Captain's Quarters -

Captain Ed said:

"We'll be live-blogging the New Hampshire debate at Heading Right. Be sure to make us part of your debate experience on September 6th!"

The debate is on September 5th, Cap! September 6th is the date for the Senator's announcement.

Shrewd move? Hardly.

This just confirms the widely-growing perception of Thompson as a coy, manipulative, ankle-biting pretend candidate.

This makes Thompson look like a weenie.

Holy cow. I am speechless at Fred's lack of class. How do you react to this blatant cowardice and manipulation?

Now nate, let's not be harsh.

Imagine some friends of ours are having a backyard barbecue and we (being a tad socially awkward) decide not to attend. Instead we affix a loudspeaker to the roof of our car, park in the back alley and blare music loud enough to drown out all conversation at their party.

I ask you... what could possibly be more classy?

Great analogy, filistro!

With today's post on Thompsons "shrewd move", I'm really starting to have my doubts about Ed Morrissey ... I really like the variety of subjects he addresses with his posts, but when he demonstrates such a bad political tin ear with posts like this one, congratulating Fred Thompson for, in effect, being such a putz ... then Cap'n Ed is starting to cross over into sheer deluded hackery ... like his compatriots over on HughHewitt.com (both Hugh and Dean Barnett).

I suppose that two sets of competing hacks tend to cancel either other out. But I think that most of the people who used to be enthusiastic about Hugh (that is, before he became one of Romney's most visible groupies) wish that Hugh had kept his professionalism intact. Likewise with Cap'n Ed, if he doesn't remain within the realm of fair but wise opinioneering and detached analysis, and not simply banging the drum for Thompson, then he's going to start losing market share in a hurry.

athingortwo...

On the contrary, I don't mind at all when people pick a candidate and then support their choice all the way, with liveliness and gusto. That's what makes politics so much fun.

My pet peeve with bloggers is when they spend all their bandwidth attacking the dastardly opposition instead of convincing us as to why their own position is better. Negativity doesn't ever win many arguments (or many friends) as far as I can see.

But then, I do have a real soft spot for the Captain. He's just so darn likeable.

:-)

(PS.. this thing posts in about 3 seconds now! SCARY fast!)

filistro:

The candidates are not *friends*, they are competitors. It's not like the *debate* is worth a darn anyway.

BTW, it's nice having someone around that can make a counterpoint without hysterical ad hominems. Keep sticking around and you might actually see the light!

Fred Thompson is not playing by the rules; very disturbing for a presidential canidate. Doesn't he want to be on one of the debate teams the press and elites love so much?
Let's have the election this month and get on with the real world where again the grunts give their all for those who take all.
We are blessed to have the Senator Craigs to give the MSM some bauble to hold before our eyes, while they steer us in "correct" direction.
I'm sure once Fred announces, the MSM and NYT will have more information on his faults then the Justice Department has on the life and times of Mr. Hsu the latest Chinese gardener to till our political soil.

Actually, I think it seems rather weak.

The Ad will only remind one, that the Senator isn't in the debate, and has been too weak to get into the race as other candidates have...

Fred Thompson gets less impressive every minute of every day.

Perot was great in buying ads on tv...

I'm with filistro and athingortwo. No, a "debate" isn't a backyard barbecue, and his big ad isn't blaring music, nor is it going to "overshadow" the debate. It's more like a noisy fan at a baseball game trying to throw garbage on the field, but not quite getting it over the row of seats (not that this particular field doesn't have enough garbage as it is), an odd specter, but irrelevant to the game. At best a meaningless gesture, and at worst, an odd spectacle from a wannabe.

Legion says he's not playing by the rules, but these are competitions where they get to make up their own rules, and it may be seen as bold by some, but it certainly is seen as "weenie" by others.

Yeah, I definitely like the Captain, but I lost faith in his being less than a hack when he completely ignored the op-ed by the seven 92nd Airborne Division infantry non-commissioned officers returning from their 15 month tours (and a half dozen other well-covered political and war-related stories), while commenting on everything Vick, and saying al-Maliki has eliminated the insurgency by talking with some Sunni sheiks without them killing each other.

It's more like a visit from an avuncular, but dogmatic relative you look forward to, but shake your head at. Gosh, Fred's gonna kick butt, he will, he will. Really? Okay. But it looks rather pointless. What I like about Cap'n Ed is he is conservative without being an angry hate-monger, as so many conservative commentators are, looking for the next people to bomb, categories of people to incarcerate, deport, ridicule, or smear. Fair but wise opinioneering, as athingortwo describes it, is to be valued, but unfortunately not to be expected in very many places.

I agree with every post. Amazing!

Ya know what? I think Fred's 30-second spot will ALSO be all over U-Tube. Not just for those with nothing better to do, than tune in the New Hampshire debates.

