ATTACK DOG, Thompson gets mixed reviews for work on 9/11 panel

[icymist]

http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/21024.asp

ATTACK DOG
Thompson gets mixed reviews for work on 9/11 panel

By DORI MEINERT
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - When Richard Clarke appeared this week before the independent commission examining the government's actions before and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, former Illinois Gov. James Thompson took on the role of White House attack dog.
For a man who has stayed pretty much out of the partisan wars after his stint as Illinois' longest-serving governor, it was an unaccustomed role, one that delighted Republicans and annoyed Democrats.

And the initial reviews were not all kind to Thompson, 67, who left state office in 1991 and now chairs the Winston & Strawn law firm of Chicago.

Family members of those who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001, pointedly applauded Clarke after he clashed with Thompson.

(more)

[lucky777]

1. He sucked! A loser is a loser is a loser . . .

I remember when he was governor of Illinois, he was a loser then. And then he went underground, now he comes back, still a loser. He's got this implausible angle: 'I'm just a midwestern straight-up guy, I'm not a Washington insider' That's fucking bullshit. This guy was governor of one of the most corrupt states in the country and now he runs a law firm steeped in Chicago back-room politics. That's the old republican bullshit that the're just farmers and small town guys, straight-talking hard-working white guys -- it's a big acting job. He was totally one-sided in the hearings, all he did was make the case for Bush over and over again, and then he left the hearings early. What a dick! Where do they find these people?

[Skittles]

2. that Midwest line was a f***ing insult

what an asshole

[RedSock]

4. idiot

in his pathetic attempt to smear clarke and blame the clenis, he acted like he had no clue how govt works. ... 100% moran!

and the crowd listening was laughing at him.

[ezee]

6. They find

them under rocks and attached to the fungus that grows on rotten tree stumps.

[stepnw1f]

19. I Remember That Statement

"I'm not a Washington Insider, I'm a Midwestern straight-up guy".

Ah...ok. Didn't know credibility belonged so much in the Midwest. As far as I can see, coming especially from him, the Midwest is looking kinda shaky. In all sincerity though, who gives a shit where your from?!

[boobooday]

3. He was a sanctimonious jerk

And he made a complete ass of himself.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[sallyseven]

5. Some on tel me

What the heck is Fred Fielding doing on that panel? Mr. Nixon's good buddy. Some say Deep Throat.

[readmylips]

7. That was soooo Brilliant!

If we asked Clarke to be VP for Kerry, he can really chew up Cheney.

The man has the gift of intelligence, second only to Bill Clinton.

[aquart]

17. Try to remember he's a Republican. Try.

[madrchsod]

8. "big jim" made his career and governorship by

prosecuting one of the best man and politician in IL since Lincoln-Otto Kerner. "big jim" disgraced Otto on charges that were basically baseless.illinios has had corrupt republican governors (expect for one)ever since...

[murielm99]

18. He sent some other Chicago pols to jail, too.

They were all Democrats, and mostly very elderly at the time he prosecuted him.

The repukes called him a good prosecutor. It looked to me like he was picking on old men.

The only good thing he did for this state was to help found Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.

[murielm99]

20. Also, do you remember all that

crap when Stevenson was running for Governor? He was blindsided by the LaRouchies.

But Stevenson kept trying to tell everyone that the state was out of money. Big Jim had spent so much that we had about fifty bucks left. No one was listening. It turned out that he was right.

[President Jesus]

9. 'Big' Jim's list of campaign contributions 1996-2004

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=CHICAGO&st=IL&last=Thompson&first=James

[madrchsod]

10. Copley press

right wing Illinois publishing and news service. even the local republican newspaper doesn`t use Copley anymore..they have become enlightened today they ran a half page article on a writer who chronicled the torture in Haiti.

[icymist]

15. I used to live in Springfield and us liberal few call this paper

'The State Urnial-Register'....Unfortuantly, It's the only daily paper in town.

[seemslikeadream]

11. Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson,

Without warning, the self-described bipartisan commission removed its gloves and began hitting Clarke with questions about his motivations behind the assertions he makes in his book.
Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson, a Republican, held up in one hand a copy of a background briefing Clarke provided to the press in August 2002, during which Clarke defended the administration’s actions to protect the U.S. against terrorism, along with a copy of Clarke’s new book in his other hand.
"Mr. Clarke, as we sit here this afternoon, we have your book and your press briefing of August of 2002,” said Thompson. “Which is true?"

[xxqqqzme]

12. just following orders

from saurov - attack the messenger - obscure the message.

[TacticalPeek]

13. CREEP

Thompson is auditioning for the Senator Edward Gurney Lifetime Bad Achievement Award.

Gurney (R-FL) carried Nixon's water on the Watergate Committee, as the crown of his career.


Noting the audience reaction to Thompson's questions, Georgetown
University government affairs professor Stephen Wayne said the former
governor "seemed to get the short end of the stick. ... He upped and left
after that. I guess he was unhappy or mad or angry."


He was just headed for the washroom, hallucinating blood on his hands.

:grr:

[DeepModem Mom]

14. Thompson showed contempt for the families in the front rows --

shame on his heartless hide!

[frylock]

16. mixed reviews?!? he had his ass handed to him by clarke.