Fred Thompson strikes me as the most arrogant one of them all ...

[Blue_Roses]

after watching the clips of him on Leno this morning, I saw a ton of arrogance. He's an actor for gawd's sake:crazy: Does he actually think that qualifies him for the job or from his short stint in the Senate...:banghead:

He doesn't even look like presidential (not that the bar has been set too high now) material.

This is gonna be one crazy year :eyes:

[MissMillie]

1. not that I like him or want him in the oval office

but acting was not what he trained to do. He's a lawyer. In fact, I think he was one of the GOP lawyers during Watergate.

Probably HEAPS more qualified than Ronald Reagan was, and hell, people elected RR twice.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Ronald Reagan was Governor of California for two terms--Thompson

was an undistinguished Senator and lobbyist. You've got to be kidding.

[rfranklin]

4. Yes, Reagan was an experienced airhead...

with dementia.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Even Nixon recognized that Fred was "Dumb as hell", and used him

as a lackey and a mole. So, TWO airheads--that's something they have in common besides the acting.

[MissMillie]

13. a statement like that coming from Reagan can only be considered

high praise.

[TwilightGardener]

20. You mean Nixon? I don't think so.

[MissMillie]

28. no, not Nixon

I was looking too quickly at the thread and was seeing "Reagan"

[MissMillie]

12. Reagan spent a few years as Governor of CA

Thompson, besides serving 2 terms as a U.S. Senator was also an assistant U.S. Attorney for 4 years, co-Chief Counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, and then another 10 years in private practice as an attorney in Tennessee and in Washington DC.

He also served as special counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Reagan spent several decades acting, and as such his only leadership role I think was President of some actors union.

Thompson's acting career lasted maybe 12 years. All the rest of it was working as a lawyer or in politics.

So, no, I'm not kidding.

[TwilightGardener]

17. Ummm....most of the candidates running are lawyers and Senators...so?

He's no more qualified resume-wise than Sam Brownback, or John Edwards, or Rudy (who was a US attorney), or Obama, or Hillary, or McCain. Since it's generally agreed that he was a poor to mediocre Senator, he really has no basis to run.

[MissMillie]

27. all I said was he was more qualified than Reagan

you can make all the comparisons you want to anyone else, but I didn't do that. He is a lot more qualified than Reagan ever was. Disagree if you like, that's fine. But don't come down on me with condescending statements like "you gotta be kidding me." Go pick that fight somewhere else.

Reagan was elected twice.

It would be wonderful to think that voters care about qualifications. But they don't.

The Texas Governorship is one of the weakest state governorships in the country. We elected GWB twice.

Is Thompson arrogant? yes.

Is he more qualified than those you mentioned? I don't know. I don't think he's more qualified the Edwards or Clinton, but I don't know enough about Obama or Brownback to say.

Would I ever vote for him? No!

Am I a little worried about him taking votes away from non-aligned moderates? You bet your butt I am. He'll come across looking like a moderate, but he's every bit the fascist that the die-hard conservatives are looking for.

[TwilightGardener]

32. Well, you and I will have to disagree--Reagan was much more qualified

than Thompson. I don't worry about him a bit--there's nothing about him that will pull crossover votes. None of his recent rhetoric is "moderate"--he's run away from most of his moderate Senate voting record. Mostly, I don't worry because he's ugly, old, ill, uncharismatic and uninspiring. The only reason he is getting play is because the GOPers are desperate, NOT because he is a particularly strong candidate--he's a second-stringer, in case Rudy doesn't fly.

[Clark2008]

46. Except that he can win.

Look, I don't want him to win anymore than I want Shrub to be able to run for a third term, but I'm no dummy. I know he's got that "something," that Republicans and swing voters like. I'm not sure what that is since I think he's basically a nice, but incurious, guy, but he's got it. All anyone in my office can talk about this morning is the fact that he's running and that he will win.

It's frightening, really, that I feel myself bracing for a President Thompson because I understand the reality of the media, the Republican Party and the swing-vote Bubbas in the red/purple states.

[TwilightGardener]

53. I don't think he has anything but Repug desperation fueling him. I think

he's their new Bob Dole. He'll lose.

[Blue_Roses]

7. well, see now...

I didn't know that...

explains some of the arrogance...

still though, :banghead:

[midlife_mo_Jo]

30. Agree.

And why didn't he participate in the debate last night?