Ah, and Fred's announcement? I think Fox will have to open up and spread the advertising "assets" among a number of clowns.

Who know? You could make money on this. (And, you can't tell me Murdoch's not in business to make money!)

While people with programming skills, who can also do "art" ... can do "funny" 30-second spots, as well.

How much scenery would you need to have two talking urinals? Or some "hand-singles" rolling by the camera, from under a toilet stall door? You don't think so? I think you could "add" the deaf's sign language ... and those commercials would become blockbusters.

Hey! Posting comments are working fast & great, now.

Who'd'a thunk it, yesterday? WOW.

I think it's pure genius. And laugh-out-loud funny.

Legion wrote: "Fred Thompson is not playing by the rules; very disturbing for a presidential canidate."

I say very good for a presidential candidate. Remember, playing by the rules gave us two Bushes and a Clinton in between, none of whom have been great presidents and only one of whom I would even describe as a good one -- and that only because circumstances forced him to be. And playing by the rules now is likely to result in a second Clinton -- either that, or some other career politician who will be exactly that in the Oval Office: a politician, not a leader.

I'm tired of career politicians. I want a leader in the White House. I want a guy who is willing to break "the rules" in order to do what he thinks is right.

Keep after 'em, Fred. Tromp all over the process, and the pundits, and anyone else who whines because "you won't play by the rules." Follow the law because it is the law and you're a law & order guy, but otherwise, anything you can do to disrupt this buffoonish kabuki dance of a campaign will be a Good Thing.

I've read a couple of places that Fred is waiting until Sept 6th specifically because it allows him to wait until Jan, 2008 to file contribution info with the FEC. If true, this makes a lot of sense

Posted by athingortwo | September 1, 2007 10:42 AM

Shrewd move? Hardly.

This just confirms the widely-growing perception of Thompson as a coy, manipulative, ankle-biting pretend candidate.

This makes Thompson look like a weenie.
*****************************************

Posted by nate | September 1, 2007 10:47 AM

Holy cow. I am speechless at Fred's lack of class. How do you react to this blatant cowardice and manipulation?

This sums it up beautifully for me!

Hmmmm, Captain Ed must have really made it to the Big Time! Look at all the potshots he's taking today, mostly from people who are attempting to discredit him over the most ridiculous non-issue: Whether or not Fred Thompson was "shrewd", or a "weenie", for setting the date to announce his candidacy a day after a major GOP debate.

I've been watching/listening to the same type of subtle and not-so-subtle smear campaign going on with other major Conservative pundits, such as Rush Limbaugh. These important Conservative voices carry so much weight with the Base that there seems to be a concerted effort in the lead up to the 2008 Elections to try to discredit them and knock them out of the game.

Not to worry. It's so transparent a ploy that I have to shake my head at how stoooopid some people think Conservatives are, especially the MSM with their obviously grossly biased tactics.

This is definitely going to be one of the more interesting Presidential Election cycles I've ever witnessed, with the carnival side shows adding to what might normally be a rather boring episode in history-in-the-making.

Methinks the good Captain is made of sterner stuff than that which some commenters here erroneously perceive.

Why don't other major Repub candidates also buy air time to drown Thompson's commercial out

I think Fred Thompson's move is a clear signal that he is just another hack politician. Duplicitous
and self serving.
If it wasn't for the weak hearted party lap-dogs who are shaking in their boots he wouldn't be given the time of day.
He should make his announcement on dancing with the
stars and do a waltz.

Even money the commercial is the most memorable moment of the evening...

This Fred Thompson is a laff-a-minute.

"After this.." "After that..." "Maybe later..." "July 4th..." "Sometime in August..." "Announcing the annoucement date..." "As soon as the Law and Order season is over..." "As soon as the Law and Order re-runs are done..." "As soon as I walk around the world 3 times... backwards."

Is there ANYTHING real about this guy!?
What a mirage!
What a maroon!

Shucks, Rose, you weren't voting for Fred Thompson!

So, all I can tell ya is that today is not only a slow news day; it's even "slow" around, here.

Fred's not getting any coverage that he's got an ad coming down the pike. People who will actually watch the debates? I guess they also watch the "spots" in between, huh? Nobody's running to the refrigerators, anymore, for beers or bathroom breaks. What's happening to America?

Oh, I'm only kidding.

The real contest will be ahead.

And, IF Fred wants to "look good enough" to be picked for the veep slot (where Guiliani and Romney ARE looking at "southerners" ... Then I guess Fred's real competition is Mike Huckabee. And, Mike's gotten a head start.)

Any-hoo, this early out from 2008, makes me believe all the things I hear are "vaporware."

And, no matter how New Hampshire and Iowa try; they're in a Tug-of-War. Which, as I define this, is a GROUP PRODUCTION. Iowa, and New Hampshire, though, have lost leverage.

