As a registered Republican from the great state of New Jersey, I don't understand why everybody is so excited about Fred Thompson potentially coming out of the closet as a candidate. The great event is supposed to take place after Labor Day, when his exploratory committee's deliberations and weighing of his options are concluded. For the life of me, I am puzzled why the folks are so nuts about Fred.
Okay, he talks better than most of the other candidates. He has a presence on TV, having established a record as an actor on Law & Order.
But if that is a qualification, forget Fred Thompson. I say, Sam Waterston for president.
Seriously, why are we even considering him? Could it be the paucity of the talent we Republicans came up with so far?
The current alleged front-runners are Romney and Giuliani.
Romney, as you know, will say anything to get elected. He has transformed himself so many times he gives new meaning to the word flip-flop. He is the ultimate revolving door candidate.
As if that isn't bad enough, I don't get the concept of a president named Mitt. I can understand a Matt as in Matt Dillon or a Mutt as in Mutt & Jeff. But a Mitt is a catcher's mitt.
Rudy? He is another revolving door, not only on the issues but also in his personal life. One of his achievements is being a guy who can use TV to tell his wife he was going to seek a divorce.
Conventional wisdom is Republican voters are not pleased with what they have seen so far in the dueling revolving doors. They need someone else. And Fred, the movie star, is definitely someone else. I'll give him that.
The man is a revolving door candidate on steroids. He always has two revolving doors spinning at the same time.
Professionally, I never even thought of Thompson as an actor running for president. I thought of him as a Washington political and legal insider. 'Why, I still remember him sitting next to Howard Baker as the Republican counsel on the Irvin Committee in the Watergate hearings," recalled R.B. Bernstein, the historian and constitutional scholar. "In his own memoir, Thompson admitted tipping off the White House that the tapes were about to be released. That was clearly a conflict of interest. What was a minority counsel doing calling Frank Langella, I mean Richard Nixon? Hardly the kind of guy you 'd want to be president."
First, he's a Watergate leaker. Then he's a Tennessee lawyer. Then he's an actor.Then he's a senator. Then he's an actor again. Around and around he goes career wise.
His most recent spin in the revolving door is in the image-making department. He is trying to have it both ways as a serious political figure and a serious actor. No problem in the media, which he has convinced of his "star power."
In playing a role on TV, he has been doing it for the paycheck. I can't believe he has been doing his Law & Order gig just to advance his political career some day. If he is, he is even more Machiavellian than I suspected.
The thing is Thompson isn't a great actor on TV. He is okay as New York City District Attorney Arthur Branch.
He had the classic DA role. He sits in his office. Pours Jack McCoy a drink. He says something sage, something politically perceptive and cynical. Then he gives him a suggestion about what to do. That's what the DA always does, even before Thompson landed the plum assignment in the final months of his U.S. Senate term in 2002
Thompson replaced Diane Weist as the DA. It's still a mystery why. Apparently, the women members of the "Law & Order" constituency at home didn't like her as much as the ever-popular hunk Fred. Weist had replaced Steven Hill who created the role (1990-2000), and somehow incurred the wrath of legendary producer Dick Wolf, much to the chagrin of Law & Order fans such as myself.
I found it hard to take that a New York political figure like the DA would have a heavy Tennessee accent that you could cut with a chainsaw.
Every so often Fred would call in Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston since 1994) and his assistant, and say something like "I've got the mayor on my shoulder. Everybody yelling at me and I have to do some yelling at you."
That could be a clue to how Thompson, who already is being ID'd as "Sen. Movie Star (R-Law & Order)," is going to run the country. Except there is no mayor to sit on Fred's shoulder if he becomes president.
Now I realize the public likes actors in the White House. Witness the astonishing veneration of Ronald Reagan's eight years in office, a period in which some suggest he thought he was acting in a very long running movie. And then there is the current incumbent, who seems to be acting as a stand-in for Dick Cheney.
But Fred Thompson for president? It boggles the mind.
If we want a candidate who is an actor, usually it shouldn't be anyone who has a made a name for himself on a television series. TV actors don't go very far. Commander in Chief, starring Geena Davis, has already been cancelled. It's a long tradition of failure dating back at least until 1987's George C. Scott flop in Mr. President.
The one exception to the rule was Martin Sheen as Pres. Josiah Bartlet in The West Wing who served his country from 1999-2006. I would have voted for him in 2000 and 2004.
