Video: Fred debuts on the Factor; Video: Fred needs money
posted at 9:18 pm on January 7, 2008 by Bryan
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The Fred has already vacated New Hampshire, where he’s likely to get beat by Ron Paul, and will skip Michigan and Nevada to make his stand in South Carolina. That’s where Huckabee is currently turning into a juggernaut. Fred has a tough battle ahead but he does have until the 19th of January (all of a fortnight) to make his case. Maybe taking up residence in South Carolina while the rest of the candidates fight out other states will turn out to be a good move, but he’ll be in the hole on delegates by the time of the primary and the world is likely to be talking about Obamania by then. Either that, or “Whatever happened to Obama?”
So tonight we find Fred on the Factor, making his first appearance there. His wife Jeri appeared on the show once before and acquitted herself well, but this is Fred. He did fine. He gets the big picture right and makes the case for himself as the only authentic and consistent conservative in the race. No flubs on Pakistan, and he injects realism into the debate over what we can and should or shouldn’t do about the instability there (hint: He doesn’t agree with Bill Richardson). And there isn’t a lot more to say. Fred’s running an unorthodox campaign, partly out of strategy and partly out of financial necessity. I’d like to see him stay in the race if only to keep tugging it to the right. In a saner world Fred would have raised $20 million in the last quarter and Ron Paul would be worried about gassing up the bus. But that isn’t the world we live in.
Update (AP): Calling all ‘Heads — dude needs some coin.
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FREDMANIA!
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Cool. I actually got it in first!
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 9:20 PM
This was a pretty good interview, as interviews go. I wonder if Bill promised not to ask any process questions.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Fred has been consistently conservative only when we’re talking about words on paper. Authoring legislation? Action? Going out on a limb? Leave it to Frist, Tancredo, and the other leaders. I’ll just be sitting on my bench eating my hoagie.
Fred: Consistently sitting out on conservate action, one senate term at a time.
He was integral in passing McCain-Feingold, though.
BKennedy on January 7, 2008 at 9:22 PM
What BS!
HotAir, pimping the old man again..
Chakra Hammer on January 7, 2008 at 9:23 PM
I thought it was a good interview too. BOR let Fred talk without too much interruption. I would have rather heard about more issues other than the Bhutto assassination, however that is an important issue.
Oink on January 7, 2008 at 9:26 PM
*Proudly stands up and declares* I am Fred Thompson!
ThePrez on January 7, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Hey fred what about being a Co-Sponsor to McCain–Feingold?
Chakra Hammer on January 7, 2008 at 9:28 PM
No smackdown of O’Reily - damn!!!
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 9:29 PM
“Huckabee is currently turning into a juggernaut”
So… that’d be a Huckanaut?
Or would it be a Juggerbee?
Scribbler on January 7, 2008 at 9:29 PM
I don’t think Thompson was in the Senate when it passed. I heard him comment on this a few weeks ago… the bill had change A LOT from the first time he saw it and what actually passed. He said he think campaign finance needs to be changed but the final bill was not what he was hoping for.
So, back off on that attack. If McCain, Huck, or JulieAnnie get it - the ads will be in Spanish !
stenwin77 on January 7, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Heh. Then get off your computer and go campaign!
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Dang. I knew this “newbie” registration thing was a bad idea.
wccawa on January 7, 2008 at 9:31 PM
By the way, tomorrow is phone banking for Fred (in SC) if you can make a few calls, they would appreciate it, I’m sure. I may try it, I’ve never done that.
stenwin77 on January 7, 2008 at 9:31 PM
What about it. Do you have the slightest clue what CFR was intended to be or why it failed?
doriangrey on January 7, 2008 at 9:32 PM
SO FRED IS A FLIP-FLOPPER THEN! HE CHANGED HIS MIND! NO MORE RINOS WHO CHANGE THEIR MINDS EVER AGAIN!
/Fredhead logic.
BKennedy on January 7, 2008 at 9:32 PM
And that is why I’m going crazy!
