If you don't think Fred Thompson is going to run - watch this.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

Hell, after watching this, not only do I think he's going to run, I think he's running. Same old "Aw, shucks" Reagan lines and style that the others are trying for but he's obviously better at it. Another good old boy cowboy on his horse, complete with 6-guns to, save us all from a myriad of bogeymen and the gubmint.

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=239

[acmavm]

1. I think the old creep is just waiting for the other clowns to knock themselves

out of the race. Like McCain already has and Rudy is close to doing. Then (I think) he thinks he can waltz right in a be the big saviour or the Republic Party.

[bluestateguy]

2. I think Chris Matthews gets a boner at the mere mention of the man's name

nt

[onehandle]

3. Bring it on. And lose.

2008 is our year. Across the board.

[stevedeshazer]

8. I don't take that for granted, nor should anyone else

November 2008 is light years away. Mitt, Rudy, or Grampa McCain would be DOA. Not Fred. Against Hillary or Barack or Edwards, Thompson would be tough, though I like our chances gaining seats in Congress.

[Clark2008]

28. Sorry - I don't think so. Not if Thompson gets in the race.

The atmosphere surrounding him in the very states we need to flip in order to win is positively orgasmic.

His candidacy very much concerns and frightens me. For one thing, he's actually a very nice guy (I spent an entire day with him once when I was reporter) and he's played as being appealing to both conservatives AND moderate swing-voters. I don't agree with many of his stances, but I can certainly see, from living in a red/purple state why he's so revered.

The thing is, folks, if we don't get some white male voters in the South and mid-West on our side in 2008, we're not going to win. Thompson is beloved by these Bubbas. I just think it's over if it's Fred against any of our so-called front-runners, none of whom appeal to the swing-vote Bubbas like Bill Clinton did.

[dairydog91]

41. Gee, I remember...

...when Chimpy said "Bring it on!" Remember how that turned out?

Thompson would certainly capture the hardcore Bushies, and I certainly see him garnering a large base of support in rural areas. He's sort of a SuperDubya; He's got a similar relaxed, Southern-style manner, and he appears to have a functioning brain (Or at the very least, the ability to speak fluent English).

[stevedeshazer]

4. He's runnin. Aw, shucks.

I take him very seriously. Any one of those ten clowns on MSNBC would lose to any Democrat, but Fred has cred with the masses.

I agree with you.

[misanthrope]

5. I think the Democrats should be very concerned with him**nm

**

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

7. You know, if you had told me six months ago that Fred Thompson would actually be considered a

serious candidate for the presidency...oh, well, the world in which we live. :shrug: MKJ

[buff2]

16. I thought the repukes hated "Hollywood actors"

Aren't they always complaining about the "Hollywood elite"? Oh wait.....that's just for the Liberals. When it's one of theirs,it's perfectly ok. Hypocrites.

[Adelante]

6. He's running

I think he's one of their strongest candidates.

[DemBones DemBones]

9. Do not think that Americans will not vote for an actor/politician.

We made that mistake when Ronald Reagan ran against Jimmy Carter. Like Thompson, Reagan had done a regular television show so he was widely known besides having been in movies and a two-term governor of California. Thompson was a two-term Senator from Tennessee, winning Al Gore's old seat with the promise he'd go to D.C. for only two terms.

By the way, I watched "No Way Out," the great 1987 thriller with Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, and Sean Young, a couple of weeks ago for probably the tenth time. (Great movie if you've never seen it.) And guess who played the CIA director? Yup, good ol' Fred. Wonder if anyone thought he'd soon be a U.S. Senator when he made that movie? I also wondered what else I've seen him in without knowing who he was. "Law & Order" introduced him to me and millions of others.

[Adelante]

10. His election numbers were very high both times

I understand he is extremely popular in his state.

[Clark2008]

30. Very popular.

I can't turn on talk radio without hearing the near-orgasmic moans of the populace - not the talk-show hosts - extolling a Thompson run.

It's ridiculous.

[TwilightGardener]

11. He's got cancer, he's old, bald, ugly, overhyped, and underqualified.

I think he's seeking publicity more than anything else. He recently signed a contract with ABC radio to do political commentary. Y'all are nuts. I've seen him speak, he looks and sounds like someone's doddering redneck grampa--one who's a "character", perhaps, but not exactly inspiring. He looks like he's ready for the Shady Pines Rest Home. The GOP might pump him up enough to get him to run, but when he does he'll have to slog it out with the rest of them, and the dirt will be dug, and the fawning will give way to criticism, just like with Rudy and Mittens. They are more in love with Fantasy Fred than they will be with Reality Fred. I think the nominee will be Mittens, myself--younger, rich, healthy, nice and appropriate wife, and a smooth, sunny optimism.

