As for that Thompson jerk - who needs another damned liar in office?  Jeez, these repubs are really hard-up!

Where to go for cable news program?

MSNBC; covers news, unless there is a spectacular accident, anywhere.

FOX NEWS; covers news, unless a white woman goes missing, anywhere.

CNN; covers news, the Headline News program is pretty good.

Also, I still have First Read for political coverage. .

None of the above?  massachusetts may have to add taxes to pay for the 20-30 elections they will have to have until they find someone they like, which in Massachusetts, it may be a haul.  What is Richardson now, 5th place?  it took a while for the press to find something negative about Fred Thompson.

RE Richardson: Hmmmm. Yesterday some bloggers posted a transcript of an interview of Richardson before the Iraq mess started. In that interview he suggested that we wait for the UN to finish its scheduled work, diplomatically enlist support from allies, and that, at that time, there was no hurry for any action as the UN reports had indicated that the WMD was not as urgent an issue as we had feared. That was BEFORE the war started. So....this little item in First Read seems to contradict that.

Anybody got any more info on this? I have to tell you that from reading that bloggers info yesterday and the subsequent research I did for a very short while really lifted Richardson in my eyes.

The reason I'm asking you bloggers is that I don't trust the MSM to give unbiased reporting. It seems a little coincidental to me that just when Richardson seems to gather a little traction, snarkiness appears in the press. (Yes - I'm very cynical.)

thanks,

So nothing on Vitter today. Apparently the news media has decided he deserves a break. Have some dignity and resign.

I know where to go for cable republican news.

jerri u go girl

Is it possible that Thompson doesn't need to jump on the wagon as soon as the others? He gets my vote-Go Fred-dy..Go Fre-dy..Go Fred-dy!

BUSH AND CHENEY BLEW UP THE NYC GAS PIPES TO GET HALIBURTON CONTRACT. LET EVRYONE KNOW!

MSNBC spent so much time reporting a burst pipe in NY yesterday..I quit watching. I learned more by watching Chris Mathews on Jay Leno....and Chris can really talk! Jay only asked abt 3 questions the whole time.

Part of me likes the MA idea.  At the same time, I think it is highly impractical and will only end up creating perpetual campaigning and endless elections.  Hopefully if they do enact something like this, they will put a cap on the number of "do-overs" voters get to have.  Sooner or later, you have to elect someone.  

Where is the magnifing glass accusations as far as Hillory Clinton's past is concerned

Msnbc- so much for unbias news...we are so swamped with the liberal media...RIGHT! Fred go back to acting.  

Paris Hilton said in an interview that she read the Bible everyday, but she couldn't name her favorite scripture. She also said that she voted last year. When asked in what election, she said the Presidential. My point is that she is still much smarter than bush and she does not lie as much.

Paul-
 Books have been written about Hillary. In fact, an entire cottage industry exists to run down the Clintons.

Damn it, Bill- y' just had to go and 'get some', and cause the steam pipe to break, didn't ya?  And that horrible plane crash in Sao Palo Brazil.  Y' just couldn't keep it in y' pants, could you?

Hey Freddy !!
Maybe you should try the Alberto Gonzalez strategy: I don't remember that, I don't recall that, I have no recollection of that.

Talk about feet of clay.

Does anybody remember the Comet Kahoutek ?

Shakespeare seems appropriate:
'...Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing... '

Republicans ARE DESPERATE, aren't they ??

Apparently, a Republican needing to wear diapers when hooking up with hookers - isn't newsworthy. But - if he had been a Democrat...

Is Fred coaching Alberto...or is Alberto coaching Fred...one wonders. Fred really has no incentive to hold his coming out party yet. He's doing fine running without running. Most of the voters will be swayed after September anyway...and he doesn't have to report finances until he's official. Watch him report a large amount of cash on hand in October...blowing away the rest of the GOP with some numbers. Plus, he'll have a better feel for the direction of the war in September. If he ends up winning he will show everyone the foolishness of these long election cycles.

You want to know about Hillary's PAST??  
When will the public learn about her PRESENT?

Here's an old article about News Corp owner Rupert Murdoch sponsoring Hillary fundraiser -
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12762092/

And News Corp-Fox News execs sponsoring a fundraiser -
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966081.html?categoryid=18&cs=1

Oh - and the Clintons good friend is now conducting polling for CNN -
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/14/us/politics/14gupta.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

And folks wonder why she's 'leading'!  ha!

