OH BROTHER!! this is a joke the media is having an orgasm over Fred Thompson

[bigdarryl]

Big Ed had a point on his show saying Fred Thompson was a LAZY senator and did absolutely nothing and would be a lazy campaigner. he predicts he won't run. Even if he did run he's going nowhere in my opinion. the rethugs are DISORGANIZED and the war is killing them(as it should)as far as keeping the White House. Fred Thompson isn't the answer NOTHING is put a fork in them there DONE!!!!

[Ken Burch]

1. You could make up anti-Thompson attack ads from his "Law & Order" episodes

I assume he's basically playing himself on that show, and if so, he's a totally arrogant prick who would turn off anybody who had to spend more than a couple of minutes listening to him.

[NYCGirl]

3. Or, he could use it to his advantage, like this film:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid494808731/bctid716052875

(from slate.com)

[doeriver]

17. Wikipedia Fred Dalton Thompson

"In the United States political system, the people are
represented by two separate and unequal groups: the
traditional partisan system, who provide the traditional
partisan candidates, and the actors, who provide the necessary
cover for the first group. These are their stories..."

Wikipedia Fred Dalton Thompson page is fast becoming a Fred
Thompson advocacy page...visit the Fred Dalton Thompson
wikipage and discussion (Talk) page.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. I call him "Senator Doink-Doink"

"Doink-Doink" is what the crew of Law and Order call their inane Pavlovian sound effect.

--p!

[mentalsolstice]

13. That's so funny

In my house we call L&O Doink-Doink!

Husband: "So, what's on TV tonight?"
Me: "Doink-Doink."

[DemBones DemBones]

24. I would never have thought it would be called

"Doink-Doink!" Someone whose newsletter I subscribe to wrote a funny bit on how when she hears that sound she cannot rise from her chair until she has watched the show, even if it's an episode she's seen before. Even if it's an episode she's seen two or three times before.

Mr. Bones and I now have a joke about the "Doink-Doink" -- though we just learned the name -- when we hear it we grab the arms of our chairs and pretend we're trying to get up, then fall back and sigh or say "Damn, trapped again!" (No, we don't do it every time, we watch too much L & O for that, and it wouldn't be funny if done too often.)

We especially love Vincent D'Onofrio in L & O: C I, and miss the late Jerry Ohrbach in the original L & O. They've had quite a few fine actors on the show. Does that include Thompson or is he playing himself? I don't know but sometimes he has some funny lines and he's fun to hate as the arrogant boss.

The fact thet so many people watch so many re-runs of L & O shows how little good tv there is today. Sure, the movie channels usually have something good but what if you only want to watch tv for an hour?

[blm]

4. Bush was a lazy governor and a lazy campaigner - that's why GOPs own most newsmedia

now, since they bought up everything that came available in the 80s and 90s. They only need whacko figureheads who can fool some of the people just enough for the newsmedia to push them into office.

[win_in_06]

5. He is way behind on fundraising already, but he might be the neo-con prince

the freepers are looking for

[Clark2008]

6. Oh, bigdarryl - you need to leave the blue bubble.

All anyone in the Heartland is talking about is Thompson. And, I must admit, I honestly believe if he's their nominee, we're cooked with the choices we have now.

I'm sorry to rain on any parade, but I can't live in denial.

[mitchtv]

7. Maybe he can come up with the "evidence"

that Bill Clinton was selling military secrets to China, as he had calimed many years ago. I'm still waiting, what a Blowhard!

[Clark2008]

18. Who? bigdaryl or Thompson?

I agree that Thompson's a blowhard, but that doesn't stop him from being adored by every swing voter south (and mid-west) of the Mason-Dixon Line.

He will be T-O-U-G-H for anyone of our candidates to beat. I don't think any of the three so-called front-runners can do it, simply because of the white male votes Thompson will snap up without so much as trying.

Again, I am NOT defending Thompson nor advocating him. I'm just preparing DU for some reality mainly because I can SEE the "excitement" a potential Thompson campaign is garnering here in the "we're red, but should be voting blue" states.

