Video: Fred Thompson’s ad for Douglas Hoffman

posted at 8:47 am on October 27, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Do you think that Newt Gingrich will pick up the phone to tell Fred Thompson that he’s “misinformed”?  I wouldn’t mind hearing that conversation.  Former Senator and presidential aspirant Thompson’s ad hit last night:

If you back Hoffman over Dede Scozzafava, Newt says you’re just not paying attention:

There’s more than a whiff of desperation in this attempt to paint Scozzafava as the true conservative in this race. Gingrich would do better to argue for party loyalty than to defend Scozzafava as a Reagan Republican.

Fred’s ad will play in NY-23, while Fred sends this out to his PAC to get more Hoffman contributions:

TO:     FredPAC Supporters

FROM:   Will Andrews

Exciting news!

As you know, Senator Thompson has been actively backing Conservative Republican candidate Doug Hoffman for Congress in a Special Election in New York.

Just moments ago, a TV commercial was released featuring Senator Thompson.  The Hoffman campaign is airing the spot throughout the district in the final days! …

This ad will help “seal the deal” – it sets out clearly what is at stake in this election.

Your support of Fred PAC is making it possible for real, conservatives dedicated to First Principles to advance throughout the country.  But there is still so much more to do.

Please, if at all possible, send the largest contribution you can to Fred PAC today.  You can donate by going to https://www.fredpac.com/contribute.php

A victory in New York next week will be a resounding call to arms for all conservatives in America.  Please do all you can to help spread the message to return our nation to the Founding Principles.

Newt’s talking about a 2012 run at the Presidency, but if he keeps defending Scozzafava, he may become a Party of One.

Blowback

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Good ad. The NY Post has also endorsed Hoffman now, as well.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/doug_hoffman_for_congress_21sqalnJNLjOEpD7JEOHaJ

Oh, and Iowahawk as well.

http://iowahawk.typepad.com/

Bye Dede. See ya around, Newt.

cs89 on October 27, 2009 at 8:52 AM

Newt is DOA.

He learned nothing from the TP’s.

artist on October 27, 2009 at 8:52 AM

ya gotta love Fred!

cmsinaz on October 27, 2009 at 8:53 AM

It’s the exact opposite of what the GOP was telling us two weeks ago now.

Now, a vote for Scozzafava is a vote for Owens and Pelosi.

Red Cloud on October 27, 2009 at 8:54 AM

buh-bye Newt…

cmsinaz on October 27, 2009 at 8:54 AM

GO FRED!!!!!

Eat $hit and die Newt!

csdeven on October 27, 2009 at 8:55 AM

Former Senator and presidential aspirant Thompson’s ad hit last night:

Et Tu Fred? Newt must be getting mightly lonely on the Scozzafava bandwagon.

BTW, is it really fair to call Fred a presidential aspirant when his campaign did little to get beyond that point? In other words don’t you have to campaign to be labeled a wannabe?

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 8:55 AM

I sure do wish Fred was the GOP Spokesperson instead of Michael Steele.

kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

The Newt’s turning into a frog.

OldEnglish on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

God Bless Fred & Jeri.

OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Newt says we’re misinformed.

So Newt is using the same arguement that Ogabe uses to explain why he’s losing the health care debate?

I’ll say this again … it’s time for Newt to move into another line of work. My recommendation is for him to develop a line of barbeque sauces that can be used a football tailgates.

Breeding purebred Georgia bulldogs might be another idea for him.

HondaV65 on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Bye Dede. See ya around, Newt.

cs89 on October 27, 2009 at 8:52 AM

I heard Hoffman on Hannity’s radio program yesterday. Conservatives in NY-23 are insane if they vote for the liberal tub of lard over this guy.

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 8:57 AM

kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

with ya there…

cmsinaz on October 27, 2009 at 8:57 AM

Time to hand over the GOP, Newt. It’s not your toy anymore.

Saltysam on October 27, 2009 at 8:57 AM

Gingrich/Scozzafava 2012!

Feel the excitement!

mankai on October 27, 2009 at 8:58 AM

Before last year’s election, I suggested that it would be a good idea that if we won or lost in ’08, Conservatives across the country needed to get together for a major meeting to lay out in clear terms exactly what Conservatism in today’s America should be based on, and should be structured as a potent political force.

