Fred: Less “change,” more leadership
posted at 11:50 am on January 7, 2008 by Allahpundit
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.
Blowback
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Fred said change less than any other candidate up there during his statement, which means he wins.
Eight years. Beotch.
MadisonConservative on January 7, 2008 at 11:52 AM
opps…..wrong thread….
Lizard minion voted!
….so much for too little -belly-fire’.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=28512_Fox_GOP_Forum_Poll&only
lobosan5 on January 7, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Fredalanche™!
NoFanofLibs on January 7, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Is it just me, or does anybody else here get lost when Fred talks? He just seems to ramble on without making any concise points about anything. I find it hard to listen to him talk for more than 15 seconds.
Also, does anybody here really think Fred is a guy that could sway moderates to vote for him in a general election against Obama? I don’t think so.
OKCubsFan on January 7, 2008 at 11:55 AM
As far as I can tell Fred has one of the better chances of being a great choice for VP. A combo of the change/leadership package is attractive.
Romney is too far gone to make the VP slot, but I support him as a viable candidate due to his smarts and poise. He is by far the most articulate candidate. His brilliance is rhetoric will hopefully go farther than Obama’s smile.
Good luck Mitt.
byvirtue on January 7, 2008 at 11:55 AM
right said Fred… I wish that his logic was contagious. But then again what would we have to complain/blog about..
whiskeytango on January 7, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Fred is too much man for the media.
He is pragmatic.
He ain’t gonna promise some unrealistic bullsh|t policy.
Fredalanche!©
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Slightly OT – but related to Super Tuesday:
In Arizona, only registered dhimmicrats and Republicans will be allowed to vote. Independents and others are locked out. If you want to vote in the Primary, you must register as a dhimmicrat or Republican by midnight TONIGHT (Jan. 7, 2008).
I just changed mine from Independent to Republican, so I can vote against McCain (and for Fred! of course :D).
Timothy S. Carlson on January 7, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I wouldn’t mind seeing Fred box.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM
The problem with Fred is he doesn’t play the game. Not on the stump, not with the media. No one is gonna vote for you if you have anti-social tendencies on the stump and start yelling at media people. Look at all the crap Bush has taken over the years. How many times has he lashed out at the media? Very little if at all.
froghat on January 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM
And that’s how Sly single-handedly won the cold war. Oh yeah, Superman helped.
askheaves on January 7, 2008 at 11:59 AM
If you know the U.S. constitution then you know Fred. That is all he is about.
Fredalanche!©
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Fred–
You are too much of an adult for this electorate.
The stupid mob will pick our next president. God help us!
woodswalking1 on January 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Allah, how in the world do you come up with these clips? You must have a hard drive in your brain.
SouthernDem on January 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I love how Fred schooled Huck on Habeas Corpus vis-a-vis keeping terrorists at Guantonimo vs. Levenworth.
MechEng5by5 on January 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Just about gave me a heart attack. LOL
RushBaby on January 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Fred’s problem is that he still talks a bit too mch like a lawyer and less like an actor.
Also he comes across tough but also a bit abrasive. If he would be a bit less serious and a bit more able to give off a vibe of empathy he’d do better.
Thats how Huck is doing so well. It isnt his postions as much as some get the “He cares about us” feeling on him
William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 12:01 PM
The reason we on the internet like Fred is the same reason nobody out in the real world does – because he’s not a politician.
World B. Free on January 7, 2008 at 12:01 PM
SECOND LOOK AT THE WAY YOUS FEEL ABOUT HILLARY!!!
nailinmyeye on January 7, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Bless your soul!
You can send him some money at http://www.fred08.com
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Obama might be the perfect guy to have deliver the pep talk in the locker room at halftime, but I don’t want him calling the plays on the field. This ‘change’ meme with nothing solid behind it simply makes him the candidate from Hallmark.
snickelfritz on January 7, 2008 at 12:03 PM
In other words, his voice is softer, he uses a more endearing tone, and he mentions children and puppies and love more often. In case you didn’t hear, he was a pastor.