It's formidable (and sickening, given his lack of record).

[DemBones DemBones]

27. Thanks for including the midwest and

not just the south! I'm sure he'd get some votes in every state, with the possible exception of Massachusetts, but that's only IF it's still the "Lone Star State" (i.e, the only state McGovern carried in 1972. )

A friend from MA had a "Massachusetts: The Lone Star State" bumper sticker for years.

The real problem is that many, maybe most, people don't like MOST of the familiar politicians of either party. I think the "Throw the bums out" attitude is still in force as it was last fall but Thompson got out of D.C. voluntarily and thus could campaign against the inside-the-beltway crowd, an always popular theme. It worked for Jimmy Carter as well as for Dubya, though Jimmy was actually elected.

[TnDem]

19. Eggs-actly

I keep telling these people on here, but they are whistling past the graveyard. They do not understand what the pubs are looking for...And Thompson is IT IT IT...

If Thompson runs, he will trounce Rudy, MCain et al...

People on this forum want to talk about Obama and how the public will look over his middle name of "Hussein". I am telling you that if Thompson runs and wins the nomination, (which he will if he wants it), then Obama and Hillary will both have a pike's peak of an uphill battle. Their only chance is to pick the best running mate possible.

Our BEST bet is to convince Al Gore to run with a great running mate. He will be the only one to give Thompson a run for his money.

I cannot figure out why most people on here dismiss Thompson as a nobody. He is THE shit in Republican circles. I hear it everywhere I go.

Just remember when Reagan ran in 1980. After his defeat in 1976, he was laughed at as a nobody. Then in 2000 Chimp came out of nowhere and look what we have now. Everyone blew him off out of hand. You see where that got us.

When it happens, will everyone on here please apologize and say that I'm right?

[Clark2008]

23. Bingo.

And, I'd be remiss as a Clarkie not to mention that his military credit would help take some of the white male votes away from Thompson should he run; however, I do realize that Clark's biggest battle would be in the primaries since the media blacks him out, but they'd have to talk about him if he's the only Dem in the general. I'm not completely naive. :)

But, your assessment of Gore is spot on, as well, and I don't mean to take anything away from it.

We havet to capture the white male voter in the South and mid-West - at least enough in a few states - in order to win.

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

44. So

white males in the south and mid-west will only vote for Democratic Candidates who "dun blowed shit up" in countries they can't even locate on a map? If so, after all this country has been through these past six years I can truly say were fucked. I think your wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if your not.


BTW, I've got nothing against Clark and would take him as the nominee in a heartbeat. However, you Clarkies make it difficult for others to like him.

[DemBones DemBones]

30. I think you're right about Gore being our best hope of winning.

I don't know if he will back off from the Clinton era support for NAFTA, WTO, the whole globalizationwellsendyourjobstoindiaandyoucanbuycheapgoodsmadeinchinawhichisallyouwillbeabletoafford bullshit, so I'm not enthusiastic about him but he WON ONCE and people should remember that he behaved as a gentleman, but WILL they?

The bushbots brought in James 'The Fixer" Baker and SUED to keep the votes from being counted, simultaneously screaming that Gore had hired LAWYERS in Florida and was trying to steal the election.

Talk about a feat of prestidigitation! With the media holding the magicians' capes as they worked and oohing and aahing over every trick, though knowing damned well how they were done.

[TnDem]

34. A truly winnable ticket...

Would include both Gore as the presidential candidate and someone like Wes Clark as the running mate.

That would excite the remnants of the 2000 race for Gore. Gore has had much media exposure and respect as of late.

Clark would be an excellent VP running mate to go. It would give a military balance and "security" feel to the swing voters.

If you live in California or Massachusetts and this sounds crazy....Then keep scrolling because you are not living in the real world of a NATIONWIDE presidential election, which is what is going to have to be won.