While there are meager sounds now from the Hill, where Harry Reid is trying on some new costumes. As his old ones didn't sell.

Bush, so far, got off the best line. (Which is spectacular, considering his speech weaknesses.) He's said: First they wanted Patraeus' report. And, now they won't sit still to listen."

Soon, the Bonkeys will be put on Ritalin.

Oh, Rose, I bet'cha, you'll stay tuned to what Fred does, ahead, even though you have no intention of casting your vote for him.

Me? I'm paying attention. And, praying Guiliani stays healthy. I hate it when God throws in his curve balls. Those surprises are also ahead. Keeps me aware to remain in awe of the Man Upstairs.

Kendra, I enjoyed your comments. I, too, believe our political system produces the best shows.

And, the one thing I think of Fred's decision? Hmm? HE HAS THE MONEY. 30-second spots tend to be his forte. And, I'm still laughing at the one he did to "take on Michael Moore's debating request." Remember it? He told Michael to get psychiatric help.

Personally, 30 second spots, for me, would be too short.

But the Net thrives on the people who can tell a joke, and make a profound statement, in only a few words. That's called a sentence? There's a lot I have left to learn.

Several observations. Newt said it's incredibly stupid to participate in these debates. From what I've seen so far, I have to agree though I'm not a Newt fan. The audience gets very little from them, especially when there's seven or eight people up there, three or four of whom have no chance. On the other hand, the Republican nominee will be going against one of two great debaters. It's important for us to know how well they can compete. But for the moment . . . 9,000 of the dang things? It's not a do or die now. It dang sure will be by voting time.

What a classless man. Not one single major accomplishment in his political career, a nonleader, never led the fight for conservative principals, not known as a leader, looks as old and frail as an 80 year old, his live speeches are totally uninspiring, and on top of all that he shows no class (just like going on Hannity for the earlier debate).

Go away Fred. You will bring disaster to the Republican party should you manage to win a spot on the ticket. You would be swept away.

*Sigh*
Carol, this field does make one despair.

It is scarey - the Dims do all they can to hand it to us on a silver platter, and the GOP does all they can to throw it back at them with a catapult!

I heard that a few straw polls had Duncan Hunter show very well.

I have to say, I really wish we had another full year til the Primaries, and not just til the Conventions, so we could have half a chance of getting a candidate that the base could agree on!

Senator Fred Thompson has already stated that he is NOT running for vice president. Fred is the next president of the United States, and the sooner all conservatives and post 9/11 moderates get behind him, the better!

http://www.ImWithFred.com

Holy hack troll, Alan. That was an insult.

Now on to serious matters:

Posted by athingortwo | September 1, 2007 10:42 AM

Shrewd move? Hardly.

This just confirms the widely-growing perception of Thompson as a coy, manipulative, ankle-biting pretend candidate.

This makes Thompson look like a weenie.

Yes, and the other fellow who said it makes Thompson look week.

Look, two months ago I was a big fan, but you couldn't be more wrong in your analysis here. "Shrewd" looks weak and indecisive to his friggin' supporters, for God sakes.

It's gonna look awful to the public.

"It's a shrewd move by Thompson, one that gets his face in front of the public and allows him to participate in the event, but on his terms. He'll overshadow the debate, the second time he's managed to do that, and give himself a little more time to prepare properly for his first debate."

Very true. Most think that Fred has waited long enough. Myself included.

But he has a plan, let him work his plan, so we can see if it works. It is only fair.

If he wants to be President, because he wants to do things differently and do them because they need to be done for the good of the Republic...

Well, I for one, hope he can demonstrate that he is worth the trust to be nominated for the most important position in the world.

If he can't, then he gets kicked by the side of the road with the rest of the pols that are nothing but pretenders.

But, whatever happens, we can not let the Hildibeast become President.

Never,

Ever...

Papa Ray
West Texas
USA

Just to clarify, I was being facetious about Fred Thompson not"playing by the rules". I agree with Wolfwalker regarding this. Thompson is not letting the elites dictate how and when he casts his lot with the other contenders. So he misses the BIG New Hampshire debate. The last one of merit I remember was in '79 when Regan took control of the microphone stating he paid for it and he was going to use it.
This perpetual presidential campaign is a waste of time. One more attack on the mainland, one nuclear weapons test in Iran, one coup in Pakistan, one recession etc. and this dog and pony show will be exposed for the fraud it is.
Of course we will always have the Paris, Craigs et all to keep the circus going.

Okay ... I'm for Fred! Actually I don't have a comment. I just wanted to see how Fast fast is when it comes to this tidbit posting - per Carol.

Whoooeee! Now this is truly Fast. Love it Ed.
You've done yourself proud.

Fred's Campaign is dead and it hasn't even started!!!