Is Fred Thompson's sickly appearance fair game?

[Alhena]

I noticed some Freepers objecting to a cartoon making fun of Fred Thompson being the "fresh face" of the Republican party along with a pretty realistic cartoon drawing of his old and sickly face. I found that funny considering that those morons are the ones who can't help but bring up Obama's middle name whenever he's mentioned or else call him "Osama." But two wrongs don't make a right- is it legitimate to wonder just how much longer Thompson has to live when he looks like the crypt-keeper from Tales From The Crypt?

[rurallib]

1. Only if he is a Democrat.

[Stephanie]

2. If Edwards' hair and Hillary's pantsuits are appropriate talking points...

Then Thompson's Dirty Old Man visage is FAIR GAME.

[Catchawave]

10. ....and his floozie wife too :)

She's his campaign manager? And I hear not a very good one.

Oh gawd, it feels good to see DU attacking Republicans :party:

[Telly Savalas]

17. But Edward's hair and Hillary's pantsuits aren't appropriate talking points.

Having one party act like a bunch of vindictive 14 year olds is one too many. If the second one chooses to mimic that sort of petty bullshit, it doesn't leave any options at the voting booth for those of us with three digit IQs.

[Stephanie]

19. Well Edwards is not running on his hair but Fred is running on some kind of implicit virility -

he is running on his (fictional) tough guy manliness, so it deserves scrutiny.

[cboy4]

3. I was going to say his boring personality, lack of enthusiasm,

chickenhawk war mongering, dangerous positions on the issues, etc., etc., are far more relevant than his terrible physical appearance, in which he looks close to death.

But now that I know it's irritating the freepers, I'm all for it. ;)

[progdonkey]

4. it's the Republicans who made Thompson's "youthful" appearance an issue...

They're the ones who went on about how he's this virile ladies' man who snagged a hot, young wife (who is absolutely not!!! a trophy wife ;-) ).

So, pointing out that he's a just a sickly old ex-lobbyist who got a typical blond trophy wife thanks to his millions is just providing counter-evidence.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Just call him one butt-ugly...

muddafuggah, and let the chips fall where they may.

If the right-wing gets pissed, all the merrier as we watch their heads explode.

[Demeter]

6. He Looks About 80 Years Old and Healthy for His Age

So how old is this guy, anyway?

[flpoljunkie]

7. He's 65.

[Totally Committed]

30. I have to say, for 65, he looks awful.

He's not all that much older than I am, and even with my health issues, I look a hell of a lot healthier than he does!

But, I say, if Hillary's "cleavage" can be an issue, Thompson's sickly appearance can be, too.

TC

[Wcross]

8. Everything is fair game in politics.

He is putting himself into it, he knows the game. I think he is the one they will pick to run so better to start early and say it often. Is this guy healthy enough to complete a full term? What if he chooses Rumsfeld or Cheney as his V.P.? The guy is not going to finish his term, who will inherit the white house?

[phillysuse]

9. He is three years out from dx and tx of non Hodgkins

lymphoma. They tend to recur at three years.

This is the same kind of lymphoma that killed Paul Tsongas.

I think a set of questions for Fred should include releasing his medical records, asking his position on medications derived from stem cells (and watching the freepers heads explode) and of course asking whether he has a signed a living will and does he want to be rescusitated if he should have a cardiac arrest.

[Wcross]

13. There ya go, now we need the media to ask him those questions.

The cancer is a huge problem for him. I wish him well and hope he dies in his sleep many years from now. I like Fred as a person, nothing wrong with him but his politics.
The problem is we are interviewing a candidate for a four year contract job, will his cancer put him down before the job is finished? Will he be too ill to complete his tasks? Those questions have to be put into voters minds now. Fred has to be put into a position where he has to prove that he is as healthy as any other candidate.

[Colobo]

11. He looks like Skeletor.

[durrrty libby]

12. It seems too easy and wrong to go after him right now

At least wait a few weeks.

[Wcross]

14. Put him down now.

He was polling in the 15% mark before he even announced.

[Itchinjim]

15. What? Easy and wrong to go after him now?!

Fuck him, his wife and his health. The GOP made politics a blood sport so I say show these bastards no mercy whatsoever. Fuck Fred and the GOP.

[acmavm]

16. The old coot looks like death on a soda cracker. I wonder if he would

make it to the swearing in.

[ariesgem]

25. I wonder if he'll make it through the primary...

[PATRICK]

18. It should be

unlike Cheney this is one disposable stooge and an EASY way to get a Bush inner circle prime actor back in the WH. They probably already have a dozen ways to get rid of him.