[DemBones DemBones]

26. Yeah, I remember thinking no way could Reagan become president. . .

and there was no "big blue bubble" then. (Is that an original phrase? If so, congrats on your cleverness. If not, thanks for posting it!)

Like Reagan, Thompson has only been divorced once, which obviously the RW voters will buy if he TALKS moral values.

The "liberal media" kept mum about Nancy being preggers before she became Mrs. Raygun, probably due to his having to divorce Jane Wyman before he could marry her,

The media rarely even mentioned Reagan's divorced status (FIRST divorced president -- he should get an asterisk in the history books for that, but * already got it for being selected.)

And they didn't control the "liberal media" then like they do now, thanks in part to Ronnie himself, the bastard.

Time to pray Fred doesn't run or that there's a photo of him nude and shall we say "involved with"? -- a dead girl, live boy or some beast or fowl, living or dead. A donkey would be a particularly nice touch. . .

:kick: :kick:

[Tinksrival]

35. We're in Thompson overload up here too.

His bride is from my repub suburb. They were big as life on the front page of The Naperville Sun today. Yuk. :(

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/330089,6_1_NA06_FRED_S1.article

Hi Lara! Congrats on the bun! :)

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

43. I'll say it once more,

just because a candidate is popular in Tennessee or your little corner of red state bible-thumping hell doesn't mean the rest of the country will fall all over itself to elect said candidate. Sorry, but the rest of the country has had its fill of right wing, shit for brain, twang talking, spittoon carrying, do nothing hucksters from the south! At least I hope its true, if not we get the "leadership" we deserve.

[TnDem]

45. Not just Tennessee....

Thompson has what it takes on a national level because he will appeal to a broad spectrum of voters that the current crop of pugs do not.

Sorry, but the rest of the country has had its fill of right wing, shit for brain, twang talking, spittoon carrying, do nothing hucksters from the south! At least I hope its true...

Like Bill Clinton? Is that who you are referring to as well? We know he wasn't successful at all with this strategy. :sarcasm:

It is amazing me more and more reading these posts on here that some of the posters on here simply cannot or will not attempt to REALLY strategize about what the American Public at large will want and will be swayed by.

I am telling you, Thompson has all of these traits that the American people will like.I see where this is heading. He will be the pug nominee if he wants the job and we will have a horrendously hard time beating him in the GE with the current crop of candidates.

Just because some attempt to predict what the American people want through the eyes of what the consensus on DU is, doesn't make it so. It has nothing to do with "Bible thumping Tennessee". Remember what happen with RayGun in 1980 and subsequently 1984 and then Chimp in 2000 and 2004. I'll bet you were scratching your head both times, huh?

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

46. No I wasn't "scratching my head"

I'm just saying you really think after six of the darkest years this country has seen people will get back in line for seconds? It will be an uphill climb no matter who the Repubs nominate, that "R" on the ballot will be strike one. And no, I don't think this good ole boy attitude will play in a place like Ohio, that has been hit hard by job loss and a bad economy. Democrats were big winners in the Buckeye State last November. I don't think that act will work in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington either. These states are more than enough to carry us to the White House.


I don't think abandoning the south or conceding its electoral votes is a good strategy, so don't call me a "south basher". However, if the south or Red America allows itself to be fooled again after six years of Republican rule, bearing the brunt of GOP negligence (Iraq Casualties, unemployment, rising poverty, Katrina) they deserve the government they put into office.


"Like Bill Clinton? Is that who you are referring to as well? We know he wasn't successful at all with this strategy."

You don't think Clinton signing NAFTA into law chased many blue collar voters from the party? I feel sorry for anyone who thinks Bill Clinton is the best this party can do.

Sorry about the form of the reply, it's 2:15 and I'm tired.

[TnDem]

47. apples and oranges....

I feel sorry for anyone who thinks Bill Clinton is the best this party can do.