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I don`t know, it`s kinda late at night and had a heavy dinner……..Maybe tomorrow? lol
ThePrez on January 7, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Uh, time to re-evaluate, not rewrite history.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Dear God. I believe my time here is nearly at an end.
I have seen snark, but this is unbelievable.
/taking the night off
wccawa on January 7, 2008 at 9:33 PM
He was in office until January 3, 2003. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold) was enacted on March 22, 2002.
amerpundit on January 7, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Gee Fred backed McCain feingold take away his conservative card
Im sure there arent any question about Mitt or Huck’s Conservativism they have flawless records/ sarc
William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 9:34 PM
That man just tells it like it is.
Tell it Fred , Tell it!
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 9:35 PM
That’s a good start.. I can’t wait to see Fred debate with the dhims… He’ll decimate em’.. Let me see your WARFACE!!!!! Fredalanche!©
whiskeytango on January 7, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Sometimes Mr. O’Reilly comes across as uninformed. There has been a lot of debate about who is the most conservative and when Fred said he was Bill seemed to be surprised at the statement. Does he even know how liberal Huckabee is?
Rose on January 7, 2008 at 9:37 PM
May the Fred be with you!
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 9:38 PM
BKennedy on January 7, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Chakra Hammer on January 7, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Awww look! You found another friend! You guys should meet for lattes! :D
Good interview, although BOR’s dismissive reduction to sound bytes is always annoying. The question at the end was intriguing. Watch, people…he THOUGHT ABOUT IT. He didn’t rattle off some pre-programmed platitude. I think either possibility chilled him as much as it does us.
As for his lack of action, and abundance of talk, I’ll take an abundance of conservative talk versus action by amnesty shills, tax hikers, sanctuary city lovers, universal health care acolytes, and gun grabbers.
MadisonConservative on January 7, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Romney/Thompson is the best ticket possible.
therightwinger on January 7, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Full Metal Fred!
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 9:39 PM
‘Fredalanche’ eh?
Well… that would explain his rumpled appearance.
You sure Fred wasn’t the guy asking Hillary to iron his shirt?
Scribbler on January 7, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Dude. Conservatives protect the Constitution and the Bill or Rights. Liberals try to change it by claiming it’s ‘living’ or worse then it’s not relevant to our times and thing we need a new code. NOT Conservatives. Fred is wrong on this. I’m still hoping he shows strong in SC, but tell the truth about him.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 9:39 PM
HEY, I LIKE FRED!!!!I’m a newbie here! I love reading your inputs here.
beachkatie on January 7, 2008 at 9:40 PM
As usual you are correct. Most people don’t understand that campaign finance reform was designed to take dirty money out of the pockets of the politicians. It is high time that special interest groups quit having veto power over the will of the American people.
If I was King for a Day. I would lop off hands, for any politician it took so much as a piece of gum from a political action committee or a special interest group!
I understand that a lot of people say that it’s a breach of the freedom of speech, but limiting money from a pac or a lobbyist group is in no way a breach of the first amendment, because as far as I know special interest groups do not have inalienable rights.
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 9:40 PM
No csdeven yet? He’s slipping again.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 7, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Maybe Fred should have run against the dems first? He certainly has not done well against the reps, so I guess a dumbing down of his opponents would be a wise move for him.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Building the fence is a special interest and Pro-Lifers use pacs btw.
- The
MirCat on January 7, 2008 at 9:43 PM
I assume his propensity for talk will also serve him well with Iran, Russia, and the NoKos. Talk: It’s the new action.
I’m with Fred ‘08! It’s a Fredalanche!
BKennedy on January 7, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Yeah! AP is always proping up Fred!
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 9:45 PM
By the way…What the he11 is wrong with HA tonight? All the hamsters get the night off, it’s loading slower than molasseses running up hill in the middle of a snow storm with the wind blowing down hill…
doriangrey on January 7, 2008 at 9:45 PM
If this were the 1956 election, in a quieter, saner, slower time, when down home folksiness could cut thru the media clutter, Fred would be fine.
