Fred Thompson's speech to nowhere: MSNBC Reacts! Updated
By John Amato Friday Jan 18, 2008 7:21pm
Fredrick of Hollywood just gave a speech in SC that was full of sound and ___, signifying nothing...WTF was that?
Olbermann: What was that about?
Matthews: We were snookered.
Off Camera: What the?
Olbermann: Apparently the people that were asked to sacrifice were you and me...
Download | play 
Download | play
Update: I changed back to FOX and Hume cut away for a Romney interview in the middle of Fred's speech and said that they had microphone problems. It sounded fine to me. Kinda looked like they had a few minutes with Mitt so FOX cut to him. Then they came back to Fred finishing up. Brit asked a reporter what happened and she said basically "nothing" but that Thompson was headed to Tenn. to talk with his mother...
So long, Fred; we hardly even knew ye.
So, Fred Dalton Thompson, as you ride slowly and quietly off into the sunset, not a hollow man but -- most unfortunately -- the owner of one of the most hollow campaigns that I can recall, the words...
So long, Fred; we hardly even knew ye.
Update: Jane Hamsher: "Enjoy the SchadenFred"
This is an election that is clearly, if irritatingly, about "change," and the Wingnut Best n' Brightest wanted very much to nominate a relic. Fascinating. All their yesterdays are lighting these poor dopes to electoral defeat, and that would be sad were it not so comical.
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“Fred Thompson’s speech to nowhere” ?
That's all the repugs do anyway!
Sounds like Fred was maybe intending to drop out of the race, but that his handlers wouldn't let him - just in case he beats Romney for third place in SC.
I'm glad others noticed. I said the same WTF not 30 seconds before they did on TV.
I don't watch TV, who's Fred Thompson?!
ha ha ha ha ha ha!
S**t or fury?
Groucho @ 4:
That's what the Witness Protection League renamed Fred Flintstone when they relocated him to Cape Fear.
No wonder they think he is Reaganesque.
pssss..what he said was:..."What am I doing here?"
Anyone have the video? I dont think I have even heard the man give a speech yet. I'm waiting for the Rudester to give his, it will mean more than good old Fred's.
And maybe when Romney follows him it will be even nicer. But more smug. Hey, grab another Olympics, and try to keep from being as corrupted as you were in Salt Lake City
But what about Huck?
More speeches Huck.
Eat any possum or coon lately?
For those of you interested in the Sibel Edmonds story the UK Times has a follow up story from the blockbuster they dropped two weeks ago. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article32167...
Lukery also has an updated post on the story.http://letsibeledmondsspeak.blogspot.com/2008/01/uk-times-official-documents-prove-fbi.html
The really cool part about the Thompson campaign (if one wishes to characterize it as such) is that, not only is he humiliating himself during this interminable primary process, he may also be destroying his career path (such as it is) as an "actor" right at the same time. I mean..if he chooses to go back into "acting", who's going to take him seriously now? This is some good comedy.
Here it is. Fred said, "Amm tared."
Now its getting scary. Who ya' gonna believe; me our your lyin' eyes I think we're all screwed. Kill your tv, the r3volution begins. When I see Keith lie, all is lost. I was a registered independent (leaning democratic) in Florida. I knew when I saw the march to war that it was a mistake (and if your honest with yourself, you knew, too). I'm 51, been married over 30 years to the same person, a grandfather. proudly voted for BC both times knowing he was truly a great president, probably the last one; only to see his leadership followed by the worst of all possible alternatives. they have won; at least, temporarily. I changed my party affiliation the last day i could, here in fl. just to vote for the good Dr. If y'all were smart, you'd do the same. Who else could unit Johnny Rotten and Ronald Regan?
(unite, sorry)
I don't understand what is this Fred T doing in presidential race.
I heard on radio somewhere, and he was taking using words like "things like that" and "stuff like that" so many times, point is he doesn't seem to have much grasp of the issues in this country.
