The reviews are in and Frederick of Hollywood is…a flop. Via the NYTimes:
Twenty-four minutes after he began speaking in a small restaurant the other day, Fred Thompson brought his remarks to a close with a nod of his head and an expression of thanks…“Can I have a round of applause?” Mr. Thompson said, drawing a rustle of clapping and some laughter.
“Well, I had to drag that out of you,” he said.
That’s just pitiful. At least he still has the little woman to perk him up when he feels deflated.
Jeri Thompson, wife of GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson, shakes off the “trophy wife” label critics have tagged her with for being 24 years younger than her husband….she met her future husband at a Nashville supermarket on July 4, 1996…he carried her groceries to the car, and she invited him to a friend’s party that night.
Years later, she tells People: “I was never an older-man-dater kind of girl before.”
Uh…mah…gawd. ”Can you lift my peaches, Senator?” Romance at the Piggly Wiggly — precious. (Check out the body language in this shot, would you? Yeeeesh.) And Fred has more reviews:
Voters who came out to see him as he traveled through Iowa — even while expressing admiration for his views and intense interest in his candidacy — said they were struck by how little energy or passion he appeared to bring into a room….After his events, he tended to stay for only a few minutes to sign some autographs or pose for some pictures….he tends not to ask many questions of the people he meets and tends not to make prolonged eye contact with them.
Sure, it could just be AdNags. Or maybe it’s just a sort of red carpet reaction to fans and an overdeveloped need for personal space. Then again…maybe it’s Frederick of Holly-wouldn’t. Via the WaPo:
Thompson is quite an unusual politician. His acting background would suggest a special kind of charisma or skill at public speaking, but now on his second swing through Iowa, he didn’t whip up the excitement of a crowd or sound particularly eloquent or inspiring as Barack Obama or John Edwards often do. Instead of being eager to shake hands and meet voters when he finishes his speeches, he ambles toward them, speaks in a deep, but muted tone and poses for pictures or answers questions, often without making eye contact….
Thus far, Thompson has been king of the clueless on the campaign trail. And apparently quite the personality dud and yawnfest. Considering the GOP contenders, that is really saying something. Oliver Willis has more, including a link to one of the worst interviews with Thompson that I have ever seen.
In real life, unless the leader knows what he’s doing, we’re all in a world of crap. And, frankly, haven’t we had enough from Shiftless George to last us a few generations? (Don’t miss the phony Bubba act story about Thompson’s little red truck via Washington Monthly.) Here’s a thought — how about we pick an actual leader who is willing to do all the homework, instead of one who just tries to play one on teevee and hasn’t bothered to even learn basics about the damn job. Lazy, much?
(Very recent photo of Fred Thompson in Iowa via Yahoo/AP/Kevin Sanders. Doesn’t he look perky? Not.)
Related posts:
- New “Pecora Commission” to be Named This Week? Who Would You Appoint?
- BREAKING: Chris Christie Declared Victor in New Jersey; NYC Mayor Bloomberg Re-Elected by Narrow Margin
- Minuteman Killer Co-Hosted Anti-Immigration Event in 2007 Featuring Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson
- The Courage Of The Conservadems
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whoa
Christy!!
This may make him a shoe-in to get elected!
OMG, he should so not wear a construction hat and safety goggles. It makes him look much older than his 115 years.
Well, I would hate to be judged by photos, but it would be a drag (oops) to be the Eldergeezer Bunny.
Or should I say the Eldergeezer’s Bunny?
I have a picture of me on a pony just like that!
Like I said in the last thread, my parents’ neighbors have a Hollywood Fred bumper sticker on their car. But like all good R’s they have it taped to the rear window so that it doesn’t damage the value of the car. *g* I have never met these neighbors and now don’t want to. It does give me comfort knowing that the past president of the local Dem. Party lives right across the street (next to my peoples).
Christy, the photo of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson was pretty interesting. She’s clearly not listening to him.
In the meantime, I’m wondering how much longer his campaign will drag on before it finally fades away…
-S
The dude obviously doesn’t want to be President. So why is he running? Jeri made him? Pure vanity? Nothing else to do? Trying to avoid being around his kids? Hiring freeze at the Heritage Foundation?
He asked for the aplause because he thought he was giving a performance, and it was over.
I hope it’s over soon.
Christy, in that photo slide show – after the first shot with Fred and his wife-oid (you ain’t kiddin’ about that body language), there is a four-shot series of Fred talking “at” an elderly man. I think out of all four shots, only one shows Fred even looking in the gentleman’s physical direction – the other show him looking away, over the top of the gentleman’s head, etc. He doesn’t seem to have the ability to “connect”.
A cardboard cut-out makes the best Republican Presidential material. All the puppeteering is done through the corporations and special interests that control him.
If only they coulda got Dubya to stay quiet when necessary. The ridiculous and hurtful policies he has to promote are bad enough. The ad libbing (that reveals his dark soul and his ignorance) is what really does Dubya in with the public.
Thompson would be perfect for them, if they could get him elected.
Is that really a picture of Fred he looks so differnt than when he’s on TV. My sister says no Republicans are beefier and tend to have no neck.
I think its no make up and he’s loosing weight, gas station food is not agreeing with him on the campaign trail, or cancer.
I haven’t seen a flop like this since Moose Murders.
Gnome de Plume @ 7
Did your parents ever say what those people are like? I am curious. It’s so odd that Thompson could get 18% in a national poll. Are people basing it off of his Arthur Branch character? Does anyone actually remember him being in the Senate?
Poor Phred. He though he was going to be anointed, appointed and crowned king of the ‘Mercun Empire. Now he has to actually go out and DO SOMETHING he is lost.
A
poorrich lost man with a trophy honey that got a quick shag at the quicky mart. At least Craig had the bloody sense to look for a quicky without wanting to marry the piece.Joe Klein’s conscience @ 15
Popiels Pocket Fisherman could get 18% because it was “ON TV”!
