Redstate

in prep for Wednesday night's YouTube debate.

Hey, Anderson, I'm one of you! Fox News hates ME, too! Toss me a softball question, will ya?

Did the snowman submit any questions this time?

"Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?" (Macaulay)

I like to see some fight in a candidate. The question was little more than a harsh attack on him, and he's allowed to respond with a strong counter-punch.

He didn't raise his voice or get hot under the collar or red in the face (as did Clinton), although he clearly didn't like it very much.

And his point about Fox's bias might be right. He made a decent case.

"There isn't a man alive who hasn't wanted to boot an infant." - W.C. Fields

It's a damn shame.

He came across fine with me. He put up a fight and stuck up for his campaign. What would we want our candidate to do...say well yep, you're right...my campaign isn't do well. If he'll stand up to Fox...then I bet he'll stand up against any of them. I say...Go Fred!

"The conqueror is always a lover of peace; he would prefer to take over our country unopposed."
- Karl von Clausewitz

Fred came off just fine. He stated the facts and called FOX on their crap.

I would never compare Fred's response to Clinton's little TT. Not. Even. Close.

FOX has been pimping 9iu11ani since he entered the race. I, for one, am sick of it.

I was one of those cheering when Fred entered the race, mostly for his Federalist stance on many of the social issues, but now.

Now...not so much.

There is no passion, no fire, no deep belief in what he's selling. It's like he's going through the motions waiting on a coronation.

Sorry Fred and Fred Heads, no sale.

For those crying about Fox; if one of the most conservative friendly networks is picking on poor Fred, imagine what Oberhound and the crowd at MSNBC will do. Yikes!

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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party ! Pastafarianism anyone?

Boil tripe and you get chitlins. Convert it to text and you get this diary.

Wallace is like the poster boy for the Whining Wimp Brigrade and Fred slapped him most appropriately. Thanks for the clip, the more I hear and see Fred the better I like him.

Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.

And I thought Thompson handled it very well. By "it," I mean an almost bizarre performance by Wallace. Wallace stated that their was a conservative backlash against Thompson and his campaign for not seizing the moment, and Wallace offered two clips: one from Fred Barnes and the other from Charles Krauthammer, both from FNC's Special Report with Brit Hume. Nothing else. Fred asked for something else, and Wallace became very defensive of FNC. And he wouldn't let Thompson talk about other sources, such as "National Review, which have complimented the campaign.

The exchange struck me as strange, but I thought Thompson got the upperhand in a situation in which no advantage should have been up for grabs. Wallace seemed out of character for a few moments, but he caught himself by the end of the segment.

What a big to do over nothing. This doesn't even rise to the level of a half-baked over easy kerfluffle. Comparing the exchange to Clinton's threatening, red in the face, angry demand that he be treated with kid gloves is really stretching it.

Must be a slow news day.

How much did Fred raise on Nov 21, his big day of an online appeal?
His ideas are strong but unless the money is there, it won't matter if Fox is fair with him.

Well, as the primaries draw near, there wil be worse from the dems and other media.

Poor Fred, must have missed a nap or something.

Buck up sparky, this is the bigs and in the bigs they throw hard.

Sniff...they asked me hard questions.

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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party ! Pastafarianism anyone?

First a disclaimer: I lean towards Fred so far but I'm not completely sold.

There's enough truth to go around on this issue.

1. FOX has been pretty hard on Fred.
2. But Fred showed a lack of wisdom attacking FOX News.
3. But Fred wasn't over the top either (as most people are pointing out).
4. But FOX does seem skewed towards NYC homeboy Rudy.
5. But Thompson HAS run a lackluster campaign.
6. But Thompson IS polling second nationwide.

I call the whole episode a draw, and much ado about nothing. Fred probably shouldn't have raised the issue, but he did it in a decent way. Fox is right that Thompson has run a lackluster campaign, but Thompson isn't getting credit for his second in the nation polling.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" - Defoe

It is a pointless exercise that draws no blood and leaves no impact. Blaming the media is the way of those that are making excuses rather than those making progress.

I worry about every candidate that resorts to attacks on the media. It isn't that they are incorrect...it is just never going to help you.

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
-H. L. Mencken

He answered Wallace point by point and Wallace putting on that nasty remark by Rudy went over the line.

I thought Fred scored points by pointing out the two commentators (dare I say neo-cons) who make Wallace's point are both Fox contributors.

Fred came off intelligent, forceful, and even tempered.

I was definately for Fred when he first started floating the possibility of running. In fact, I'm still in favor of seeing Fred get the nomination. But, his lackluster performance so far has ruined the possibility of that ever happening.

I do agree that FOX has been pushing their hometown boy Gulianni from the beginning. One of the things that has frustrated me about Gulianni fans is their insistance that he is the only candidate serious about the GWOT... Someone please name one Republican contender that isn't serious about the GWOT... Ron Paul doesn't count as a serious contender by the way.

Jim C
Thinking Right

Is that it misses all of the other things in the interview that were far more substantive. He announced a major tax restructuring plan! Very comprehensive. Very bold. Very pro-growth. Also the first step toward a flat tax system.

