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Saturday, October 13. 2007

Fred or Rudy

Ideological purity is for children, who want to insist on exactly what they want, when they want it. Politics is about the practical. As a Conservative, I think it's down to Fred vs. Rudy, and the only relevant question is who can put up the best fight against Hillary Clinton and her machine. 

I do like Fred very much. See The Conservative Case for Fred Thompson, by Hawkins. I also believe that Rudy is much more conservative than people think. Murdock at NRO: It's Wrong for the Right to be Rudyphobic.

Despite all the things that weigh against Hillary, I think it is going to take some fancy footwork to put her on the ropes. Is Fred up to that? Can he be expansive, vital, cheerful, embracing - or is he a grumpy old man like me?

Posted by Bird Dog in Politics at 05:36 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

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Fred's lack of interest and fire in the belly is more obvious with each appearance. One wonders why he got into this race in the first place. He's uninspiring on the stump, to say the least. He's best taken in small doses, like at the end of Law & Order when he utters some pearl of wisdom and he and his assistants all go off for a drink. He's got health problems -- well, so does Rudy -- but his recent weight loss seems to underline it. I don't think he's sound on illegal immigration, but then neither is Rudy or Huckebee. If Mitt can stay on the current message -- not the liberal one when he was running for governor -- his chances may improve. Ron Paul looks like a spokesman for the Church of Scientology, and I could go on. Crikey, what a crew. Ron
#1 Banjo on 2007-10-13 09:06 (Reply)
Fred is a personally happy guy. To really want this, you have to be nuts. Reagan being the big exception.
#1.1 BD on 2007-10-13 09:23 (Reply)
I don't think it matters! I think we all, including you folks at Maggie's Farm should be working 24/7 to assure that the counting of ballots at your little local precinct is fair, unbiased, and accurate. That effort in every precinct should be going on right now. Going on, managed, and/or overseen by individual citizens, who are organized to assure that we don't have another election like theyhad in WA state 2004. If we don't have the energy, or the time to do that knowing full well what past elections have looked like, and knowing full well that voting machines are manufactured by the same people who manufacture slot machines, then who in the hell cares who they move into the office?
#2 apple pie on 2007-10-13 10:52 (Reply)
I agree that it is a choice between Rudy and Fred.
I wrote a comment elsewhere - before Fred was on the radar - that Rudy would be accepted by the Right because he was the best of the lot.

With Fred's entrance, things changed. People who were uncomfortable with Rudy's position on a lot of subjects have an alternate choice.

I do not agree that Fred needs more energy or spark. I think his message is what is important and that his history speaks for itself. I know we live in an age of charisma and sound bites. But I don't think Fred is pandering to that base. I think he is focusing on the base he can garner support for.

If you will allow the comparison, consider what Harley Davidson did for their motorcycles. They focused on satisfying their primary customer. That level of customer satisfaction lead to a wide range of other type of people becoming attracted to their product. They still don't pander to lawyers, bankers, etc. They focus on people who enjoy motorcycles. They don't focus on flashy, high-tech, or superbike features. I think Fred is using a similar technique. He is focusing on conservatives in a nonsense free manner that he thinks will be attractive to his supporters.

I see him as behaving in an "old school" method. Considering he is seeking support from people who are "old school", I see that as a very good strategy.

Does he look old? Yes. So? If he were using Botox, the people he is seeking support from would see him as fake.

Is he boring? Sometimes. What politician isn't?

Keep in mind he has said that he doesn't really want to be PoTUS, but he feels it is a calling that he must answer. That makes a world of difference in attitude and behavior.

I see him as the best the Right has available. However, even if he is elected, he'd better have a lot of ink in his veto pen. I don't see us being as careful with Congress-Critters and we will have more Snazzy Socialists trying to increase the dole for their benefit.

Also, I'm not a Fred "fanboy". I haven't even donated to his campaign. I think I'm just calling it as I see it.
#3 _Jon (Link) on 2007-10-15 09:26 (Reply)

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