This is supposed to be the new St. Ronnie? St. Bernard maybe. One whose keg has gone empty. Maybe that is why the missus looks so pissed.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 15
And HC with over 50%. This country is sick, sick sick.
raven @ 17
Ginsu knives for VP!
Fredrick of Holly-Wouldn’t’s run for the candidacy is based on the ’success’ of Ronnie Raygun’s metamorphasis from ‘actor’ to ‘politician’. And we know how well that worked! Fred, there’s something trickling down your leg! Clean-up on Aisle 10 of the Piggly Wiggly.
Valerie Wilson’s new book. Fair game, my life as a spy.
And, OT, but…
“Rush Limbaugh’s hometown radio station that broadcasts his show — WJNO AM in Palm Beach, Florida — has refused to air a VoteVets ad by Brian McGough, the Iraq war veteran who was compared by Limbaugh to a suicide bomber.
John Hunt, the vice president/market manager for Clear Channel in Palm Beach, wrote a letter yesterday explaining his station’s decision not air McGough’s ad. Hunt’s rationale was not that the ad was inaccurate or that it posed legal issues, but rather, the ad presented information that “would conflict with the listeners who have chosen to listen to Rush Limbaugh.”
Aw, that’s REALLY too bad – that Clear Channel listeners might hear something that would CONFLICT with something that Rush Limbaugh says. Another reason to hate Clear Channel.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..-censored/
Wow! Makin’ them hardhats in fashion colors, are they now?
raven says
Popiels Pocket Fisherman could get 18% because it was “ON TV”!
There’s an idea. Republican Candidate – Ron Popiel. Will he do it? Turdblossom, get Ron on the phone!
Waccamaw @ 24
Not that there’s anything wrong with it!
nomolos @ 19
I don’t believe that. The number, not the sickness.
hackworth @ 25
Nah, too much integrity.
Maybe old Freddie’s stock will rise:
Dobson Makes It Official: Religious Right Leaders Will Back Third-Party Challenger Against Rudy
In every picture or interview I’ve seen of Freddie, his mouth turns down even when he is smiling–such a dour, dour man. No wonder he is not a raving success at campaigning.
MayDaze @ 29
Go Rudy!
Here it comes:
MayDaze @ 29
Couldn’t ask for a better gift. Now Nader won’t matter.
“Who’s your daddy?”
https://ssl.tnr.com/p/docsub.mhtml?i=20070723&s=cottle072307
“Can’t remember..doesn’t know”
he is Ronald Raygun
Overheard at the Piggly Wiggly:
“Jeri, what kind of bag would you like? Plastic or Plastic?”
Kathleen @ 34
Vibrating with pride
Hmmmmm
Abu Ghraib Prisoners Accuse US Companies of Torture
By Agence France Press
10/03/07 “AFP” — – WASHINGTON – Two US Army subcontractors accused of torturing prisoners at Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib jail go to court Wednesday in a case that highlights the murky legal status of private US companies in Iraq.
Titan and CACI International were hired by the Army to provide interrogators and interpreters at the notorious prison, the scene of well-documented abuses of detainees following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
One former Iraqi prisoner now living in Sweden says that under the companies’ watch, he was sodomized, nearly strangled with a belt, tied by his genitals to other detainees, and given repeated electric shocks.
http://www.informationclearing…..e18496.htm
Alternet article on Chevron and Burma.
Toby Wollin @ 23
I believe we are clearly into important legal territory here regarding the fairness doctrine. It’s bad enough that the doctrine of equal time has been destroyed but now we have open censorship of political speech occurring on the public airwaves. This cannot stand and there better be something done about it. This is gonna get real ugly but these corporate bastards think they can do anything with their public license. WE STILL OWN THE GODDAM AIRWAVES YOU PRICKS!
raven @ 32
Of course, this will be recalled as “liberals spit on soldiers returning from war.” Where have we heard that one before?
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 15
I remember him being in the Senate – mostly because I remember him dating that klassy kountry kween Lorrie Morgan.
My sharpest recollection of him – one that has burned itself into my brain – is during the Clinton
Witch Huntimpeachment trial. He was being interviewed on the steps of the Capitol, and it was a cold and windy day. He had a 10-inch-long combover and it was just a-flappin’ in the breeze while he was talking. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.kdh22 @ 27
OK over 44% http://tpmelectioncentral.com/
PS I do not believe in accuracy in reporting it is unamericun
raven @ 32
Media Whores require no actual spit! I feel like somebody is peeing on my shoes and telling me that its raining.
No fool… like an old fool? Mr. Thompson is an embarrasment. As is John McCain. I wish Mick Jagger would retire too. To everything there is a season.
Maybe someone has an idea for a Vice-President to run the show under Thompson’s senescent auspices. Or to take over when he kicks that ol’ bucket.
“My job is a decision-making job. And as a result, I make a lot of decisions,” the president said.
I wonder how Fred will be in a debate?
JF @ 42
Neil Boortz was all over this and I wrote to tell him how, in September 69, at Oakland Army base, they made 500 of us who had returned from Vietnam sit on a concrete floor for 3 days. I’m waiting for my apology.
JF @ 42
Wasn’t the original tale at the same airport?!
Alicia @ 42
Did he date Lorrie Morgan before or after Troy Aikman? (or at the same time?) And, does this mean Fred and Troy swapped some DNA?
Things at 48 — He’d have to show up for one first…
Oklahoma kiddo @ 45
Like Candidate McCain, Norm Podhoretz is a true believer in the preemptive bombing of Iran.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 45
I thought you might be interested in this diary about Gore:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..82758/6531
kevster @ 40
Sorry. The Fairness Doctrine no longer exists: (courtesy of Wikipedia)”In August 1987, the FCC abolished the doctrine by a 4-0 vote, in the Syracuse Peace Council decision. The FCC stated, “the intrusion by government into the content of programming occasioned by the enforcement of [the Fairness Doctrine] restricts the journalistic freedom of broadcasters … [and] actually inhibits the presentation of controversial issues of public importance to the detriment of the public and the degradation of the editorial prerogative of broadcast journalists,” and suggested that, due to the many media voices in the marketplace, the doctrine be deemed unconstitutional.”
