Fred drops out of race for RNC chair, goes back to acting
posted at 1:00 pm on November 21, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Do you blame him? With Steele pushing hard and insiders like Katon Dawson and Saul Anuzis in his way, he probably figured it was a long enough shot as not to be worth gambling his cachet on. Besides, apart from The One himself, who’ll have a drearier task day to day over the next two years than the guy responsible for bailing water from the deck of the GOP? “Hannity & Colmes” will still be there the next time he has something to say; let he who would turn down a six-figure paycheck for a 10-minute cameo on “Law & Order” cast the first stone.
That said, it speaks volumes that even in an atmosphere as Fred-friendly as the HA comments section, people were joking in Headlines last night that he would have run if he thought the “chair” in question was a La-Z-Boy. My favorite bit from the story:
“He called me yesterday and said it’s not in the cards,” said Nashville businessman B.C. “Scooter” Clippard, a close Thompson associate who headed fundraising for Thompson’s presidential campaign. Clippard said Thompson chose to remain in the private sector, working to resume his television acting career.
“He said he had spent the last two years of his life trying to be president and helping John McCain be president and during that time, he didn’t have much income. He has a family” and needs to earn an income, Clippard said.
The guy’s worth $8 million, or was circa 2006. If the market collapse and real estate downturn since then have been so bad that even Fred’s worried about paying his kids’ tuition, we’re in worse shape than I realized. Incidentally, the most recent numbers I can find for the RNC chair’s salary are from 2002, listing it a cool $150K. If that’s not enough, how was he planning to survive on $400K a year had he went and gotten himself elected president?
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$150k doesn’t make a big enough fire in the belly.
lorien1973 on November 21, 2008 at 1:03 PM
I’d have to check with the Lightworker and his side-kick, but I think that $400K is rich and $150K is middle class.
/sarc
Y-not on November 21, 2008 at 1:04 PM
It’s like he wants the appearance of leadership without any actual work. I guess that’s why acting works so well for him. Too bad.
Karol on November 21, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Meh. Was never really entertained by this thought.
Abby Adams on November 21, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Too bad because we will probably get stuck with Steele.
‘Scuse me while I make preparations to bury my guns and ammo at an undisclosed location up north.
Bishop on November 21, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Let’s Party.
mylegsareswollen on November 21, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Shoes aren’t cheap.
pedestrian on November 21, 2008 at 1:04 PM
It may not help us politically, but maybe Fred can make some more memorable movie scenes, like the ending of Necessary Roughness.
backwoods conservative on November 21, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Fred! er, Fred?
robblefarian on November 21, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Fred wasn’t all that serious to begin with, methinks.
I think it’s hard to fire that guy up.
He didn’t have any passion. Not that he doesn’t care. It just didn’t seem like he cared enough.
Badger40 on November 21, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Bail out Fred!!!
right2bright on November 21, 2008 at 1:06 PM
I’m also thinking he was worried about Obama redistributing his wealth.
Badger40 on November 21, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Maybe that “trophy wife” arm candy of his is higher maintainence that previously thought.
/
JammieWearingFool on November 21, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Michael Steele is for gun control so who is going to go to bat for conservatives when Obama passes the AWB2?
The GOP is a waste of time!
sharrukin on November 21, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Nixon described Fred as dumb but friendly. Add lazy to that list.
Vernon Hardapple on November 21, 2008 at 1:07 PM
I wish I had those kinds of maintenance problems
apollyonbob on November 21, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Fred’s fire was more like a pilot light.
faraway on November 21, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Looks like it’s back to sitting on the porch, whittlin’ wood, sippin’ moonshine, and kicking off his Gucci loafers with his hot wife.
brak on November 21, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Damn that Fred anyway. He is choosing to live his life the way he wants to live it. What kinda American hero is that?
Limerick on November 21, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Like Nixon knew his ass from a hole in the ground… he was just one in a long line of those to bring dishonor to the highest office in the land… just as Obama will soon be doing.
although something is seriously amiss with Fred… commit to something damnit. I won’t be backing him for anything again… just to watch him drop out later. now his wife is another story. I’d vote for that woman.
Kaptain Amerika on November 21, 2008 at 1:13 PM
All the best Republicans are more interested in making money than in politics. I mean that in a good way (unless you’re a Republican politician).
RightOFLeft on November 21, 2008 at 1:14 PM
He didn’t have any passion.
Badger40 on November 21, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Passion is used up in the bedroom.
Fred might not be willing but what about Mrs. Fred? No better way to get guys back to voting GOP than to flood the political market with hot, savvy women.
Bishop on November 21, 2008 at 1:14 PM
Let’s see. Fred has the choice of sailing with his beautiful wife into his golden years, or taking the oars of a sinking barge that the crew are continuously poking more holes in by denying that the bailout money was the taxpayer’s money.
