Inexplicable Emotional Reactions--Young Repubicans "Dazzled" by Thompson

[Lobster Martini]

There is something disturbing about seeing “Thompson” and “Dazzles” in the same headline. Anyone who finds Fred Thompson dazzling would be overcome by the excitement of basset hound racing. In the words of the young Republicans, run, Fred, run!

Thompson Dazzles Young Republicans

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (July 7) -- Not yet a 2008 candidate, Fred Thompson energized young Republicans with a speech Saturday that was heavy on rhetoric and short on policy pronouncements. He branded Democrats as "the party of despair."

Chants of "Fred" and "Run, Fred, Run," greeted the actor and former GOP senator from Tennessee from many among the 350 people at the Young Republicans National Convention. The crowd interrupted his nine-minute speech with wild applause and mobbed him when he left.

"It makes me feel like the waters are pretty warm," Thompson said afterward. He has formed an exploratory committee to gauge support for a White House run and raise money. He is expected to announce presidential campaign plans to run soon.

<snip>

"Whatever choice do we have? Mitt Romney has been on both sides of the issue," said Paul Boyd, 26, of Memphis, Tenn. (Clarification from LM: this is in regard to reports that Fred Basset once lobbied for a pro-abortion rights group.) "Rudy Giuliani is 100 percent pro-choice. John McCain, at least for the first four years of the Bush term, was against whatever the president was for. Everybody has their flaws."

In his speech, Thompson fired up the crowded when he said he was the top target of The New York Times and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. He said the United States was the greatest country, and that set the audience off, too.

<snip>

(Link: http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/thompson-dazzles-young-republicans/20070707180009990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001)

(So much to satirize, so little time.)

[Perry Logan]

1. It's a gay thing. The Young Republicans are as gay as French horns.

[tomreedtoon]

50. So...young gay men love old bald worn-out-looking guys?

If this is so, then the gay lifestyle is weirder than anything I've ever encountered. I'm not denying it's not true...look at the "Opus" cartoon over on salon.com for a perfect depiction of this. (It's worth seeing the ad for the day pass.)

But looking at the comments posted in the original article, it seems to be down to an abortion thing. This particular bunch of Young Republicans were probably evangelical Christians deciding their votes on only the abortion issue.

[ShortnFiery]

53. No, I have a different take: The young gay men who tend to gravitate to Authority Figures ...

or what is labeled as "Log Cabin Republicans."

It's a phenomenon similar to the wives and girlfriends of right wing Christians. These patriarchal organization push women's roles down. However, those who "feel safe and warm" under the authority of STRONG MASCULINE FIGURES are drawn to what is destructive to other members of their gender and/or sexual organization.

At any point in time you are going to have a segment of the population who wants to be taken care of by an all powerful super machismo leader. I don't understand it because that's not the way I'm wired - but it is out there in up to 20-25% of the population.

[glowing]

2. Is this the same 9 minute speech that people in N.H. thought sucked

and felt they wasted $50.00 on nothing. Just goes to show you how dumb this state really is. No wonder I feel my intelligence waning away every day that I remain in this state.

[SOS]

40. Same speech, but article was re-written for right-wing AOL

Here's the original, posted by the AP on 7/7/07:

Thompson lacks substance, but still wows Young Republicans

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
AP Political Writer
 
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - Likely Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson was mobbed by supporters Saturday who wildly applauded him despite a speech brimming with rhetoric and lacking issues.

http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/070707/D8Q7UB481.shtml

Read the original and compare with the AOL version. It's simply unbelievable.

AOL CEO Steve Case must have received Cheney's memo last night!
This is a great example of how the Wall Street media operates and what we're up against next year.

[Roy]

43. Apparently the N. H. folks weren't paid as much .n/t

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. Similar to how disturbing to realize how many people think Ronnie Raygun was a great prez.

People see what they want to see and have no issues creating their own reality.

[Lobster Martini]

5. Strange difference is that Raygun probably believed his own gibberish...

...whereas Thompson's doing remarkably well for a candidate who's given little justification for his own de facto campaign other than that the other candidates are so lame that he might actually win the nomination.

[Algorem]

4. they wuvs their grampaw

[Totally Committed]

6. I know exactly what it is. I don't even wonder about it.

He smells great. Like a real old man should... all that English Leather and Aqua Velva. Ask Tweety. He'll tell ya. :sarcasm:

Oh! -------- And, Barbie Doll chicks dig him. There's a soft spot beside him to feel safe in.

GMAFB.

TC

[tanyev]

7. Of course they're dazzled.

He's "dumb as hell" and his opinions are up for sale to the highest bidder. He's a GOP fantasy come true.

[ProudDad]

52. And he's fabulously rich (n/t)

Gucci wearing lobbyist, actor in a hit series...