Lacking that, it is becoming obvious that too many on the Right are engaged in “win at any cost” tactics. Newt, unfortunately, is one of them. Thus, fratricide will become our greatest enemy as we approach 2010.

RINO’s and Dem-Lite’s take heed. Get it together or get out. We’ve more important things to do than stroke the egos of career politicians.

Principles, not personalities.

coldwarrior on October 27, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Maybe now we won’t have to listen to Newt on Hannity’s program so dang often.

Too bad Newt, it was nice knowing you once upon a time.

Keemo on October 27, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Newt was Conservative because when he was running for office conservatism was big. Now he goes on Hannity from time to time because it is his niche. He makes business decisions, not informed common sense decisions around what is best for the nation.

jeffn21 on October 27, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Dear Newt:

We want to “purge the party” not of people who are necessarily pro gay marriage or abortion, We want to Purge the Party of people who while running say they are against OBAMACARE and CAP AND TAX and then when elected, buckle and vote for it. We can see Dede coming down that road miles and miles away.

Marcus on October 27, 2009 at 9:00 AM

Great, great ad by Fred. Very heartfelt and appealing – and positive.

Red Cloud on October 27, 2009 at 9:01 AM

I’ll say this again … it’s time for Newt to move into another line of work. My recommendation is for him to develop a line of barbeque sauces that can be used a football tailgates.

Breeding purebred Georgia bulldogs might be another idea for him.

HondaV65 on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

I see Newt going back into academia, where I think he’d be outstanding in teaching public policy and administration. He clearly thinks he still has juice as a political kingmaker/presidential candidate. Hopefully this episode will dash that idea.

Of course he could always move to Louisiana and run for Governor after Bobby Jindal ends up on the national ticket in 2012.

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 9:01 AM

Newt has really doubled down on Scozzafava and he was on Greta last night whining like a little child. Watching Greta was a chore last night – it was “GOP Ayatollah” night and she had both Newt and Grand Ayatollah John Cornyn as guests.

I think Newt got caught with his pants down on this one. I don’t think he expected this thing to blow up in his face. Newt would really have the Tea Party movement on his side and, being the politician he is, I think he thought he could keep one foot in the Ayatollah camp while the other was planted with the Tea Party. Now … three years before the election and he’s already stepped into a really smelly and wet cow pie and will now have to make a go of it from the Ayatollah camp alone.

Spells doom for Newt.

Expect to see Newt hanging out with Frum next. This really is the end of Newt.

HondaV65 on October 27, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Newt your political career is FINISHED. Now GTFO.

WisCon on October 27, 2009 at 9:03 AM

If you back Hoffman over Dede Scozzafava, Newt says you’re just not paying attention lying back and enjoying it.

I just had to do a ReWrite™ of that to reflect the translation of Newt’s utterances.

steveegg on October 27, 2009 at 9:03 AM

Newt’s talking about a 2012 run at the Presidency, but if he keeps defending Scozzafava, he may become a Party of One.

I used to be a huge Newt fan. He is a great speaker–very articulate, with a good voice. He could have been a great candidate.

Now, it is pretty obvious that Newt is part of the problem.

I don’t care about the political positions somebody takes–when I am watching football.

I care passionately about the political positions somebody takes when that person is a candidate for office.

Newt’s problem is he thinks this is a football game: What matters is the color of the jerseys that win, not the political positions of the people that wear the jerseys.

So, yeah, I would rather lose with Hoffman than win with DScozz. If I support DScozz, the GOP will keep thinking it can keep putting up RINO’s, and dummies will keep supporting them.
__________

RJGatorEsq. on October 27, 2009 at 9:05 AM

OmahaConservative on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

I absolutely love their radio program. Go Fred!

Annietxgrl on October 27, 2009 at 9:05 AM

There are many reasons to pick Hoffman…one is that it paints conservatives as practical principled voters. Not swayed by a party-line announcement, it makes conservatives the “independent” voters. That will attract more of the Independents.
Later on we can point to the Hoffman victory, as not a victory for a party, but of America. regardless of where he lives, or how many cars he has, or if he has an R or a d behind his name.
That alone will be worth many more votes going forward then voting for the old guards choice…Dede…
Wake up Newt, this is a long term, forward thinking choice, Hoffman will deliver votes long after this election.
This isn’t about R vs d anymore, we are fighting for America.

right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 9:05 AM

RINO/Lib 2012!