Tell me you’d pick differently.
MadisonConservative on November 21, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Fred is disgusted. So am I. AP, you’re becoming the Carl Cameron of the blogosphere.
Connie on November 21, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Fred never stopped acting!
csdeven on November 21, 2008 at 1:16 PM
RNC Chairman is a great job for Michael Steele, an articulate, personable, young man who should have been Senator from Maryland. He has a great future in the Republican Party, and needs a position of relative prominence to further it. I look forward to seeing and hearing him on the Sunday talking-heads’ shows. He’s not going to be a shrinking violet like the current chairman.
Fred Thompson is by now a party elder. He doesn’t need the exposure; he’s not going to run for office again; his time would be better spent writing and lecturing on conservative topics, helping to prune the conservative tree of liberal fungus. If he can make a few bucks acting, why not?
MrLynn on November 21, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Can’t blame his Fredness at all…
Would you want to be the figure head of this disfunctional group?
RNC Head won’t be able to change a blasted thing as long as the Repub leaderships in Congress remain entrenched.
Would you want to lead the Party when you KNOW your good Friend McCain is going to spearhead Amnesty again?
Romeo13 on November 21, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Fred takes his ball and goes home.
I guess he didn’t have the balls/guts to go for it.
Dave Rywall on November 21, 2008 at 1:22 PM
This sums up my reaction
ErinF on November 21, 2008 at 1:22 PM
$150K is a great salary, but in Washington, D.C., you know who makes $150K? Every damned career government bureaucrat who’s been around long enough. Seriously. The General Schedule for D.C. tops out at $149K.
I guess it just ain’t that attractive makin’ what the ‘crats are makin’.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on November 21, 2008 at 1:22 PM
$150K is what…..1…maybe 2 good pairs of earrings.
Seriously, we can’t expect anyone to live on that and have their kids in ballet, now can we?
JadeNYU on November 21, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Would someone please explain why Steele is a bad guy? What do we know about Steele? He makes sense on Hannity & Colmes and Greta’s show. I heard he was a little squishy on abortion, but not so squishy that NRLC didn’t run away from him… And right now, abortion is not my #1 issue, though I am pro life.
Outlander on November 21, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I mean who cares. Who in their right mind would want to be connected with the current Republican party.
The most recent vote on pork barrel theft tells you everything you need to know about this current group. I say, let the Dem’s have every house and senate seat–they already do. My hope is now with the conservative Dem house members that got elected in 2006 and 08.
As for the repubs they are collectively an embarrassment. I would cross the street if I saw one of them coming. Where is the public outrage from the supposedly fiscal conservative members. Where are the photo ops mocking their fellow members. Where? Nowhere. These folks do not have the courage of their convictions. They are in the end what the others are—careerists. F’k em all. They will never get my vote again.
patrick neid on November 21, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Good grief are all the good one’s bailing out? Yes, I heart Fred! : o )
The man with a back bone.
christene on November 21, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Well,now we know where Fred stands,
and the search continues for the best
qualified person!
canopfor on November 21, 2008 at 1:28 PM
He is AWESOME and I do not blame him one bit. Our party was too stupid to choose him, the only real conservative running last year. We got what we deserve.
ReaganConservative3 on November 21, 2008 at 1:30 PM
It’s not what I don’t know about Steele, it’s what I do know. He has airy, empty rhetoric that is supposed to make us think he’s in touch with RNC problems. He hasn’t put forth even one idea or tangible plan that has feet on it. Obama in drag.
He’s a product of the DC corridor, the Washington bubble, and same old, same old party politics. He believes we are way behind on racial equality issues and is a big pro-program (big government) proponent. He talks like a liberal. Oh yeah and he’s pro-life, if you’re a single-issue voter.
Joan of Argghh on November 21, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Be kind.
I’d do the same thing.
toliver on November 21, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Michael Steele…
Q: Should people have access to buy assault weapons?
A: Society should draw lines. What do you need an assault weapon for, if you’re going hunting? That’s overkill. But I don’t think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use gun for skeet shooting or hunting or things like that But what’s the point of passing gun laws if we’re not going to enforce them? If you want to talk about gun control, that’s where you need to start. We’ve got 300 gun laws on the books right now. At the end of the day, it’s about how we enforce the law.
His position that a total ban of all guns is a bit too far is hardly reassuring.
sharrukin on November 21, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Yup. All hat, no cattle.
Just like his primary run, wherein he’s certainly smart and well-informed enough to make good policy, but he’ll be darned if he has to put on silly hats or um, campaign.
BKennedy on November 21, 2008 at 1:37 PM
How did the Clintons survive, until he was done? Always living off us – no mortgage payments, no travel, food, trasportation, franking, etc. expenses…security taken care of, cleaning done for you…
Schadenfreude on November 21, 2008 at 1:40 PM
+1
a capella on November 21, 2008 at 1:41 PM
And how could we forget those lavish, paid-for, Clinton vacations?