I think he may have been introduced just to counter Ron Paul, just my opinion though.
btw, my #2 son (26 yo) turned me on to the good Dr. P. At first, it created some tension. To put it mildly, he was a fanatic. However, after much research, our whole family (5 adults) are voting for Dr. Ron because it is apparent that the msm is doing everything it can to promote their candidate(s) and have been for some time. And for all you who think I've given up on the d's, I haven't. John E. is still my favorite, and before tonite, I didn't think he needed my vote.
naturalized @ 16:
i think he is in cuz it gets his young wife hot for him....its the only thing i can figure, cuz he sure doesnt act like he wants to run for prez
Is what Fred said about how people are sacrificing for their country by working on his campaign comparable to what Mitt said about how his sons are serving their country by working on his campaign? Then again, I'm not even sure if I totally understand what Fred way saying, so I could be way off here.
rare @ 17:
i like paul on somethings, but most of his stuff is libertarian wackiness....im just trying to figure what the youth see in him....unless it is just because of his anti war stance, and then i understand
his economic policies wont work
the 2008 GOP Primaries are kick ass fun, I never have paid as much attention to a primary as much as this year.
Pure Gold! Go Fred Go! Keep it up! Don't quit on us yet! We need to you to hang in there longer to continue the fun.
hey...clinton won the popular vote in nevada...but obama bagged more delagates 12-11....hows that for some insane shit
please god, let there be a brokered convention, and let al gore come to the rescue
Was Tweety saying that was a "nice speech?
Whoa, they all just LAUGHED in Fred's face. His stumper was about going to war and sacrificing blood, and I guess in the world of Repiglicans, the closest you get to war is the bloody trenches of a lame assed Presidential campaign.
Pitiful old fool.
That was friggin hilarious.
:lol:
naturalized @ 16:
Oh, well, see, the Republicans knew they were headed for disaster this year. They installed -- by hook and crook -- an orangutan into the Oval Office for eight years, and after ruining the world, enough people in America caught on. So they needed a savior.
First they might have figured that their Saint from Arizona could be use his maverick, straight-talking style. But it turns out the straight-talk was a strait-jacket, and their candidate was by and large, Gone InSane. And after enough yammering, enough people in America caught on.
So, they figured, they could always count on America's Mayor. But he showed up in an customized Superman costume, with the burning Twin Towers emblazoned on his chest, and 9/11 written on his belt. He looked and sounded patently ridiculous, and after but a few appearances in public with nothing to say, but "Nine Eleven," enough people in America caught on.
Unfortunately for them, the other entries included a Religious Huckster whose Theocratic ambitions are ill-concealed; and an adorable pair of Mittens who embodied the smiley-faced vapidness they desire in a president, but whose minority religion probably doesn't sit well with the higher-ups and could pose a risk.
Frightened more than they've ever been, they sought someone with that Reaganesque, Hollywood-style bravado, good looks and aqua-velva smell that would instantly and irretrievably hypnotize the American people into cheering on the GOP. He had to be handsome! He had to be a great speaker! He had to be charming! He had to appear authentic! He had to be grandfatherly! And so, naturally, they turned to...................
..........You know what? I don't understand why Thompson is in the race either.
Sam the Butcher died
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/19/obit.melvin.ap/index.html
Why is it that people like Fred Thompson and other low polling republipukes are getting all this air time but Kucinich is getting no media attention at all? The Republipukes still have 9? candidates that are in the running but the Dems have three (two depending on which channel you are on?)
I don't understand other than cooperations afraid of losing money being gained by this war. How many people on both sides have to die to make a few people rich?
I also want to say that C&L are one of the best sites. Truly, fair and balanced; at least so far. But after what i saw tonight, I'm through with msm and all media must be suspect. Ron Paul was in second place after Romney as i watched wolf talk about a tie (between 3rd place?) between huck and Mc after Rom was declared the winner (51%) with Dr. Paul second (at 14%). They are stealing it in front of our eyes! Wake up, sheeple!!!!!!
rare @ 17:
Then you need to do more research. Paul has associated himself with some of the most extremist and bigoted wings of the Reublican party and the Conservative movement.
David Niewart's reporting at Orcinus is a good place to start:
uncle joe mccarthy @ 22:
That's what the Obama camp is trying to say, but I don't think it's true. I believe they tied at 14 each. It was true that he got one nore delegate than Hillary Clinton in NH where he came in second. Hillary is still kicking his but thanks to super-delegates though.
http://bp1.blogger.com/_cKOtpFhbkE0/R5KzW25SxdI/AAAAAAAAAQA/mifTJgfUzzc/...
CNN Delegate tracker
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#val=D
He thinks he's LBJ.
My predictions...
You will see a McCain/Huckabee Ticket.
Clinton will win the nomination with a possible Bill Richardson VP.
tofubo @ 26:
Awwwwwwwwwww.