But in 2008, you need energy, charisma, the ability to deliver quick soundbites, and a media-friendly personna. Even though Fred is an actor, he somehow cant quite ACT LIKE HE IS A CANDIDATE.
that is why Fred is bombing despite being the one true conservative inthe race.
Always Right on January 7, 2008 at 9:45 PM
oops left out a “p”
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 9:45 PM
I get the feeling Fred’s talk is backed up with a willingness to act. Just my gut feeling.
mo_gunslinger on January 7, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Bill Clinton earns my respect, for a moment of course
jp on January 7, 2008 at 9:46 PM
What about that little 60 day rule? Or is that just misunderstood? Conservatives should HATE CFR because it favors the incumbency by stifling free speech! Who does that?! Conservatives or Liberals?
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Link
Rush asks Evangelicals to consider Fred Thompson as a real Conservative, over Mike Huckabee.
Rush says:
My question for you evangelicals is this. If you’re looking for a real conservative, why are you supporting Huckabee? He’s completely discredited himself. What about Fred Thompson? If you’re looking for a real conservative. Huckabee is constantly engaging in class warfare against the producers. This laid-off line, it’s an attack on Romney, but it’s an attack on producers. It’s an attack on employers. It’s pure populism. He does oppose school choice! You don’t get the NEA endorsement in New Hampshire by supporting school choice.
frode on January 7, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Oh look, more snark without a real point. Spirit of 77 up there just talked about preservation of the constitution. You don’t seem to have a problem losing the second part(well, only in cases of “unusual lethality”), just the first. Not like the second protects the first or anything…
MadisonConservative on January 7, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Think we crash next debate thread?
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 9:48 PM
I thought he did well on O’Reilly. Just went on Real Clear Politics and see the Huckster is leading nationally. I just don’t get it.
jewells45 on January 7, 2008 at 9:48 PM
If Fred asks her to iron his shirt, she’ll iron the shirt.
snickelfritz on January 7, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Hot on your heals!
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 9:48 PM
This guy is so good, SECOND LOOK
Can a Huckabee supporter please tell me what the heck is so appealing about him? He throws around more metaphors and cliches than a used car salesman. Fred has gravitas
FLcapitalistthug on January 7, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Bryan **Open mouth gape** Did you actually SAY THAT! **Applaudes**
Even if it was a cut towards ru paul!
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 9:49 PM
I caught this a while back, but what is this?
amerpundit on January 7, 2008 at 9:49 PM
People should realize Fred’s problem wasn’t money. His problem is he has no energy for the job and he left it to the media and his supporters to do all summer. Well, they certainly succeeded in getting him to the top of many polls, but when they handed off the baton to him, he promptly dropped it and has been stumbling around kicking all over the place since.
A Fred Thompson campaign with money is the same thing it is now. Doomed.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Actually that was a pretty good interview. BOR was not combative. He gave FDT time to answer. The questions were substative and not fluff. Looked to me like BOR had a certain amount of respect for FDT. About as good as you are going to get from the press.
maxine on January 7, 2008 at 9:50 PM
If Allah doesn’t hire a few more hamster than ya, I’d say it almost a given…
doriangrey on January 7, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Fred should be the nominee. But he didn’t run a very good campaign. He had momentum 3 months ago and lost it. He ruined New Hampshire by not thinking they were important, but his message would have resonated there if he pandered to the state even the smallest amount. He should have won Iowa hands down, but he didn’t think it was important.
What we have here is a good candidate with the positions that we need, but a terrible campaigner who doesn’t understand the national campaign. He’s a rookie at this process and did a terrible job at campaigning. It’s too bad because he’s one of the few that we could have all gotten behind (except csdeven).
ThackerAgency on January 7, 2008 at 9:51 PM
HA let all us “noobs” in, probably the reason.
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Now, now. There is no need for that.
