Fred Thompson's Fox News Problem

by Todd Beeton, Wed Aug 22, 2007 at 10:24:41 AM EDT

Does Fox have it out for Grandpa Fred?

First came Carl Cameron's report that made a point of observing, somewhat contemptuously, that Thompson wore Gucci loafers to the Iowa state fair. Then Cameron reported that Thompson was the only candidate to get around the state fair in a golf cart, evoking the image not of a golfer as much as someone zipping around his retirement community.

Now we have Fox News reporting on Thompson's appearance at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention yesterday. He spoke on the same day as Barack Obama and Fox notes that the juxtaposition was not a flattering one...for Gramps.

Thompson seemed unfamiliar with the applause lines in his own speech. All told, he was interrupted by applause seven times. By contrast, anti-Iraq war Democrat Barack Obama was interrupted by applauding VFW conventioneers 18 times.

Watch it:

Tags: 2008 Presidential election, Fred Thompson, VFW convention (all tags)

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they're Giuliani fans

and romney cause he's mega rich

by TarHeel 2007-08-22 10:27AM | 0 recs

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InsanHANNITY is squarely with Giuliani

Not sure about the rest of the jackels over there.

InsanHANNITY has donated money to and appeared with Giuliani. Think he bring that up on the teevee or radio? Never. Why disclose?

by dpANDREWS 2007-08-22 10:31AM | 0 recs

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Re: they're Giuliani fans

Ailes is a big supporter of Giuliani IIRC. FOX can do minimal harm to a Democrat, but they could a death blow for a Gooper.

by MassEyesandEars 2007-08-22 12:32PM | 0 recs

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I don't immed. think of Obama as

"anti-Iraq war."

"By contrast, anti-Iraq war Democrat Barack Obama was interrupted by applauding VFW conventioneers 18 times."

by oculus 2007-08-22 10:36AM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Fox News Problem

They are totally in the tank for Giuliani.

by joejoejoe 2007-08-22 10:42AM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Fox News Problem

Ailes has even admitted as much.

by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle 2007-08-22 11:32AM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Faux News Problem

Does Fox have it out for Grandpa Fred?

Once in a great while they get it right by accident. Think of them as a broken clock with a brown shirt and an arm band.

by Michael Bersin 2007-08-22 10:54AM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Faux News Problem

This is calculated. They realize that Thompson is a poor candidate. Even Kucinich would take him to the cleaners.

by anevarez 2007-08-22 12:24PM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Fox News Problem

Grandpa Fred's and Obama's full speeches are available here:

http://www.campaignnetwork.org/VideoArch ive.aspx?section=section1

Grandpa Fred's speech was pathetic. I am having wet dreams about Hillary debating Grandpa Fred in the general election. She would carve him up with specific issues. He gets in real trouble real fast when he has to think on his feet instead of mumbling crap like "the flies start buzzin' in the summertime."

by hwc 2007-08-22 10:54AM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Fox News Problem

Anybody who would watch the debate in order to see who had more knowledge of the "issues" would already be voting Democratic anyway.

Republicans and Republican minded independents don't think like that. They aren't swayed by who sounds more knowledgeable. They just want to hear their slogans and talking points reiterated mindlessly, along with a suitable amount of jingoism and militarism that makes them feel all manly and tough.

You heard all the Republican candidates saying they wanted another "Jack Bauer" because that fictional character is exactly who the Republican base would love: a tough guy who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty torturing "rag-heads."

by Cugel 2007-08-22 11:28AM | 0 recs

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He said what they wanted to here

but somehow got less applause than Obama? Hmm? Maybe Obama's message was more popular? Maybe Obama said what they wanted to here? Food for thought.

by Progressive American Patriot 2007-08-22 10:56AM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Fox News Problem

Wow. . .Grandpa Fred is toast. Fox News is the mouthpiece of the GOP leadership to the grassroots. The relationship, I think, works both ways - with the grassroots affecting the leadership (i. e., the immigration bill).

But that said, once the leadership steps in like this, its pretty much over. Thompson doesn't have the support to overcome Fox, or even to change its mind. Very interesting tidings indeed.

by Jim Treglio 2007-08-22 02:36PM | 0 recs

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Re: Fred Thompson's Fox News Problem

Funny that the veteran said Thompson would give a good speech because he's an actor.

Then Thompson goes ahead and proves he can't give a good speech and he's no actor.

by Bush Bites 2007-08-22 04:42PM | 0 recs