MadisonConservative on January 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM
No. The problem with Fred is he looks and at times, sounds ill. You give the country a healthy and vibrant Fred and he’d be running away with it.
TheBigOldDog on January 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Right while many of is see it for the pandering it is there are some who are behind the curve and like it.
William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Gomer Huckleberry has Chuckie …
Fred Thompson needs Sylv….. wait, Fred don’t need no stinkin body guard !!!
stenwin77 on January 7, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Well, that’s…hmm. Don’t Ron Paul supporters say the same thing about their guy? So I think more details (such as interpretations) are needed.
amerpundit on January 7, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Oh, there’s no SECOND LOOK for me on Hillary, I’m pretty set on my opinion of Hill.
-the artist formerly known as Bad Candy
doubleplusundead on January 7, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, Fred is great. He is clear-thinking, straight-forward and he’s right on the issues, but sheesh a little more charisma could be in order and it might pick him up some votes. He always seems kind of..I dunno…”blah”? And sometimes miffed at this whole campaign process. Remember, you have to campaign to become the President. If you could give him a Reagan personality to go with his intellect, we’d have a LOT more Fredheads out there.
mattyj86 on January 7, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Ok, here is my message for Fred and all his new Fredheads:
If you wanna speiel about LEADAH-SHIP Fred, then grab the friggin conservative baton that was handed to you last spring, and get off your butt and SHOW some campaign leadership and energy and moxie and RUN WITH THE BATON
instead of sitting back like you’d rather be spoutin’ aphorisms on a rocking chair on someone’s back porch while smoking a cigar.
You wanna talk LEADERSHIP, then Walk the Walk and show us something in this campaign, coz time is running out and you aint shown us NOTHING as a campaigner.
PS: I love Fred’s ideas and his wisdom, but he’s gotta spit or get off the pot as they say.
Always Right on January 7, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Fred has the best points, and the candidate I would most like to see as President, but seems lethargic when expressing himself. I understand he is speaking with gravitas but you gotta kiss some babies and talk nice to some people here and there unfortunately. I don’t know how many Independents he could sway.
We need to combat the huge buzz Obama has created and as good as a candidate Fred is, the MSM and
prokaryotesnon-blogging Americans will not take to Fred kindly.FLcapitalistthug on January 7, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Aww. Do you need a hug?
mattyj86 on January 7, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Fred! is inevitable. Resistance is futile. Prepare to be assimilated.
mcrabben7 on January 7, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Again Fred certainly talks the talk. But I have to agree that it’s real easy to wander off when listening to him. I don’t know if that is from my lack of interest or because he causes that lack of interest.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:09 PM
sorry, disagree 100%.
There are a LOT of Americans who dislike what the media has become… all snark and no news… all Britney and no FACTS.
When a news program can get away with interviewing OTHER REPORTERS and calling it news???
Freds! calling out the media for their missteps could actualy get him a lot of support.
Romeo13 on January 7, 2008 at 12:09 PM
SECOND LOOK AT CHANGERSHIP!!!
wccawa on January 7, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Dont hug me bro !
William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 12:10 PM
If I can’t have Thompson/______ ’08, I’ll take Romney/Thompson.
Hannibal Smith on January 7, 2008 at 12:10 PM
So everyone who doesn’t vote for Fred is stupid?
I don’t think you really mean that do you?
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:10 PM
SECOND LOOK AT ALLAH!!
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Fred is a leader, and most bleeping sheep resent the shepherd, the border collie that protects them, and leads them.
Fred brought up Social Security, think, the baby boomers (me) are retiring at an unbelievable rate…but he is the only one to even mention it.
One thing he is wrong at, it apparently is important to be an expert in “change”. Mitt has changed his mind on every major political stand in the past 18 months, and he is ahead of Fred in the polls. So I guess change (and pretty hair) are the standard in this political season.
And for those who think Fred looks tired, save the RAH RAh for the Mary Kay conventions. We don’t need a cheerleader, we need a leader.
right2bright on January 7, 2008 at 12:11 PM
hahaha
I said this last night but I’ll say it again…
Huck: Habeas whobee-whatee?