LibTired on October 27, 2009 at 9:06 AM

Time for Newt to scoot.

TXUS on October 27, 2009 at 9:06 AM

Damn, but I wish Fred was living in the White House and representing my country to the world.

MikeA on October 27, 2009 at 9:07 AM

There’s more than a whiff of desperation in this attempt to paint Scozzafava as the true conservative in this race.

As Newt Gingrich predilection for irrelevancy demonstrates.

BDU-33 on October 27, 2009 at 9:08 AM

I confess I am mystified over why Newt has dug in his heels so deeply on this race. There was no reason for it.

BigD on October 27, 2009 at 9:08 AM

Being the politician he is, if Hoffman wins Newt will back off the issue for a while to try and let everybody forget, then try to re-embrace the tea party/town hall movement as if the three weeks before the election never happened (in the same way that supposed convservative pundits who were embracing Obama before the election are trying right now to pretend in their recent writings that never happened).

jon1979 on October 27, 2009 at 9:09 AM

I sure do wish Fred was the GOP Spokesperson instead of Michael Steele.

kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

+1

TXUS on October 27, 2009 at 9:10 AM

Wow, listening to Newt’s convoluted reasoning makes me want to puke. This has nothing to do with local control, it has to do with philosophy. I would still vote for Newt against Barky, but this is very distressing

Filecchio on October 27, 2009 at 9:10 AM

I saw Newt on Greta last night and his main point in the abstract was sound and went like this: at this stage this is a numbers game btw the Dems and Repubs with the Dems having a commanding lead in terms of seats, and as a result of of said seats, power. If there is an area where only a Blue Repub can get elected, well, then you have to take what you can get since the goal is to whittle down Pelosi’s and Reid’s numbers by whatever means necessary. Again, taken in the abstract, this makes sense. However, when applied to this race specifically, it appears that Newt’s argument for Dede using the above premise is flawed when Hoffman is polling up with the other two. His argument for her was simply an attempt to limit the damage to his credibility, which won’t be needed if Hoffman places third.

volnation on October 27, 2009 at 9:11 AM

HondaV65 on October 27, 2009 at 9:02 AM

I’m disappointed in Mr. Cornyn. I voted for him and man, did I give him an earful when he endorsed Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey. I thought he was a man of principle, but turns out he’s acting more like a man of the party. He doesn’t get it. PUMA indeed!

Annietxgrl on October 27, 2009 at 9:12 AM

GO FRED!!!!!

Eat $hit and die Newt!

csdeven on October 27, 2009 at 8:55 AM

csdeven? Is that you? Has someone taken over your computer? “Go FRED!”? Heh.

Weight of Glory on October 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM

There’s more than a whiff of desperation in this attempt to paint Scozzafava as the true conservative in this race.

How is it even possible to paint the woman as even a mediocre conservative when she is for abortion, card check, and higher taxes. Hoffman would have to be a radical marxist to be the left of this “Republican.”

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM

There was a time I would have voted for Newt for President. That time has now passed and he does not seem to know it. I don’t care a drop about parties. If there is no principle in the GOP, count me out.

MikeA on October 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM

Yea; Newt is afraid to watch Fox News; He must read the New York Times; He’s so cutting edge intelligent!

Cybergeezer on October 27, 2009 at 9:14 AM

Tell it, Fred!

Gingrich, sit down and STFU. You’re done.

AZCoyote on October 27, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Just wondering, has Newt ever held a real job?
-
It’s obvious, he’s been drinking the Washington Kool-Aid
for far too long.
-
The ultimate RINO?
-
Perhaps he and John McCain could go off to Costa Rica and have
“a conversation” for about the next 20 years.
-

esblowfeld on October 27, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Fred is looking mighty spiffy in this ad, too. He was my hubby’s first pick, without hesitation, back during the campaign for the R presidential nominee.

Hoffman is cool – donated to his fund – Newt needs to stick to making dvd’s and penning historical novels with his wifey. His time is up.