Let’s see now – WHEN did we start getting Rush, et al. on the airwaves?
Sparkles at 51 — Before, I think. She started dating Aikman in the post-Fred period, I believe. But this is all fuzzy memory from beauty shop People Mag reading, so perhaps someone else has a clearer memory on that…
raven @ 37
Funny
Sparkles the Iguana @ 51
The Fall of Troy? A Trojan Horse?
brendan @ 50
Read Jerry Lemke’s “Spitting Image”. The stories were most often set in major metro airports. He also gives a great overview of the “stab in the back” coming soon to theaters everywhere (and the reason the dems are scared shitlss).
Alicia @ 42
Was he the “Construction Worker” of the Village People ? *g*
Yo, Grandpa Fred! Use this line next time:
“Hey, is this an audience or an oil painiting?”
raven @ 32
I wouldn’t put it past Bu’ush lickers to stage disinfo stunts like this.
beerfart liberal @ 47
My job is a carrot waxing job. And as a result I wax a lot of carrots. – Bugs Bunny
Sparkles the Iguana @ 51
He dated Aikman? Oh boy
Christy Hardin Smith @ 52
with or without his own defibulator?
Freddie’s 65 – he would be 66 when he takes office and 70 should he win and run for a second term..
Too Old? Gettin close
BobbyG @ 62
If you dig into enough articles I think it was the TSA that decided.
dov12348 @ 61
Or how about the standard lounge gig line “yo, y’all better start movin’ around or someone’s gonna throw dirt on ya.”
Kevster@40 – Re: Fairness Doctrine.
But, we do have a shot at it with this piece of legislation from Rep. Maurice Hinchey. He is asking people to write OpEds to their local papers to support this.
http://www.house.gov/hinchey/issues/mora.shtml
raven at 32 — If I remember correctly, it was a problem that the contracted airline carrier failed to negotiate the proper greeting protocol with the airport on behalf of their passengers — which they have to do each time something like this occurs due to security concerns. So people should be bitching at the carrier, not the airport.
But that would require an adherence to facts and stuff…
bonkers @ 36
hehe ;)
Sparkles the Iguana @ 51
Ooh, I would so love to see Phreddy on the Colbare Repore. Now that would be fun! Maybe Stephen could say that he’d like to “do” Phred’s wife.
Anyone watching the Florida voting lawsuit issue on C-Span 3
the airport incidence was the fault of the Charter company that arranged the flight as the local Marine expediter.
The spitting quote is from a phony soldier
put up to the remark by rightwing loons like Tammy Bruce.
Morning Christy and pups!
Oh dear. Green’s not all that becoming on just everyone. This is downright pitiful.
Thanks for the much-needed “WHOOT!” to brighten my morning.
TPM is reporting that Dobson says it is official. They are gonna go the 3rd party route if Rudy gets the nomination. All the more reason to root for Rudy to get the nomination. I really wanna see the fundies go third party because it’s all kabuki at this point. I don’t see Dobson having the balls to really, really do it.
I’ve always thought that Thompson’s appeal was being “none of the above” for Republicans who didn’t like any of their candidates. He could poll well on name recognition only as long as he remained an empty vessel for them to fill with what they thought he should believe.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 77
Dunn on Brain Lehrer show sez Dobson could be the candidate. “And what a way to go down in history, being a thrid party candidate for president.”
just in case
Some of the 200 Marines on board wanted to meet and greet family and friends at the Oakland passenger terminal before continuing on to their base in Hawaii, but that request wasn’t made in advance by the military’s charter airline, North American Airlines, or its ground handler, Hilltop Aviation, said airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/…..USILJ6.DTL
LS @ 54
You just made my day. Thanks. ;0)
nomolos @ 19
Is it just me, or does anything think those polls showing Hillary with such a big lead have to be fictional?
I know a LOT of liberals, and left-leaning moderates (in the physical world) and I have yet to meet a single person who supports Hillary. Most of the people I know are like me, and will have SERIOUS trouble voting for her if we have to in the general election. And unlike me, some of the left-leaning independents might actually pull the R lever instead.
What are Democrats thinking? Why are they pushing so hard for their best chance at losing in ‘08?
It’s so freakin’ frustrating!
RedShift at 87 — Exactly. And what’s even more pathetic? He’s not even a good enough actor to make people think he’s happy to be there talking to him about issues that he clearly could care less about…really bizarre.
mui @ 22
Heh!
Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought:
Some of these look vaguely familiar! :)
Redshift @ 78
Dobson says it is a done deal if it is Rudy they are walking
Indeed, a new poll out from Rasmussen today says that more than a quarter — 27% — of Republicans would vote for such a pro-life third-party challenger. What’s particularly interesting about this poll is that it offers GOPers this choice while explicitly naming Hillary and Rudy as the major party nominees — suggesting that even the specter of a victorious Hillary wouldn’t dissuade many Republicans from going third party
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/…..t_rudy.php
so the person uniting the gooper base in The Plunger
They are united and they are leaving.
eCAHNomics @ 79
Hasn’t he been made fun of enough, already ?
raven @ 17
707. That is definitely “The Onion” quality material!
Christy Hardin Smith @ 83
I think his handlers/directors have told him to play like he doesn’t really want the nomination and to act woefully under- informed …
beerfart liberal @ 47
“Why, just this morning, I decided to play with the red Hot Wheels car!”
Petrocelli @ 86
Let ‘em put Dobson out there as a 3rd party prize. I think that would be hysterical!
Dobson is delusional as is the whole lot of fundies.
The whole Thompson thing is certainly strange. I think it is just an acting gig for him, but I can’t figure out why. I think it has something to do with Cheney.
Redshift @ 89
Lead poisoned Hot Wheels?? That could explain a lot!