[knight_of_the_star]

12. The only thing that would keep him out is cancer

Cause honestly bald probably wouldn't be a huge problem, the rest also could equally apply to Reagan when he ran.

[TwilightGardener]

14. Nope--Reagan was Governor of California, and tried to run for

prez several times, IIRC--not exactly underqualified. His acting career was long behind him when he ran, which meant that he wasn't competing with his "character" at the same time he was campaigning. Fred is in the honeymoon phase because the Repubs want "none of the above" right now--they're just not satisfied. But they won't ultimately put him up against a younger, stronger, sharper, healthier Dem candidate, who are extremely well-versed on the issues and extremely ambitious. Fred's drawl sounds semi-retarded and half-asleep--Shrubya ruined the good-ol-boy accent for him. People will be looking for brains and competence this time around--Hillary, Obama and Edwards (assuming it's one of them) have both. People will want someone who WANTS the job--remember, GWB didn't really want to be prez--it was handed to him, and we all knew it. Fred thought the Senate was full of boring, irrelevant tasks, and has said that doesn't intend to campaign very hard, which won't fly in "touch-me" states like New Hampshire--much as he would like to be coronated. His weaknesses will show, big time, on the campaign trail. It will be the Dems' year in 2008--bring 'em on!

[knight_of_the_star]

33. I wouldn't discount him so easily

Ignoring someone who has the potential to be a huge problem gives them a big opening. While I have no problem ridiculing all their candidates and pointing out their flaws, we shouldn't underestimate any of them, and whichever looks like their getting the nom has to be taken VERY seriously so we can be certain to get a blowout in '08.

[TwilightGardener]

36. Not ignoring or discounting--just making predictions. If they are dumb

enough to put up a guy with cancer, questionable use of PAC funds, a history of lazy legislating and other assorted skeletons up against the Dems, the GOP will lose. That's my take on it. The neocons want to win, and all they are doing right now is shuffling their deck to see who can do that. I don't ultimately think he will be the nominee.

[mitchtv]

13. Paul Tsongas was healthy too

Fred's wife will be no asset

[BlueStater]

22. Exactly

I fail to see what all the fuss is about. He has nowhere near the amount of name recognition Reagan had when he ran for president in 1980. And I don't find him all that charismatic either.

[Clark2008]

31. And your name is an indicator to me exactly why you think

this way.

Come on down to a red state and you'll see what concerns some of us. You're absolutely incorrect in your assumption because you DON'T hear it day-in and day-out in a blue state like we red and purple staters do. We're trying to warn you, but you're not listening.

Ignore that at your own peril.

Not trying to be harsh or start a flame war, here, I'm simply laying it out as it is.

[BlueStater]

38. *LOL* I actually live in Florida

I just call myself "BlueStater" because it's something I aspire to be someday. Plus, when I first registered here I was more concerned with getting in then coming up with a big fancy username.

I can't say I've seen any hysteria over Fat Fred so far. But what do I know?

All I know is, after eight years of Chimpboy, people want something more substantial and not just a lame accent and dumbass swagger. Fred was a mediocre, lazy one-term senator and is just about the last person on Earth who deserves to be president. He fully supports President Moron's war, doesn't believe in global warming, and thinks Scooter Libby should be pardoned. Once people hear about these things they're not going to give him a pass just because he's some stupid actor.

[mitchtv]

42. your name tells a lot too

we've seen the behavior of your camp and your incessant "concern" about Thompson'e perceived greatness

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

25. My thoughts exactly. n/t

MKJ

[Clark2008]

29. And NONE of that matters to the white males who will carry

him in states we need to win in order to garner enough Electoral College votes.

Hell, his pretty wife will ensure him even MORE white male votes.

Of course, they're in love with Fantasy Fred, but how many wingnuts and swing voters who don't vote on issues, but on personality live in the Real World?

Mittens is NOT beloved by these same voters like Fred is. Like John Edwards, swing-vote Bubbas don't like "pretty boys."

[Missy Vixen]

40. I can unequivocally say that Mrs. Thompson will cost him

the over-40 female vote, which is a very large segment of votes to lose.

>Hell, his pretty wife will ensure him even MORE white male votes.<

Mrs. Thompson is not the shy, demure Mrs. Bush. I do not care for Mrs. Bush. At the same time, the Republicans like their First Ladies to look and act like ladies. Plunging necklines and the lack of a bra while publicly photographed does not bode well for her.

IMHO, YMMV.
Julie

[CK_John]

15. An actor playing a part. I'm shocked! This guy is lining up his next gig.

L&O is on the way out and he showing the real decider's he can play the part of pres. He'll run if given the ok by the neocons. I feel they have picked Mitt, he is more pliable and that is why they have Tommie in there to confuse the voters in case Fred puts on a better show than the neocons were ready for.

Should Mitt fail, the neocons will gladly go for a willing actor. He's not in yet, but ready.

