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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Wasn’t he ahead in SC before the Huck bump?
bnelson44 on January 10, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Here’s hoping.
Spirit of 1776 on January 10, 2008 at 3:28 PM
This is great, Bryan. Could you please post a picture of your ear…the one you used to listen to the call?
/feeling nutty today
RushBaby on January 10, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Yay! I was on the conference call too and got to talk to Fred! I told him to steam roll the others in the debate tonight. Several got a chuckle. :)
Jay on January 10, 2008 at 3:30 PM
As newbie and Fredhead and an Evangelical who can’t stomach the thought of a Huckster run I sure hope he gets more traction tonight.
melachiro on January 10, 2008 at 3:32 PM
They said that Major General George Thomas was slow to act! Then he held off Bragg at Chickamauga, defeated him at Missionary Ridge and kicked Hood’s butt at Nashville causing Lee to give up all hope, effectively ending the War of Northern Aggression a few months later! Go get’em SlowFred!!!!!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on January 10, 2008 at 3:34 PM
What? Where’s your killer instinct, man??
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Thompson’s performance in tonite’s debate will be a stellar one and will sound the note upon which his campaign will move into higher gear in South Carolina.
Nemo’s prediction: In spite of naysaying from the Elite Punditocracy and the Drive-By Media, Thompson will take South Carolina handily. At that point, the momentum will slowly but inexorably begin to shift in his favor, particularly as the front runners mangle each other.
NemoParticularis on January 10, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I read on another blog that someone from the campaign said before the meat of the conference call got underway that the Fred campaign expected to announce a “big, big conservative endorcement tomorrow”. Did you hear that while you were there?
P. James Moriarty on January 10, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Newt?
Keljeck on January 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Chris Wallace will probably only give Fred 5 minutes of talking time though. Fredmania is over!
froghat on January 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I’m thinking this may have been his thinking all along. Let the others peak early then when they are all bloodied up from the early fights in the liberal senseless states, move in for the kill.
May work.
Hope so.
stenwin77 on January 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Well, let’s hope the awakening is finally happening for Fred. He definitely needs to show us that he really wants this….
Charger73 on January 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Dobson?
Newt would make sense, but given his Al Gore like attachment to global warming for the moment is that going to be a good thing?
John_Locke on January 10, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Anybody know which networks will carry the debate, and when it is?
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Fred rates the lowest on the least likable republican candidate!
Please vote for the republican candidate that you like the least.
Mcguyver on January 10, 2008 at 3:40 PM
A note to all of you Shucksters out there…
be aFred, be verrry aFred
sleepy-beans on January 10, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Hoping the endorcement is the NRA. THAT would help, and would seem a natural endorcement for the NRA to make given the others stances on the issue of gun control.
P. James Moriarty on January 10, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Dude, I already speculated. It’s Ollie North.
Editor on January 10, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Nancy Reagan
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on January 10, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Sean Penn
froghat on January 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Endorsement? Hunter.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM
I like Thompson a lot, but he must go beyond his policies and get the voters excited about his potential as a candidate. In other words, he’s going to need to drive hard to the rim, slam the ball through, and assert himself. He served a facial up on the Iowa moderator, now he needs to do it on his competition.
Bring it, Fred!
Graybark on January 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM
As much as I would hate to see the Republican race get muddled even further, I would much rather see a Thompson win than McCain or Huckabee in South Carolina.
Tim Pancoast on January 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Dobson doesn’t think Fred’s a Christian.
With any luck Fred will keep this endorsement a bit more prominent than he kept the NRLC one.
amerpundit on January 10, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Didn’t Nancy have some big media meeting with Bloomberg a few weeks ago.
She never was the conservative – Ronald was alone in that.
I miss him so much !
stenwin77 on January 10, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Still in the race.
amerpundit on January 10, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Ollie North would be a good guess.
stenwin77 on January 10, 2008 at 3:45 PM
It will be on the Fox News Channel, 9 p.m.est, and also will be streamed on their web site
href=”http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/08/gop-debate-on-fox-news-thursday/”>
conservativegrandma on January 10, 2008 at 3:45 PM
My guess is Dr. Frank Page.
JVelez on January 10, 2008 at 3:45 PM
csdeven
Centerfire on January 10, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Nancy Reagan?
infidel on January 10, 2008 at 3:47 PM
His picture is right over….there!!!! And the Dems and Libs in this hellhole where I work can’t stand it!!!!!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on January 10, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Takes five minutes to announce.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 3:48 PM
LMAO!!
JVelez on January 10, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Let’s call it an educated guess.
Editor on January 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Perhaps Rush!!! He said he would never endorse a candidate ..but…
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on January 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
I called in to listen. Jay’s question about the debate was funny – asked him to be “less gentlemanly,” if I remember the words correctly.
Slublog on January 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
That was my first thought too, Nancy Reagan. That would be HUGE!
ThePrez on January 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Hopefully Fred won’t expect a 17 minute long block of time reserved solely for his rambling, and has each portion of his message down to parts he can mostly explain in the course of 90 seconds.
Otherwise it’s going to be another “I am Fred, the clear conservative choice. Don’t listen to these whipersnappers. Zzzzz…”
BKennedy on January 10, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Oh s**t, BK – why don’t you and Tom Brady go make a baby already?
Editor on January 10, 2008 at 3:53 PM
I agree BK, if it can’t be done in 90 seconds, it’s just not worth doing.
ChrisM on January 10, 2008 at 3:53 PM
I doubt he will, though. Just the other day he said he is staying in. Little has changed since then, and he’s speaking in Michigan tonight.
amerpundit on January 10, 2008 at 3:54 PM
For anyone paying any attention to him, Rush has all but endorsed Fred already.
bnelson44 on January 10, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Looks like there’s hope for that baby afterall, BK.
Editor on January 10, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Reagan himself, from beyond the grave.
TexasDan on January 10, 2008 at 3:56 PM
You lucky bastich (not that I would’ve been any louder on the call).
steveegg on January 10, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Because the ‘Hawks are the first thing on Brady’s f*&% list, that’s why.
BKennedy on January 10, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I read ChrisM as deeply sarcastic there, Ed.
TexasDan on January 10, 2008 at 3:58 PM
My guess: The NRA
NickTx on January 10, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Richardson out.
amerpundit on January 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Thank you.
ChrisM on January 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM
No I think it’s about to really get started, after he comes in at least 2nd in SC. (Yes, I think he will.)
AlexB on January 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM
I agree bnelson
NickTx on January 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Really? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure he has to warm up on a horse, or something.
Editor on January 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM
I don’t think Ollie is big enough to be considered a ‘big Conservative endorsement’. NRA would be ideal, but maybe Newt?
frode on January 10, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Newt is working with Huckster.
Again I think its the NRA
NickTx on January 10, 2008 at 4:01 PM
So did I. I also read it as a “heh-heh-quick-to-finish” joke and opened an opportunity to make a funny. Hence, making babies.
Editor on January 10, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Is he even allowed to vote?
tommylotto on January 10, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Gee Rush, why holding back? Afraid someone might get the idea that you run America?
Fred!
RobertInAustin on January 10, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Yesterday the story was it was a Reagan affiliated endorsement.
bnelson44 on January 10, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Like I said over at Ace’s, Fred needs to hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats tonight in the debate.
ChrisM on January 10, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Rats, I missed THAT.
NickTx on January 10, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I wasn’t kidding about the 90 seconds. Unless it’s a two man debate (which it isn’t), the best Fred is ever going to get is 90 seconds per point and a 30 or 60 second rebuttal.
If Fred hasn’t done his homework on what his clear conservative vision is to where he can condense a single basic point (not his entire argument, but the strongest parts of it) into a minute and a half, he will flounder in this debate and his much vaunted comeback will be just another flop that seems emblematic of Fred’s campaign.
It’s just like memos in a business. If you can’t condense the important points of your memo down to a single page, don’t bother forwarding it to your boss.