Sure, we could get a WAY more progressive president than Bill Clinton, but he/she will never be elected. Why do you think sucessful politicians of all parties either run to the middle while holding on to some of their core beliefs OR they will run as a populist/outsider, (less effective). Clinton's signing of NAFTA may have lost a little support with unions, but he weighed it out and ended up with more support for it elsewhere. Why do you think he will be touted as one of the greatest presidents of the last century?

There is two trains of thought...One is getting elected, the other is bitching on a virtual forum because you cannot get every jot and tittle of what you wanted.

OK, now on to the next issue...

Thompson...The problem with you and many like you is that you are so removed from the hundreds of scores of real American voters, that you can't get a pulse for what they want or will want.

I will say that the pugs will have a tougher time this year than they normally would. The war itself has conspired with people's general irritation at having to look at someone for 6 years on TV has taken its toll. However, if the pugs run a consensus candidate that inspires and has respect and is viewed as somewhat bi-partisan, Thompson fills these categories well.

You guys just don't understand the sentiment that is brewing in the red states for Thompson to run. He is everything that the other wingnut candidates are not. The money is just aching to be donated to him. He will sweep the south, sweep the midwest and actually be slightly competitive in NY and CA. His Law and Order stint helps a lot too.

Depending on how he handles the war questions will depend on HOW many states he wins. If he runs against Hillary or Obama, he won't have to say much to win, because the entire south and midwest are Thompson's to lose to begin with.

Remember what I said and you heard it here first.

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

48. Oh Bullshit

"Thompson...The problem with you and many like you is that you are so removed from the hundreds of scores of real American voters, that you can't get a pulse for what they want or will want."

So because I don't live in red state murika I'm not a "real American". I don't think too many of my neighbors here in the god less un-american San Fernando Valley even know who he is, despite being on a TV show. I would wager most Americans, even the "real" kind don't either, most aren't even paying attention this far out. This may surprise you, but folks in CA and NY don't spend six hours every night in front of the Tee Vee.

I'm done with this, and many of the other "sky is falling" 2008 topics. The first primaries are still nine months away and the general election is nineteen months out. A lot can happen, and Thompson probably won't even run.


I'll say it again, this will be my rallying cry that I will tattoo on my forehead. If "real" America is too stupid, yes I said stupid, to vote their best interests this time around, and allow a slick talking huckster con artists to swindle them again, they deserve what they get!

[melody]

8. I thought we were done with Fred Thompson headlines for awhile

Why not Pat Paulsen? He has a better chance of winning.

[NYCGirl]

9. Paulsen's dead. NT

[melody]

10. Which was my point. :) n/t

[PATRICK]

11. Then Paulsen

could only run as a Republican.

[DemBones DemBones]

31. ba da bing! nt

[Clark2008]

22. Another person safely tucked in the blue bubble of California.

Why won't you listen to those of us in the Heartland states? I would think you'd WANT to heed what we're saying about Thompson - what we're hearing from Republicans and swing voters alike.

We're not saying this to advocate his run or promote him in any way. We're warning you guys in states that are blue-safe, warning you so you don't expect much out of the likes of Ohio and Virginia and New Mexico and Florida.

[alfredo]

12. He was one of Nixon's lawyers during Watergate. He is also

part of the Libby defense fund.

[bluedog]

14. air time:if he runs.Law and Order has to

give all candidates the same amount of air time that he has on the shows...new and repeats.......I heard this somewhere........like with Arnold ran......they couldn't play his movies .......

[Clark2008]

28. I don't think so.

The Fairness Doctrine is null and void.

[Timmy5835]

42. Think again......

The Fairness Doctrine is much different then equal time.

[Wilber_Stool]

15. For people who hate Hollywood so much,

they really seem to like actors. I guess what they really want is someone who is good at playing something they are not. Just another player in the great Republican public relations machine.

[FrenchieCat]

16. I wouldn't laugh too hard, or undersestimate the media in making sure

as to who has the last laugh.

Hell, they were seriously talking about Arnie running, and it wasn't a joke neither.