Did you guys hear Russert say "south Africa" instead of South Carolina?...
uncle joe mccarthy @ 22:
Do you really believe it? And is Nevada that important in the overall? Are these the only relevant D's in play? Have they already shut out everyone they wanted?
My husband and I were watching as McCain walked through the crowds today(or yesterday?) and his wife followed behind...I said, "she looks like his daughter." Then today as Fred Thompson spoke to his "crowd" of supporters with his wife at his side, I said, "she looks like his GRANDdaughter!" just an observation.... but what's up with these old coots??
Jared @ 27:
Seven, actually.
Oops, make that six. Duncan Hunter just dropped out.
Friends...Friends...the worse thing about McCain wins are his speeches. Dread.
JGabriel @ 29:
Can he control that? Could You? I think that's just more divisive sh#t. For what it's worth, the world loves Dr. Paul. I can't believe I'm talking about a f'ing rebub like I am, but that's what it's come to. He is not a racist. More spin you're buyin'.
And Mary Matalin saw greatness, true greatness in this mountain of crap
who was to recall that great Tennessean Davy Crockett and march us
to the glory of alleluia. Amen to you Fred Thompson and to all the people
like you.
Anyone notice Russert bashing Pres Clinton after being set up by Brian Williams. Thought they are suppose to be real news guys ???
justabill @ 30:
Nope, not that either. Today's caucus was to elect delegates to the *state* convention.
Those delegates will be winnowed down, and the final allocation will be determined, at that convention on April 19th. So, no delegates have been awarded yet.
There are reports at TPM and Digby that explain this in more detail, if you're interested.
Stellaa @ 34:
What's that say for his hidden racist tendacies.
uncle joe mccarthy @ 20:
Ask Jim Kramer if his policies won't work. He is the most knowledgible on Economics. And you know they want to shut him out.
WTF was that about America sacrificing more blood for freedom than all the other countries of the world combined? WTF is that supposed to mean? 40 to 50 times more Soviet citizens died in the Second World War to defeat Hitler. Yeah, Stalin was in charge, but that was about survival, and by the way, we were allies! I'm so sick of hearing crap like this. We've done some good things, and we'll do more in the future, but we're not the saviors of humanity, and the sooner we come to grips with that the better.
DoktorN @ 45:
Yep. America spends a lot of time toasting itself for things it never did. Combine this tendency with our gargantuan hypocrisy about freedom and democracy, and you can get a sense of why so many people from all over the world simply can't stand us.
Friends, friends we now officially have the dead white guy candidate.
"America has sacrificed more blood than all of the other countries combine."
Umm...go America?
rare @ 39:
Yeah, actually, Paul can control which groups he decides to speak to, canvas, and accept donations from.
We're not talking about Paul just getting unsolicited donations from racist groups. Paul has actively appeared before such groups, at events sponsored by them, in a manner that legitimizes their views. Paul has not just been supported by them; he has *courted* them.
That's a disqualifying history for a Presidential candidate, in my opinion. Perhaps you feel differently, or perhaps you simply aren't aware of, or you disbelieve, of those reports. However, I've read them and they're well-documented.
You would do yourself a service to take off the blinders and give them some credence.
JGabriel @ 42:
No matter how they try to spin it, Obama and Hillary tied for delegates in Nevada.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#val=D
So the Weekend at Bernie's is finally over. Perhaps Fred can be put back to rest.
My friends, St. McCain speeches inspire barely anymore confidence than Fred's.
Really, the old white guys society of the GOP is more exposed than ever. Someone break out the Geritol and Depends
What a douche. Honestly is there anyone in the Repug race that uses the troops more than FT does to hook people in his "speeches"? You can't help but ask "WTF?!" after watching that. America is great because it has troops that fought for freedom, and not everyone gets called to fight for freedom with valor and courage, so thank you for fighting for freedom by voting for me to earn a less-than-third ranking in the primary...(breaks the 4th wall)...I don't know what to say to that.
If this "speech" was clear on anything, it's that the repugs think using words like troops and freedom and fighting and other militaristic language automatically makes whatever they say on par with King's IHAD speech. The troops are visual and psychological props for them, nothing more.