Ris4victory on October 27, 2009 at 9:16 AM

And furthermore –

I find it fascinating that someone like Newt, who CLAIMS to be for decentralized control, would deny the voters the opportunity to vote for someone who isn’t certified by the RINO Party ? Newt seem to think that voter choice should be circumscribed by the two parties’ decisions on who is fit to be voted for. The more I think about it, maybe I wouldn’t vote for this guy.

Filecchio on October 27, 2009 at 9:17 AM

Newt’s talking about a 2012 run at the Presidency, but if he keeps defending Scozzafava, he may become a Party of One.

Too late.

unclesmrgol on October 27, 2009 at 9:18 AM

I saw Newt on Greta last night and his main point in the abstract was sound and went like this: at this stage this is a numbers game btw the Dems and Repubs with the Dems having a commanding lead in terms of seats, and as a result of of said seats, power.

volnation on October 27, 2009 at 9:11 AM

That doesn’t seem too sound to me. One seat in a one-year term is not going to shift the balance of power. Whomever wins will be getting to DC just in time to start running for re-election. If it is Scozzafava, my guess is that she’d be quick to vote with the Democrats in an effort to pander to the left for the 2010 elections. The more powerful position, IMO, is to send Hoffman as a message to RINOs and blue dogs.

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 9:18 AM

SO. Newt just converted to Catholicism, or was it Cafeteria Catholicism. How can he support Dede and her stance on abortion with his new religions beliefs.

The man is an opportunist. He will soon jump on the conservative bandwaggon just as fast as you can say “Cemel Dosce”

Burgher on October 27, 2009 at 9:19 AM

right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 9:05 AM

Well stated.

nolapol on October 27, 2009 at 9:20 AM

Newt’s a smart man, a real thinker. But he’s wrong on this one, and frankly I can’t see him as POTUS. Let’s hope Sarah, Fred and co. can get the Repubs on the right track, even if they have to be dragged kicking and screaming back to where they represent the majority of Americans, who are rational, responsible, honest, and self-reliant.

mr.blacksheep on October 27, 2009 at 9:21 AM

Don’t blame me, I voted for Fred!™

Newt, go do another “global warming” ad with Pelosi.

saint kansas on October 27, 2009 at 9:21 AM

While I understand Newt’s point, I think his perspective may be more important if we were NOT already firmly in the MINORITY.

By his logic, we need to simply support a “party” candidate in order to maintain our inability to govern? I don’t think HE gets it.

singlemalt_18 on October 27, 2009 at 9:22 AM

I don’t care a drop about parties. If there is no principle in the GOP, count me out.

MikeA on October 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM

Newt is right on one point. Third parties don’t work in the American political system. If I have to give him any benefit of the doubt, in the abstract the GOP will fail if it splinters into factions for the 2010 elections. What Newt fails to understand is that he and McCain are the ones out of touch with the base. Lifelong Republicans are willing to become “conservatives” if the option is the GOP agenda put forth by rat bastard political traitors like McCain and Gingrich.

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 9:23 AM

Gingrich/Graham 2012!

Cicero43 on October 27, 2009 at 9:24 AM

Wait a second….I thought Republicans did what they were told because they can’t think for themselves?? C’mon, now….form a line everybody, all together now….

Mmmmmm mmmmm mmmmm
Dede Dede Dede Dede
Mmmmmm mmmmm mmmmmm

/sarc (do I really need this?!)

atlgal on October 27, 2009 at 9:25 AM

Fred PAC and Sarah PAC > RNC and NRCC

Are the two allowed to coordinate with one another?

Daemonocracy on October 27, 2009 at 9:26 AM

I must admit that I don’t agree with Newt on this one either. His biggest mistake was not getting on board in the past week. Hoffman has now taken the lead in the race. Newt is remaining too loyal to the brand and not enough to conservatism.

I also don’t agree with the Newt trashing going on. Our departed leader (Reagan) made unpopular political alliances himself. He welcomed Democrats to the discussion. Newt is a conservative and not a RINO. He is probably the smartest man in politics and I don’t think that he deserves the vitriol because of this one matter.

orlandocajun on October 27, 2009 at 9:26 AM

If there is an area where only a Blue Repub can get elected, well, then you have to take what you can get since the goal is to whittle down Pelosi’s and Reid’s numbers by whatever means necessary.

