The Thompson Reviews Are In

NY Sun

I just attended Fred Thompson's first campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa. The quick take: This is a whimper of a start.

I'm writing from the filing center that the Thompson campaign has set up in the Polk County Convention Complex, and the verdict from the grizzled and cynical Des Moines press corps is harsh: "Pathetic" was the word used by one vet. "Small" and "low energy" were the words used to describe the crowd.

Washington Post

Written, aides said, by Thompson himself and contained in notecards that the candidate took with him to the podium, the speech was unnaturally quiet and reserved. There were a few moments of stirring language that gave rise to some applause. But for the most part, it was serious and thoughtful and - boring?

That's Fred, say campaign aides. He's not a podium-pounding, voice-rising, preacher-like speaker. In fact, they said afterward, the opening words of his speech promised "a conversation" with voters - and that's what he offered.

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Conversations are fine. But opening a campaign with a conversation is an interesting choice that might not play well on television screens - something that could be a first for the "Law & Order" star.

Hotline

Fred Thompson seemed a bit more like an actor than a candidate 9/6 in Des Moines.

His good ol' boy persona certainly seemed genuine enough, but his speech had the cadence of a dramatic monologue, not a rallying cry for undecided voters. There were large gaps of not-so-dramatic silence between a few of his main points. And instead of building the crowd's energy to a roar throughout the speech, he seemed to inadvertantly lull them into a patriotic stupor. The crowd still cheered at the end, but not quite as loudly as on the way in.

Des Moines Register

Fred Thompson's announcement speech Thursday in Des Moines was underwhelming.

The former U.S. Senator and movie actor formally announced his long-awaited candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination at the Des Moines Convention Complex. It wasn't very impressive.

The crowd of a few hundred didn't seem enthused. Thompson's oratory didn't soar but was somewhat rambling.

He would have been better off just to repeat the announcement statement he posted on his web site. It is much better written and cogently delivered.

Comments

[Grulg]

ZZZZZZZZZZ­ZZZZZZZZZZ­ZZ. I'm still not sure what the draw here is-at least w. Newt-you have the Joe Biden effect-smart, TV friendly loud-mouth who makes Some sense, and even if you don't agree-you know what he's about etc. Fred? He's-DULL.

[MissFortunate]

Doesn't matter, Fox News will be anointing him the second coming and the legions will follow.

[MrBritesnide]

He's so damn old, maybe he forgot he was running for president.

[MyNameIsVictoriaWinters]

Bin ladin is a SYMBOL?

Ill agree:

He was a 'SYMBOL' of freedom under REAGAN

A 'SYMBOL' of Good Business under Governor Bush(Afghan Oil Pipeline)

Now he's a 'SYMBOL' of Terrorism under President Bush

[Janco54]

Not a surprise. He's in wayyyy over his head.
This race is getting good!
This is gonna require a lot of popcorn...­...
and wine.

[MrBritesnide]

And not a blogwhore or Reich-Ving prostitute to be found...

what intellectual cowards!

[MrBritesnide]

He's just got to get another opener other than 'The Houn' Dawg an' tha Raccoon."

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

What ya' wanna' bet that Dr. Phil has a huge fundraiser for him.

[gakabani]

"Pathetic" ... "Low Energy" ... "Somewhat Rambling" ...
"Large Gaps Of Not-So-Dramatic Silence"

These characteristics can also describe the American people. We are a pathetic nation.

[cuthbertallgood]

Speak for yourself.

[Qbear]

The speech doesn't have the WOW factor without the dueling banjo intro.

[outnow]

Gomer Pyle could have inspired more confidence.

[jackjett]

OMG...

He is another George Bush....th­e repukes are gonna love him.

Jack Jett

[MrBritesnide]

It seems the RepubliKLAN coalitiion has been diddling with jackleg, racist, holyrollon' preachers so long that if your're not bringin' the fire n' brimstone, they're not listenin'. I wonder if our Hillbilly Fuc--I mean Deluxe, can enlighten us.

