WaPo: Let Down by Fred Thompson (Novak)

[TwilightGardener]

--snip--
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- "Will he announce?" asked the Lincoln Club of Orange County's publication in preparation for Fred Thompson's appearance at the organization's 45th annual dinner here Friday night. A rumor, totally unfounded, ran rampant before his speech that Thompson would declare his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination at the dinner lectern. In fact, he did not even hint at this prospect during a performance that was a letdown for the packed audience of conservative Republicans.

"It was not Reaganesque." "No red meat." "Too low key." That was the preponderant reaction I heard to Thompson's half-hour presentation (leavened by a few favorable comments, mostly by women, that he was more "statesmanlike" and "presidential" than the announced candidates). Lincoln Club members, like many conservative Republicans, have been unimpressed by the existing field of Republican hopefuls and envisioned Thompson as the second coming of Ronald Reagan. They did not get it Friday night.

The excitement aroused in melancholy Republican ranks by the politician-commentator-actor will not be doused by one lackluster performance. Nevertheless, his first speech since his unexpected presidential boom began suggests that Thompson needs preparation if he does take up this daunting burden. The deeper concern by some supporters is whether the tepid reaction in Orange County will shake what had seemed his clear resolve to make the race.
--snip--

Surprisingly for such an experienced performer, however, Thompson had trouble with the podium microphone as his low, conversational tones faded in and out. He ended his speech on a down note by reporting a recent visit to 6-year-old schoolchildren and what they had told him. Thompson worried that the long Lincoln Club program preceding his speech may have turned off the audience, but he may have been the one who lost his enthusiasm.

--snip--

In other words: YAWNNNN!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/06/AR2007050600914.html

[AlCzervik]

1. you go Fred, disappoint early and often!

[TwilightGardener]

3. But...but...he's so awesomely AWESOME!!! How can this be?

[AlCzervik]

4. omg i so totally know! And he's sooooooo dreamy!

:rofl: :rofl:

Why if i didn't know better i would think Fred might just be playing hide the salami because of all the hero worship and not because he really wants to run for president.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Please don't ever again use the phrase "hide the salami" when

you speak of Mr. Jowls. I just had a midnight snack, for chrissakes! Have some decency!

[AlCzervik]

6. sorry.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[melody]

7. We are clearly far too blind to see his audacious coolness

We're doooooooomed.

:sarcasm:

[Old and In the Way]

2. "lackluster performance"

Just like his Congressional career. What did he ever do in Congress? Without his acting career, he'd be pretty unappealing.