IRAQI PARLEMENT TO TAKE A 1 MONTH VACATION/RECESS THIS AUGUST WHILE US TROOPS DIE ON THE STREETS OF BAGDAD.

Fred Thompson should wait to announce on Nov 1st, 2008.  Let the desparate republicans, moderate and conservative project their little fantasies on their Party Savior until it's too late to find out truths like the pro-abortion thing.

Fred the actor Thompson.... Sounds great! I guess the pre-requisites for Presidency keep geting lower and lower. Soon we will have our first circus clown in power. What a country. Way to go GOP ! Is guess if GWB can hold on for eight years anyone can. The new American Benchmark... Aren't we proud !!!!!

Rupert Murdoch plays both sides..otherwise he wouldn't be a success...Roger Ailes on the other hand.....let's just say he and his proxies are part of the Clinton cottage industry.

I just wish we could go back to the times when political correctness was a word not yet uttered and politicians said what they believed and not what they thought everyone wanted to hear. They are all bought before they reach office anyway so why don't they quit acting like they want to help anyone who doesn't have loads of money.What happened to the buck stops here. And I know you have all heard this one.When can you tell a republican is lying?

My issue is not with Thompson he'll sink or swim on his own merit...it's the GOP homers..or whoever that are fascinated by a 'none on the above' candidate that seems to have an average track record. The hype doesn't match the credentials. Why are they so obsessed with image and perception and not real achievements. I can give Romney supporters kudos atleast b/c the man has a track record of significant accomplishments despite his continous fumbles. Same goes for Juliani..even if his leadership is subject to question.

Soon we will have our first circus clown in power.


Or worse.  We'll get one of those charter members of mensa hollywood activist types.

Paul,I don't believe there is a HillOry running.

I agree with Fred Thompson sinking or swimming on his own merit, however it is odd. He is going to sink. I hope that GOP supporters will sit on their pride and vote with their brains. I mean the GOP is trying to revive Ronald Regan at all cost. Do you think they are trying to Clone him as we speak for 2112 elections. Thats when cloning and stem cell research will turn the corner for the conservatives.

Soon we will have our first circus clown in power. What a country. Way to go GOP !

Rob, we already do; George "What, me worry?" Bush.  

Should we remain in Iraq out of fear of a greater conflict if we were to withdraw?  My answer is no. Our troops did what they are assigned to do.  Saddam was removed from power, no weapons of mass destruction were found, and free and fair elections were conducted under a new Iraqi constitution.
 
But now they are faced with an impossible task.  They have become the targets of all sides in a civil war.  It is a war of attrition.  The battlefield is 360 degrees.  There is no front or rear.  As each day passes, more U.S. soldiers die from snipers’ bullets, roadside bombs and mortar attacks. Spouses become widows and children are left without a parent.

Almost 3,600 U.S. soldiers have been killed and 27,000 have been wounded, many suffering from traumatic brain injuries that have left them permanently disabled and in need of medical care for the remainder of their lives.

The only candidate in my opinion that has a solid, crystal clear plan for Iraq is Richardson, for two reasons:

1.  He'll get the U.S. out completely and promptly - a total withdrawal.  

2.  Richardson has the foreign policy experience and expertise to wage the diplomatic offensive that will be necessary to see the region not descend into further conflict.  

This is what Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (USA, Ret.) has said about Richardson's plan:

"Overwhelming majorities of Iraqis, both Shia and Sunni, oppose the presence of US troops in Iraq and believe that US troops are more a cause of violence than a solution to it. Our presence in Iraq fuels the insurgency, strengthens Al Qaeda, and distracts us from the urgent task of defeating the real terrorists who attacked this country on 9-11. It's time for a phased and coordinated, but rapid, withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq, and Governor Richardson has a realistic plan to do it."

CJ - I also thought that steam pipe burst in New York was way overplayed. The footage was pretty impressive, for about 20 seconds. After that, they should have moved on.

