Dems Apparently Fear Thompson

[ProfJohn]

Some interesting things in here.
Those of us on the right will agree with most of what is in here.

Those on the left will come up with excuses to ignore everything in here.
Link
Notice who wrote this... not some typical right wing pundint, but someone from one of the major polling firms.

When one political party tries to influence the other's presidential primary race the reasonable assumption is that someone is trying to stop the nomination of a candidate that party does not want to face in November.

That's why a Democrat-aligned group injecting itself into the Republican campaign by alleging that Fred Thompson lobbied for abortion rights is a pretty good indication the other side thinks he has serious potential.

Thompson has become a force in the GOP polls even though almost half of Republicans and more than half the rest of the electorate say they don't know enough about him to form an opinion.

In this case his Democratic foes are trying to define him negatively for GOP voters before he can make a good first impression.

That's why in the last few weeks we have seen a stream of stories that would seem to be aimed at derailing his candidacy. Some were clearly planted in the news media with information from partisans of other candidates or causes. Others may have arisen independently from a news media itching to vet Thompson.

The former Tennessee senator and movie/TV actor had experienced a sharp rise in the polls, making everyone take seriously what only months ago might have seemed a flight of fancy.

Thompson runs a consistent second among Republican voters nationally and in most states. In many southern states he leads GOP front-runner Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor.

So far he trails the major Democratic contenders in trial heats, but given voters' lack of familiarity with him at least some Democrats are worried he could be difficult to beat in November should he win the GOP nomination.

Thompson's candidacy has reshaped the campaign so much that even before he officially announced, adversaries were seeking to undermine his candidacy.

Most interesting - and perhaps most telling of his potential - was the effort by a Democrat-aligned abortion rights group to tarnish his credentials among social conservatives, who are a large part of the GOP primary electorate.

And don't forget it is the Democratic National Commitee -- not his GOP competitors -- that is suggesting the Federal Election Commission cite him for campaign law violations because he has allegedly been abusing his "testing the waters" committee to effectively run for president without having to disclose contributors and spending.

The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association claimed that Thompson had lobbied the White House on its behalf in 1991. Thompson denied the charge, and John Sununu, who was White House chief of staff at the time, backed up Thompson.

Only time will tell which side eventually turns out to be perceived as being truthful by the electorate. But regardless of the truth of the allegation, its presence is remarkable at this stage of the race.

Memory does not produce a similar case where an interest group tied to one of the major political parties sought so overtly to influence the debate and outcome of the other parties' nomination fight, especially before a candidate even formally announced.

Think how unusual it would be if, for instance, a conservative group opposed to immigration reform that would allow any legalization of those here illegally claimed that Sen. Barack Obama, before he was in the Senate, had been active in anti-Hispanic activities.

In that mythical case it would be Republicans trying to damage Obama's reputation with a key Democratic voting block, Hispanics - just as the current allegations about Thompson are aimed at planting doubt about him among GOP-leaning Christian conservatives.

Also appearing in the news media in recent weeks has been a report on files that showed Richard Nixon critical of Thompson's abilities as a Senate investigator during Watergate.

Those files also led the news media to raise questions about whether Thompson showed a previously unknown willingness to cooperate with the White House in a way that might benefit Nixon. Such questions would undermine the positive benefits to Thompson's candidacy of his service as a lawyer for the Senate Watergate Committee, where he revealed that Nixon had a secret Oval Office taping system.

Other media reports in recent days also put the spotlight on Thompson's wife, Jeri, who is 24 years younger than he, and attractive enough that one TV talk show compared her to a stripper.

Presidential politics is a contact sport.

The coming months will show whether Thompson can take a hit and keep on fighting.

And, if he is smart, he will look both to the right and the left when he is crossing the street.

Peter A. Brown is assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. He can be reached at peter.brown@quinnipiac.edu

 

[nageov3t]

imo, Fred Thompson is laughable and symbolic only of the weakness of the other Republican candidates.

 

[theeedude]

Go ahead, nominate him.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Hold on, what did you say to me in my thread? Dream on?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It seems indicative of the weakness of the existing R candidates that Thompson could probably enter the race late and win (though potentially Gore could do the same thing on the D side).

 

[Hacp]

Whats to fear about Thompson? He fought for abortion rights as a lawyer. He is divorced and has a trophy wife, yet he fights for family values. In the end, republican voters will see through Thompson and Guliani, and vote for a real conservative in the second tier.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: loki8481
imo, Fred Thompson is laughable and symbolic only of the weakness of the other Republican candidates.

He's the uber republican. Like a charicature. I hate his views on a lot of stuff, like gay marriage (how do you work a lifetime in hollywood and hate gay people?) But he's the only pro-gun candidate, so he'll be getting my vote.

 

[jackschmittusa]

He's got to be too far right to get elected.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: loki8481
imo, Fred Thompson is laughable and symbolic only of the weakness of the other Republican candidates.

He's the uber republican. Like a charicature. I hate his views on a lot of stuff, like gay marriage (how do you work a lifetime in hollywood and hate gay people?) But he's the only pro-gun candidate, so he'll be getting my vote.

Good thing you have your priorities in order, way to be an informed member of the electorate!

 

[1EZduzit]

The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

In tune with people? What people are these? Where do you reside? Is this the same "some people say" that FNC refers to all the time?

Here's the deal, the people that support Thompson are the same people that still support Bush, the 27% of the country that is the RNC base.

Go ahead and nominate him, it will be the biggest electoral defeat in the history of this country.

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

In tune with people? What people are these? Where do you reside? Is this the same "some people say" that FNC refers to all the time?

Here's the deal, the people that support Thompson are the same people that still support Bush, the 27% of the country that is the RNC base.

Go ahead and nominate him, it will be the biggest electoral defeat in the history of this country.

The people I'm talking about are people I work with, friends, family, etc..... I live in Oklahoma.

99% of the people I'm talking about who view Thompson favorably and like what he has to say cannot stand Bush. I'm about as conservative as you can get and I am absolutely disgusted by his actions as President.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

I've checked him out and found him to be another arrogant ass. Of course most everyone who thinks they're presidential material is an arrogant ass IMO.

My Dad is for him..... of course he's 86 years old and starting to get senile.

I like Dodd and am holding out for a miracle for him to get the D's nod. Once he's out I will have to re-evaluate.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

The people I'm talking about are people I work with, friends, family, etc..... I live in Oklahoma.

99% of the people I'm talking about who view Thompson favorably and like what he has to say cannot stand Bush.

I'm about as conservative as you can get and I am absolutely disgusted by his actions as President.

Bush is simply a puppet for the Conservatives.

They have had control of this country for nearly a decade and look at the results.

Why is it so hard to consider handing the reigns over to a different set of handlers given how bad this set of handlers track record has been?

Why party over Country???

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

You're back?!? :shocked:

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: shinerburke

The people I'm talking about are people I work with, friends, family, etc..... I live in Oklahoma.

99% of the people I'm talking about who view Thompson favorably and like what he has to say cannot stand Bush.

I'm about as conservative as you can get and I am absolutely disgusted by his actions as President.

Bush is simply a puppet for the Conservatives.

They have had control of this country for nearly a decade and look at the results.

Why is it so hard to consider handing the reigns over to a different set of handlers given how bad this set of handlers track record has been?

Why party over Country???

Duh

The results were, and are economically, looking pretty good. Yes the dot com boom went bust, but everyone with a brain knew that wasn't sustainable.

Handing over the reigns? Whatever happened to the will of the people? You know...that whole pesky voting thing.

Party over country? Where did I say that? I have never voted a straight party ticket in my life. There are good and bad in every party. Anyone who votes a straight party ticket should be taken out and forced to watch Glitter on an endless loop until their head explodes.

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

You're back?!? :shocked:

No....I'm just a figment of your imagination. Sorta like Puff the Magic Dragon.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

You're back?!? :shocked:

No....I'm just a figment of your imagination. Sorta like Puff the Magic Dragon.

Just curious about the Ban Stick UnBeating.

 

[jman19]

Pretty funny that PJ is constantly talking about the "fear" Thompson stirs up in others, yet there is rarely any discussion about what Thompson stands for. Some people are more interested in rooting for their "team" and spreading FUD than actually discussing issues, it seems...

