Fred: Less “change,” more leadership
posted at 11:50 am on January 7, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Consider this a welcoming present for our new registrants, doubtless many of whom are ‘Heads. “Leadership” is as vapid an abstraction as “change,” although as a tonic to the “aggressively vapid” recitations of the latter in Obama’s stump speech, it works well enough. Besides, Fred’s tried the hardest among the GOP field to put meat on the bones of his policy proposals. He’s entitled to a little junk food rhetoric now and then.
All the “change” blather has put me in mind of another stirring-yet-moronic statement on the subject. You’ll find that below. If Hillary wins tomorrow and delivers this as her victory speech Tuesday night, I’ll support her unconditionally.
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CSDeven has calmed down since he found out that Mitt bought an RV, a bit more flashy then a red pick-up. Then he put all 5 kids out on the road on the dole, a bit more flashy then one kid on the role.
His two main attack points against Fred, and Mitt trumped them.
Then we have the Fred was a lobbyist decades ago, but Mitt was a non-conservative years ago…so Mitt trumped Fred on that also.
Mitt stole all of CS’s talking points by doing it even bigger. To attack Fred, you would have to destroy Mitt.
right2bright on January 7, 2008 at 1:15 PM
THE GAME IS FKng OVER!!!
I GIVE YOU THE DEATH OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
& THE soon to be DEATH OF THE NYT.
GET YER FORKS READY BOYZ n’GRYLZ…
this is the NEW millennium…& the Game ain’t worth SHT!!!
Dear Froggy! get a grip….MSM can’t touch the BLOGS!
The TRUTH….it is a fine thang…..yes?????!
GO FRED!!!
lobosan5 on January 7, 2008 at 1:17 PM
This newbie is thrilled with the opportunity to register! Full disclosure: I’m a GenX evangelical mom, and Fred! is the first candidate I’ve ever wanted to donate to (and have)…and I can’t for the life of me understand how fellow-evangelicals could ever vote for the Huckster. I find him so insulting.
I also find it ironic that the professional actor in the group is castigated for not “acting more,” and that real-time acting by some of the rest of the pack is being rewarded. I fear that the voting public doesn’t want to have to exert effort to find someone vote-worthy.
hoosiermama on January 7, 2008 at 1:20 PM
There is something about Fred’s demeanor that makes me imagine that Thomas Sowell would come across similarly if he were running. His use of the word “reality” in a way that comports with reality.
larkydozer on January 7, 2008 at 1:22 PM
California is the same way. I just got off the phone with the OC Registrar of Voters and will be changing my registration from Independent to Republican tonight, for the very same reason. First time I will have registered as a GOP, though I have always voted that way. I just don’t want the *shudder* GOP fundraising calls every night at dinner.
Ditto you. Fred is clearly the smartest man in the room, and despite being inexplicably tagged as “lazy” has given more serious thought to his positions than the other stiffs combined. Too bad most of the primary voters will vote on style and not substance. Maybe Fred should start playing the drums and get a guest spot on SNL, I’m sure his poll numbers would skyrocket at that point.
Thank you. Clearly I’m a Fredhead, but I like to think I’m a logical and well-reasoned Fredhead. I’m with Fred on the basis of positions and mature thinking rather than impassioned fancy.
steadyrock on January 7, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Fred is right, if you want change, what exactly do you want to change? This is hollow populism.
Bikerken on January 7, 2008 at 1:34 PM
You can tell a leader by the leadership roll he takes in the debates. He wouldn’t raise his hand, others raised them like trained dogs. He sits out and talks about Social Security, others dodge it. He laid out his white papers on his website long before anyone else (everyone else was polling, he was leading). Every one begs to be on Bill O’R, he will go when it benefits Fred. The rest are trained political dogs, Fred does it his way. Will it name him the nomination? maybe not, but he isn’t running around changing his positions, begging for air time. He tells journalist what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. He doesn’t put on the hats, and he isn’t afraid to say “he sometimes goes to church”. He doesn’t pander, and the sheep want a panderer…until the wolf comes. Right now, it looks like the sheep see no wolf, so they will accept whomever that “looks like a president”.
right2bright on January 7, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Thank you for opening up registration! I’ve been lurking on Hot Air for ages. Love the site! And just so everyone knows…another Fredhead has slipped in!