[democrat in Tallahassee]

8. They were paid; Everything the Repugs do is a set up to make

it look like they have support. I my doubts about Albania's love affair with w, too.

[Ikonoklast]

9. How do they tolerate

The 'old man' smell emanating from that decrepit fossil?


"Young Republicans" should be given a government rifle and a free plane ride to the middle eastern country of their presidents choice.

[Alamom]

11. You are so right. eom

[earthlover]

10. It may be a teevee thing....

[trof]

12. Young Republicans are easily dazzled. It's the 'shiny thing' thing.

;-)

[CitizenLeft]

13. that "9-min speech" thing struck me, but so did...

...the fact that only 350 dipwads attended a Young Republicans Convention? Only 350? And this is their NATIONAL convention, I checked their website. *LMAO* Is their membership down, or have they always been this small, or, for some reason, did they just not get many to show up this year? I don't really care, I just find it amusing. They are one of the more twisted wings of the RNC. It's where Rove sprang from and it's the well from where the poison starts to flow and solidify. I don't think I've ever read of a "Young Republican" ever growing up and changing their mind. Even David Brock started out as a young liberal.

[TwilightGardener]

15. Must have been the SAME 9-minute speech that didn't wow them in New Hampshire--

people actually left his reception early, they were so unimpressed. And you're right, for a national convention, 350 people is nothing--compare that to Obama's thousands in many appearances.

[zanne]

14. And he's on TEEVEE! nt

[sendero]

16. DU has always had this problem..

.. most of you have NO CLUE why Reagan or Bush were successful at getting elected.

If Thompson runs he WILL BE HARD TO BEAT. You can take that to the bank.

[TwilightGardener]

17. Hard to beat? Maybe yes, maybe no. What problem does DU have, specifically?

So many "concern" folks popping up here, constantly warning us about him. We discuss this asshole ad nauseum--what more do you want us to do? Cut the brakes on his car? Just curl up in a little ball and wait for doom?

[ljm2002]

18. Gosh, then, you must have a clue...

...care to share?

Or do you just like making unsupported pronouncements while insulting other posters?

[TnDem]

20. Exactly right...

Because for the same reason Reagan, and * won, this guy is cut from the same cloth.

Folks on here cannot see it because they are so wrapped up in their urban LA/Chicago/Miami/Detroit worlds, that they cannot FATHOM what any American would possibly see in Thompson. All of the jokes about Aqua Velva and "old man smell" belies the fact that he is to be taken very seriously...The most serious of all in fact.

90%+ of the members of this forum dismiss Thompson out of hand. Most on here think he has absolutely ZERO chance of winning the GE. I am here to tell you that you are WILDLY underestimating this candidate of that's what you think. I will also say that unless Gore decides to run, then it is currently Thompson's election to lose. This may change with somje sort of stunning revelation, but as it stands now our candidates are WEAK, WEAK...

Remember SCOTUS....Thompson was an unofficial, behind the scenes player on choosing both Alito and Roberts and presenting them to * as acceptable, vetted conservatives. Do you want him choosing your next nominee?

It always amazes me how people on this forum think that the entire country thinks exactly like they do? They do NOT. DU is actually a pretty good way left of the electorate. That may explain the complete cluelessness on here about the appeal of Thompson nationally.

[sendero]

23. Exactly...

Everyone here has big fun acting like he's a rube dumbass that doesn't matter. I'm here to tell you that they couldn't be more wrong.

His rhetoric is very much modelled after Reagan's. He is going to speak of the DYSFUNCTION of government in general, and he is going to get a sympathetic audience, especially on the right but more importantly in the middle, where anyone with two brain cells to rub together sees that the dysfunction is pretty apparent in both parties.

Many will say "yeah, but it's the Republicans who have fucked up government" and I would agree. But Thompson is going to disassociate himself with the current crop to the extent possible, and his message is going to play in Peoria.

If all we can nominate is a sitting senator, that's going to make our job that much harder. A sitting senator has not won the white house in over 40 years, and for a simple reason. Americans always see WASHINGTON as the problem, and the "I'm in it but not of it" argument is a really tough sell. Especially if you've been "in it" for most of your adult life.

2008 is NOT a slam dunk for us, and Thompson is the main reason.

Another poster has the nerve to basically call me a "concern troll". I've been here since 2002 and have 16000+ posts. I'm don't feel compelled to jump on the numerous rah-rah bandwagons that this board has become, because I don't like happy talk and "yea for our side" head-in-sand bullshit, which dominates this message board at this time, this thread being a prime example. My CONCERN is how far up their kiesters so many here are DU have their heads about Fred Thompson, and about just who could actually beat him.