LS @ 54
I heard Gore Vidal speak at a small gathering featuring John Dean last year, and he said that Al Gore wants to run, but he doesn’t want it to be difficult (which is hard to blame him for considering he had the Presidency literally stolen from him after a grueling campaign in which the press joined with the Bush team in lying about him). I’m still holding out hope. The way I see it, since he has the kind of leadership and credibility which no other candidate has, and is in a unique position to reel our country in from the edge of the cliff, it would be unpatriotic of him not to run, regardless of his personal aversion. If you have it, Al, and your country needs it, you owe it to America.
kdh22 @ 90
Jon & Stephen wouldn’t be able to sleep …
Giuliani: will split the GOP?
Romney: Not Christian enough the Christianists.
Thomson: Failing fast.
Paul: Rising star who has now beaten Huckabee and McCain.
On constitutional rights and foreign policy matters Paul beats most democrats.
Petrocelli @ 94
Waaaaaay too much material there!
So much corruption it makes one’s head spin. Just the way Turdblossom, Cheney etc like it.
Check out this head spinning? Do you ever feel like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40k8YZu51qg
katherine Graham Cracker @ 75
It reminds me of Matt Sanchez – talking about being called a ‘baby killer’ by liberals at Columbia. I know he made that up.No one says that any more. Wrong war, fellas!
I can’t help it — since Fred’s entrance into the race, all the GOP candidates have become cartoon characters to me — Hound Dog Grandpa Fred, Rudy the Chipmunk (chattering “9/11! 9/11!”), Dudley DoWrong Mitt, Huckleberry Huckabee, Tom the Tankredo, blowing away immigrants on cable TV. The Unbelievables…
Petrocelli @ 88
Fred Thompson, Master Thespian: “No! It is I who fooled you! For I am dead.. and merely acting alive!”
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/85/85dthespian.phtml
Alicia @ 93
Absolutely Sis !!!
Gore has the wisdom to turn America around, I am sure he is already drafting plans to clean out the Bushies from DOJ and other Departments.
wigwam @ 95
It’s my contention that the Rs know they can’t win the general in ‘08 so they’re doing whatever they can to make sure Hillary wins. She’s one of them anyway so what difference does it make? This 3rd party thing will only push undecideds to Hillary.
SufiLizard @ 82
I would characterize myself as mostly a bit left-of-center, and I too wish to see someone other than Hillary. I worry about her high negatives, which are — beyond the obvious vestigial “Billary” antipathy — in substantive measure the result of her transparent triangulation on every issue.
I’m leaning towards Edwards these days. Smearing Obama as “JV” calibre is gonna work. Who else even has a shot?
But, if Hillary gets the nod, I’d have to hold my nose and pull the lever for her. The GOP wreckage is just far too severe and widespread. Gotta be stopped.
Don’t see how Gore could declare- form a team-raise money and campaign in the three months left before Iowa…It’s too late in my opinion.
rw @ 66
That young?
To me he looks about 85 … and not aging well at all.
mc @ 100
LOL !!! Brilliant !
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 77
Dobson is nothing if not firm in his beliefs. If he says he’s going to do it, he’ll do it.
What I find fascinating about this latest bit of news is that Dobson felt like he needed to write the NYT op-ed to do some explaining, so that the right message would get out. Signs of cracks in the rightwing political messaging machine?
[For more on Dobson, check out the FDL Book Salon chat with Dan Gilgoff, author of The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War.]
I’ll vote for Edwards in the primary- as I did last time- but he doesn’t seem to be on a track toward greatness. It’s lookin more and more like Hillary.
kdh22 @ 102
And then they can get on with the business of perpetual war and corporate profiteering.
Petrocelli @ 106
Lovitz was one of the few bright spots of latter-day SNL. Of course, the other was Phil Hartman. RIP
mc @ 110
Indeed, Hartman RIP.
If the snakehandlers sense that the goopers are sure to lose anyway, then it makes sense to do the third party run- they can take “credit” for the loss- and prove that the goopers can’t win without em. That would give em a permanent cat bird seat.
Gets more and more interesting.
Fundies in control could also mean the death of the gooper party.
Goopers need to decide whether or not this marriage can make it. If not, then they will need to let the fundies do as they wish and build a new majority- with sane people- pushing toward the center.
wigwam at 95 — See my last post on Burma where Paul was one of only two House members to vote against support for Democracy there. No thanks.
I agree with rwcole. Too late for Gore. I’m for Edwards now.
mc @ 110
My favorite of Lovitz’s: The Pathological Liar Picks up Jerry Hall.
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/85/85jliar.phtml
BobbyG @ 103
I too favor Edwards. I saw him on KO last night and I want to repeat something that he said that is quite right. He said that the choice between him and Hillary is simple. With Hillary vs. Gop it is less war or more war. With him it is war or no war.
off topic but very important;
how many times have I said the illegal spying on Americans was stealing?
that’s the only reason possible they don’t want anyone looking to see that what they are doing is in our country’s interest, it has to be stealing
now this (think progress)
rwcole @ 112
Note to Unka Karl: Be careful what you wish for…
How’s that permanent Republican majority working out for you?
wigwam @ 95
As much of a moonbat as Paul might be on some issues(women’s health & S-Chip comes to mind automatically), I wonder how many people(probably Democrats) are giving to Paul in the hopes of throwing a monkey wrench in to the Republican nomination. I know a lot of younger people are strong Paul supporters, but they don’t have much money I imagine.
I’m a bit of a libertarian at heart. I don’t like govt. tellin me what to do if I’m not hurting anyone- I’m ACLU on the bill of rights- I wear a motorcycle helmet- but I don’t like bein told that I have to- etc.
I’m also fiscally conservative- don’t like Bush’s giant deficits.
I believe in a modest safety net but with a bias for work for able people.
I could vote for a sane gooper of the libertarian stripe who shuns snakehandlers and isn’t nutso about tax cuts for the rich.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 77
I’m tempted to change my registration to Republican this year just so I can vote for Rudy in the primaries. There won’t be much good I can do on the Dems side here in MD.
rwcole @ 112
I think you’re right about the fundies – if they’re losing this time anyway, why not make a point.
It looks like a lot of the corporate types are going for Hillary. The R ship is sinking and the rats are bailing…
BobbyG @ 68
Now that’s just mean, man.
Heh.
Helpless Dancer @ 116
My dream team is Gore/Edwards. But I do like Edwards, and I liked him in 2004.
Looking at that photo and wow.
That is NOT a photo of a healthy 65 year old man.
Is his lymphoma back?
I find the self-immolation of the R party to be absolutely fascinating to watch. I remember the days when it was a respectable political force. Whatever happened to those folks? Why aren’t they out there complaining and doing something?
Bilbo @ 121
Doesn’t the # registered and voting in each party determine which party controls the local Board of Elections? I know I’m literally and figuratively in left field, always, but… hm-m-m.
He’s pretty healthy for a dead guy.
Given Fred’s TV personality he has to do well in his first debate otherwise him and John McCain will be in a race to see who leaves the race first.
rwcole @ 120
Are there such beasts?
What happened to the goopers? George W. Bush- that’s what.
I’ve heard Republicans (die-hard, still support Bush types) sort of sigh and say, “Well, it’s Hillary for the next 4-8 years.” Like they’re almost relieved it’s going to be someone competent. They’re just going through the motions here. I haven’t heard one single person express excitement or pleasure about any of the GOP candidates.
But they’re looking forward to bitching about her every single move for the next 4-8 years, too. In fact that will make them really happy.
May
I don’t know- haven’t seen one- but if the thing doesn’t go well with the fundies- we might see some hatch.
Rudy’s pretty sane- just an asshole.
eCAHNomics @ 126
Denial for the hard core, the rest I bet just won’t go to the polls.
I’m betting they are all waiting to be inspired from some good news out of Iraq.
dov12348 @ 123
When I was giggin’ I’d sometimes mockingly go into deep baritone voice, waving my arm in sign-of-the-cross fashion at a dead zone lounge crowd “Dominim … Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem…”
Arnie may end up leading a new gooper party. He’s tolerated by all if loved by none.
check this out;
does that mean the lowest of any president in history or just the lowest of this president?
Petrocelli @ 101
I tell you, I think he may be running a sort of stealth campaign as we speak. That was a real world class concert for Live Earth, and Gore has a lot of determined supporters. Some were openly campaigning for him on stage. Two that stood out were Kanye West and Melissa Ethridge. Hmmm…have we ever had an already Nobel Peace Prize winner as a Presidential candidate? As far as I’m concerned, even if Gore can’t completely cure the mess Georgie has made of the world since he took over the reins, Gore is still our best chance, and I believe he represents the kind of change we need.
Now, OT, but here is a clip from the today show that literally enraged me.
Did anyone see the story about the Minnesota Reservists, the Red Bulls, whose orders were written for 729 days, one day short of full benefits? Niggling pennypinchers where it comes to Vets, but spendthrifts where it comes to distributing booty to corporate looters in Iraq! Disgusting!
rwcole @ 133
Used to be some pretty sane liberal Republicans, but I think that species is extinct.
Haven’t read the comments yet but am I the only one that thinks that picture at the head of the post looks like something out of Dr. Seuss? As in the Grinch?
For the rest of it, you would think an actor could act interested? But apparently not. It is interesting though that the media could build up this bumbling mess of a candidate into a serious contender, at least until he started appearing before real people and opened his mouth.
perris @ 137
I thought Nixon was lower?
Rockefeller goopers weren’t bad.
Margot @ 132
Exactly!!
MayDaze @ 139
Yep, I think Lincoln Chaffee was the last one out the door – he turned out the lights.
That’s Edwards problem too. The people that support him don’t have enough money.
LS @ 54
Many months ago Howard Fineman on Chris Matthews said that close sources said Gore would declare in Nov. The next week on Matthews Sunday program another journalist said the same thing. It was reported that Gore was saying that this focus on the election was a distraction instead of our Reps getting down to business. Hillary blew it with her “I will vote against a war in Iran (allegedly signing onto the Webb Amendment) after I voted for it (Kyl Lieberman vote) moment. Which is it Hillary?
We know Al’s team is lurking…
RUN AL RUN.
perris @ 137
I think Nixon has the all-time low nailed down, but Bush is still going for the gold.
Alicia @ 93
Does anyone know of an existing petition of contact information for him? I’m serious troubled by the current candidates for a variety of reasons. I could LOVE a Gore candidacy.
It seems to be the end of the line for the Karl Rove version of the gooper railroad. Someone’s gonna have to re-invent the damned thing–and leave out all the dumb shit.
Ann in AZ @ 138
Disgusting? Definitely. Appalling? Absolutely! Hypocritical? Horrifying? Heavens, yes.
Surprising? No.
rwcole @ 149
The ‘dumb shit’ car is forever linked to the money train. Can’t have one without the other. Public campaign finance anyone?
Sure ya want Gore?
“In fact, Al Gore’s voting record as a senator was surprisingly conservative until he rolled his eye toward the White House. Throughout most of his career, he was pro-life and had an 84% anti-abortion rating from the National Right to Life Committee. From 1979 – 81, he voted five times on the side of a Republican sponsored rider that granted a tax exemption for schools like Bob Jones University that discriminate on the basis of race. He was openly anti-gay, calling homosexuality “abnormal” and “wrong,” and telling the Tennessean in 1984 that he did “not believe it is simply an acceptable alternative that society should affirm.” Gore was such a strong supporter of the gun lobby – ultimately voting against the critical 1985 legislation for a mandatory 14-day waiting period for handgun purchases – that National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre once said, “We could have made Al Gore NRA Man of the Year – every single vote.” Finally, when it came time to vote on conservative Supreme Court nominees, Gore publicly praised but voted against the scandal-ridden Clarence Thomas. He voted in Antonin Scalia. If the wider public had been more aware of his legacy, few would have recognized the Al Gore of 1988 who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.”
Solai @ 145
The ones that have real(meaning corporate)money shun him because he was a trial lawyer.
Toby Wollin @ 144
No, he was already gone before he lost. I’m talking about people who voted liberal – not as they were told.
Sorry for the typos in my last post. Having dog issues here.
Gore also picked Liebervurst to be VP of the USA and folded his tent without a fight in Florida.
Spare me from this asshole please!
Mod help please I messed up my comment @141 “I thought Nixion was lower” should not be in Perris’s word bubble.
Ann in AZ @ 138
It’s been a while, but yes: Theodore Roosevelt ran as an ex-president in 1912, after winning the Peace Prize as the sitting president in 1906 and sitting out the 1908 campaign after having served two terms.
In addition, Al Gore refused to let one of the most popular presidents in the history of the country campaign for him cause he got a blow job..
Please- not Al Gore again!
Audrey @ 148
Here’s the Draft Gore website.
rwcole @ 142
Except for the Rochefeller drug laws.
rwcole @ 149
You can be absolutely sure they are working on it as we speak. These guys take the long view – I think those guys started Phase I the day after Nixon resigned…took them 25 years to get Bush Jr. in and they got THAT close to taking over the place (let’s see now how much damage can be done before Jan., 2009). They already have the next two generations in place – if they are clever and the Democrats screw everything up (and we are still in Iraq/Iran? in the next presidential cycle after this one)it’s possible they might be ready again.
rwcole @ 108
Hillary’s people own the machine, but they don’t own all the people. Hillary blew it with her Kyl/Lieberman vote.
Run Al Run!Alicia @ 150
sick sick…..sicko
Adie @ 127
I’m not sure actually. But, MD is a pretty solidly Dem state, so I can’t imagine this would be much of an issue here. My Dem vote would likely go for Kucinich or Edwards and I figure they’re both a lost cause. I’ll be very surprised if Hilarity doesn’t sweep this state.
rwcole @ 156
Read the Book “Too Close to Count” might change your mind
rwcole @ 159
Yeah, that was really stupid, not using one of the greatest campaigners ever. The story from Gore supporters is he was advise poorly. But that says something, too.
I remember the Gore/Clusterfuck debates as if they were yesterday…
Clusterfuck was a wimperin puppy peein on the floor- and Gore couldn’t mop him up.
Fresh thready goodness, up and running…
rwcole @ 159
Yeah well, Al gives good speech now! Isn’t that enough for you?
(wonder if he learned how to clap yet?)
rwcole @ 131
Oh, no, it goes way back before that. Bush never accomplished anything by himself, though he probably made a bigger contribution to the immolation of the GOP than to any of his other “accomplishments.” But Gingrich, Luntz, and others on back to Atwater are the ones who transformed the Republicans into a party that stood for nothing other than perpetuating their own power and hating liberals.
rwcole @ 133
Rudy is an asshole but I disagree strongly with any characterization of him as sane.
He is not and is more dangerous in many ways than Dubya. Also, he would be in charge.
Gore picked Liebervurst for Florida and because he and Al shared the desire to eliminate bad words from teevee..
Fuckin stupid
Alicia @ 160
Thanks Alicia.
For those who would NOT want Al to run.
A) He’s a very smart man who actually learns as he goes. He was also a member of the DLC, once. I agree there are issues. But I can back him over any of the others. I simply am unenthused by the current slate. Even the ones I like are trailing too far behind. I want someone who CAN capture the lead, knock Hillary out and save the country and the planet.
B) Suggest someone better?
rwcole @ 172
I’ll never get over Al and Tipper and the whole music thingy!
Any republican candidate dog-stupid enough to be trying to dig up the rotten, bloody, presidential bone that bush has buried 6 feet deep, is, by definition, dumb as a brick.
Of course, the same COULD be said of the democrats.
The national debt is now at $9 trillion dollars…
Two failed wars sucking on us like leeches the size of Brontosauri…
Our economic house of cards teetering in the idiocy-and-greed gale that we keep sustaining…
First prize: 4 years as president.
Second prize: 8 years as president.
Audrey @ 173
B) Edwards
Since Gore was robbed in 2000 there IS a deal of sympathy for him, and he’s certainly not one of the “bad guys”, but two words should suffice for a reality check for the people wistfully flacking him for another run:
“Joe Lieberman”.
rwcole @ 152
MayDaze; as disappointed as I am with Edwards’
dutifully munching the “2013″ turd along with Hillary and Obama last Wednesday night, I still believe he’s the best of the lot.
Dammit.
Sorry about previous without comment. I’d be willing to take the chance that Gore isn’t the same man he was 20-30 years ago. Good ops research though.
The only reason we’re even TALKING about Gore is that bush has fucked up so miserably and bloodily, that if the GOP could dig up Ronald Reagan’s cadaver and implant servo-mechanisms in it for campaigning purposes, he could probably win some democratic votes…again.
MayDaze @ 176
I like Edwards, but so far I don’t think he has the strength or experience to make it as Prez. I felt that eight years of VP status under a Kerry Presidency would adequately prepare him for the job, but alas, that was not to be. But, IIRC, he just served one term as Senator, and the campaign he waged for that seat, wasn’t that the only campaign he ever won? I also find I don’t like some his policies that much better than any of the others. Healthcare, eh! “I can’t promise to have the troops home by 2013,” eh! I’m no more impressed than I am by Obama. Or Dodd. Or Richardson. They all have some quality, but…
Tanbark @ 178
Well, Edwards has the advantage of being the least disappointing. Unfortunate that it comes to that, I have to keep telling myself that compromise is the essence of democracy…
Kathleen @ 163
msgop interviewed one of the soldiers effected and wanted to know why he was the one speaking out. He said I was their leader in Iraq and I couldn’t let them down when we got back home.
Ann in AZ @ 182
Edwards shares many of the same problems as Gore. I don’t believe he can win it, either because whoever takes over Hillary has to have popular support and a proven track record.
BobbyG @ 135
:)
In the movie The Last Waltz, Robbie Robertson (of The Band) said one time they had a gig that was so bad, only two guys showed up and a fight broke out.
But OH! That Picture attached to this post! That masculine, virile, face! Sure he looks a little old, but is he not Reaganesque in some kind of Jackson Pollack perspective! The Aqua Velva!
Seriously, could he even be re-elected as a fictitious DA on Law and Order at this point????
Ann@182, not an unfair assessment, but I think Edwards needs a little more cred for that senate race he won down here.
Lauch Faircloth was an incumbent conservative, which is a BIG plus in red-state N.C., and one with no particular minuses. No scandals and No unpopular wars.
He was also a wealthy hog-farmer with his pockets made even deeper by the support of the corporate shits; Armour and Swift and their ilk, who have turned N.C.’s beautiful eastern watershed, with it’s lovely blackwater rivers, into a hog-offal disposal system.
For Edwards to beat him, and in a year in which george bush stayed within a SCOTUS decision of the presidency, I think speaks volumes about Edwards’ ability to campaign and to win elections.
As Kerry’s VP, he was hamstrung by Kerry’s compulsion to roll over and play dead as he was swiftboated to death.
That’s history.
His words last wednesday night:
“I can’t make that committment.”
WERE disheartening to me, and to a lot of other people.
And he needs to understand that he HAS to separate himself from the pack, and that was a good opportunity to do it.
But he didn’t say he would keep us there until “the job is finished” or any of that open-ended crap. And there is that little fact, that none of us know what is going to be going on in Iraq, except, it sure won’t be to our benefit, nor, very likely, to the benefit of any fantasy about “greater Iraq”.
I think all of us here at the Lake are basically very pissed and very impatient because we’re not hearing from the candidates just HOW fucked up Iraq is, and we’re froth-at-the-mouth angry because they’re (currently) funking the job of calling out the warpimps on 5 years worth of the koolaid and bullshit that WAS used to get us into the clusterfuck and IS being used to keep us there.
But, I have to keep reminding myself of a few things:
It’s 13 months until the election. PLENTY of time for a firestorm to break out. :o)
The first primary, Iowa, is still months away.
A lot of decent people believed Colin Powell, for example, when he ran that dog and pony show at the U.N. And they’re slooowly dealing with what bullshit it was, and with how wrong they were.
A lot of innocent people are dying in what bush has created in Iraq, but bush has this going for him:
Just as there is not the slightest evidence that continuing the occupation of Iraq is going to make things better, there is not any indication that leaving will make them better, either, and there is a lot of evidence that when the lid is lifted, they may very well get worse.
We in the progressive camp know that the first is true, and we need to cop to the fact that the the latter proposition is also probably true. Bush’s alpine redoubt is now:
“You HAVE to give me that get-out-of-jail-free/graydog ticket out of D.C., as you inherit my shitmire, because, if we pull out, apres nous, le deluge.
To me, that leave two moral considerations:
We should leave, anyway, because as long as we stay, the factions will have no great incentive to make the compromises necessary to bring peace to what used to be Iraq.
And: If there is a micron of value to the idea; the much-shreiked-by-conservatives idea; of “taking responsiblity”, then there needs to be a political reckoning for what bush and the petro-borgs (tm, Driftglass) have done to us and really, to the world.
We have a good chance to do that. As pissed as I get, I aint headin’ for the Canadian consulate just yet. :o)
He doesn’t even look like he’s interested in running. He seems tired, detached and not terribly interested.
I love watching the G.O.P. implode btw, couldn’t happen to a worse group of gangsters.
I’m sorry, but at this point Hillary’s “proven track record” has george bush’s semen stains all over it’s blue dress.
The “pickup truck” gambit is so overplayed, Freddy. Junior worked it to a nub, and now you’re staring at last year’s model campaign.
I hear that “Law & Order: Special Loser’s Unit” has a role if you can even pass the casting call.
Tanbark @ 190
What Hillary has is “Star” power as well as the backing of the Neocons and Republicans. THEY’ve been running her for 3 years now.
The only one who can get her is someone with real popular support (or his own “Star” power) and a track record that can beat her backing. Obama is frontrunner with her and I don’t want him as President. He’s too inexperienced and I don’t trust either of them to fix what Bush broke. Gore ran the Government Reform Project and knows exactly what needs to be done. Edwards just doesn’t have the clout to overtake the frontrunners.
Gah! That picture. I didn’t know Andreas Katsulas was running for president.
.
Thompson is quite an unusual politician. His acting background would suggest a special kind of charisma or skill at public speaking,
What acting? All his roles are basically the same. All he does is play himself…..and he ain’t that exciting.
It’s his voice.
Tanbark @ 177
It really is his voice. He sounds like a talking toad.
His “run” for the presidency will ruin his acting career.
I don’t know if anyone else got it, but all I have to say is: Are we not men? we are Devo
Audrey, I agree that Edwards is short on “clout”, just now; but I think/hope, that one of the reasons the dem candidates aren’t going full-bore at bush and the clan McFuckup, is that if they fire out totally now, the words become like stone being tumbled; the lose their edge.
Let’s assume that Iraq gets no worse between now and say…midsummer of 2008. That is, 50-60 american troops dying each month; a thousand or so Iraqis…that $2.5 billion a week whizzing down the tube, and all the rest of it.
Do we think that the democrats running will softpedal that? I doubt it. I think they’re sharpening they’re ALL whistling and sharpening their switchblades. :o)
And, there’s this. Hillary is about maxed out at criticizing asshole.
What’s she gonna say:
“This war, (whic I voted to authorize, and which vote I have consistently refused to brand as a mistake) is ruining america. We really need to place the blame for it where it belongs.”?
If Edwards and Obama don’t hammer her with how closely her policies resemble bush’s, then we’ll know the fix is in, and they were both nothing but stalking horses for her.
And THIS scenario is based on Iraq staying at the level of stability where it is now. How much do we want to bet on that continuing?