He's definitely not a team player, but then none of them are. :)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

3. This morning on the Today Show, they said he had "star" power. For gawd's sake

he's a bit actor, only played supporting roles. I just don't get it....

[Justyce]

10. Anyone who would vote for a "star" to lead

an entire country is just out of their freaking mind. I really didn't think he would have the audacity to run. Their entire party just sickens me. Not to mention anyone irresponsible enough to vote for them.

[Virginia Dare]

48. Lots of people voted for the one they "wanted to have a beer with"

in 2000 and 2004, so yes, the entire country is out of their freaking mind, at least almost half of it.

[Blue_Roses]

11. I saw that and thought the same thing

:eyes:

[Justyce]

6. Arrogant, unqualified

asshole.... sounds like their perfect candidate. After they elected bush, nothing would surprise me. Though I still would wager it's going to be Romney, which I think would be even worse, if that's possible... They better get the electronic voting crap straightened out before '08 or we very well may end up with one of these assholes. Again.

[bunkerbuster1]

8. He was a lawyer and a sleazy, money-grubby lobbiest.

Acting wasn't his first profession. It just came naturally to him.

[peekaloo]

15. and yet he wants to be "cast" as a Washington outsider.

and "folksy" in his Gucci loafers.

[AlCzervik]

9. i really can't wait to see him in a debate, i don't think the sloth is ready for prime time.

[Blue_Roses]

14. maybe not, without his script

:D

[Liberal Veteran]

16. He's trifecta of everything republicans claim to hate.

A Hollywood elitist meddling in politics. A spokesman for special interest groups. A Beltway insider.

So naturally, he's the perfect candidate for the party of personal hypocrisy.

[NewJeffCT]

18. and, it also means he's dangerous in the general election

the media has already been drooling over him as a southern Reagan...

[Magleetis]

19. Out of all

the repug candidates I fear him the most because like Reagan he is a professional liar. The thought of President Fred sickens me. It is clear to me that he is not honorable, honest or compassionate. I get the evil vibe from him big time.

[NewJeffCT]

22. I don't fear him because of that

I mean - how often has the media called Giuliani, McCain or Romney out on their lies?

I think the media might idolize him a bit more because of his dabbling with acting over the years.

[Blue_Roses]

23. I do too...

sleaze all the way. I don't think I can stomach a President Thompson. It's making me :puke: just thinking about it. I now have to go take a Rolaid.

[KittyWampus]

21. He is NOT an actor. He's a Washington Lobbyist. Who dabbled in some 2nd rate acting.

[NoodleyAppendage]

24. We underestimate his power to pursuade (the dumbasses) at our PERIL.

Thompson is VERY dangerous. He'll solidly sweep the South and will pull lots of Western conservative votes. He's a candidate from central casting...a formula that has worked well for Reagan and Bush, Jr.

Southern drawl, physical presence, plain talkin', and supposedly, god-fearing. All the traits that give the Christofascists and fearful, dumbass Conservatives hard-ons.

Don't underestimate the power of appearance and hollow substance.

J

[DemocratSinceBirth]

33. Reagan Had The Luxury Of Running Against A Very Unpopular President

The environment in 08 should favor the Democrats...

With a decent candidate the Democrats should be able to put FL and VA in play...

[NewJeffCT]

34. However

the media was more moderate/centrist in 1980 than it is now, and also far less consolidated and corporate.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

35. If The Dems Can't Beat Fred Thompson They Need To Find Another Country

eom

[NewJeffCT]

37. I thought that about George W. Bush in 2000

I mean, when the early Republic primaries were going on, I thought McCain was the more dangerous candidate in the general election...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

40. Bush Had A More Favorable Environment And A Brand Name

Which He Drove Into The Ground.

[Virginia Dare]

49. Plus he had an excellent smear machine to back him up...n/t

[NoodleyAppendage]

36. Again, don't underestimate the power of FEAR paired with implied strength and certainty.

The psychology of the Repukes and fundies is such that they respond more to emotion (typically fear) than to logic. We, as a generalization, don't respond as well to such tactics, so it seems incomprehensible to us that Americans would pick another Repuke. But, if I'm right, Thompson will play the "big daddy" role all the while his troops and the corporate media whip-up a frenzy of fear.

J

[DemocratSinceBirth]

42. I See This Election As A Repeat Of 00 and 04 With A Twist

Unless the Dems are totally incompetent they carry all the states they did in 00 and 04 and "steal" FL, VA, NM, AZ, and CO or some combination of these states...