Schadenfreude on November 21, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I never got the whole ‘Fred’ thing anyway. Never watched Law & Order either.
Nevertheless I think the man is a patriot.
Urban Infidel on November 21, 2008 at 1:42 PM
I agree. His attitude is little different from Brady activists.
MadisonConservative on November 21, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Yes, we are ambifarked, from the left, to the right.
Schadenfreude on November 21, 2008 at 1:43 PM
There don’t actually seem to be any conservatives left in the GOP.
sharrukin on November 21, 2008 at 1:44 PM
I’m glad the election is over. AP was working so hard that his writing suffered a bit. I’ve noticed these last few days that he’s back in good form.
jaime on November 21, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Ping pong balls calling cannon balls chicken. These are strange times…
Schadenfreude on November 21, 2008 at 1:47 PM
…you priced trophy wives lately? Prime real estate, bubba…pricey….
…while nobody’s ever offered me a six-figure check for a 10-minute cameo — or has ever offered me six-figures without decimel points, full stop — I’ll still take a stab at it…churl that I am…it’s just that a word keeps bouncing around my skull when Mr. Thompson’s name is mentioned in a strictly political context:
…”dilettante”….
…and, yes…I had to look up the spelling….
Puritan1648 on November 21, 2008 at 1:49 PM
It’s AFTER the presidency, when the dough for books, speeches, etc starts rolling in. I respect Fred! because he understands the fundamental principles of Conservatism and Federalism. He just doesn’t have the energy. He’s old and has little kids. I totally understand the decision.
What we need is Fred’s intellect and Sarah’s energy and charisma in ONE person. LOL
ihasurnominashun on November 21, 2008 at 1:50 PM
That’s a good thing. Fred is an asset to conservative values, but let’s let him do it his way. Office isn’t his way.
Spirit of 1776 on November 21, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Don’t diss Fred.
He is a good conservative and a great American. He didn’t make it in the primaries, but I am sure he will be an asset for the GOP in some aspect in years to come. His wife Jeri is great too, she is heading up TeamSarah.org and has done a tremendous job.
Norwegian on November 21, 2008 at 1:54 PM
I do NOT blame nor fault Fred…
I would NOT want to run the DNC, I mean the RNC, wtf, it’s the same thing atm…
HotAir is a perfect example of why…
If I ran the RNC I would throw 1/2 the morons here at HA off the boat too, it would be KING Mark Garnett and my edicts would be simple…
1) VASTLY smaller Gov intervension…
2) Masive Capital Gains Tax cuts… 57% agree (winner)
3) English as the “official” language… 77% agree (winner)
4) School Vouchers
5) Hard stance on Imigration 84% agree (winner) *look at the sucess in OK since enacting thier new laws…
6) Strict Constructionist Judges
I have SO many more, and MOST, indicated by recent polling are WINNERS with the majority of Americans… ALL PARTIES.
*** Remember, Dems also in HUGE numbers wanted no part of the McCain / Bush / DEMS amenesty bill last year…
We simply have no one with the stones to TELL THE TRUTH, show the numbers, NO BAILOUTS, period. Let the markets self correct, period. Union thugs are KILLING businesses…
When we start being vocal and repeating these and other points over and over and over and over… The message WILL get thru…
And for those in HA that disagree, RHINOS, NOES, MODERATES, get the hell of the boat so I can move faster to reclaim America for the Founding Fathers, our grandfathers and our fathers, all of whom died making the USA the greatest power for good the world has ever know!
Mark Garnett on November 21, 2008 at 1:59 PM
…but they voted, and must be repaid; also they will vote again.
And most importantly, for the children, the future generations.
Schadenfreude on November 21, 2008 at 2:16 PM
A large group of you people are way to hard on Fred. The way I read it he didn’t want to be president but was willing to make the sacrifice to help the country. Since that didn’t work out he has gone back to things more enjoyable. He could have beaten Obama but we nominated McCain. Why should he want the flack coming to the head of the RNC?
duff65 on November 21, 2008 at 2:19 PM
We will get Steele because he is a good looking black man and can string a sentence together.
Superb.
Ares on November 21, 2008 at 2:20 PM
*sigh*
CP on November 21, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I do not think Saul Anuzis is the answer for the Republican Party. The Michigan GOP is at its lowest ebb. My congressman, Tim Walberg, just lost his reelection bid. Dick DeVos, a billionaire gubernatorial candidate, couldn’t best Jennifer Granholm (perhaps the worst governor in Michigan’s history); in fact, DeVos didn’t even come close to upending Granholm. Senators Levin and Stabenow have beaten all comers and Anuzis has recruited fairly lousy candidates against them. I am sure Anuzis is a good guy, but he doesn’t seem competent enough to handle the national GOP. The Michigan GOP has not been a force since John Engler’s heyday in the mid-to-late 90’s (even though he wasn’t all that conservative).