He also pointed out some issues with Huckabee and Rudy. The best line was regarding Rudy's "no experience" charge on him: "I think Rudy was squealing before he got stuck".

He only has himself to blame. He hasn't put in the effort required to get the base excited and I believe he expected the Republican establishment to simply coronate him. He acts as if he is above having to earn the nomination. Blaming Fox News is just sour grapes. Fred's campaign needs to take 2 bottles of viagra.

Ok, I just watched this twice, and I didn't see where he ATTACKED Fox News. I saw him point out what he felt was a bias on their part, in particular with Barnes and Krauthammer. I thought he did very well. Just my opinion.

Next controversy? :)

Real Conservatives support Fred's positions.

Real RINOs or moderates like Rudy's style.

You can't debate a who's lazy, who's kids hate him argument and expect anything to ever get done. There will be those of us who vote on issue and principle and there will be those who sort of vote issues, but mostly vote personality.

Debate the issues. I dare you.

Wanna discuss the virtue of gun control? How about sanctuary citys? Gay marriage? Civil unions? Abortion? Federalism? Taxes anyone? Social Security reform? I know National Security and the size of the military?

You find me a more conservative candidate running in the top tier than Fred I'll kiss your @ss.

The MSM and Murdock and Ailes want a subway series. They've already written the script. Too many juicy scandals to cover in the Rudy/Hillary show. Fred's too boring. Always wanting to talk about issues.

He did a great job pointing out that there are other sources who think he is doing fine, such as polls and the National Review. He hardly attacked anyone, he just attempted to discredit those who are naysayers.

Also, keep in mind, he came on the show to pimp his tax cut plan, again, Fred promotes issues and solutions, MSM continues to promote the more glamorous.

I saw a post earlier in which someone asked if we can stop over promoting our candidates for just one day. How about one day in which we stop making something out of nothing.

Even starting this blog reaks of bias and foolishness. Comparing Fred to Clinton when he was interviewed by Wallace is a conversation we conservatives should all be above even getting into.

The old man finally showed some pep in his step. The only problem is that it was the wrong time for Granps to have that fire in his belly. 90% of Fox News viewers vote republican. I guess Fred, its like shooting the messenger. Are the liberals right Freddy when they say the same thing you said this morning about Fox News? BTW Grandpa did you complain when Sean Hannity had his nose up you and your wife's rear end? How about Bill Krystol's daughter working for your campaign. Never heard a peep from you about those things

The sinking poll numbers are 100% your own doing. You blew something historic You almost got handed the nomination just because you were tall, southern, and for some reason people thought you were Ronald Reagan. You thought you were going to call the shots in this campaign and you thought you were going to change the rules. You seriously thought 30 second clips on You Tube were going to carry you to the nomination. You come to Orlando all the candidates give 20 minute speeches you give a 2 minute speech. Who do you think you are? I actually think it was quite disrespectful.

Being Lazy finally caught up with you Mr. Thompson.

Sorry, all of those who thinks he lacks fire in his belly, something tells me that he is not going to back down, or even "negotiate" (as the dems like to call cowaring) with any adversaries. I think he handles himself just fine at the "head of the table."

All of the shouting and bad mouthing about Fred is setting the bar VERY LOW. If he comes in a strong third, let alone second, in Iowa, it's all over (in his favor).

Fred won this exchange big time and trying to compare it to Clinton's hysterics is really pitiful. He owned Wallace in this interview, just as he totally owned incurious George on ABC last week and potato head Russert in the MTP interview.

We all posture and moan about trivial MTV style candidates who have no substance to them and won't discuss actual issues with specificity, but when one comes along who does and moreover one who consistently puts forward the strongest conservative message based on principle, all too many just can't handle it and run home to the fluff of the moment. And worse, it's the fluff that the main stream media has been promoting as the "real conservative." Right. I'm going to take CNNs word for who is the "real conservative."

A panelist noted this the other night on Fox News. "NRO is the most respected conservative blog." Fred Thompson referenced NRO today while Wallace was trying to shut him up. This is what NRO has to say about Fred Thompson. (Warning- Positive conservative news coverage about Fred Thompson.)

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGQxMjc5ZWEyMTg1Zjc3MjY0MjY5OGYzYzZ...

Fred Thompson remains 2nd in national polls and tied for or in the lead of South Carolina polls. The South will go as SC goes, don't get me wrong, by no means am I trying to imply this is a done deal, but there are trends to consider... in addition to the fact that New Hampshire has not been outstanding at picking the Republican nominee lately. They also will have less delegates than in the past.

I actually saw an article the other day citing Fred's "revitalized campaign." Can you imagine Fox saying anything like that. In the meantime, the Guiliani promoting has perhaps simmered in the last couple of weeks. I mean, really stopped, not promoting him, or talking about that meaningless issue with his police commissioner. Not only does Fox overhype Rudy, but they underhype him when its convenient.

As a Fred fan, not offended, his nickname Moose will be used time and time again as we progress.

BTW- Sorry to be an idiot, but I'll admit my shortcomings, what the flip is N/T?