[saltpoint]

20. I don't think that much of his acting and like his politics much less.

A good handful of DU posters have asserted that Thompson may not even run, won't enter into even one primary.

Here and there are hints of his wanting to, but I haven't seen much in the way of personal appearances or endorsements, etc. Has he got an exploratory committee? Has he really contacted Republican chairpeople in various counties across the country?

So far I don't even see a plane on the tarmac, let alone one taxiing out to take off.

[RacingBobbie]

21. He is going to be one big

goose egg, just like bob dole was.

[jcrew2001]

25. What is Sam Waterson's opinion?

If he can sell me on TD waterhouse, I trust his opinion on Fred Thompson!!!!

[Clark2008]

29. Well, as you posted earlier, he has joined Unity 2008, so that MIGHT

be his opinion.

Non?

[ZinZen]

32. I think James Wolcott says it best about Thompson

"Caught Fred Thompson on Fox News Sunday, flirting with a presidential run, though I can't imagine whom he'd drive into an amorous caucus frenzy. God what a grumpy old dog farting on the front porch he was yesterday, parked across the table from Chris Wallace."

There is more on his blog, but he is completely underwhelmed. Aside from Tweety's mancrush on Thompson, our top three Dems can trounce him.

[DemBones DemBones]

33. Trouble is, Wolcott is to the left of many voters. As

Clark2008 said to bigdarryl "You need to leave the big blue bubble."

Read what several of us have said above about why we think Thompson IS a threat to anyone now in the race, of either party. TnLefty and Clark2008 have each made several good points, and I think I've made one or two as well.

We're in red states, not inside the "big blue bubble" except here at DU, and I remember thinking Reagan would never win. A divorced actor? Hmm, sounds like. . . Fred Thompson! Don't be naive about this and misunderestimate another Southern boy.

[Rowdyboy]

37. Let me add another voice to yours......Fred Thompson is their best hope

He's the only one who can unite their base and draw from Independents. Anyone who doesn't see the real danger here is, indeed, living in a "blue bubble" and in for a nasty surprise next year.

I'm really hopeful he'll decide not to run but I'm expect to be disappointed.

[DemBones DemBones]

38. Hey, Rowdyboy! No long no see!

:hi:

I don't know enough about him to know if he could be a better leader than the current one. It's nice inside the big blue bubble but in reality he could be a contender.

Weird thing: last night "No Way Out" was on and I decided to watch it for about the twentieth time. I had never realized that Fred Thompson was in it! He was ugly when he was twenty years younger! Of course, genetics is cruel to some but what a bulldog face he has. It's a familiar one, though, thanks to L & O, and thus he has an edge on others. His character, Arthur Branch, is a savvy politician inside a good ol' boy exterior, and obviously makes points with RWers who watch the show. How much like Arthur is Fred?

[Vinca]

36. Fred Thompson would have to be nuts to get in.

He's got a great life doing what he loves and the next term of any president is going to be a nightmare clean-up job.

[DemBones DemBones]

39. Yes, but once people get a taste of power,

it can become an addiction. He got a taste as a senator and chose to get out, but maybe that was because he didn't have enough power. We''ll see what he decides. I'm hoping he'll continue on L & O but afraid he'll run.

[venable]

40. the 'media' is not journalism, it's entertainment, and FT is an entertainer

most of the dolts on tv look at popular actors and want to be them.

Fred Thompson is their kind of guy.

It's pathetic.

[TnDem]

41. Correct...

But popularity and likeability are inherently necessary to be elected into office. The thing about Thompson is that he IS likeable. That's what scares me so much. In Tennessee, half of my Democratic friends will vote for him. No other Republican resounds with the opposition like that in this state or the entire south and midwest for that matter. That is in addition to the fervor that the Repugs will whip up if he runs, (which he WILL).

Remember RayGun in 1980...People thought he was a joke of a governor and a washed up B actor...Four years later, we had an eight year term staring us in the face. I see the same scenario coming together now for Thompson.

Gird your loins boys and girls.