[Snarkturian Clone]

20. Nothing should be off limits. For anybody. nt

[polichick]

21. All the Aqua Velva in the world couldn't make this guy appealing...

Except to Tweety, of course!

[soothsayer]

22. eh, osama looks sickly too (rail thin, purple lips) but people don't seem to mind

[WCGreen]

23. At least he won't be spending $400 on a haircut...

Perhaps a good buff, but no haircut...

[Skittles]

24. the man is just plain fucking ugly

:puke:

[calimary]

26. ANYTHING is fair game.

With these people, ANYTHING is fair game. ANYTHING.

Question: would they cut US any slack?

I didn't think so.

It just has to be done delicately so it doesn't immediately backfire. You first want the impression suggested - the seed planted, so it sticks. And THEN let 'em get upset. By then it won't make any difference because the impression will have been planted and taken root. Solidified. Besides, if it's spread around a little, INVARIABLY there are others - even in his camp - who are already a little bit worried about this anyway. Hearing it coming from outside themselves will only verify it and make it legitimate. Which will help freak them out a little - uh-oh, it's out there, maybe it's true??? You think people think it's true???

ANYTHING is fair game. If an undercover CIA agent's identity and cover organization is fair game because somebody wants to get even with her husband, then CERTAINLY this is fair game. You do it to us? We do it back to you. No one-way street. You dish it out? You better be able to take it.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

27. It's as legitimate as wondering about the thing that is eating McCain's face

McCain looks sick and so does Thompson. Is it fair to judge their ability on their appearance? Why should it be any different for them than for the rest of us? It's a hard world, and Drop Dead Fred doesn't look like he can keep up with it, much less stay on top of it.

[gorekerrydreamticket]

37. Yes, our candidates look much better....

Really, there is no need to go into that when there are real issues to be debated...

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

40. I see you went to a RW site to find that image

Go there often?

If you apply for a job and you don't look like you can physically keep up with its demands, you will not be hired. That's an issue as real as any other.

[gorekerrydreamticket]

41. Google image search is RW?

OK, whatever. Let's vote based on looks.

[DFW]

28. Yes and no

If it's just the guy's looks, then no. I mean look at all the crap hurled
at Dennis Kucinich, who, if he looked and sounded like George Clooney, would
probably be the front runner by now.

On the other hand, Thompson looks to be SO tired and sickly, that it is fair
to ask if one has to be breathing to participate in a Republican debate. If
his speeches get made with an iPod instead of in person, then I'd say it was
fair to question his sickly appearance, yes.

[Vinca]

29. Absolutely it's fair game. Given the "truthiness" of Republicans

in general, Fred could have a limited time to live and keep it to himself. After winning the nomination he could pick someone even worse as VP, win the election, kick the bucket and - badabing, badaboom - we've got ourselves another President Bush (Jeb). His looks are fair game, his wife his fair game, his kids-who-are-older-than-his-wife are fair game.

[treestar]

31. Freepers have a lot of nerve claiming it's not fair game

But then, they always do live by the double standard.

They deserve to be attacked for their strengths - what's good for the Democrat is good for the Rethuglican.

Hard to imagine, but for them his appearance is a "strength," so I say attack away.

Freddie looks like Jabba the Hut and it ought to be mentioned wherever remotely possible.

[baldguy]

32. Making the observation that Thompson looks like Grandpa from TCM2 is mild

Considering that Republicans want to kill you.

[radfringe]

33. why not

Edwards' haircut and Clinton's cleavage is fair game for the right, so why not Droopy's jowls?

[flpoljunkie]

34. Fred Thompson on ABC News last week for his first post-announcment interview..

Fred Thompson gave his first post-announcement interview on ABC News' GMA this morning (ABCNEWS.com)

[IndianaJones]

35. Whats the big deal? I think he looks pretty good....

for an octogenarian.

[TwilightGardener]

36. I'll attack this nasty old fuck--up, down, and sideways--with absolutely

no guilt or remorse. He's wholly undeserving of the Presidency (couldn't even handle the Senate, for chrissakes) and he deserves every piece of shit thrown at him.

[Forkboy]

39. That's the spirit!

:D

[Vickers]

38. Of course it is!!! It's his Inner Ugly seeping out.

If Repukes can go on and on about how he's so virile and strong, throwing up photos of him looking like a broken-down bum are required.

[Imagevision]

42. In the beginning they were trying to compare Thompson to Reagan, now

that can't be more pathetic.