I favor Obama but I think Edwards is our safest bet...If we blow this election, in this environment, we should immolate ourselves...

[MissMillie]

43. from your lips to God's ear

I hope you're right.

[hatrack]

25. Went to his website last night after the "Big Announcement"

What a piece of shit website that was.

No issues list or link - the closest thing was a laundry list of his commentaries. When I got to the part of how citing global warming as part of the reason for the genocide in Darfur was just an excuse for the angry left to hate America, I hung it up.

Of course, I could also have listened to Fred mouth his commentaries in that gravitas-heavy basso voice of his, which I gusss is what makes blue-haired old ladies and Newsmax readers all hot and tingly, but it was getting late.

[Virginia Dare]

50. The question is which Repub candidate will win the battle of jingoism?

Fred's got a good shot at that I would guess. However, I predict he will run a horrible campaign, and won't make it to the finish.

[Catherine Vincent]

26. Well if Bush can steal his way into office anyone can be president. n/t

[Blue_Roses]

29. you do make a good point

:(

[Virginia Dare]

51. Fred doesn't have the Bush money, name or power..

no comparison there.

[murray hill farm]

31. I watched him on Leno....

He is very strange. He had two annoying tics going . One was the continuos slapping of his right knee as he talked..and the other was constantly clearing his throat. i found it so uncomfortable to watch these tics...constant...that I just had to turn off the interview. This in not an emotionallly together person. If this is the repug great white hope, they are in worse shape than anyone thought. A very bizare man.

[Virginia Dare]

52. He doesn't look altogether healthy either..

he obviously was heavily made up last night, but I've seen him recently where he looks rather gaunt and ill.

[WinkyDink]

38. FT looks old, not mature; saggy, not rugged; and risible, with that dame of a wife, not studly.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

44. She Just Makes Him Look Old...

eom

[tom_paine]

39. Of course he's arrogant. he's the Bushies hand-chosen Throne Warmer

Watch.

He's perfect for the Imperial Bush Scum.

Lazy, incurious, interested only in the trophies of playing Chimperor, Fred ThomBush will allow whatever fragment of the Inner Bushie Circle that has represented Imperial Bushie Interests and often, especially recently (1983-1992; 2001-present) just come right out with their direct ownership of Amerika, so little effort and money is even wasted on the illusion of democracy or that the Imperial Amerikan Subjects aere worth less than dogs in the eyes of the Royal Bushies.

Though some mild effort is still made, but only now to bscure the most obvious similarties between them and 18th Century French Aristocrats or Nazi Leadership, mostly they don't even waste the effort, and their evil tyranny is now paraded ouright, and their transparent lies again and again retold with the same effectiveness on the same fools.

ThomBush will be a perfect placeholder until Jeb assumes the throne.

As always, the exact details are fuzzy...I originally thought the "Constitution" (what's left of it) would be "amended" (as if you could amend a document that means so little to those who rule, and have the amendment mean anymore than the disregarded main body and Bill of Rights) and Ahhnold would play the role of ThomBush.

I was wrong about the details, but the trend, that they would pick a lazy, easy-malleable actor to go and not actually speak about his views or plans, thus winning in the customary rigged way that now passes for "elections" in Imperial Amerika.

I thought it would be Ahhnold, but clearly his slight independence of thought from the bushies (and he agrees with them fully two-thirds of the time, but clearly is not a Relaible Lackey nor Loyal Bushie, as I am sure ThomBush is both.

Here he comes, and he will have the whole might of not only the bush Sub-Media and the MSM who mindlessly parrot and spread their lies for them, but all the billions of slush fund $$$s and all the really vilest of Loyal Bushie operatives.

No coincidence that Herr Roverer "resigned" just before ThomBush announced. Just insuring that from Moment One, the Throne Warmer knows who he is and what his job is (to follow Royal Bushie orders).

To insure the continued reign of the Imperial Bushies while the throne is being kept warm for Emperor Jeb.

[Cameron27]

41. He is arrogant,

he looks like he's running for president in his spare time. Debates, nah, why bother.

[ecstatic]

45. He doesn't have a chance in hell. Not everyone watches that show

I for one have never seen it, and so I'm not impressed by him at all.

[DaHoot]

47. I don't get it

I hear all this talk about how he's so charming and everything. I find him repulsive personally. The fact that people are completely crazy for him scares the hell out of me :scared: