September 6, 2007
Thompson Stiffs New Hampshire, Paul Wins Debate Poll, McCain and Huckabee Smile (Brent Budowsky)
Big mistake for Fred Thompson to stiff the New Hampshire Republican debate and do Jay Leno instead.
New Hampshirites don't cotton to Hollywood types who think they are above them, or lack the confidence to join the debate that matters.
Not the end of the world for the Hollywood star, Washington lobbyist and former voice for the pro-choice cause, but it does get him off on the wrong foot and will leave a bad taste for some time.
Ronald ("I paid for that microphone, Mr. Breen") Reagan would never have made such a bad mistake.
Meanwhile, Fox messed up doing their poll through instant-messaging, and as the poll votes came in for Ron Paul, the Fox crew looked like they were eating rotten prunes.
Do I see signs of life in McCain? Is there space for a dark horse Huckabee? Only if Thompson proves to be a show horse more than a workhorse — a real possibility.
There are smiles in the McCain, Huckabee and Ron Paul camps today!
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Brent: Agree that using instant messaging for these polls is the wrong way to guage these events. Also agree that it may have been a bad choice for Fred to choose Leno over NH. Primary voters are fickle and this is not the general election candidacy he is announcing. He has high expectations so it will be interesting to see what happens moving forward. I noticed you used the three things consevatives turn away from to describe Thompson, Hollywood, pro choice, and lobbyist. It will be a test of his abilities as a candidate to position these labels and turn them into a winning formula. I think he has character but I will be listening closely. He is far above anyone the democrats have offered up including your dark horse; Al Gore. Principle; the dems should try it…
Comment by Rich — September 6, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
If Ron Paul could translate the intensity he inspires in a few followers to one tenth the intensity in ten times as many followers, he'd lead the pack. Fred Thompson understands that it's better to start with lower expectations and build up than to come in with a Ron Paul-like unsustainable excitement and flame out. Get ready for the "will his cancer return" rollercoaster, the long knives are out.
Comment by Igor R. — September 6, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
Rich, I've seen Thompson up close, he is a
good guy, but in my opinion, very overrated
and not nearly as conservative as he portrays
himself. He also has no message and was not
ready for a debate, which is his problem.
My hunch is, McCain is now underrated and
could make a run. If I were a conservative
Republican, I'd be for Huckabee, who could be
a sleeper surprise. Huckabee is much more like
Reagan than Thompson or the others. If Fred
does not catch on, watch for Newt to make a
move in October.
Comment by Brent Budowsky — September 6, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
Brent. I would vote for you for dog catcher. Keep us posted if you decide to go for it.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — September 6, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
it was TEXT-messaging not instant, big difference folks. How hard is it to get technology straight in the media? just like during the Foley page deal the media kept referring to instant messaging as email. Come'on fact check this stuff. Sorry for the rant, just a pet peeve.
Comment by yo — September 6, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
Yo: You're right but I knew what Brent meant. Still the wrong way to poll…
Comment by Rich — September 6, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
"Meanwhile, Fox messed up doing their poll through instant-messaging, and as the poll votes came in for Ron Paul, the Fox crew looked like they were eating rotten prunes."
They messed up? They used cell phones and those can't be fudged. Why is this a wrong way to do polls? It's the easiest and most people have a phone they can use to send their vote.
McCain is a nutcase who was on his meds that night…don't be fooled.
Comment by NH — September 6, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
Fwed Thompson ?
Ain't Fwed one of dose Holwywood wibwals like Wonnie?
Watch out for dose Holwywood wibwals.
Dose awful Dems!!!!
Comment by fascismisdead — September 6, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
rich,
Care to give us some examples of Republican principles?
I can if you can't.
Comment by fascismisdead — September 6, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
Paul's excitement is not 'unsustainable'!
He's got about 800 meetup groups and over 40,000 volunteers nationwide and it's growing daily. He's just had a HOUSE party that raised $102K
I just wish they'd let him talk about his impeccable record on guns, taxes and all the other conservative issues where he is tops.
Comment by NH — September 7, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Sorry Brent, but Ron Paul IS the next Ron Reagan and indeed they were the best of friends.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/liberty_08/ron_paul_reagan_2.jpg
Comment by NH — September 7, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Ron Paul is an isolationist nut with a whole bunch of nuts following him. He has a reasonable domestic agenda, but his believe that the US can hide in a cave is more applicable to Bin Laden that the greatest country in the world.
Comment by Igor R. — September 7, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
NH: You obviously have no experience with the foundational principles of polling. There is way too much to explaing why text messaging is not an idication of Paul support.
Brent: I agree Thompson is a good guy and I think the expectation will be difficult to maintain…
Comment by Rich — September 7, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Brent, I agree with you…Huckabee it would be for me if I were a Republican, and he did inspire if not overly inform people in the speech I heard replayed from Iowa. Ron Paul is the White Power darling. And I have to wonder at the people from all political spectrums who think he is so principled (I mean ASIDE from the racism!). It's a bunch of bull, his "anti-gummint" stance. When it somes to legislating women's wombs he's ALL for THAT.
Comment by Zee — September 7, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
What in the hell is Fran Townsend thinking!!!!! Is this bullshit the best she can do? What an absolutly stupid thing to say.. Hey, why not pour some gas on a fire.
When the shit hits the fan,…Fran…. blood will be on your hands. We blow off afganastan…let the Taliban take back over, grow poppies to support themselves and futher drug smuggling and international terrorism. and now this dumb shit says somthing like this?? Great leadership George, thanks alot for nothing and nice going. I'm really glad i voted for you. (never again) The democrats are bad, but you (republican) are way….way worse.
Time for independent candidates
Comment by don coelho — September 9, 2007 @ 9:30 pm