Thompson met lowered expectations, barely

[babylonsister]

Thompson met lowered expectations, barely

By Peter S. Canellos, Globe Staff

WASHINGTON -- Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson set low expectations for his first debate as a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. And, in the first minutes of today's Michigan debate, he failed to reach them.

Asked why two-thirds of Americans express pessimism about the economy, Thompson said, in his slow folksy drawl, "Well, I think there are pockets in this economy that, certainly, they're having difficulty. I think they're certainly those in Michigan that are having difficulty. I think you always find that in a vibrant, dynamic economy. . ."

Thompson's dismissal of Michigan's pain didn't pass unnoticed. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney quickly jumped in to say, "It's inexcusable that Michigan is undergoing a one-state recession."

Thompson's performance slowly ticked upwards from its low start, but his answers, while often soothing, rarely moved beyond agreeing with other candidates and endorsing broad principles like free trade. He sprinkled in a few specifics about the alternative-minimum tax and the War Powers Resolution, but otherwise concentrated on conveying an impression of grandfatherly ease and geniality.

more...

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2007/10/thompson_met_lo.html

[scarletwoman]

1. Well, that cinches it, the GOP has found its new Reagan. (nt)

[Mike03]

2. Shocking

That just goes to show how low the expectations are for the Republicans. I would be humiliated to say he met my expectations. That is how bad their situation is now, and we can't lose next year.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Get off his back. He's still focused on finding out whoTerri Schiavo was.

One thing at a time, please.

[Beaverhausen]

4. Not to mention his shock that the Soviet Union no longer exists

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. He probably thought it was a defunct labor organization