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:12 PM
The translation that the Russian guy is providing is wrong. I suppose it was done on purpose… but why?
Stalone said (paraphrasing): “2 guys trying to kill each other is better than 20 million doing that”.
Russian translator said “change is better than $20 million dollars”.
AlexB on January 7, 2008 at 12:12 PM
AllahPundit,
Leadership is an abstract concept? Perhaps, if one doesn’t qualify or describe it. But, Thompson does describe what he means by it. Telling the truth, having the courage to do that. Thus, not abstract, not vapid. For you to say otherwise seems disingenuous.
Matthew
mdallman on January 7, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Welcome new Hotair brothers and sisters. Enjoy our litle community.
Theworldisnotenough on January 7, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Stallone for DHS Chief under Thompson.
Takers?
FLcapitalistthug on January 7, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Fred would go farther if he played the game, but then he would not be Fred. He is good on policy, good at speaking, but its all pointless if you can not get your message out.
It’s fairly obvious that he detests the media, as does most of the country, and they dislike him. However, the sad fact is that you have to go through them to get your message out in this day and age.
Nashoa on January 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Heh…when I caught this part during the debate last night, I wondered briefly — very briefly — if someone on Fred’s staff was reading my puny blog.
flipflop on January 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM
To an extent, you need both. Reagan raised the nation’s optimism, spirits, and patriotism. He stayed active, cracked jokes, and was lively. Look who’s leading the pack: Obama and Huck. I doubt it’s because of their policies.
amerpundit on January 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Yeah, I thought about that too. But Fred and his supporters aren’t whackos like Ron and his Ronulans.
Fred is just a Reaganist.
and with that I say “Fredalanche!©“
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I can’t believe it, but given every other candidate being a lightweight when it comes to outline specific policy (with the exception of maybe rudy) i have converted, and alas, become a fredhead.
ernesto on January 7, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Ok, sorry I have to call you on this – using a clip from Rocky IV, possibly the worst of the Rocky’s (and that’s really saying something) is a very serious blog-foul.
Ugh, I need a shower now …
/s
thirteen28 on January 7, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Just a slight correction…..he still is a pastor because is running as such.
One thing about pastors….they have willing audiences. They are very open to what he says, and they suspend the questions they normally would have for anyone else. This is why Huck works in Iowa and not in NH.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:17 PM
“Leadership” is a vapid abstraction, sure, but he fleshed it out well enough. He definitely got a nod of approval from me for his call for more honesty in our government. Would be welcome, after 7 years of Bush’s secrecy and dishonesty. But change shouldn’t be brushed under the carpet either, as long as it’s changing the things that are bankrupting our nation and corrupting our freedoms. I’d like to burn the IRS, Medicare and Social Security to the ground. Those would be welcome changes.
Related: when someone self-labels as “progressive” I give them a look of faux confusion and ask “progress towards what?” What follows can only be described as socialist gymnastics. I should probably do the same for conservatives. “What are you conserving?”
Mark Jaquith on January 7, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Fred is just a Reaganist!©.
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 12:17 PM
“Time for Change” has been a slogan used by politicians since Moses was a boy. I can imagine Julius Caesar using it when he ran for Tribune or whatever.
infidel65 on January 7, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I hadn’t been to Russia three times back when I saw that movie, but the interpreter (at least it sounds that way to me) translated “20 million” into “20 million dollars.”
rivlax on January 7, 2008 at 12:18 PM
not too long ago, people were waxing for a non-politician presidential candidate. well, fred is about as close as we’ll come to that.
knowledgeable of the process, outside enough to see all the BS.
let’s donate today and vote for this no-BS candidate.
jimmer on January 7, 2008 at 12:18 PM
So how does running on a message of “leadership” help Thompson if that’s the case? Honestly, folks, the “America is too stupid for teh Fred!” rhetoric is not an attractive or effective talking point.
Slublog on January 7, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Fredmentumlancheinfinity™ !
larkydozer on January 7, 2008 at 12:19 PM
The lazy campaigner nonsense the media and Fred haters put out sure has suckered a lot of you.
