A conference call with Fred Thompson
posted at 3:25 pm on January 10, 2008 by Bryan
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Be jealous, Fred Heads. I was just on a call with the man himself. I couldn’t get a question in edgewise with all the other bloggers who were on the call, but the sense I got from Fred is that he expects to use tonight’s debate to change the race in South Carolina. So expect the same Fred we saw last weekend, but more of him. He did seem eager to mix it up with the other candidates, describing the race for the GOP nomination as a race to decide the direction of the party and whether it will remain conservative or move in a more “populist” direction.
The best question came near the end, when RealClearPolitics’ Tom Bevan asked Thompson whether his current standing in the polls were the result of a late start. After observing that being in early hasn’t helped either Giuliani or Romney very much, he declined to speculate. The evidence I know of, both direct and observational, suggests that the problem hasn’t been a late start but a lack of organization and opportunistic acceptance of offered support once he did get started. It’s also debatable whether starting early hasn’t helped Romney, since he was a mostly unknown figure a year ago and now leads the delegate count. But starting early doesn’t seem to have helped Giuliani. I would add that those organization issues seem to be corrected now.
If there was a theme to the conference call, it was that Fred will be Fred and let the voters decide if that’s enough. But it’s probably stretching it to find a theme. Here’s Dan Riehl’s take on the conference call.
Fred will be on Hannity later this afternoon at 3:15 Eastern before heading out for tonight’s debate. South Carolina is a natural state for Thompson to do well in and even win.
Of course, we’ll have an open thread and debate highlights tonight.
Update: I forgot to mention something that Dan reminds me of — Fred has a big conservative endorsement announcement coming tomorrow. Speculate away!
Update: I thought that had to be Frank asking about Bruce Lee. By the way, Jim Geraghty has a transcript of the call. Ed Morrissey was also on the call.
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I know it aint NAMBLA.
TheSitRep on January 10, 2008 at 7:31 PM
you are a sic man lol
jerrytbg on January 10, 2008 at 7:35 PM
or woman
jerrytbg on January 10, 2008 at 7:36 PM
In all honesty Fred’s style has been this:
-Unfailingly refer to his “consistent conservative” message thus making himself the only such candidate in the field of liberals and flip-floppers.
-Detailed policy statements, by far superior from the standard conservative standpoint to anything “the competition” has put out.
-Let it all hang out: nothing artificial.
-Irritated by any conversations about process.
-Treating the media as irrelevant: they like to build the candidate up and then tear him down, so why give them that chance? Not showing up on multiple TV and conservative radio shows that would’ve loved to have him.
-A few inexplicably short campaign appearance to adoring crowds that only left them in a confused state.
Obviously there is a lot more, but basically he is the no-nonsense guy and the rest are yo-yos.
I’m not sure that he anticipated the Huck phenomenon at all. I’m also not sure that he has come to terms with the what has to be treated as fact now: he is perceived by many friendly people as (a) old (b) disengaged. The reason all the well-known “lazy/tired/no fire in the belly/doesn’t want the job” stuff resonates it’s because people see what they see on TV, although not at all in person.
My point is that if he chose not to be “pure” and played the role of a strong, passionate, somewhat angry (about the direction of the country) but otherwise talkative and approachable, fully-engaged character in a few debate/TV appearance he would surge ten points in a couple of days because the electorate is so desperate for a conservative choice that can win. I think that’s what he needs to do for the good of the country.
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Well done, Grasshopper.
NemoParticularis on January 10, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Fred living inside the beltway trying to play the “outisder”
What a joke!
Chakra Hammer on January 10, 2008 at 7:43 PM
outsider even..
Chakra Hammer on January 10, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Exactamondo!
Fredalanche©
TheSitRep on January 10, 2008 at 7:44 PM
No one is interested in your sexual staying power, Chris.
NemoParticularis on January 10, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Somebody else gets it too!
steadyrock on January 10, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Does the NRA do endorsements in primary campaigns?
edgehead on January 10, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Lobbyist for Fred!
Putting Lawsuits and Pork back INTO WASHINGTON!
Because We don’t have enough lawsuits and Pork!
Chakra Hammer on January 10, 2008 at 7:57 PM
My point is that if he chose not to be “pure” and played the role of a strong, passionate, somewhat angry (about the direction of the country) but otherwise talkative and approachable, fully-engaged character in a few debate/TV appearance he would surge ten points in a couple of days because the electorate is so desperate for a conservative choice that can win. I think that’s what he needs to do for the good of the country.