Gingrich’s argument is based on two faulty premises. First, NY-23 is not an area where only a Blue Republican can get elected. That’s why it’s so infuriating that the Republican party there nominated a woman who is to the left of Harry Reid. There was no justification for choosing a far-left liberal candidate in a distict where a real conservative could have won easily. Second, if the goal is to whittle down Reid and Pelosi’s votes, then it hardly makes sense to nominate a liberal like Scozzafava, who is virtually guaranteed to vote with Reid and Pelosi more times than she votes against them.

Try again, Newt. Your lame rationalizations aren’t fooling anyone here.

AZCoyote on October 27, 2009 at 9:27 AM

Now the issue is do you get rid of the ‘Newt’ guard at the GOP/RNC (and how do you do that)? Or really get behind conservative independents or even another attempt at a third party. I am so fed up with the RNC that I would like to see it become nothing and insignificant as it does’t represent who it says it does (and the older I get this seems to have always been the case). However I would be very weary of the loons out there trying to set up a new party. To me the simple issue is the ‘Hoffman Approach’, Run on the values that you believe in and that Conservatives believe in and get them to donate and support you. I think it maybe time for the GOP to become passe from a conservative view too.

nolapol on October 27, 2009 at 9:27 AM

just wondering, has Newt ever held a real job?

esblowfeld on October 27, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Uh, the answer would be yes. For starters, he used to be a history professor.

BigD on October 27, 2009 at 9:28 AM

So, yeah, I would rather lose with Hoffman than win with DScozz. If I support DScozz, the GOP will keep thinking it can keep putting up RINO’s, and dummies will keep supporting them.
__________

RJGatorEsq. on October 27, 2009 at 9:05 AM

Yep. Screw the RinoNC.

davidk on October 27, 2009 at 9:29 AM

Newt, get bent.

spmat on October 27, 2009 at 9:30 AM

After that interview with Newt last night, it should be clear that Newt is trying to “reach out” to freakish liberals for a presidential run; instead of sticking up for conservative principles. Newt should be done as a viable spokesperson for conservatism a long time ago.

Fred Thompson for RNC chair!

Palin/Thompson 2012!

cubachi on October 27, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Does Fred have a goatee now?

texasconserv on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM

I just love Fred. Why didn’t Republicans notice him in ’08? It’s a nice ad and my heart is with Hoffman. This race has been made bigger than it really is.

Mojave Mark on October 27, 2009 at 9:38 AM

Wow, I guess I’ll be the bad guy here. Newt makes a fantastic point and may have turned me around on this.

The Republican party, at its height and in principle is about local representative control. While Palin and Thompson chiming in isn’t the same as Pelosi or Obama doing it from Washington, they still represent Washington establishment control.

The Republicans will start winning when we rally around the thing that binds us, smaller government; not just in theory, but in practice. They refuse to do that. They want to use the same tactics as do the Democrats, but they want to dictate about different things.

it’s pathetic.

Browncoats forever.

tikijack on October 27, 2009 at 9:38 AM

Newt, keep the change. You really screwed this one up.

Some have whined that this is a local Republican matter. But how can that be when you have national GOP organizations offering endorsements and providing campaign funding? In that light, I don’t buy it. Why should national GOP resources be diverted to such a liberal candidate?

Newt, your days are numbered as a Fox News contributor. Maybe you can help CNN’s tanking ratings.

BuckeyeSam on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 AM

I am thinking that Newt is trying to dis Sarah. That is the only reason I can see him doing his convoluted numbers game. All of a sudden he is in second place and someone else(Sarah) has the ear of Conservatives everywhere. She took a chance and endorsed Hoffman something that Newt would never do. He’s not the fighter that Sarah is.
All this bipartisian junk just isn’t playing anymore and he thinks he can out talk Sarah. He played it wrong this time and he will suffer.

BetseyRoss on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 AM

I agree with Newt’s reasoning, but not with his conclusion. Yes, Scozzafava appears to hold a few conservative and a few moderate views, but she also holds many liberal views and she’s not running for a mayoral job like Rudy, but a job that gives her a say in making our nation’s laws.