Jeez, this guy says all the right things, has more gravitas than Dick Cheney, and is about as conservative as you can get. Supporting him makes so much more sense than not.
Hendo on January 7, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Fred is a leader about as much as he is a principal, a naval commander, and a DA: He plays one on TV.
Fred has never authored any conservative legislation, and the only flag he was willing to fight under was McCain-Feingold.
Yeah, Fred is synonymous with the Constitution, right. Tell yourself whatever you need to in order to soften the blow for when the uninspiring sideline conservative cheerleader, who as of yet has only seriously contended with the media, loses it all. Fred has policy positions fitting a noble St. Bernard but has all the experience and application of those principles of a yipping Chihuahua. He’s all bark and no bite.
BKennedy on January 7, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I would vote for Fred easily. Second only to Paul. In my view, the greatest challenge our nation faces is our irresponsible spending and monetary policy. Fred appears to understand the problem well.
BlackCapitalist on January 7, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I like that Fred feeds us no BS. Fred lays it out for us and either you like what he says or you don’t, but he is not trying to feed you a line at least.
Huckabee didn’t even know how to respond to Fred a few times at last night’s debate. I think Huck had the same problem with Romney though too.
kerrhome on January 7, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Only to frustrated beta males…
elgeneralisimo on January 7, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Fred has never led at anything. He talks it but has no experience doing so. So in Fred’s case, leadership is abstract.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Steel cage death matches between FredHeads and infidels, Round One…
FLcapitalistthug on January 7, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I would like to welcome all the new registrants. Just to help you out. The lead Fredhead on this site is csdeven. Everything he says about Fred! is gospel.
Bill C on January 7, 2008 at 12:23 PM
8 years as a senator. Years and years as a lobbyist and a total Washington insider. Outside enough?
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I wanted to post this in the registration thread but could not figure out how to do it. Newbies, huh?
I’ve been a huge fan of MM, Allah, Bryan and the regular posters for ages now. I hope I post with the kind of respect all of you deserve! That said – Go Fred!!
Positively 4th Street on January 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Smart of Fred, you cant change something the people or congress don’t want changed! (Or are scared to change!)
efears on January 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Nope. I tap out at the drop of a hat.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Actually I like the seriousness in his voice, but have seen the down to earth personality in him too when he talks to the people and media. He don’t seem to put himself up on a pedestal and look down on the people as far too many politicians do these days.
Being a leader is more important, because being a good leader change will come regardless.
If Fred starts talking too many issues such as most of the other lot do, by jumping in one ring then another and another just to get votes, he loses my vote… We dont need another candidate/president who is dipping his hand in everyones pocket where we don’t even have a two party system anymore but one huge party that panders to each other.
ThinkingForMyself on January 7, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Only moderns would suppose that ‘change’ is a virtuous concept. Change usually is for the worse, “Change and decay,/ In all around I see. / Oh Thou who changest not, / Abide with me.” sums up the received view of the ages prior to our own, and is profoundly true. Of course the moderns will hold their hands to their ears and shout invectives toward the profundities of the ages, the better not to hear and acknowledge what any child knows is true.
A bit of leadership — in its proper context — is a welcome thing here in the American nursery of the deconstructed moderns.
Scribbler on January 7, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Welcome to the club. Fred’s support has steadily declined since the day he announced.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:29 PM
heh, dirty man just dirty
conservnut on January 7, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I like Fred, but not as president. He could get railroaded to easy by clever pundits.
saiga on January 7, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Oh sh!t, one of my co-workers just stopped by my desk at lunch and handed me a Ron Paul flyer… so I had to zip over here as quickly as possible for the antidote. Thank Hot Air for having Fred awaiting me.
saint kansas on January 7, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I’ve been dying to join in the fun for ages. It’s like being locked out, looking through the window, while everyone else is partying.
Thanks for letting me in.
infidel65 on January 7, 2008 at 12:34 PM
BC…You are so cruel.
I’m new, but not that new.