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Bush went into office saying he would sign that bill, but even Congress didn’t want to pass it. Gun rights and the power of the NRA are on good standing right now I understand it. Even last round, the Jim Webbs of the world came in pro-gun. That doesn’t worry me that much this cycle. Maybe I’m wrong, I’d be happy to be corrected if I am missing something.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 9:51 PM
I really think Fred is gambling on a brokered convention, where he could be a concensus candidate that hasn’t made any group overly mad at him. But to get there, he has to have enough delegate himself to be a player.
As a Goldwater conservative, I’m with Fred to the end. He is correct; he is the most consistently conservative of the bunch and realizes the seriousness of the world today.
The thought of Obama ‘negotiating’ with Iran and Syria gives one shivers. Like sending an 8-year-old to negotiate in a hostage situation; downright ugly.
michaelo on January 7, 2008 at 9:53 PM
…I like the flags behind Fred…..nice touch!
jjjen on January 7, 2008 at 9:53 PM
He can still right the ship, but, admittedly, it will be very very difficult.
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 9:54 PM
I hope Fred stays in the race as well. A lot can happen in a few days… we’ll see.
Zorro on January 7, 2008 at 9:55 PM
“I am who I am”.
I like Fred.
Baraka on January 7, 2008 at 9:55 PM
He should come to the Factor more of then. Biggest audience on TV, and 6 full minutes with out retarded questions (those have probably been put to rest finally after his non-death in Iowa).
Very solid performance, and lots of sober realism instead of demagoguery and utopian nonsense all the rest are promissing as they play the media game.
AlexB on January 7, 2008 at 9:55 PM
I would bet on it!
conservnut on January 7, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Of course. The problem with Paul is that, on foreign policy, he’s not on the right at all. Fred is.
Bryan on January 7, 2008 at 9:57 PM
“Thee most important issue of the campaign”
Fred:”The secruity of this country”,Fred has it
right,and thankfully I’m not the only one
that thinks that way,remember some and not
all Liberal’s think the WOT,is a farce,and
the loon Moonbats are crazily convinced that
it’s a fear tactic by the right,and we know
it’s not,WOT is REAL!
canopfor on January 7, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Paul’s not on the right all right, he’s on the Moveon.org, Code Pink, Michael Moore left. The dems are atleast smart enough and decent enough not to go that far, but not Paul
jp on January 7, 2008 at 9:58 PM
I want to hear Michelle ask Fred a few questions for 10 or 15 minutes, it would be a very timely Vent.
Zorro on January 7, 2008 at 9:59 PM
I was wondering if lurkers read and refreshed the comments during a debate thread then the additional load wouldn’t be too much. But if they weren’t and now are going to (like smart HA users) I think it will too. Hopefully, like DG said, more hampsters. Going to be harder to follow a debate and a thread at the same time, but should be fun barring trolls.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 10:00 PM
We offered and the offer still stands.
Bryan on January 7, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Michelle would be tough, she don’t think much of old Fredo.
But I think he could handle her. It would be interesting to watch.
conservnut on January 7, 2008 at 10:01 PM
That would be a great idea. Her audience is not that small either. Maybe she can catch him on the road for 15 minutes.
AlexB on January 7, 2008 at 10:01 PM
I don’t care how good or how bad the issue, as a politician should be beholding to only one thing, that is his individual constituents.
Every lobbyists and special interest group has fixed in their mind that their cause is good for America.
And by the way, building a fence is not special interest is the only interest.
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Sadly, it seems that he has had the misfortune of running against mostly dems in his party’s primary. And it seems the dumbing down occurred in the Luntz focus groups and has been contagious to the Republican early state voters.
MoCoM on January 7, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Life of Bryan reaffirmed!
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 10:03 PM
If you want to engage in wishful thinking go right ahead. Fred’s been on a steady decline since he announced just like I said he would way back in April. THAT is why I haven’t been on the Fred bandwagon. BUT, I have always said I will vote for him if he were the nominee. But I don’t spend my time fawning over a guy that has had little chance to get nominated. I told you guys months ago his campaign seemed to be being run by someone in their 40’s who is just old enough to think they have it all figured out, but too young to realize they do not.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 10:03 PM
BLOG DEBATES! BLOG DEBATES!