JGabriel @ 49:
take off the blinders? you take off the blinders. I need no more information from the msm. Do You? So who do you like? Who in your book is the most qualified? Have you ever heard of a document that all elected officials swear an oath to called the "Constitution"
All I'm sayin' is that we the people don't run things. everybody works for us, and they've forgotten that. I dont think there is that much difference between the prominent parties (r & d). Mark Foley was the congressman in my district, and Nancy Pelosi has refused to turn over his congressional computer to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation. You don't hear about it on msm. But it's so much worse than that.
justabill @ 50:
Yeah, I pretty much with that assessment. Though, in fairness, it's still important to note that, technically, Nevada's national delegates won't be selected until the state convention on April 19.
Redstate telling Fred not to let the door hit him in the ass on the way out. After he teased and teased, and then entered the race putting forth no effort it seems like they could be a little more vindictive. Wingnut heads will explode with McHuck leading.
Romney 51%. Paul 14%
Otay @ 51:
Sorry, I forgot about Weekend at Bernie's 2, starring the Straight-Talkin' Express....who is by now the Jive-Talkin' Depends-tuggin' jalopy.
Mc 13%; Huck 8% Thompson 8%
julie 4%
so what was his "message" to "his supporters" ?
you go shad more blood, and I'll go back and enjoy my life ?
this is really pathetic... we really need comedian to parse this so called "speech"
how about parallel "Daily Show Special Live Coverage of ....."
And what exactly does Fred Thompson owe Olberman and Matthews? Who the hell are they to say they go snookered. Jackasses.
Henry,
It's their job to report the candidate's comments, speeches and, in this case, Freddie's inane blather about "standing together."
Freddie's entire campaign, if you want to call it that, has been so poorly executed it's hard to imagine anyone actually believing this guy could run a pizza parlor the country.
I'll lay odds he's back on the tube within six months.
rare @ 54:
David Niewert is an independent journalist, working for such outlets as the National Journal. He's hardly MSM.
Depends on the meaning of qualified. Clinton is the most experienced. Obama showed the best early judgement on Iraq. Edwards usually has the best policy prescriptions. I like all three of them, and haven't yet settled on who I'll support in the primary, probably won't until Super Tuesday.
Yep. Can't stand the way Bush, Cheney, and most Republican officeholders, have disregarded and abrogated and disregarded that oath over the past 7 years. Nor can I see much reason to believe that Paul would have any success in compelling his party to honor said oath.
There we differ. I think corruption and authoritarianism are built into the Republican philosophy, as it stands now, and that the Democrats, while not perfect, are decisively preferable.
And the price of of tea in China is $1.84 for 25 bags. Not sure what that has to do with anything.
Again, Niewert is hardly MSM. But I suspect you should ask yourself, what reason do you have to believe whatever source you've used for your research on, and to develop your positive appraisal of, Ron Paul? Ask yourself, what makes that source any better than the MSM, or Niewert, or the dozens of others outside the MSM who have reported on Paul's courting of extreme right-wing and supremacist groups over the past 20-30 years?
Thompson=Goofy.........................................you can tell he really wants the job.by all that over exubrance he shows.The guy should take some kind of tranquilizer........he's just way too amped.and yes......he played the media.fools.
Anyone else have visions of Admiral Stockdale back in '92?
"Who am I?"
"Why am I here?"
Put a fork in him... he's done.
Typical Republican
It is typical of Republicans to preface their speeches with misleading catches. If you can be made rich by counting how many times Republicans prefaced their speeches with sensational promises, you could be rich.
Every claim, every fact and every speech Republicans assert never live up to catch. It's like when someone says they are going to prove, if we don't fight Al Qaeda over there, they will follow us back home, and the only proof is an additional statement, from someone different, "if we don't fight Al Qaeda over there, they will follow us back home. Yes, that is the Republican way."
Joseph
Fred Thompson said that it was honorable for us to "...sacrifice for the greater good." WTF?!??!? That's socialism!!! IOKIYAR, as long as it's it's blood, not money that we're spending . Fuck FT and fuck those that applauded him. Why am I wasting our time on this? 'sorry. (But it is revelatory that the Republicans are afraid of contributing to the greater good to improve our health care system, or our homeless problem (including that of our vets), while imagining that the world will be better off if we donate our family members' lives.)
What was that speech supposed to convey? It was meandering and the meaning was so obscured because I thought he was going to officially announce his campaign was over. Instead they gave him time to stand there for 20 minutes and say nothing.
And by the way, I am over Keith Olbermann. He has completely lost objectivity when it comes to Hillary. Just another Matthews clone. Yet they wet their pants over McCain who looks his age and Rudy who is a slimeball.
this is the kind of speech I would expect to hear from a Senator of Ancient Rome
Stand strong! Stand strong!
