent to say equals another year without an iPhone. You see it really is a vicious circle. And I’m an expert at nothing intelligent to say. nah,nah,,nah,nah,,nah,,nah.
Griz on December 21, 2007 at 3:20 PM
Gianni
Thanks for the audio link. It is much appreciated.
Limerick on December 21, 2007 at 3:44 PM
I really wonder what a 1980 Iowa blog thread would look like with the following players in the mix:
George H. W. Bush (32%)
Ronald Reagan (30%)
Howard Baker (15%)
John Connally (9%)
Phil Crane (7%)
John B. Anderson (4%)
Bob Dole (2%)
Assuming blogs existed, of course.
wccawa on December 21, 2007 at 3:45 PM
My only concern here lately has been the tone of comparing people that support Fred, like myself, to the frothing-at-the-mouth PaulBots. I mean, do you really think we are mind numbed robots just because we wont let a “hat” incident change our convictions and choose some other guy?
Whats worse, Fred making a silly hat comment and we still like our candidate for what he stands for or another candidate rising in the polls after saying “I dont know much about foreign policy but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night”
What are they? HuckaFreaks? Are Mitt supporters MittMorons?
broker1 on December 21, 2007 at 3:48 PM
Yup. We of the South don’t seem to share the same disgust as our brethren from the North. But then again, we don’t have Tammany Hall.
Tennman on December 21, 2007 at 3:58 PM
Naw, Huck would never do that, it’s not like he would put a floating cross over his right shoulder or anything like that.
right2bright on December 21, 2007 at 4:01 PM
Oooh. Dang. My leg! Anybody got a towel?
Tennman on December 21, 2007 at 4:01 PM
In that spirit, I hereby propose that nobody gets compared to PaulBots except PaulBots. Because that comparison really is insulting, unfair, uncalled-for, and below-the-belt to anyone else. I mean, no one wants to get called that–revulsion for PaulBots is universal, and should unite us all in anti-PaulBot harmony.
ReubenJCogburn on December 21, 2007 at 4:02 PM
Seconded.
wccawa on December 21, 2007 at 4:08 PM
As long as we don’t have to sing Cumbaya. (OK, so I can’t spell).
P. James Moriarty on December 21, 2007 at 4:10 PM
or “We Are the World.”
KelliD on December 21, 2007 at 4:11 PM
Who are Baker and Connelly? Wait, that’s the point isn’t it. 3rd in Iowa is not good.
Spirit of 1776 on December 21, 2007 at 4:11 PM
I support Fred. I think it’s a shame he hasn’t done well in the polls, because I see no other candidate, on either side of the aisle, that’s worth a single squirt of monkey urine.
Probably I’ll therefore be staying home on election day, or casting a write-in vote for Stewie Griffin.
Centerfire on December 21, 2007 at 4:12 PM
“We don’t raise our hands when we’re told to, and we don’t wear any hats unless they’re our own.”
Pretty good metaphorical advice to conservatives. Hat’s off to ya, Fred.
RushBaby on December 21, 2007 at 4:14 PM
Aw come on, Rushbaby. The Big A says it’s pandering cornpone.
KelliD on December 21, 2007 at 4:22 PM
3rd really isn’t so bad.
4th seems to be Political Death.
Funny enough, Fred and Howard Baker have a lot in common.
wccawa on December 21, 2007 at 4:25 PM
I think there’s a Country (or possibly Western) song in there somewhere. Kinda reminds me of “Okie from Muskogee”.
ReubenJCogburn on December 21, 2007 at 4:27 PM
I wouldn’t disagree if there was a bounce coming in NH or SC.
I think you mean advice for libertarians:) Conservatives put their hats on and go into the trenches.
Spirit of 1776 on December 21, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Not as phoney as Rudy, Mitt, Huck, and McCain pretending to be real conservatives. I’m sending him a C note.
Buzzy on December 21, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Not me. I wear a hat when my hair is a mess.
FloatingRock on December 21, 2007 at 4:34 PM
That’s what campaigns are all about. Nobody remembers the stump speeches, only moments like these. It’s why you can go on YouTube and still find video of Reagan’s “I’m paying for this microphone” moment from 1980.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHve9iQymqE
If Fred somehow gets the nomination (and that’s admittedly still a very big longshot), people will look a the handraising moment as the catalyst of his campaign.
Dudley Smith on December 21, 2007 at 4:34 PM
You folks was just waitin’ for little ol’ me to show up and fixin’ to pay-ounce. Well ki-yiss mah grits.
RushBaby on December 21, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Everytime he makes a brilliant move like this… I send money.
I’m becoming poor this week… =)
msipes on December 21, 2007 at 5:09 PM
Yeah me too. Allah his timing, right before Christmas!
RushBaby on December 21, 2007 at 5:27 PM
That reminds me. Didn’t Rush Limbaugh some years ago make fun of a politician wearing one of those giant fire men’s helmet?
My memory is hazy, but I think it was Gov. Cuomo of NY.
Anyone also remember this?
Gyro on December 21, 2007 at 6:08 PM
Gyro…dunno but check this out!
RushBaby on December 21, 2007 at 6:11 PM
I’ve jus wet myself. Thanks, Fred, the $$$ are flowin’ baby.
Captain America on December 21, 2007 at 6:31 PM
Allah, can you or any of the Fred trashers here at least countenance the possibility that the “no hats but our own” was at least in part a reference to a gentlemanly throwback school of thought that said, back when men wore hats routinely, you don’t wear any hat but your own. I mean, can you at least accept the possibility, since there was a commenter a couple days ago who spelled it out for you in pretty fine detail?
Jimmie on December 21, 2007 at 6:39 PM
Heh, nice. They look like the official helmets of the Yankees baseball team.
Gyro on December 21, 2007 at 6:44 PM
East Coast elitism indeed. Allahpundit’s dislike of Fred makes me like Fred more.
I watched the video and what Allah calls “shrewd” I call polite. Fred Thompson thanks his supporters. Period. And the ending with the hat—ever hear of tongue-in-cheek?
Insulting those of us who appreciate Fred Thompson’s qualities by saying we “wet ourselves” is uncalled for. It is also elitism which is a close relation of ignorance.
Personally I am more interested in Mitt Romney with Fred a close second. I do not care what shoes Fred wears. And I sure as hell have nothing against cowboy hats. Cattle or no cattle. But if liking a man who speaks plainly and thanks his supporters means I wet myself in the eyes of a East Coaster, well, that East Coaster can ride a black tornado…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uBAiyxmag8
–Montana
Montana on December 21, 2007 at 7:06 PM
Thanks for that.
Did you see that pic Allah?
Still think Fred! made an error?
omnipotent on December 21, 2007 at 7:25 PM
Case closed, Fred is a genius.
right2bright on December 21, 2007 at 7:27 PM
Thanks for the link. Politico tried to smear Fred and some folks were not bright enough to see that. THAT is what happens when substance is relegated in importance behind soundbites.
Gatordoug on December 21, 2007 at 7:29 PM
Excellent link. That is the type of stuuf that OUGHT to be getting attention, not stupid attacks over a freaking hat!
Gatordoug on December 21, 2007 at 7:31 PM
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