[TwilightGardener]

26. Again, who's not taking him seriously? We're just not in a panic the way you are.

I honestly don't find him all that impressive--if YOU do, then good for you. If Hagel was running and became the frontrunner, then I'd be more worried, but I don't see where Thompson will attract a lot of crossover votes--he's Dick Cheney's boy. As of now, his campaign is just gearing up, so he'll get a lot of scrutiny/attention (just like Rudy, Romney, McCain last fall/winter), and we on DU will just have to wait and see what happens in six months. Maybe he'll be preznit--who knows? Why get your panties in a bunch?

[sendero]

28. You probably didn't find Reagan..

.. impressive either, that didn't matter one bit to the election outcome.

[ShortnFiery]

29. You have a point, consider how much right wingers adore Jack Bauer on 24?

Now, Thompson's character is just IMO, Jack Bauer's older more "insider D.C. appropriate" mentor?

The right wing in my area adore action flicks and the MEN (men men men) who are cool, calm and collected *in charge.*

Thompson, albeit unappealing to me, is very attractive to people who want to "feel safe and protected."

Like Reagan, he's a good B rated actor. As soon at those in power lose all hope for Mittens, they'll rally over at Thompson's camp. :shrug:

[TwilightGardener]

31. Reagan spent 8 years as Governor of California. I was a kid at the time,

but even today, that's impressive credentials. Thompson is nowhere near Reagan. The comparison will start hurting him, I predict.

[TwilightGardener]

35. Your analysis is dead wrong. He's been EXTREMELY hyper-partisan

in all of his speeches lately--that's the "red meat" that the pathetic Young Repubs and Freepers want. He called Harry Reid an "extremist". His lobbying for Scooter Libby's pardon/fundraising just goes to show how far he's willing to run to the right and tie himself to this administration, AND he wants us to stay in Iraq essentially forever, AND he wants us to take on Iran. He's flip-flopped on abortion--he's supposedly very pro-life now, but used to lobby for abortion rights. He used to be pro-amnesty, now all of a sudden he's against. He's been on the "inside" for many, many years, as a lobbyist--can't run as an outsider, especially if Bloomberg (a TRUE outsider) runs. He's actually boxed himself in to the far right, farther than McCain or Romney. So far, his main themes are: Federalism, smaller gov, keeping the war on terra going, and Democrats are evil. He's doing the opposite of what people will probably want for '08.

[TwilightGardener]

24. Right on cue, with the same post, as always...

:eyes: Why don't you just cut and paste? Stop insulting DUers with your bullshit--we're very informed, thank you. For example, we know that Nixon called Thompson "dumb as hell", and that Thompson actually spied for Nixon while on the prosecution side--that will hurt him, as will the Libby defense--not among Repubs, but in the general. He's a corrupt empty suit. He's also got cancer, which hasn't been made an issue yet--so yes, he might win the nom--jury's out on whether he can appeal to Democrats, so we'll have to wait and see--right now, Rudy has more Independent/Dem appeal. And WHY do you persist in saying that DU is all urban? I live in a rural area of a red state. Give it a freakin' rest, already.

[TnDem]

27. Same back atcha bud...

Ahh yes, another keyboard commando in our midst. You cannot help but to respond to my posts just like you cannot help but to respond to any post about Thompson.

Tell you what...How about you just out me on "ignore"? That way you'll never have to read my posts again.

I expect an apology in Nov. 2008 when you're wrong..

[TwilightGardener]

32. A "keyboard commando"? WTF are you? I respond to Thompson posts

because I love to hate the guy, and pick on him--he's an asshole, and an easy target--I also like to pick on Romney. That's my job here on DU--trash Republican Prez contenders. Why are YOU here? To keep "warning" us? And why on earth should I "apologize" for whoever wins in 2008? I just don't care THAT much--I have no control over it. Good Christ.

[TnDem]

34. Take a nitro tablet.....

Breathe deeply...


There...

Now put me on ignore and your problems are over.

See, it wasn't that hard.

[TwilightGardener]

36. ...

But...but I love you, you FredHead! I can't ignore you! Where would I get my daily dose of FredWarning? He might sneak up on me! :rofl:

[Sparkly]

30. Please explain it to me.

Maybe I'm 'wrapped up in my DC/Baltimore world,' but I honestly don't understand what the appeal is, and I'd like to know.

[TnDem]

33. His appeal....

Is uncannily like Reagan's. He is viewed as a knowledgeable and strong candidate with gravitas. I have seen him in Tennessee and people just fawn over him...Even his political enemies fawn over him once they meet him...He is Reagan all over again.

He has never came off like an extremist. People view him as "one of us". Even though he holds a law degree, (Doctor of Jurisprudence, Vanderbilt), he is still folksy and never condescending but yet seems very knowledgable about foreign affairs as well as law.

His personality is such that he just seems to make people like him, which is again, very Reaganesque. He is a far more likeable yet is viewed as a strong and safe and capable person....Much more so than any of the current Republican or Democratic candidates.

By the way, you mentioned DC/Baltimore....I have lived in Tennessee since 1979, but I grew up in a city named Laurel Maryland. Are you familiar with it? I have many fond memories of growing up in Laurel. I lived in an older subdivision right off US Route 1 called "Oakcrest". This was just south of Laurel just before you get to Muirkirk/Beltsville. I also went to school in Lansdowne MD.

[TwilightGardener]

37. "He is folksy, but not condescending"..."strong, safe, capable" (Lorrie Morgan, is that you?),

"knowledgable and strong candidate with gravitas", "very knowledgable about foreign affairs", "even his political enemies fawn over him"...Now I KNOW you're either making this shit up (because you believe it) or you're just parroting the RW media bullshit. Aside from a fellowship in the neocon think tank (AEI), post one link that proves his vast knowledge of foreign affairs. Prove your assertions. Yeah, and we know he's a lawyer, you don't need to SPECIFY the degree, to make it sound more impressive, LOL! I think he's either your uncle or your ex-boy or girl friend. You're in lurve with him.

[TnDem]

39. I specified the law school mainly....

Because it is considered a top notch university in the south...Kinda like saying John Kerry, BA Yale...

The poster asked why he had such appeal and I explained in a nutshell why Reagan was elected twice, Shrub twice and why Thompson will be next...The pugs will have a frgging FIELD DAY with Hillary....Also, Barack "Hussein" Obama won't win a single flyover state once voters really search their hearts about who they trust the country with...There goes the Reagan mantra again..

People on here are still scratching their heads over Reagan and Chimp being able to convince 100 people to vote for them much less over half the country...Once you step away from the DU fishbowl, you'll get an idea of why the country is attracted to those types of candidates...They will win every time against a Hillary or an Obama.

You want to win against the Reagan persona? You'd better nominate the right candidate cause the ones we got aren't gonna get it.

[AX10]

44. Lorrie Morgan:

:puke:

Thompson is a reich wing kook.

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

48. Advanced search is your friend.

I swear this guy is on Thompson's payroll. Oh yeah, by the way he lives among "real" Americans. Not those gall durn Berkeley types. REE-HAW!!!!!

[DeepModem Mom]

19. Never forget -- he's on TV. nt

[uncertainty1999]

21. Thompson dazzles young republicans -- LIKE HIS WIFE

[Vickers]

46. That's the best reply yet, bwahahahahahaha!!!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[rasputin1952]

22. You could "dazzle" a Young Republican by reciting the alphabet...

or sticking a candle in a turd and lighting it.

You can terrify a Young Republican by handing him/her an Enlistment Form....

The best they can come up with is another Grade B actor?...

[TnDem]

41. Well, I seem to remember...

"Another grade B actor" who kicked our collective asses for eight years in the eighties. Democratic critics scoffed at him...

Until he won big...twice...

We just never learn.

[rasputin1952]

42. Alas...it is true...but the nation is finally beginnng to realize the massive

mistake that was made by having Reagan in at all.

If one looks at his record as Gov of CA, and bush's record as Governor of TX...I should figure not another R Gov would ever be elected.

Americans don't learn, because they too often refuse to look at the truth. Reagan was a poor president, bush is a downright disaster. Unfortunately, the citizens of this nation, never look at the candidates history, only the claptrap that is thrown to them is devoured...for this, we have paid a horrible price.




:(

On edit: Just thinking....candles on turds equates to both Reagan and bush...no wonder they are enthralled w/'another dud...:eyes:

[ShortnFiery]

25. IMO Republicans, in general, desire strong authority figures for leadership ...

It's again, my opinion, but it seems that they never fully matured in their emotional development.

To put it simply, they want "Daddy" to care for them, tell them what he needs to to run the place, and most important: keep them safe.

Although I live among many active and retired military republicans, I have never been drawn to authority figures. They crack me up (humorous) - especially the Patton types. But quite the opposite, if someone or some group exudes arrogance, I'm repelled from joining in. :shrug:

IMO, Republicans want to be protected and nurtured (told what to do) by authority figures. The right wing, specifically, adores their authority figures. :eyes:

[depakid]

38. He's the corporate media's little darling

and they've going to pimping him to every starry eyed and empty headed person who watches them.

I expect to see a LOT more of these stories over the next several months.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

45. He is their version of one of our candidates

Why are we surprised when they are reacting the same way many Democrats did to the Democratic version of Fred Thompson?

[mitchum]

47. They want dour daddy to give them a bare bottom spanking as they wiggle provocatively...

on his lap.
And the inevitable question: Why aren't these scumbags fighting terra over there?

[ShortnFiery]

49. "Thank-you Sir, May I Have Another?" says the Young Republican.

While those of us here would opt for Delta House: "Your Pledge Name is ..." :P

Is it any wonder that it's so damn hard for us to win elections. :shrug:

[fujiyama]

51. I guess they're all like he was at that age

"Dumb as Hell".