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 7:42 PM
begining to end not mutually exclusive! true? I mean, from what I’ve seen he only has to come up a notch or two, in the proper forum, with SC right there, right new endorsment,bam… with timing… SC could be a blowout.
jerrytbg on January 10, 2008 at 8:01 PM
That’s just ridiculous. He earned $1 mil in 20 years. You do the math, that’s some major champion of government waste there! And what’s wrong with lobbying on behalf of clients? Is it against “the rules”?
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 8:02 PM
You’re trying to live up to CSDeven’s standard, and you’re failing miserably.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 8:04 PM
What you said is true, and yet we have this quote from him today:
“If it [his campaign] is too laid back for folks, then it’s too laid back for folks,” Thompson said, adding, “I stand or fall on the basis of who I am and what I believe.”
He’s also indicated that he’ll pounce on Huck in the debate, I would interpret more than in the past, so I guess he wants to change SOMETHING.
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 8:07 PM
I would be very surprised if the NRA endorsed during the primary. They usual don’t take that kind of risk with candidates who don’t have things locked up.
I would love it if they endorsed Fred!
By the way, this page 2, page 3 crap is freaking me out Man!
mad saint jack on January 10, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Bryan,
Thanks for participating in the conference call and sharing it with all of us.
Next time, take a bigger pry-bar to the party, then maybe you can get that word in. Lol.
I Hope Fred really shines tonight, because if he doesn’t, it might be all over for him, as well as for the conservative movement. Seven-plus years of GWB has all but killed it.
As for that rumored endorsement, let’s all hope it is nothing less than Ronald Wilson Reagan rising from the grave himself, as now that Mr. Hunter has left, Fred is our last hope.
I’ll be praying hard for Fred tonight. Hope you all will be, as well.
We are literally standing at the proverbial fork in the road as a nation. If the wrong fork is chosen, there will be no going back. As free republics have historically lasted only about two-hundred years, we, as a free nation, are living on borrowed time as it is.
GO FRED!
Dave R. on January 10, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 8:07 PM
well,we certainly don’t want him ranting on and on. What struck me when he was lecturing Rudy on what amnesty IS, Rudy just capitulated…stopped mid sentence.. thats what I’m talking about… making them stop and listen. That’s what he needs to do. Then the voters will see just how good a leader he’ll be…or maybe I’m just ranting…it’s been a long day and I’m out of here. take care
jerrytbg on January 10, 2008 at 8:28 PM
He also needs to not stare into space when the camera isn’t on him, because it will catch him unexpectedly. He needs to interrupt, be rebellious, destroy Huck like an insect and basically put on a mask that least resembles a stoic Budhist priest on his death bed.
Take care!
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Fred’s poker face will actually help him win the reality campaign game. I like his charisma that way. Tough guy to beat when it comes to issues and true debate etiquette. Mitt has the rudely annoying habit of playing teacher’s pet with air-time, incessantly interrupting but never allowing himself to be interrupted or complete his thought within the “alotted” time, AS THOUGH he paid for the airtime himself.
maverick muse on January 10, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Many people find Fred’s demeanor attractive. He was obviously chased by much younger women when he was not that young. I personally don’t even truly “see” what he looks like when I listen to him unless I’m consciously trying to evaluate his “performance”. His slow and deliberate speaking style attracts many in the south. And indeed Mitt’s plastic appearance is the biggest part of his impending downfall. All that being said, the following is true:
-Huck, who I find shifty-looking, besides being a panderer and a lier, resonates like crazy with a large number of people.
-McCain who was given up for dead because of his amnesty support and who constantly giggles when caught in his deceptions also resonates as if he was Napoleon on military matters. I’ve heard comments from many people that to them he appears younger than Fred.
-I’ve recently heard jokes from people who support him, on conservative radio, that he looks older than several dead people.
-I’ve seen a “rebellion” in the last couple of hours on some blogs, posting messages similar to my original long one here today that they “demand” for Fred to appear more active and engaged or they will abandon him.
I’m out of crystal balls, I can only hope he can find it within him to act a part his supporters want him to play.
Igor R. on January 10, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Ooooh… jab at Romney on the job growth. Easy, Chris.
Mark V. on January 10, 2008 at 9:05 PM
Rudy sounds good on tax cuts.
sonnyspats1 on January 10, 2008 at 9:14 PM
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