Linlou on January 7, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Nah- you’re the only one.
Ex-tex on January 7, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Ooo! Thompson/Sowell 08!
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Oh Yeah!
Ex-tex on January 7, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Lotsa new Fred!heads here I see…..me likey.
omnipotent on January 7, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Fredtricide(tm)!
liquidflorian on January 7, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Fred and Duncan are the ONLY ones slightly and remotely akin to true Reagan Conservatism. If anyone else wins the presidency, I am moving in with that idiot Tom Crooooooooze.
Snooper on January 7, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Check it, Fredheads and haters alike! The long awaited meeting is here. Fred to appear on The O’Reilly Factor tonight.
joewm315 on January 7, 2008 at 2:28 PM
So Fred is combative, immovable, wastes opportunities, and has an off-putting egotistical demeanor.
You may call that leadership if you wish. I call it stubborness mixed with incompetence.
BKennedy on January 7, 2008 at 2:32 PM
It sounds like Duncan might be backing out of the race, so let’s get behind Fred…I’m now down to Fred and/or Mitt…
golfer1 on January 7, 2008 at 2:40 PM
It sounds like Duncan might be backing out of the race, so let’s get behind Fred…I’m now down to Fred and/or Mitt…
golfer1 on January 7, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Like a breath of hotair, another Fredhead is in.
Yippee, I love this site, thanks for letting me join.
Just donated again to help fill up the red pickup. http://www.fred08.com
Buttercup on January 7, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I’m from S. IL and I have come to the belief that Chicago folks think anyone south of I-80 is a redneck racist.
Hendo on January 7, 2008 at 2:54 PM
First off – best Rocky of them all.
It is clear Rocky Balboa brought down the Soviet Union. Game over.
Villanova on January 7, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Romney puts in arguably the best debate performance of this campaign by anyone, and all Allah Pundit has to say about it is
I enjoy your posts, but what’s your deal? And now yet another unabashedly pro Fred thread to pander to the readers. I guess that makes sense, but I’d rather go with the spry, articulate, electable and formidable conservative candidate that doesn’t ramble half the time and have 3% support.
Patriot33 on January 7, 2008 at 3:11 PM
You read what you want to read, I would like you to show me where I said that. But then you obviously live in your world, and read what you want to read. You make a good follower of Mitt, a good sheep. If you want someone that dances when the journalists say dance, you have picked your man. If you want someone who begs to be on TV and throws millions around for votes, you picked your man. If you like pretty hair, a candidate who changes his mind every six months, you picked your man.
You have made your decision, you like a follower, not a leader, a face not substance, a promise not action…you made your choice, glad your happy with it, you deserve that kind of candidate.
right2bright on January 7, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Still boggles the mind that this guy’s trailing Slick Mitt, Juan McCain, Rudy No Guns, and The Rev. Mike Huckabee, who, when you get right down to it, especially the way he’s stooped to the old liberal standards of indentity politics and class warfare, is really nothing more than a Democrat running as a Republican.
You want a caption from those photos from the Saturday Night Hug-In? Here’s one for the shot of Silky and Huckabomb:
“Hey, Mike, need a running mate?”
Are we through the looking glass here, people!?!
SuperCool on January 7, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Was there a debate last night? Or was it a rerun of the Mitt, John, and Mike show?
ah1g on January 7, 2008 at 3:25 PM
That will be why Fred looses the nomination, but I love it when he refuses to take part in the circus. Unlike most candidates who alter the message depending on the latest catch-phrase, Fred’s positions remain steady, consistent, and logical.
Bellerophon on January 7, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Fred was finished before he even started. Didn’t Fred nominate an islamist as one of his key staffers? Didn’t Fred vote for Mccain/fool’s gold? Time to drop out Fred!