Hey -- it was a good speech, but a better laugh that Olbermann and Matthews got snookered!!
poor Fred. He knows Jeri's drawing up the divorce papers
Pat J @ 69:
I so agree with your assessment of Keith Olbermann. He's seems to kissing Chris Matthews' ass for taking over his number one spot. It is sad because Olbermann was the last stand out for the truth. Where will we find the objectivity that made Olbermann famous?
Joseph
RIGHT SAID FRED .
Remember, everyone, Fred was the Great White Hope (now the Great White Hopeless) of the GOP. Fred was the embodiment of their dream of raising Ronald Reagan from the dead. Aqua Velva and supposed gravitas and all that.
Well, from the looks of things, Reagan just died again. Tsk-tsk.
Jared @ 27:
Not only that, but the repukes are getting half or less the total turnout the Dems are getting so their first and second place finishers are not matching the vote totals of considerably downticket Dems.
Straight Shooter @ 75:
Did you mean the Great Bigot Hope who dreamed of restoring the confederate flag?
Joseph
Find out what the RINO's have for records and compare those to what they're pandering today;
Candidate Research - Know Who You're Voting For ( The Easy Way ) http://tinyurl.com/2sowta
yeah tweety said "nice speech"
if that had been a progressive, he would have been licking his chops!
rare @ 57:
Are you proud about that? 2nd place, sure, but it was a loss by 37%! Paul got less than 10,000 votes! I'll grant you, it looks like the turnout in Nevada's GOP caucus was under 50k, but still...Paul lost by 37%! And he spent a lot of money to lose by 37%! Do you know what happens to candidates who lose by 37% in the general election? They don't pick up a single vote in the Electoral College! 37%!!! That's not the MSM, either, rare, because there are a lot of you people out there campaigning for Paul online...I hear ads for Paul all over Sirius satelite radio, and I heard plenty of his ads here in MI, on regular radio, leading up to our primary, but, man, how do you explain losing by 37%? Romney can say, at least, that the glass is 51% full, but how do you sell a glass that's 86% empty?
Did I mention that Paul lost by 37%?
way off topic here, but "off camera" is actually joe scarborough in the same stupefied shock as matthews, olbermann and myself are in. what in the world was that and can i get some of whatever arthur branch is having please?
ctk in ky3 @ 81:
I think he od'd on his Aqua Velva.
rare @ 57:
And, rare, we're talking about Nevada, where gambling has been legal for, like, ever, as has been prostitution. It's a libertarian's wet dream...Jesus, I don't know if you can marry a goat in Nevada, but I think it's legal to fuck it there! And Paul still lost to Mr. LDS by 37%!
Why is it that people like Fred Thompson and other low polling republipukes are getting all this air time but Kucinich is getting no media attention at all? The Republipukes still have 9? candidates that are in the running but the Dems have three (two depending on which channel you are on?)
The media has to cover them. Fred Thompson is some what of a tv star. Rudy Giuliani. as much as we all despise him is a pretty famous person. He just is. If Ron Paul had played Ralph Malph or Dennis Kucinich had played the role of Squiggy, the press would be all over them as well I think...and probably to watch and root for their failure. The media and tv watchers love famous people because it gets them to watch more. the sad truth is that Paul and Kucinich are what they are supposed to be; US Congressmen with real ideas about changing the direction of the country. For the media, that is boring and that is why they don't get press. At least that's one reason
Wow...that fred thompson guy is one ball of fire, eh? What a bumbling idiot.
"Just a nice speech"....where? If that was considered a nice speech, I can see where somebody might enjoy listening to the chimp ramble and rape the English language.
Again, what an idiot!
Bit NOLA @ 10:
And, please, more about how women should be "submissive" - let's piss off the women voters some more.
Somewhere in the White House, George was nodding in agreement with Thompson, and saying, "My sentience exactly, Fred."
After reading all of your remarks, you just prove Fred is still the only ADULT in this race, Thanks for proving him to be so. :)
Art @ 88:
You're too modest about his adulthood. He's well past adult.
Years from now we'll ask each other, "Where were you during Fred Thompson's 'Nothing' speech?"
Nobody will remember where, when, or what was said. Truly it was nothing.
Uh, Fred? Sam Waterston just called - He says "No fucking way you're getting your old Law and Order" gig back, dude.
Bravo! Another one of empty speech delivered by a loser!