January 22, 2008
Fred Thompson drops out of the race [Washingtonpost.com].
Now that I’ve been reminded that Thomopson was once “in” the race, I’m wondering what happened to the Repbulican base that was apparently “craving” Thompson’s entrance over the summer:
…he [Thompson] appears to be in the right place at the right time and could benefit from the almost palpable craving among many Republican base voters for an alternative to the three current top-tier candidates, whom many Republicans, for different reasons, are reluctant to embrace. [The Hill]
So who have these voters been supporting since Thompson’s in response to Thompson’s lackluster campaign? The best guess is Huckabee. If that’s the case, credit the Huckster for a solid defeat of a great actor, but pity the Republican base who will most likely still have to choose from the “big three” (McCain, Romney, Giuliani) after February 5th.
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Fred Thompson, Republicans | 
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Posted by Andrew Bennett
January 11, 2008
Fox News’ Republican debate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina just ended. The network’s focus group and talking heads gave Fred Thompson two thumbs up, though I felt he was upstaged throughout by Huckabee who did a great job considering he was on the defensive most of the night. I also caught a glimpse of Romney finally understanding that he may be able to push the other candidates around a bit when it comes to the economy. Romney has to assert himself as the Republican candidate who can help Americans feeling the pinch. I know this sounds a little ridiculous, but none of the other Republicans are any closer to pulling it off either.
As usual, one of the best analyzes of the debate comes from NBC’s Chuck Todd. And while I personally think he should be allowed in every debate as long as he’s polling above 5%, I also agree with Todd’s characterization of Paul as a “distraction.” Ron Paul’s supporters in the audience were even more detached from the real debate than he was and their predictable boos and cheers were never rooted in rational, analytic reactions to that debate - an interesting case of life reflecting virtual life.
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Debates, Fred Thompson, Huckabee, Republicans, Romney, Ron Paul | 
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Posted by Andrew Bennett
December 17, 2007
Not a whole lot of inspiration from the Sunday papers today. You get the sense that the candidates tried to plant a few seeds last week (Huckabee w/ the Mormon-baiting; Hillary camp w/ the drug comments; Bill w/ the “lack of experience” comments) and everyone’s just waiting around to see what sprouts. Will be interested to see if Obama joins in - kind of get the feeling that he’s better off just dancing in the ring instead of throwing punches. Speaking of which - it’s difficult to imagine Mike Huckabee getting through this week without taking a few shots.
The other interesting storyline will continue to be endorsements. McCain and Hillary got the DesMoines Register and word is McCain will get Joe Lieberman as well. This isn’t a huge boost for the Arizona Senator so much as it should serve as a reminder to the media, and perhaps the voters of New Hampshire, that he’s still alive. And something tells me, sadly, that you can’t count out Fred Thompson either. No link, just a gut thing. By this time next week I would hope there’s more than that to go on.
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Clinton, Fred Thompson, Huckabee, McCain, Press | 
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Posted by Andrew Bennett
November 28, 2007
Fred Thompson
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Where He Stands Now: Mr. Thompson is actually not standing right now, he needs a quick break, but he’s due to take a stand on something any day now. Oh, and he’s also managed support in the 15% range, which should only increase as Americans are exposed to the holiday bombardment of Law and Order marathons.
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Why He Stands a Chance: Americans are idiots.
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Who Stands Up For Him: Let’s see, there’s Marjory from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, she’s seen every episode; Thomas James Jr. from Braxton, Mississippi, got him through law school; Lionel from Jefferson City, Tennessee, his brother once played poker with Fred…the list goes on.
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Lingering Questions: In the words of D.A. Arthur Branch: “who is that stupid S.O.B. anyway?”
John McCain
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Where He Stands Now: John McCain stands strong, he won’t bend for nobody, he understands torture, and he’s a true maverick. In fact, his dynamic approach has lead to a steady drop in his support as other candidates have surged, his staff is in disarray, and his message ranges from bomb Iran to close Guantanamo.
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Why He Stands a Chance: Rumors that some Republican voters may actually care that he has by far the most experience in politics, military, and international affairs compared to the other Republican candidates.
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Who Stands Up For Him: People who are more likely to vote for a Democrat.
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Lingering Questions: Why not just hang it up and secure your spot in the Hall of Fame for politicians that most people actually like?
Previously Published By The American Idiots at The Fletcher Ledger.
No Comments » | Fred Thompson, McCain, Republicans | Permalink
Posted by Andrew Bennett
September 21, 2007
It says something when the media struggles to even consistently frame their debate coverage. Listen to this discombobulated report on last night’s AARP debate from NPR.
Obama missed that debate and this vote - yes, the vote was a bit ridiculous (so was the ad), but why not just show up? Seems like this will be difficult to rationalize if other candidates really start pressing Barack on it.
We haven’t been able to report on anything regarding Giuliani outside of his over-hyping the terrorist threat in about 6 weeks.
Apparently Mitt’s willing to follow Rudy’s lead when it comes to such hyperbole. They also do a nice job of writing another page in the playbook that continues to confuse America about who was responsible for Sept. 11th.
And Fred Thompson just can’t seem to get his off-screen life as a consultant in order. It’s amazing that Fred is doing better than just surviving in the polls, because he seems to be stumbling all over the stage since he drew the curtain on his candidacy. The polls are nice, but the Republican base that has so much riding on Thompson’s candidacy can’t be too enthused.