HaraldHardrada on January 7, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Amen….Finally someone on here states what I’ve been thinking.
If CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS are talking about them in the primaries, then you know they’re afraid of the other guys.
I’m voting for Fred for two reasons:
1. He talks like Reagan
2. AP doesn’t like him.
Fuzzball on January 7, 2008 at 4:20 PM
froghat on January 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Kind of sums up why Bush has 30% approval rating also.
unseen on January 7, 2008 at 4:42 PM
That will be why Fred looses the nomination, but I love it when he refuses to take part in the circus. Unlike most candidates who alter the message depending on the latest catch-phrase, Fred’s positions remain steady, consistent, and logical.
Bellerophon on January 7, 2008 at 3:33 PM
This clip was great. Truth to the American people will win.
The thing Fred has to do is show how that truth and the policies he wants is 100% different from Bush/Clinton’s. FRED is saying all the right things now he just has to get it out there. Loud and Clear.
unseen on January 7, 2008 at 4:45 PM
steadyrock on January 7, 2008 at 1:26 PM
If Fred can catch fire he will run away with the nomination. So far we have had second looks at huck, mitt and Mccain. Rudy and Fred will get their second looks also. Just hope it’s not late in the game when they do. I personally think that the nomination will be decided at the convention. Alot of deals will be made.
unseen on January 7, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Let’s go Fred!
Witherpd on January 7, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Fred gets my support, for these reasons:
1. National Security
2. 100% Pro Life Record
3. 2nd Amendment Rights
4. Immigration
5. Acually has a SS plan
6. Tax Cuts/Flat Tax
7. Explained the education problem with 3 letters, (NEA)
8. Isnt afraid to tell America the truth about SS, the War, etc.
9. Is an ardent believer of Federalism (founding principles)
10. OMGWTFBBQPWNS the MSM, and isnt afraid to do so..
11. Among other things, he really is the most consistant conservative in the race, (Hunter excluded), imo…
stlpatriot on January 7, 2008 at 5:22 PM
I am curious how rude O’Reilly will be to Fred tonite. I will watch the show but I can hardly stand to watch O’Reilly anymore. I definately turn it off when Geraldo comes on any of the FOX shows.
Bountiful on January 7, 2008 at 5:32 PM
can someone tell me what i am doing wrong. I always have the “your comment is awaiting moderation”.
Bountiful on January 7, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Honest to God for those of you that like to flame away at the ‘Heads, can you honestly say that any of the other candidates are better?
Mitt and Rudy are social liberals, McCain can’t be counted on not to cross the isle, and Huck’s in the wrong party. Fred’s the only honest conservative in the whole bunch.
lodestonejames on January 7, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Fred is by far the best candidate but he needs a little help foom the MSM (which so far has been lacking). On the other hand the Dem field is so bad and lacking in experience that it seems like the local dog catcher could win. Fred and Hunter, Fred and Bolton or Fred and Newt should be a winner. Of course, Fred and Mitt would also win. Richardson is the only Dem with the credentials to be president and he keeps making major goofs.
duff65 on January 7, 2008 at 5:36 PM
While we are talking about movies,
“Your average Russian, son, Doesn’t take adump without a plan”
Fred! to liberal douche Alec Baldwin of all people. Last Baldwin movie I ever saw.
Big Daddy Cool on January 7, 2008 at 5:49 PM
In 2007, Lou Dobbs was telling everybody to drop the Democrats and Republicans and register as an Independent. Since most of his listeners are of the Republican bent, guess who are now going to be suprised that they are not going to be able to vote in the primary election in their state? Fredalanche!©
annexwcp on January 7, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Perhaps you used a naughty word. Like L!beral, Ent!tlement, or W3lfare.
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 5:57 PM
More than a few people have observed that Fred’s manner of communicating indicates either a lack of political media savvy, or (my opinion) a deeply-held personal disdain for BSing people. Time will tell where it gets him.
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 5:59 PM
I’m starting to like Fred more and more as this process rolls on – but somebody needs to slip him some Red Bull about a half hour before the debate starts.