[CintiBlue]

I saw Fred on inSannity earlier this week and he is very long-winded, to the point of seeming to forget where he's going. Plenty of phoney down home phrases were used that wore thin fast.

If he's suposed to light up the race for republicans, I can't believe they won't be very disappointed - kind of like a movie you hear so much about that just doesn't live up to the hype.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

That's the last thing this nation needs. Another neo-con asshole to further divide the people. The neo-con morons will love him though. Since they have no independent thought they will cheer him on since that's what papa rush told them to do.

[CintiBlue]

You're right.

Even as I typed, I knew my reaction to Fred would seem like idiotcy to the people who love the arrival of their savior.

[totalliberal]

I guess that's what happens when talentless conservatives write your lines.

Go back to acting and let those talented progressives write your lines.

[Qbear]

EVEN with frothy Santorum's self loathing queer as his communcations director, Fred hasn't got that sizzle...M­ORE man-on-dog sex, less red truck...ST­UPID!

[OhPlease2007]

Big Daddy Bull Frog vs. The MSM - Part II

Thompson can't run as an establishment candidate; he has to run as a, populist. If you are a political history buff, you will remember that Ronald Reagan, like Fred Thompson, wasn't/isn't the choice of the 'old money east coast establishment' ; the old moneyed east coast establishment stick to their own. To alter the famous line from Al Pacino in, Scent Of A Woman, Fred Thompson wasn't some 'snot nosed kid in a tweed jacket studying to be George Bush' going to the most expensive private schools and Ivy League Colleges that are known to breed elitist establishment think-tank members who are instrumental in creating bogus business deals disguised as, 'domestic and foreign policy'; of course, if you -or- your kids can get into Ivy League colleges, by all means, GO!

The east coast establishment didn't want Ronald Reagan; they wanted George Bush. But Ronald Reagan captured the heart of the Republican base, so much so that they came out in droves to elect him president, subsequently, there wasn't a F-ing thing the east coast establishment could do about it; score 1 for the American people!

Currently, we have similar patterns being put forth into place. But, 'if Fred Thompson is able to capture the hearts of the Republican base' -- not too hard to do with current polls showing extreme apathy for all the Republican candidates before Thompson entered the race -- there is not one F-ing thing the 'east coast establishment' can do to prevent Fred Thompson from getting the nomination. I believe that Fred Thompson WILL get the nomination; all the others are too dull. Thompson outshines the rest of the GOP pack -- charismatically -- by 'at least a mile!'

Consider the source of these 'so-called reviews on Fred Thompson'; read them with a grain-of- salt -and- with a sleuth-like sense of true journalistic skepticism, not cynicism.

It's not up to the media whom we choose to vote for, it's up to the PEOPLE. Think with your heart; vote with your conscience.

[beholder]

Ray-gun ran as a populist outsider. Once in, he proved to be just what the East Coast military/i­ndustriali­sts ordered. He broke the backs of unions starting with the air traffic controllers, he gutted government oversight agencies, is beefed up corporate wellfare. And whether he was too far gone with Altsheimers to know it or not Negroponte and Ollie North fought a dirty little war in Nicaragua for the benefit of East Coast Agri- business.

[OhPlease2007]

beholder, thanks for your response; all very good points.

:)

[Lisette]

I kow all the bloggers on this web site told you GOPers Fred was a dud!

There is a lot of wisdom here on the HuffPo Bloggers, GOPers should read and heed!

[Bushgirlsgonewild]

.



His best chance at being the Republican nominee was to "remain silent and be thought a fool..."

(you know the saying.)


Instead, like all Republicans of the past 40 years, he moved his lips, and some movie-script-like nonsense came spilling out.



.

[boyd]

But the republics LIKE that.....

[RandyRanson]

This old dog is going nowhere near Washington, but he's hoping by running, it may a attract a few new offers to act once again in a movie. What a pathetic warmonger.

[OrvilleHLarson]

You're right--"K Street Fred" IS a pathetic warmonger.

Did you watch him on Leno? When asked about the Iraq war, he spewed nothing but neocon bullshit.
The man's owned by the Israeli lobby.

Dr. Ron Paul for President.