- The Cat
MirCat on January 7, 2008 at 10:04 PM
And now it’s a bumper sticker :P
MirCat on January 7, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Well just today the site is real slow. And the last time I looked open registration was still open. When I got signed up last year I think it was only open for a few hours.
You may be right though. If all these folks were refreshing to stay on top of the comments (and why wouldn’t they want to read what a bunch of drunks tried to write) then there might not be much differance.
conservnut on January 7, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Romney got a worse grade from the NRA than his democratic opponent in Massechusetts.
Giuliani? Heh.
McCain and Huckabee are actually good on gun rights, if you like people who value illegal immigrants more than American citizens.
Only Hunter, Paul, and Thompson are steadfast on the second amendment. Hunter, sadly, won’t make it. Paul? Do you have to ask? With the current issue before the SCOTUS, more critical gun issues will come up. New England gun haters aren’t going to secure our rights to hold our government accountable.
MadisonConservative on January 7, 2008 at 10:06 PM
it’s all good cs LOL. Just checking to see if you were paying attention.
ThackerAgency on January 7, 2008 at 10:06 PM
That would be awesome. I think Michelle and Fred would see eye to eye on 99.99% of the issues.
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 10:06 PM
BOR seemed to be behaving very well here. What gives?
redneck hippie on January 7, 2008 at 10:07 PM
No need for what? Does anyone really think Fred is going to resurrect his campaign from where it is now? What evidence do we have that Fred can do in 2 weeks what he hasn’t been able to do in 4 months? Since Fred has had to run his own campaign, he has lost most of the support you guys got for him during the summer. I’m sorry if that hurts, but it is the truth.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Has Michelle ever blogged about her feelings for Fred?
[It has just occured to me that the above sentence sounds dirty.]
Has Michelle ever blogged about her philosophical disposition as re Fred’s political ambitions?
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Straight question. Aside from SCOTUS, do you think the next President will have the opportunity and votes to move toward restrictions on the 2nd?
Evidence of the day would indicate you are right. It has been slower today.
Spirit of 1776 on January 7, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Think we crash next debate thread?
Spirit of 1776 on January 7,2008 at 9:48PM.
I would bet on it!
Conservnut on January 7,2008 at 9:57PM.
Oh baby,let it be said,it shall be written,hehe
canopfor on January 7, 2008 at 10:10 PM
His efforts in SC will change that, I think. And the longer he stays in this, slogging it out, the less the “fire in the belly” criticism will stick. And since that has been his main perception hurdle, if that goes by the way side, then I think he really does have a shot.
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 10:11 PM
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Seen and not heard.
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Mac’s campaign was practically bankrupt a few months ago, and he came back (as I thought he would).
Things can change pretty quickly. Look at H.Clinton’s situation. Wasn’t she being crowned as Madam POTUS only 2 weeks ago?
AlexB on January 7, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Even if that were so Mitt’s not picking them up. Most that have dropped from Fred have moved to Huck. And as for the Huck Poll, the Homers were staying home to begin with.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 7, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Then explain his dismal performances.
csdeven on January 7, 2008 at 10:12 PM
I think there is a reason why there are so many Fred acolytes here, most of us showed up because we like Michelle Malkin’s positions. I think those positions would very much reflect Fred Thompson’s.
There is no doubt in my mind that they are simpatico on the issues of the day.
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Totally agree with your there Bryan, ru paul can’t get much if anything right concerning Foreign Policy or the age of the Nation for that matter.
Nice to meet you BTW!
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 10:13 PM
If the media had made Fred Thompson and its darling like it has done Huckabee and John McCain Fred Thompson would be polling. 90%
TheSitRep on January 7, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Actually, I finally settled on Fred! last week after a long period of being sure then not sure.
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Oh God, please let Fred win.
I want so badly for the Hilda-beast to win so I can watch Fred make her his B*+€# in a debate and reduce her to tears. Heck, I think he would reduce any of the dems to tears in a debate.
RobertInAustin on January 7, 2008 at 10:14 PM
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