JC in CA on January 7, 2008 at 6:12 PM
I’ve been a Fred Head for a while now. If Fred doesn’t get the nomination… well I might as well not vote considering the alternatives.
Optimus Prime on January 7, 2008 at 6:28 PM
w00t! Fred!
Sorry, I’ve meaning to say that. That wasn’t vapid was it?
AUINSC on January 7, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Certainly not a lack of media savvy, my friend. One does not successfully navigate a 20-year career in Hollywood and not know how to play the media. Mr. Thompson just doesn’t feel it’s necessary to BS the American public, and enjoys standing out as the honest candidate who won’t shovel BS for the MSM. I believe that’s how he will govern, too. Cut the crap, get to the point, and get it done. I get giddy thinking about what his first exchange will be like with Nancy Pelosi.
Sad thing is, the gen’ral public is too busy wiping spittle from their chin to understand his strategy. I know that sounds elitist, but I believe it to be true. Most people want their information abstracted, summarized, chopped, strained, and fed to them by a better-than-average looking person with a Midland accent. There’s a reason newspapers target their stories to be written at a third grade reading level. This may be Fred’s undoing; not because he isn’t the best candidate in the field, but because his message may not get out as widely as it should. I would hate to see that happen but I understand the reality that it might.
All this begs the question: if Fred altered his campaign strategy to be slightly more media-friendly in order to win a broader appeal, would his base be good enough to understand the tactic and forgive a “kinder, gentler Fred”, or would they claim he “sold out” and turn away?
steadyrock on January 7, 2008 at 6:57 PM
“Change” is so 1992. I hated it then and I hate it now. I was 13 during that election and knew that the Clintons were pandering change for change’s sake and that it would be change in the wrong direction. Fred answered this perfectly (of course). Go Fred!
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on January 7, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Oh, and I can only imagine how annoyed Hillary must be at Obama for confiscating the Clinton buzzword of ‘92. She probably thinks she owns it, lol!
Aslans Girl on January 7, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Fred just started too late. I think Fred is in — very roughly — the same position now that Reagan was in 1976. Everyone knew who Reagan was then, and he ran a credible campaign, but there was no way the party faithful were going to drop a sitting president and pick the newcomer.
Of course, there is no annointed frontrunner this time, but we still might see the same thing happen at the end of this primary cycle that happened to Reagan in 1976, when someone else got the nomination, but after Reagan lost the nomination and gave his final speech, there were a lot of people who wondered if they hadn’t just made the wrong decision.
There’s a very good chance that we’ll look back after we settle for the candidate we think is most electable, and wish we’d held out for the one we really wanted.
tom on January 7, 2008 at 8:04 PM
*as one of Fred’s aides slips him a 5 shot espresso moments before the next debate*
Mojave Mark on January 7, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Of course he did. Fred’s an attorney and Huckabee isn’t.
eanax on January 7, 2008 at 10:46 PM
I took a while to settle on the candidate I liked. I was leaning towards Romney for a while, because Guliani was just too liberal, and McCain keeps going off on these non-conservative tangents (amnesty, campaign finance “reform” that was doomed to fail, “Gang of 14″ compromising rather than pushing for the confirmation of good judges, attacking the very same conservative Christians he would need in an election, etc.).
Huckabee briefly inspired hope. Very briefly. Of all the candidates, Fred looks by far the best. The only other one who comes close is Duncan Hunter.
Ron Paul could only be your candidate if you want someone who has stubbornly refused to learn from World War 1 and 2 that isolationism is no longer feasible. Much less learning from 9/11 that terrorists are not interested in living in peace with us.
theregoestheneighborhood on January 7, 2008 at 11:27 PM
That’s quite an inference there… Stupid would certainly apply under some cirumstances, Subvertive to our survial as a nation in others. It’s evident even on some of the posts here. You either are in line with the success of our nation or failure… half and half doesn’t cut it in the long run.
whiskeytango on January 7, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Amen Fred, amen.
Bladerunner1701 on January 8, 2008 at 1:09 AM
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