No Comments » | Clinton, Debates, Fred Thompson, Giuliani, Obama, Polls, Romney | Permalink
Posted by Andrew Bennett
July 13, 2007
1. McCain is not done.
2. Romney seems more presidential than Giuliani.
3. Friendly relations between the Democratic frontrunners can’t last - Obama will start to take aim at Hillary soon.
4. Fred Thompson will test the far right’s tolerance for hucksterism.
5. Firefighters are the most influential American political constituency of this millenium.
No Comments » | Clinton, Fred Thompson, Giuliani, McCain, Obama | Permalink
Posted by Andrew Bennett
June 27, 2007
And here’s why:
According to the latest Gallup poll, 50 percent of the country has an unfavorable view of Sen. Clinton. Neither John Kerry nor Al Gore achieved such a high negative rating in the Gallup poll during their failed presidential bids. In other polls, her unfavorable ratings are as much as 12 points higher than those of any other candidate running in either party. Favorability is an imperfect measure of voters’ fondness, because it also captures the way voters think about policy positions, but in surveys that ask specifically about likability, she does horribly. This dim view is confirmed in less-scientific focus groups—and in my notebooks, which are filled with interviews with Democrats, some of whom support her, who express doubts about her electability without any prompting.
The Clinton candidacy poses a fascinating question for the ongoing debate among political scientists over whether emotion or reason drives voters. Many Democrats still debate whether in 2004 they should have picked Howard Dean, the flawed candidate who thrilled people, rather than John Kerry, who was stable, sensible, and safe. As Bill Clinton has said, Democrats prefer to fall in love with their candidates and Republicans fall in line. But now his wife is the fall-in-line candidate—the front-runner with the résumé, discipline, and organization. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate of the heart.
My take: desperate to keep the Clintons out of office, the wing of people who find Hillary not-so-favorable will salivate at a star who, despite being substanceless, is definitely likable. In terms of actual policy (not that anyone cares), I’d say a Fred v. Hillary race also opens up the widest void for an independent to rise from. I wonder if there’s an independent out there just waiting for such an opportunity?
No Comments » | Bloomberg, Clinton, Fred Thompson, Polls | Permalink
Posted by Andrew Bennett
June 18, 2007
Since it’s Monday, and Mondays always stink, I thought I’d write a lighthearted post to lift the spirits of all the other cubeconvicts out there. The WaPo published an article it its Sunday edition discussing Secret Service names for former presidents and other elected officials. Some of the names are pretty funny, but I think we here at the 8oh8 can do much better. So, why don’t you all start throwing out some names for our eight-plus candidates? Feel free to rename Clinton and Obama. I’ll start by giving Rudy Guiliani the code name “Scarlett,” a Nathaniel Hawthorne reference. After all, he’s had three wives.
Keep in mind, this game is funniest when picturing big burly men dressed in black whispering these code names into their wrist mics…
3 Comments | Clinton, Edwards, Fred Thompson, Giuliani, McCain, Obama, Richardson, Romney, Ron Paul, Tancredo | Permalink
Posted by hilljunkie
June 5, 2007
At first I thought Meg was referring to RuPaul in her post below. Now that would make for some interesting debates.
Seriously, though, how much weirder would s/he be than the line-up that we have for the Grand Old Party today? The party of Religion, of Tough Moral Fibre. (I put some on my cereal every morning.) Who do we have? Let’s review the candidates.
Mitt Romney: not only has to deal with the life-long trauma of being called “Mitt” but is Mormon. Many Christian fundies see the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (I think they should go with CoJCoLDS rather than “Mormon” - it’s catchier) as a half-step shy of a bizarre cult.
Rudy Giuliani: The twice-divorced go-to guy for all those pro-gay, pro-abortion Iowa caucus-goers out there.
John McCain: Spent his entire career thumbing his nose at the conservative Christian establishment and cultivating a reputation as a “maverick”, only to try to embrace the Religious Right in a bear-hug kind of like one of those uncomfortable ones from your uncle that make you feel a bit funny inside.
Only with such a list could a man whose primary attribute appears to be indolence and whose main credential is having played a president on TV be hailed as the savior for the Party of Lincoln.
No Comments » | Fred Thompson, Giuliani, McCain, Romney, Ron Paul | Permalink
Posted by cdog
May 31, 2007
Fred Thompson To Form Presidential Committee – Washington Post
Ok, my first correct prediction, though, looking back, I realize I’ve already made like four of them, so this is bound to go pretty bad.
Until then, I’ve got Fred Thompson and he’s got 10 couples:
“On the call, donors were told they are part of a group being called “First Day Founders” and were instructed to begin submitting checks to the campaign dated June 4. Each was asked to collect $4,600 from 10 couples — $2,300 per person is the maximum allowed under federal law — during the month of June.”
I know all the candidates do something like this, but clearly the thinking is that couples probably vote the same and that just in case someone wants to give more than $2,300, perhaps their partner doesn’t have the money and you can see where this is going. Again, it makes sense, but it’s no fun to think about.
No Comments » | Fred Thompson | Permalink
Posted by Andrew Bennett