WV736 on November 21, 2008 at 2:55 PM
*** Quoting myself to correct typo’s… My fingers got so passionate they lost all common sense…
RHINO’s = Floating turds, clogging the plumbing, need Joe!
NOES = NEO-CON, new to the party and causing it’s demise!
MODERATES = As Rush say’s, “People that can’t / won’t take a stand… Mamby-Pamby chickens… Only real men need apply!
Mark Garnett on November 21, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Er, maybe it hasn’t occurred to you that the annual salary may be $400K, but the perks are worth millions. Free meals, housing and transportation in style. Free access 24/7 to world’s best doctors and hospitals. Not to mention the book deals, speaking engagments, etc once he leaves office.
I’m sure it’s not the money that motivates most candidates, but the Presidency ain’t exactly borderline money, either.
JDPerren on November 21, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Do you blame him?
No, he probably can’t afford the pay cut. Same reason that AlGore passed on the Environment Czar job…
I R A Darth Aggie on November 21, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Fred is a rare, articulate conservative. He is needed, and I hope he has a thick enough skin to keep on looking for the best place to use his personable way of promoting real conservatism. It’s getting to where all Republican candidates need to be rhinos, not RINOs, with a hide thick enough to bear the relentless stabbing and slashing from behind.
NellE on November 21, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Er, maybe it hasn’t occurred to you that the annual salary may be $400K, but the perks are worth millions.
Not to mention all the bandwidth you could ever want.
I R A Darth Aggie on November 21, 2008 at 3:05 PM
What is his cachet? A quitter who cuts and runs at the first sign of adversity. Great speaking voice, pretty good actor and a empty shell of a human. I hope he goes back to Hollywood and leaves politics in his rear-view mirror, once and for all.
grdred944 on November 21, 2008 at 3:12 PM
You said exactly what I was thinking. Gosh, you guys. Give Fred a break. I like and respect the man. I’m not going to second-guess his reasons for doing things or presume to know what his financial obligations are. I really dislike when people think they know all about your finances.
Glynn on November 21, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Especially from other so-called conservatives.
Glynn on November 21, 2008 at 3:58 PM
That leaves the Million $ Question: Who in Hollywood is going to employ Fred, considering that he’s an outspoken conservative?
Ryan Gandy on November 21, 2008 at 4:30 PM
As one of Fred’s #1 fans, this is no big disappointment for me.
I’m not sure the position suited him best. Fred is an ideas guy, not an every day, grassroots, get-out-the-vote organizer that the RNC desperately needs.
Fred will still be here for us to provide common sense, conservative ideas, and to help the party whenever possible.
We should all throw our support behind MICHAEL STEELE. For a variety of reasons, he’s the right man for the job.
bigred on November 21, 2008 at 5:04 PM
“All hat and no cattle?” And shooting spitballs like this from the back of the classroom is the epitome of substance, integrity and intellectual depth?
Must be working on your Joe Biden impression.
MoCoM on November 21, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Allah, you were first in line to push the “no fire in the belly” meme. Why in hell should Fred try to build the party by pushing Reagan conservatism when he has klowns like you bashing him at every possible opportunity?
Tinian on November 21, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Well, since someone said that one shouldn’t use the RNC chair as a platform to run for POTUS, I’m crossing my fingers that this means he may run again. He’s got a PAC and that’s what some say is a good step toward a run. Hoping :)
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on November 21, 2008 at 7:37 PM
elizabeth dole redux? recruit her!
anti-boomer on November 21, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Anyone see Charlie Wilson’s war? Can’t we encourage Fred to be a conservative Charlie Wilson, instead of bashing him?
anti-boomer on November 21, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Grandpa could never handle getting up and getting to work … Holywood here I come! Another washed up GOPer.
Monkei on November 21, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Libby Dole! Great idea!
John The Baptist on November 22, 2008 at 12:38 AM
I was uninspired by Fred’s campaign and ended up supporting Huck. I’m not going to dump on Fred,though, because I agree with most of his views and his heart is in the right place. A Reagan conservative isn’t the right target to throw rocks at.
litebrite on November 22, 2008 at 1:58 AM
I cannot believe how many of you sound like democrats here. First, many are assuming that he isn’t taking the job because of money…thanks for pushing that thought AP. Second, even if he didn’t PUSH for the job because of money(a job that wasn’t likely going to be his no matter how hard he tried) what in the world is wrong with that? I’d say that he’s poured a bit of time and effort into this campaign season – more than the rest of you who are calling him lazy. And for those of you who were uninspired by his campaign – were you more inspired by that McCain song and dance?
ApartforHaShem on November 22, 2008 at 4:21 PM
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