...Fred definitely got national attention from his Fox appearance. On the way home tonight, was listening to a local radio station, and they mentioned Fred's appearance and his tax proposal. Today's showing stirred up more interest from the national media than I've seen since before he declared his candidacy. If it was a tantrum, I'd like to see a lot more of them.

John McCain is OLDER than Thompson...the anointed one, Rudy, only 2 years Thompson's junior...Romney? (the other anointed one with the big personal checkbook) 2 years Giuliani's junior, and Huckabee (at 52) the baby in the race.

When all you got is parody, (and at that a parody ill-placed), you speak volumes about the double standards you so quickly apply WITHIN the party while simultaneously wailing against that very same double standard when the opposition places it upon you...move on kids-naps, laziness, belly fires, trophy wives, and all the rest are the fodder the media has contrived to beat Thompson down well in advance of any attempts he might make at communicating his proposals and positions. I think lawyers call that "discrediting the witness" or somesuch thing.

If you Fred-haters WANT to oppose him with the same hollow and meaningless foolishness that our COLLECTIVE opposition (Democrats and the MSM) has chosen to oppose him with, instead of sharing with us your specific, educated, well-informed and well thought out reasoning as to why Thompson is WRONG in his published positions, proposals, and policy statements then how different ARE any of you than the Democrats we are ALL supposed to be fighting against.

Sheesh.

haystack's 12th:
Conservatives (and Presidential Candidates especially) shall offer no aid and comfort to the opposition in times of legislative conflict (and ensuing political campaigns).

Fred did fine. Contrary to the opinions of some here, having a measured manner of speech is not a bad thing. He gave specific answers to questions and pointed out the absurdities in some of the positions of other candidates (because Wallace asked him to do so).

As to him taking FNC to task, Chris Wallace opened it up for him (by his own admission at the end of the interview) and he hit the home run. Fred managed to show in stark terms the one sided nature of Fox's coverage without actually calling them biased for any candidate.

Trying each day to spread the Gospel

Let's put the bickering aside and look at this practically (in a political sense)...

When Fred held out, it appeared to be a smart move, given the lackluster responses to Rudy, Mitt, McCain, and others. Fred was Hollywood, conservative, and had presence--all the makings of a Reagan II. However the momentum leading up to an announcement peaked about a month too early. He reshuffled a campaign team, before the announcement. Finally, he abandoned the debate for an announcement on Leno. These missteps helped squander the impact Thompson might have had on the race a few months prior to his formal entry.

By the time he announced, the expectations were so high, I doubt even Ronald Reagan would have met them. Instead, the 24 hours news cycle covered the entry and nothing happened. Then he debated and did not live up to the expectations of rank and file republicans or SoCons (who he desperately needed).

Wallace was correct that Fred's campaign has been lackluster. When Fred challenged him and said those were simple Fox contributors, Wallace asked who has said different, to which Fred replied, it is not his job to cite positive sources. He then goes on to cite positive sources (National Review) on his policy positions (which is different that campaign execution).

Why is Fred slumping? A couple of reasons. He had meteoric expectations to live up to both as a conservative and as a savior for republicans desperately seeking a candidate for Hillary. When Fred made his first debate appearance more people tuned in. Unfortunately for Fred, noone stumbled enough to let him shine. In fact, that is the debate (I believe) that assisted Huckabee's meteoric rise. The conservatives did not flock to Thompson as predicted (and hoped), but instead are either still unsold, or flocking to Huckabee (at least in Iowa).

This is why Thompson is not only attacking Guliani (because he leads the pack), but instead why he is also focusing on Huckabee (because Huck is eating into his marketshare of voters).

I wanted Thompson to do well, because I was for McCain--and it appeared John was DOA before Iowa would even occur. Unfortunately, it seems clear I was not the only one who felt Thompson simply did not rise to the occassion. I also believe that Thompson lacks a certain fire and tenacity in his campaign. Who do I have to turn to? I gotta say, I took another look, and liked what I saw in Huckabee, who had all the presence and SoCon attitude I was looking for in THompson. Huck simply did not have the money or resources, or coverage--it is amazing how that has changed. This Fox News incident is important, simply because it illustrates the lack of ability and common sense plaguing THompson's campaign.

Criticize me all you want, but (1) you will not see Thompson win the nomination, and with the way Hillary was improving until her most recent collapse... (2) you really do not want him winning the nomination.

THanks for reading... good night.

a fluid race. I also switched bandwagons. I started with Mitt. Many more "votes" will be switched between now and the primaries. Mine won't be one of them.

www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie

FOX has jumped on the same "tired" story about how "tired" Thompson is. I wonder has anyone looked at this man's schedule and just because the media chooses to not show him as much as Hillary and Rudy does not mean he isn't pounding the pavement.

They have picked whom they will not be showing everynight and one of those would be Thompson and so not only must he run person to person he must do so without the benefit of being in our living rooms every night on tv.

Good Luck to him.

Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion

Enough already. The whole point of the Fox interview was to present Fred's new tax plan. Let's have a real discussion on what is the "first" candidate to introduce a program that will lead to the death of for our existing bad tax code.