BTW…”…Gore…knows exactly what needs to be done.”
If he was ignorant enough to not know where Lieberman stood on so many of these issues, I would say that one of the things he needs to do, is NOT run for president again.
kdh22 @ 21
Give the guy a break, comparing him to ronnie raygun is not fair, raygun has been dead almost two years longer than phred.
okay, I’m here for S and anyone else re: cat brushes.
What could there be to discuss about cat brushes? My question is how do you get the critters to stay still?
rwcole @ 108
Yes, if “greatness” means another DINO corporatist warmonger president who’ll keep the “little people” and Unions in their place and continue our Glorious Liberation of Iraq on past 2012.
hey valley girl!
iirc, you and kirk has a few conversations about cat brushes some time ago?
i don’t remember the details, what brush you recommended or anything… but a few days ago i got the most AMAZING cat brush and had to share. it’s called the FURminator… is that the brush you and kirk were discussing?
selise @ 205
Do you guys know about http://www.catster.com/Catster
selise @ 205
I got one of those and it is fabulous.
raven @ 206
nope. just took a glance… it looks dangerous! too many cute cats – and i already have five!
raven @ 203
Raven, when I went to CT to work briefly for the Lamont primary, I stayed with my best college friend. She was totally into the CT house elections, and thought that “Lamont” was a distraction. Hah!
But, we did go out to run some errands, including buying kitty litter. Long long story. But, I bought a great “equine cat brush” for one of the kitties at the local Agway. Long haired kitty.
I forced myself upon him with the “equine cat brush” and he loved it. After that he actually came to sit in my lap when I called his name. Pretty awesome!
Valley Girl @ 209
Cool, I wish the Bohdisattva would do that, he’s a wiggly pup!
Fern @ 207
i just got the small one for $22 – which seems obscene (and i’m pretty cheap)… but OH. MY. GOD. it is so great!!! it really gets the undercoat without touching the overcoat. my cats aren’t shedding anymore… amazing!
raven @ 203
most of mine will stay still for a few brushes (especially if they think it’s me petting them). and some even seem to like it.
selise @ 211
It does seem to help – I have three cats. My cleaning lady was trying to talk me into getting rid of the cats cause she is sick of vacuuming up cat hair. I think she’s treading on some pretty thin ice there.
Valley Girl @ 209 –
what is a “equine cat brush” ?
Selise et al., no, I was not aware of that one. What I was discussing with Kirk was this: http://www.petvetsupply.com/grmhsun004.html
The only reason I bought it was that it looked kinda like one that my “rental kitty” (sabbatical in Ithaca) loved.
This Oster Curry Comb is the one that Kirk and I were discussing. The CT kitty really loved it- seemed like it gave a good feel-good massage to the kitty too. Otherwise, I don’t know how he would have come when I called him! ;)
Valley Girl @ 215
And it worked well?
selise @ 214
It’s a joke about the Oster Curry Comb- it’s meant for horses, but the cat loved it. Sorry to be obscure- it’s just that my best friend in CT and started calling the “equine cat brush”.
Fern @ 213
yeah!
well, i’m my own cleaning lady… and i way the FURminator is awesome.
just wanted to share that… mostly ‘cuz it’s so expensive (for a cat brush) that i’d think most people wouldn’t give it a try unless they’d heard how great it is.
just one question… when do you stop? if i keep brushing i get more fur… it’s not clear to me how much i should brush.
Valley Girl @ 215
that’s so cute…
selise @ 218
I dunno – I don’t brush nearly as often as I should – I just stop when I or the cat have had enough
Fern @ 216
oh, very well! Long-haired kitty even started defending his territory. Best friend’s son said “that’s because he feels so good about himself now”… funny.
And, I pestered Kirk M for a long time to try this brush on his Maine Coon cats. Seems that they and he are “believers” now. K says the kitties line up for it (he has 5- not sure how many are Maine Coons.)
selise @ 219
Whoa, I just ordered the big Furminator for the Bohdi. I wish I had it for “the real” Raven, our dear departed cocker. He would get soooo mad at me when I brushed him!
Selise- as Fern says, when either of you have had enough. But, I would mostly pay attention to kitty opinion.
Fern @ 220
thanks fern, that’s what i’ve been doing – no sense teaching the cats to hate it.
thanks everyone for putting up with my desire to talk cat brushes. wanted to know what kind of brush VG’s cat had liked and wanted to share my happiness with the FURminator.
since i live in a small house with my 5 cats (i am the crazy lady who lives at the top of the hill with all the cats – for real)… the idea of my cats magically turning into no-shed cats is a dream come true.
and these days, i don’t look down on the small joys. :)
raven @ 222
Well, keep us posted. It really is quite amazing how the right “grooming tool” can make a huge difference for pets and humans alike!
selise @ 224
Well, I have enjoyed the non-testy conversation.
raven @ 222
i hope it works on dogs as well as on cats.
selise @ 224
Selise! Not to worry! (Did I mention that Kirk has 5 cats?) I don’t have cats now. Too many heartbreakers. But when I was growing up, the usual number of cats was 2-6, not to mention the pups and the horse.
selise @ 227
The one I got was actually a dog one. So should be no problem – think they are identical except for size.
Valley Girl @ 223
absolutely.
i’m not quite sure who’s “boss” in my house… but i do know it’s NOT me. *g*
… you-all ready to go back and join the crowd?
thanks again for humoring me. much appreciated!
Valley Girl @ 228
so sorry to hear that.
I’m heading for bed – had to be up at five this morning. Ick.
seeya back in the current thread… or some later one…
‘nite fern, sleep well.
selise @ 230
Oh, don’t think about it that way. We really are living in quite dispiriting times, and sometimes, the sweet innocence (oh heck! sp?) of cats and dogs helps us stay sane.
well, without the make-up and lighting he had on Law & Order, he is scary and old.
Fred Thompson is a fake liar who goes to gun shows but helped pass a lot of anti-gun legislation as U.S. Senator.
I really can’t stand hypocrites.