I know these are very heavy issues I am debating here. Maybe I'm all wet. Here is a way to find out.
There have been many political polls flying around the airwaves this season. Still to be heard from is the most prestigious of all. Will you welcome please, the Official Famous Kitman Poll (Est. 2007)
Today's question:
Who do you prefer for president (Check one)
...Fred Thompson
...Martin Sheen
...Geena Davis
...Sam Waterston
....Richard Nixon, (I mean, Frank Langella)
.... None of the above
... All of the above
As we say in my neck of the woods, Hudson County, vote early and vote often.
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Martin Sheen
I'd be afraid of anyone running who is aligned with Law & Order creator, Dick Wolf. Talk about a heavy duty Republican!!
Some funny guy here in L.A. said that politics is "Hollywood for ugly people"
Chicagoans vote early and often, too. Here we prefer political dynasties.
"he talks good"? As opposed to being clean and articulate? He's got a right fine lookin wife too. And Dr. Richard Land is praying for him, with church offering plates to fill his Campaign coffers with. Just what I want in this world, Another aging fascist puppet actor. No thanks, been there done that, burned my souvenier T-shirt, and I'll skip the 50 cent tour also.
Beautiful. Wife would be pronounced with a loonnng "eye." I know a Bob Jones University graduate who is praying for Fred to get in the race.
Well, I like this article and the description of the various previous Republican Presidents. When I lived in Tennesse, Reagan was the President, and I never understood that sideways walking greeting of his. Then he would nod off all the time and we finally found out that he had Alzheimers. I have always voted Democrat, and Reagan demolished the unions. Not that I had too much against that, personally, at the time, I have never been a member of any union, but it appeared to me to cut into some people's rights to have a backup in case of protest. No, I have a really personal reason for not voting for Fred. He is from TENNessee, and I have lived there for two decades. They did not like me in that state, and ultimately I reciprocated their feelings. I was starting to be very much against Americans. But then I remembered Arizona, and I moved to another state, and both Arizona and that other state are fine. I like Americans again. Tennesseeans? Bad experiences with them. No way!! And another ACTOR in the White House? I want a real human being who is who he/she is, not a pretender.
So you're underwhelmed with "K Street Fred" Thompson, Mr. Kitman? Smart man (you, not Thompson).
Thompson's a bought-and-paid-for Washington shyster. His career as political hack/lobbyist/influence peddler has so compromised him that he doesn't know which is end is up.
Dr. Ron Paul for President.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com turns out it doesn't work unless it's complete.
Right you are, Pyrum. Dr. Paul generates spontaneous, heartfelt enthusiasm.
He's a Constitutionalist, he votes the way he says he will (!), doesn't participate in the Congressional health care or pension systems, doesn't jet around the world on the taxpayers' dime, etc. He's not owned by everybody in town.
Yeah, I'd say he's OK to be President!
Ron Paul!!!! Ron Paul!!!! Ron Paul!!!! See what kind of enthusiasm that man generates?!!!!
Marvin:
You are humorous and thorough. I like your work. My website URL will tell you which side I am on, MyManFred.com
Now I will tell you why. Firstly it is the perception. I don't watch TV so that is not from whence my perception comes. It is the days when seasoned Congressmen deferred to Fred and took photo ops with him, giving the perception they revered him more than themselves and wanted to be in his light.
Of course I could go on. It is like your perception of Romney. I love it! Or your slam at Rudy. Unless you are on a first name basis or had interviews, how else can you judge? Perception is to decode what you see and hear and pass judgement. Not much to go on, unless you use the media for help. That is like drinking tap water. It can be hazardous if taken repeatedly.
Fred Thompson :
One of the few real men of iron gonads and keen perception.
Smart forged steel. A guardian of our Country. Diamond hard and love soft.
He sees around the bend when others fail. He is a clueless chess game.
He is Knowledge, he is Respect. He is Man.
Don Jones
MyManFred.com
Don,
Just read your piece "My Man Fred: Fred Thompson A Man's Man".
Quite a piece! (I can see you have a lot of love for the big guy.)
In fact my only complaint (and this from a Democrat!) is that LBJ's first name is generally spelled Lyndon, rather than Lynden (unless you meant someone else.)
Also, I read once that Fred's campaign platform will be to reduce or eliminate corporate taxes. Is that still the case? Seems like a VERY shrewd strategy for obtaining major funding.
Thanks, and GOOD LUCK!
Don,
A question that I know I can't get answered elsewhere, if you don't mind.