Just wondering, has Fred ever played a role, or said anything in his acting career, that may/could be used against him in the future. (Like Rudy dressed in drag.)
AverageJoe on January 7, 2008 at 12:34 PM
We noobs may drive csdeven back to his old obsessive-compulsive-Fred-bashing ways.
Yeah, I’ve hung out here long enough to notice a change.
Hendo on January 7, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Then the masses get the government that they deserve. If they prefer soft-spoken bulls**t to straight talk about what is actually happening in this country, then they are entitled to be treated like sheep.
MadisonConservative on January 7, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Yeah, he played a character on an episode of Roseanne that was interested in her.
Not as bad as if it were Rosie O’Donnell, but still…
MadisonConservative on January 7, 2008 at 12:36 PM
P.S. I’m not a Reaganist!©, but I am gay for Reagan!
/matthews
saint kansas on January 7, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Michelle is Awesome AND I am thrilled to be included in the wonderful world of Hot Air! Back to topic…Did it ever occur to anyone that the only reason Fred seems lazy is because the msm NEVER covers anything he does? I watched the forum last night and Fred and Rudy were consistantly brushed off by Wallace. He concentrated on stirring things up between Huckabee, Romney and McCain. If you check into the records of the candidates the only one who has nothing to hide is Fred! I say a prayer every day that he is the candidate. He is NEEDED NOW! Again, I’m thrilled to be here.
Proudvet on January 7, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Who would RWR choose?
btw, Duncan Hunter has a Major announcement scheduled today
stlpatriot on January 7, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Fred rox (test post)
billhedrick on January 7, 2008 at 12:41 PM
AP never learns.
His shovel keeps digging.
Montana on January 7, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Proudvet on January 7, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Fred and Rudy were consistantly brushed off by Wallace
Wallace even admitted it when asked by brit
stlpatriot on January 7, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Well, only if you mean this Superman.
- The Cat
P.S. Someone should do this for the U.S. debates.
MirCat on January 7, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I’m sure that left a mark. Good thing in real life he did MUCH better.
AverageJoe on January 7, 2008 at 12:45 PM
It isn’t fun anymore. The exploding heads of the Fredheads make it tough for anyone to carry on a decent conversation. Many are still in stage one of the kubler-ross model.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Thanks a lot Allah. Now I have visions of Hillary doing squats in the snow with a log on her back. ::shudder::
Mallard T. Drake on January 7, 2008 at 12:50 PM
If Fred is lazy, was Tancredo also? What about Hunter? Hunter gets less MSM coverage. Does that equal more lazy than Fred?
geckomon on January 7, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Fred is the last hope for the conservative movement in this country.
Love him or not, he is the only candidate in the republican camp that has any idea what a real conservative is.
The rest are all RINO sellouts, and that includes John “Amnesty” McLame and Mike “Tax them till it hurts” Huckabee.
The republicans must stop allowing the lying liberal MSM to select their candidates.
Dave R. on January 7, 2008 at 12:54 PM
While there is a link between psychiatry and pipe smoking, crack pipes don’t count.
FloatingRock on January 7, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I’ve noticed that as well. McCain gets 4th in Iowa, and it’s like the 2nd coming, while Fred! is finished with MORE votes after already being written off.
I am convinced the Democrats and the Media (wait, that’s redundant!) do NOT want to run anyone against Fred! The Media silence is deafening….
JamesLee on January 7, 2008 at 12:55 PM
We’ve all noticed a kinder, gentler CSD since he returned from his “vacation” from HA. I think this is due to a new found respect CSD has developed for the legitimacy of Fred!’s candidacy. ;-)
Mallard T. Drake on January 7, 2008 at 12:56 PM
He supports Fred!
ScottG on January 7, 2008 at 12:59 PM
There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
The most change you can have without being able to make change for a dollar is $1.19:
3 quarters, 4 dimes and 4 pennies.
Brat on January 7, 2008 at 1:04 PM
I think he played a redneck racist or that might just be what pops into my head when he speaks because I am from Chicago.
Bill C on January 7, 2008 at 1:04 PM
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