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: jman19
Pretty funny that PJ is constantly talking about the "fear" Thompson stirs up in others, yet there is rarely any discussion about what Thompson stands for. Some people are more interested in rooting for their "team" and spreading FUD than actually discussing issues, it seems...

It is that whole rabid extreme thing.

Both sides have nutjobs who think their party is the only one deserving to be in power. The whole idea of "may the best man win" has been thrown out the window and replaced by a balkanization that is only going to get worse before it gets better.

If it ever gets better.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
The right thinks what we need is another broken down actor, they're just yearningto have their old "glory days". Tmes have changed and the R's reputation precedes them.

Funny how last election the D's couldn't beat someone as bad as Bush and this election the R's can't come up with a canidate that has a chance. I don't think it matters who they nominate.

Have you actually listened to any of what Thompson has to say? The speeches I have heard seem to be very in tune with what I hear from people every day.

You're back?!? :shocked:

No....I'm just a figment of your imagination. Sorta like Puff the Magic Dragon.

Welcome back :laugh:

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: jman19
Pretty funny that PJ is constantly talking about the "fear" Thompson stirs up in others, yet there is rarely any discussion about what Thompson stands for. Some people are more interested in rooting for their "team" and spreading FUD than actually discussing issues, it seems...

It is that whole rabid extreme thing.

Both sides have nutjobs who think their party is the only one deserving to be in power. The whole idea of "may the best man win" has been thrown out the window and replaced by a balkanization that is only going to get worse before it gets better.

If it ever gets better.

I completely agree.

Partisan politics is all about "winning" - even if it means the people lose.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: shinerburke

The people I'm talking about are people I work with, friends, family, etc..... I live in Oklahoma.

99% of the people I'm talking about who view Thompson favorably and like what he has to say cannot stand Bush.

I'm about as conservative as you can get and I am absolutely disgusted by his actions as President.

Bush is simply a puppet for the Conservatives.

They have had control of this country for nearly a decade and look at the results.

Why is it so hard to consider handing the reigns over to a different set of handlers given how bad this set of handlers track record has been?

Why party over Country???

Bush is not a puppet of the 'Conservatives', since they have become an ignored/abused/rare commodity these past years. Bush is a puppet of the Neocon/Globalist/Corporate/Supergovernment movement. He's just the enabler for so many of these elite groups that it just makes sense for him to get their support.

Conservatism; ie small-government, limiting federal authority, avoiding foreign entanglements, lower taxes, etc, has been totally run away from by the leading Republicans of the past decades. Reagan talked a good talk, but he essentially stacked his tax relief with extra spending and massive debt. Bush 1 paid for it with the recession/Clinton's election.

As far as Fred Thompson, he's a non-starter. The Republicans need to find someone that doesn't have SEVERE problems as a candidate. Fred doesn't have as much baggage as Giuliani, but he also doesn't have 1/10th as much press either. Fred simply won't get the moderate vote, just as Kerry turned off most of the more centrist Republicans last time.

A pro-war/status-quo candidate will fail. 70+% of the country say so clearly.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: jman19
Pretty funny that PJ is constantly talking about the "fear" Thompson stirs up in others, yet there is rarely any discussion about what Thompson stands for. Some people are more interested in rooting for their "team" and spreading FUD than actually discussing issues, it seems...

It is that whole rabid extreme thing.

Both sides have nutjobs who think their party is the only one deserving to be in power. The whole idea of "may the best man win" has been thrown out the window and replaced by a balkanization that is only going to get worse before it gets better.

If it ever gets better.

Doesn't most polling show the electorate to be (roughly) broken into thirds - 1/3 dedicated Dems, 1/3 dedicated Repubs, and 1/3 unaffiliated moderates who generally decide elections?
Anyway, I have much more respect for the 'extremes' on both sides (even if I disagree with them) than I do for the mushy middle, who I find maddeningly inconsistent philosophically. They demand both low taxes from the Right and generous gov't benefits from the Left, and don't seem to much care that these demands are 'met' via deficits. One day they think the gov't can't tell women what to do with their bodies (abortion), and the next day think gov't CAN tell all of us what to do with our bodies (drug legalization). I will always respect someone with consistent principles (even if I disagree with some of these principles) more than anyone who just jumps from one position to the next, with no deeper basis.