Party loyalty, a big tent, and the will of the local voters are all very important. But why did the local party organization choose not to hold a primary where local voters could pick their nominee? And even a big tent has an actual tent, with a perimeter and gates, and you have to have a ticket to enter. I really don’t think Scozzafava fits into a Reagan Republican Big Tent.

So, I hope everyone who has something to offer, will support Doug Hoffman. And cheers for Fred and all who followed his lead. As far as I’m concerned, Scozzafava is no longer in the picture. Let’s focus on defeating the Democrat, and on not fighting one another. And that goes for you too, Newt.

Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 AM

Even Karl Rove is in on the Hopey-Changey Republican re-branding exercise:

Powerline: Matt Latimer was deputy director of speechwriting for President George W. Bush during the latter part of his presidency.

For several years, Republican elites in the Bush White House urged conservatives like Vice President Dick Cheney to refrain from engaging the media (while they generously leaked to the press against people like … well, Dick Cheney.) Now elements from this same group – led by Ed Gillespie and other former Karl Rove operatives – are telling talk-radio hosts, tea party attendees and other activists to shut up too.

[...]

So now we are supposed to GAG RUSH, BECK, SAVAGE AND LAURA AND hide THEM in a corner somewhere while the “pragmatists” guide us to victory. Maybe it’s just me, but I think I’ll pass on taking advice from the group that guided President Bush to a 22 percent approval rating and aided the rise of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama.

mudskipper on October 27, 2009 at 9:41 AM

Give Newt a hoot> just in time for the boot~

hawkman on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 AM

Newt has unnecessarily buried himself with this.

But this is a good thing. He’s revealed himself to be a “born again” beltway politician rather than an activist conservative, and done so YEARS before the primaries.

Which did us a favor, really.

wildcat84 on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 AM

Newt is so delusional he is contemplating running for President in 2012. You can’t make this stuff up!

patrick neid on October 27, 2009 at 9:49 AM

Oh, what might have been if only Fred had had the fire in the belly. Just imagine what it would be like to have a mature, principled, sensible POTUS instead of the lame excuse for a president we now have.

uncalheels on October 27, 2009 at 9:49 AM

Wait… Newt Gingrich is a partisan robot who will rubber-stamp anything with an R next to it just to get power?

The Deuce, you say!

Lehosh on October 27, 2009 at 9:51 AM

Over at Newsbusters, they point to another poll released today that also shows Hoffman in the lead:

UPDATE: A new Neighborhood Research poll has just come out showing the following results: Hoffman 34.1%, Democrat Bill Owens 29.2%, and Scozzafava 13.9%, with a ±4.8% margin of error. Among definite voters, it’s Hoffman 37.5%, Owens 28.4%, and Scozzafava 13.5%, with a ±5.6% margin of error. Daily Kos switching its endorsement to the Democrat in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…

They link to TPM, and TPM talks about the poll but doesn’t give a link to it, so who really knows? Except the attack ads are now focused on Hoffman, so I’m certain internal polling is showing him as a threat.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/conservative-pollster-puts-hoffman-ahead-in-ny-23.php

yogi41 on October 27, 2009 at 9:52 AM

Speaking of Sarah. Follow the link, new post on her facebook page.

Sarah Palin: East Coast Races Impact All Americans
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=160906153434

nwsseeker on October 27, 2009 at 9:53 AM

Does Fred have a goatee now?

texasconserv on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM

mmm, mmm, MMMMMMMMMM!

hoosiermama on October 27, 2009 at 9:54 AM

I sure do wish Fred was the GOP Spokesperson instead of Michael Steele.

kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

I’m sorry but Fred slept through the Primary. He doesn’t have a good work ethic. It’s sad I know but don’t forget what happened in that race it was half hearted at best!

Now the principle Fred espouses should of course prevail but the man himself is lacking.

His wife has potential.

petunia on October 27, 2009 at 9:55 AM

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

“Most newts can be safely handled, provided that the toxins they produce are not ingested or allowed to come in contact with mucous membranes or breaks in the skin.”

Basil Fawlty on October 27, 2009 at 9:56 AM

I confess I am mystified over why Newt has dug in his heels so deeply on this race. There was no reason for it.