[David Dunham]

17. Fred Thompson would be a very formidable candidate

[CK_John]

19. Neocons play to win and their candidate will be formidable indeed. Its a question of who? n/t

[Phredicles]

18. I still don't see how you can pull off the "aw shucks" thing when you look

like this:

[Poiuyt]

20. Howard Fineman said that he would be entering the race in July

I think he'll be a tough candidate. But you could say that he has a hard time deciding between acting and politics since he's gone back and forth several times.

[Imagevision]

21. GOP needs Thompson, what better then an actor although Regan was born for the part!!

[GreenTea]

23. Republicans are dust....If the Dems ever understand electronic voting machine are...

easily hackable, finally, and do something about it, before 2008. We do not want to see three straight presidential elections gone, lost, stolen... PAPER BALLOTS! Accurate - Count them...NO electronic voting machines scanners! NO compromise with the republicans HAVA bullshit....Stop fucking around! http://www.bradblog.com/

[Warren DeMontague]

24. I have to say... I really liked him as "Bull" on "Night Court".

As this guy, not so much.

[onehandle]

26. That wasn't him. That was Richard Moll.

[mitchtv]

43. Bwahahahahahahahah!

a reasonable facsimile

[Warren DeMontague]

45. Yeah, I know.

Maybe we can get that guy to run, instead.

[Clark2008]

27. Considering that he was the keynote speaker at the Lincoln

Club's ta-do this past week, I'd say he's running.

If you don't know who or what the Lincoln Club of Orange County is, I'd suggest you read up on them: http://www.lincolnclub.com/

From the 1966 election of Ronald Reagan as governor to the political resurrection of Richard Nixon (once a member himself) all the way through to the recall of Gray Davis, the Lincoln Club has been a leader in the Republican party’s most important local, state and national causes.

They brought us Ronald Reagan and the Gray Davis recall - they aren't just any "local" group.

[Jade Fox]

32. Thompson scares me.

He has undeniable screen presence, a commanding voice, and some experience in government. Reagan had about the same amount of qualifications. Thompson also says some stuff that makes sense (like that the Government spends very little time dealing with things that daily impact the American people). Given the disastrous group of GOP candidates so far, Thompson could start looking very good if ran a decent campaign.

[Auggie]

39. Me too. A lot. He's Reagan with a good ol' boy act.

[merh]

34. Wouldn't it be something if the two candidates that didn't

begin to campaign early, that have been reluctant to announce or have to be convinced that they should run, Thompson and Gore, are the two that will fight for the votes in 2008?

The "base" want Thompson, he speaks their mumbojumbo, and he says nothing of substance on the true issues. (He has yet to say how he would handle Iraq.)

Saturday, 05/05/07
Text of Fred Thompson's speech to the Lincoln Club of Orange County
Delivered in Orange County, California, Friday, May 4, 2007

ABC Radio Networks

So we meet again, and I'm honored, because I know we're here for the same reasons: Love of our country and concern for our future.

A lot of Americans have these concerns tonight. They are concerned about the way things are going in our country right now. Some fear we may be in the first stages of decline. We've heard this malaise talk before.

Of course Iraq is a large part of it. Not only is it tough going, but the effort is besieged on all sides. From those playing the most crass kind of politics with it at home to criticism from around the world.

Even at home, as we enjoy the benefits from one of the best economies we've ever had, people seem uncertain; they raise concerns about global competition or a growing economic disparity among our citizens.

These are challenges. But how we react to them is more important than the challenges themselves. Some want us, to the extent possible, to withdraw from the world that presents us with so many problems, in the hope they will go away. Some would push us towards protectionist trade policies. Others see a solution in raising taxes and redistributing the income among our citizens.

-snip-

More speech @ http://www.dicksonherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070505/NEWS/70505011

His appeal is not to be taken lightly. The only thing I see that is not in his favor, he hasn't been hand picked by the GOP/neo-cons to be their candidate. If they see him as a threat to their power struggles/grabs, they will do our work for us. They will defeat him so their hand picked candidate (ala GWB) will have a clear field.

[TwilightGardener]

35. If you think he's not a neocon, then you're misinformed. He is WORSE

than McCain. He is a member of AEI--apparently you don't know what a neocon is.

[merh]

37. Let me give you a word of advice when utlizing a message board.

Don't accuse others or be so confrontational if you want to have decent conversations.

Your post to me is insulting in tone.

Had you posted, "do you realize he is a member of the AEI" and provided me a link to support your stated fact, then we could have a conversation.

You need to remember, not everyone on this board is an enemy and it is better to share information than it is to be accusatory and insulting.

Part of your moniker does seem fitting of your attitude.

[flyarm]

44. heck HBO ran 3 movies saturday with fred in them!! .i am not kidding! eom