BKennedy on January 10, 2008 at 4:04 PM
NRA makes sense. I agree with Moriarty above, who says that Fred is the natural choice for the NRA. Also, the timing of the announcement makes sense. What “big, big conservative” endorsement would matter most to South Carolinians? LOTS of 2A voters there.
steadyrock on January 10, 2008 at 4:04 PM
One thing that always bugs me during the Republican debates. Fred Thompson is always sniffing and coughing like he’s sick. That can’t come off well on tv. People probably think he’s about to die.
froghat on January 10, 2008 at 4:04 PM
LOL! Well, Fred needs to do something to get attention.
bnelson44 on January 10, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Link?
steadyrock on January 10, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Your first string players will do. I hope the second string is healthy.
BKennedy on January 10, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Fred better set about taking out the Huckster.
EJDolbow on January 10, 2008 at 4:06 PM
I’m Fred Thompson and I’m the clear conservative pirate! Free trade or it’s your mother’s head!
BKennedy on January 10, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Just so he has enough time to slap down Romney after one of his scripted platitudes about “change”.
Hollowpoint on January 10, 2008 at 4:07 PM
You’ll be happy to know that Fred hinted that he will be more aggressive in tonight’s debate too.
Jay on January 10, 2008 at 4:09 PM
You can bet dollars to donuts he’ll make a solid point about the Arkansas Republican Assembly endorsement. With a few followup points for the slow-to-come-around, that ought to do some real damage to Hucky.
steadyrock on January 10, 2008 at 4:09 PM
IIRC, his convictions were overturned. Wikipedia:
amerpundit on January 10, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Tomorrow’s endorsement? Al Sharpton…that would be a shocker.
Naw, probably the NRA, it’s a south thang…
right2bright on January 10, 2008 at 4:09 PM
He’d better not disappoint expectations again. If he comes out with some second, third tier endorsement after the Fredheads got jacked up for some BIG guns, I’m thinking some commenters here might not survive the night. Hopefully not a…SECOND LOOK AT SUICIDE!
wardrobedoor on January 10, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Fred Thompson: He’ll Seet Aboot Illegals.
I’d put that sign in my yard.
Editor on January 10, 2008 at 4:10 PM
From your keyboard to Fred’s ears, hopefully. The time is getting short if he still wants to have a major impact.
Bryan on January 10, 2008 at 4:10 PM
If the endorsement is from Jesus, that pretty much takes Huck and Mitt out of it…Ron Paul could still be a factor.
right2bright on January 10, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Jeri
AverageJoe on January 10, 2008 at 4:11 PM
If he doesn’t do VERY well in SC, he’s done for.
bnelson44 on January 10, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Fred is live on Hannity’s radio show right now.
wccawa on January 10, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Ron Paul gets the Hitler endorsement.
steadyrock on January 10, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Haven’t you heard? Huck is Jesus’ candidate.
/s
amerpundit on January 10, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Depending on what happens tonight, people may be talking about Ron Paul instead of Fred tomorrow.
bnelson44 on January 10, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Since Bryan seems to agree that it’s the Comment of the Day, I hereby close that competition.
steveegg on January 10, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Duncan Hunter.
BKennedy on January 10, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Are you promising even more bats#!t crazyness out of the head Paul-Nut? That’s about the only way he generates buzz anymore.
steveegg on January 10, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Mitt?
Just kidding.
stenwin77 on January 10, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Good point bnelson, everyone will be talking about Ron Paul’s racist comments. Uh oh, Fred won’t get any notice.
froghat on January 10, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Hm, I’m intrigued about the endorsement. The NRA would be really cool. That would seemingly be a blow to Huckabee, though Fred’s National Right-to-Life endorsement hasn’t seemed to put in a big dent yet.
someguy on January 10, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Monumentally HUGE ditto on that.
Huckasham and McShamnesty must go down hard!!!
SimplyKimberly on January 10, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Beat ya to it, minuteman.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 4:23 PM
That was a short interview. As if Hannity has anything better to do!
NellE on January 10, 2008 at 4:23 PM
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