BigD on October 27, 2009 at 9:08 AM

Oh there’s a reason for it all right. Newt is placing party loyalty above principle. That’s all. His first instinct was to back the 11 party bosses that put Scozzafava in. If he were to admit that was wrong, he’d end up on a lot of s–t lists. Since he can’t admit that he was wrong, he’s ending up on the American people’s list. Go figure.

gryphon202 on October 27, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Fred Thompson – the laziest man in politics. I prefer Richard Nixon’s assessment – dumb as hell but friendly. Thanks Fred!

simplesimon on October 27, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Does Fred have a goatee now?

texasconserv on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 AM

I think it was the chocolate milk.

sibobr on October 27, 2009 at 10:01 AM

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 9:23 AM

I agree in principle. I don’t want to see a third party either. I want consertives to retake control of the Republican party. But if that does not happen, I refuse to be a part of a liberal lite party. If these guys are going to leave us only the choice of a big D government ruining our world, or a big R governemnt doing the same, I’d rather join the revolution.

MikeA on October 27, 2009 at 10:02 AM

Some have whined that this is a local Republican matter. But how can that be when you have national GOP organizations offering endorsements and providing campaign funding? In that light, I don’t buy it.

BuckeyeSam on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 AM

That’s like saying Barney Frank, Charlie Rangel, Nancy Pilosi etc.. are just local district matters. These people have taken these small districts and and ‘local’ positions and shaped the political landscape. For one I am tired of small liberal districts holding so much power in national politics. It seems that the Dems are far better at keeping their super libs in committee chairs while their centrists churn every other election and Repubs are the opposite. Scalping their Conservative leaders and promoting the wishy washy centrists into leadership positions only to have them beaten too by there own stupidity.

nolapol on October 27, 2009 at 10:03 AM

I saw Newt on Greta last night and his main point in the abstract was sound and went like this: at this stage this is a numbers game btw the Dems and Repubs with the Dems having a commanding lead in terms of seats, and as a result of of said seats, power.

volnation on October 27, 2009 at 9:11 AM
That doesn’t seem too sound to me. One seat in a one-year term is not going to shift the balance of power. Whomever wins will be getting to DC just in time to start running for re-election. If it is Scozzafava, my guess is that she’d be quick to vote with the Democrats in an effort to pander to the left for the 2010 elections. The more powerful position, IMO, is to send Hoffman as a message to RINOs and blue dogs.

highhopes on October 27, 2009 at 9:18 AM

The real numbers game is the number of Americans that call themselves conservatives! 40 is nothing to scoff at! And there is another group of the moderates who when push comes to shove are going to side with us now that Obama has shown his true colors!

Americans are not socialists! No how, no way.

The GOP is going to have to listen to real people.

I myself might have answered that poll question differently in mid-2008 than I would today. When conservative was the big spending of George Bush… That label was never true but that was the choice. Now distinctions can be made that align more with what is really conservative.

petunia on October 27, 2009 at 10:05 AM

I think it maybe time for the GOP to become passe from a conservative view too.

nolapol on October 27, 2009 at 9:27 AM

I am hoping this is the beginning of change, when people like Newt begin to realize they are out of step…he will fight to hang on, but Palin and Pawlenty and others (Jindahl) have their hand on the pulse of conservatives.
This will allow independents to rise up and run, knowing they can get Republicans to support them. This is the “big tent” everyone is talking about.
We don’t care who you “run with”, we care about your policies.
The Republicans have to have faith that when a conservative movement supports a candidate, they will generally vote along the Republican lines. They may veer off the party line (after all they are independent), but generally on the hardline issues, they will be with the Republicans (if they are conservative issues).
In other words, people like Newt and the other leaders are going to have to trust WE can make a decision on our own…a scary thought to these manipulators of public opinion. We will soon see who has faith in the American people (Palin and Pawlenty), and who are the arrogant elitists who “know better” then the people…

right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 10:07 AM

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/conservative-pollster-puts-hoffman-ahead-in-ny-23.php

yogi41 on October 27, 2009 at 9:52 AM

Thanks for posting that. The first poll linked puts Hoffman and the Democrat within the margin of error, with Scozzafava trailing badly. The second poll linked within the article has all three candidates within the margin of error. The dynamics of this race have changed. Hoffman may well be surging after all these endorsements, money and ads. Good.

Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 10:07 AM

Weight of Glory on October 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM

Ha!

csdeven on October 27, 2009 at 10:07 AM

The GOP is going to have to listen to real people.

I myself might have answered that poll question differently in mid-2008 than I would today. When conservative was the big spending of George Bush… That label was never true but that was the choice. Now distinctions can be made that align more with what is really conservative.

petunia on October 27, 2009 at 10:05 AM

If I was a quicker typist you would be agreeing with me, but now I am forced (and pleased) to agree with you.

right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 10:10 AM

The dynamics of this race have changed. Hoffman may well be surging after all these endorsements, money and ads. Good.

Loxodonta on October 27, 2009 at 10:07 AM

If Newt was a man, a real man, he would admit a flaw and throw his weight behind Hoffman and make a conservative stand.
Force Dede to back out…and the election would be HOffman’s.

right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 10:11 AM

This just makes me sad. If Fred had only stuck to his guns, we’d have a real president, not the Marxist Apologist Crime Boss in Chief.

Common Sense on October 27, 2009 at 10:11 AM

Newt: Dede is adequately conservative.

That’s the problem. You can’t be an adequate conservative. You either are a conservative or you aren’t. We can’t have true, purposeful political discourse unless people use the same terms, and are willing to discuss and defend their views. But, of course, defending your view is hard.

j_galt on October 27, 2009 at 10:11 AM

Gingrich and the New York State pols who nominated Scozzafava are fighting last year’s battle — they still think it’s 2008, Obamamania is sweeping the nation and the only thing Republicans can do is hunker down and nominate a Democrat lite who might vote with the rest of the party a third of the time.

The pols at least have the excuse of Stockholm Syndrome, in that having to live in a state that’s the liberal media capital of the world, it’s not a big surprise they’d have no faith in their own message, because the NYS GOP had no faith in it 40 years ago, when Jim Buckley ran on the conservative line and won the Senate race over liberal Republican Charles Goodell. The state leaders were so intimidated by last year’s liberal tsunami when they nominated Scozzafava they were blinded to the tide turning on Obama and the Dems during the spring and summer, and believed the media that the tea party and town hall attendees were a bunch of isolated cranks.

Gingrich doesn’t have that excuse, coming in with his endorsement well after it was obvious what was happening. The fact that Thompson, Palin, Pawlenty and others could see this while Gingrich doubles down makes it even more embarrassing.

jon1979 on October 27, 2009 at 10:12 AM

While Newt may have a legitimate agruement in his philosophy of a big tent, (and a more “inclusive collective” base of conservatives), 2010 may very well provide this evidence. The cost to the party at this time is not known.

I sure do wish Fred was the GOP Spokesperson instead of Michael Steele.

kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Not so secretly, I’d like to see Fred run again as #1 and Palin in the VP slot. Both would be winners.

Rovin on October 27, 2009 at 10:13 AM

Newt is totally disingenuous using the ‘local government’ argument. I’m sure that ‘Cuda, T-Paw, Fred and all of those who endorsed Hoffman whole-heartedly agree that the local Republican party officials have the right to nominate Scozzafavabeans. And the locals have every right to vote for her. Just as these guys have the right to endorse whomever they please. If Newt really believed what he was saying about local control, then why did HE – a national level politician – endorse someone in this local race. Sorry Newt, your actions show that you are just using this arguement to cover your @ss.

The problem with Washington control comes when the Washington machine cranks out the local committees who then choose wackos like DeDiddly.

miConsevative on October 27, 2009 at 10:13 AM

GO FRED!!!!!

Eat $hit and die Newt!

csdeven on October 27, 2009 at 8:55 AM

Did Fred sell his truck????
Or do you realize he can do more good as a commentator then as a candidate…

right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 10:13 AM

Not so secretly, I’d like to see Fred run again as #1 and Palin in the VP slot. Both would be winners.

Rovin on October 27, 2009 at 10:13 AM

Sarah on one side, Jeri on the other…I am not sure we are ready for that…

right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 10:16 AM

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