Being as close to Fred as you are:
Is it difficult, personally, as a friend, to see him surrounded by so many men and women that you know only want him for what they see of him on TV?
Thank you, Don.
Don,
Thank you!
Those are very good things to know!
What do you think of my analysis above? (If comment accepted.)
Thanks much. I REALLY appreciate you input, since you are "the man" on this topic. (AND as you say, w/o knowing him personally, all is conjecture.)
(BTW, What's wrong with tap water? I'd like to know before I spend another 50 years drinking it. What's better?)
Don"t despair. Check out the post, "FEC Complaint Filed Against Fred Thompson" by Lane Hudson, 08.20.2007
Why are you a registered Republican?
I can't speak for Marvin Kitman, but I'm a registered republican because I am voting for Ron Paul in the republican national primaries. www.ronpaul2008.com
Py,
Do you have to registered as a repub in your state to do that?
We have some pretty strange laws, too, but not that one (yet.)
Thanks.
The Republican Party is dead. The oil companies,the drug corporations,and the munitions manufacturers, know this. They have shifted most of their support to people who say that they are Democrats. The corporate sponsors have no need for losers. The Democrats will represent their interests every bit as well. Who will represent the rest of us ?
How about Ron Paul? www.ronpaul2008.com
Only speculation on my part, but I've been following the Thompson hype closely.
The most likely scenario seems to be that Fred will skip the early contests because he lacks the organization to be competitive. Then he'll take on Giuliani in places like Florida to try to derail RG's front running campaign. I doubt if Fred will succeed, but it may position him on the short list of RG's vice presidential picks.
Fred lacks the discipline and drive to be at the top of the ticket. RG may need him to capture Southern states. But RG is probably too smart to pick a lightweight like Fred. The hype for Fred among some Republicans is silly, pathetic, and somehow touching. They really seem to believe in this big nothing.
rp,
Excellent analysis.
How about:
1) air of mystery
2) can't make mistakes w/o candidacy announced AND mouth shut
3) TV residuals continue
4) MORE press as "mystery man"
5) isn't yet in a position to be critical of others. SEEMS to stand above.
6) freedom of movement, image, that he will lose later
Wadja think?
Thanks.
yeah, you know how stupid americans are about celebrity. we make fools of ourselves over people we do not know, except by face, name, and associations. you would have thought this superficial character assignment that makes people somewhat comfortable would by now be seen for what it is. it's good points are evident, but celebrity is no guarantee for success and most importantly, leadership!
what is wrong with people?
we need leadership....real, true, all or nothing at all die hard leadership....and few are rising thru the ranks in d.c.
imagine a strong leader who is naturally self-assured, competent, capable, strong, clear, decisive, brilliant, forth-right, anticipating, diplomatic, sure-footed, caring, bold, thoughtful, gifted, reliable, and determined to restore america as well as set it's course well into the future.....imagine....when you see this person, one who won't put your loved ones in harms way, but deals in a new way, vote for this person...don't let 'em get away - to be wasted! after all, someone will rise up - even though these are horrible times to take over the govt with the messes made and they will inherit...let the leader rise to the top, and vote like crazy, make everyone you know 'see it' and vote. this thompson thing is grasping at straws, taking an image, and surely another conservative, and promoting them...if he had what it takes, we woud have known it. they had their chance, this ridiculous party ... games over.
Phony Fred for president give me a break!!!!
GOP can't find a republican that hasn't been married and divorced several times!
Even Nixon called him dumb and lazy! What makes people think he could play the role of president???? Oh I forgot Reagan was an actor also!!!
T. S. Eliot would have had him pegged: he is the hollow man, headpiece stuffed with straw....
fetch,
Indeed he would have:
No! I am not Prince Hamlet,....
Am an attendant lord, one that will do....
[To] Advise the prince, no doubt, an easy tool,...
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse,
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous-
Almost, at times, the fool.
I grow old, I grow old.
I shall wear my trousers rolled.
Thanks, friend.
Jed Bartlet, fer sure, as long as he
promises not to bring along his god-awful
staff, excepting the late Mrs Landingham.
Second choice, Sam Waterston, who is perhaps
better suited to be VP to President Bartlet.
(& note, that it's 'Waterston' - important
to get that right, on the ballots' y'know.)
I'll go with the majority of Republicans,,,,none of the above.
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Posted August 21, 2007 | 07:31 PM (EST)