I am troubled by the Republican's poor judgement in choosing candidates.  If the Democrats persist with trying to put Hillary in the White House, we are going to get stuck with one of these clowns instead.  As a Democrat I should be happy that Guilani has more reasonable stances on abortion and gay rights.  But he would be a disaster as president.  I didn't think it was possible, but this guy is more bull-headed than Bush and sleazier than Bill.  Their is so much support for Fred Thompson, without any knowledge as to what he stands for.  He is not qualified.  His history as a senator has been described as lazy.  He has no vision, which is why he is reluctantly running.  He tipped Nixon off as part of the watergate investigation.  Republicans are blinding choosing him because he's an actor, and they long for him to be like Reagan. A lot of the support for Clinton, is also coming from the uninformed.  Wake up America, and scratch beneath the surface.

The problem isn't that Fred is a liar, it's that he isn't a good enough liar.  The GOP needs a really good liar to sell the public on policies that anywhere from 55-80% disagree with, depending on which proposal you're looking at.  Nearly everything the party wants to do has very little support, once you look at the specifics.

Fred Thompson would make a good President at least much better than all other currents we have to select from on both sides Rep/Dom.
At this time given the potentials I would vote for Mr. Thompson.

I am a resident of New Mexico and am a supporter of Richardson. Wehn talking about the need to end the war in Iraq I think it would be helpful to point out that the real issue is the inability of the present administration to manage this war and not the ability of our warriers to win it. My view is that we the people don't trust the people running this country to find there backsides with both hands and a flashlite let alone manage a war. I think that this is the real issue and should articulated. In fact I suspect that most Republicans share this view as well, perhaps not the far right wing whackos. We needto to start hitting upon the real concerns and not the talking points. I think that we need to fire the managers of this government and put better management in place. We will also need to root out all af the inpbedded neocons in our government as well.

Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carly Zakin:  

You are incorrect in stating Richardson supported the war without providing any context to his statements.  After we invaded Richardson naturally voiced support for our troops and hoped the war would be concluded quickly.  Richardson also thought Saddam was a brutal dictator and threat to regional peace.  

But Richardson was also critical of the Bush Administration's rush to war and urged patience and diplomacy.  Unlike Edwards, Clinton and many other Democrats, Richardson advocated we pursue all diplomatic avenues prior to any decision to wage war, including working with the U.N.

Richardson has been consistent on the primacy of diplomacy in conflict resolution.  On March 11, 2003, on CNN, eight days before President Bush announced the U.S. was at war with Iraq, Richardson explained how unilateral U.S. military action in Iraq would undermine the U.N. and accurately predicted it would undermine the prestige of the U.S. abroad:

"CROWLEY: I want to ask you the question, first, if there is no Security Council resolution approving of a war on Iraq, and if the Bush administration should go ahead, who loses in that scenario?

RICHARDSON: Well, I think the United Nations loses because it shows a lack of relevance to this crisis.

And, secondly, I think, Candy, that the United States loses because we're going into a major conflict without the blessing of the U.N. Security Council, without some of our major allies like France and Russia, and also those 10 other members of the Security Council, the 10 non-permanent members that have a voice right now.

So I think it would come at considerable cost especially if we're to win the war, which we would, issues relating to a post-Iraq configuration to the prestige of the United States worldwide to bring some kind of order to the Middle East and bring some kind of Persian Gulf-lessening attention. So, I think everybody would be a victim. The United Nations, the United States and, certainly, our NATO allies. I think would be hurt, too, because if they don't support us the breakdown of the NATO alliance might be next to go.

CROWLEY: Well, I want to cite a couple of figures for you. One of them just came from a CBS/New York Times poll, which showed that right now only about 34 percent of Americans believe the U.N. is doing a good job handling this situation.

Fifty eight percent think it's doing a poor job. On top of that, we also found that 55 percent would support an invasion, even if the Security Council says don't do it. What does that say about how Americans view the U.N., and has that changed since you were the ambassador?

RICHARDSON: Well, the United States as a populous, here in new Mexico, there's not much support for the United Nations. But at the same time, Candy, what everyone should understand is the United Nations does a lot of things that we, the U.S. as the only superpower, don't want to do.

They get involved in conflicts in Kosovo, in the Congo in Africa, in Guatemala and Latin America. Immigration issues, AIDS, refugees. We don't want to get directly involved in these, but we use the arm of international support, legitimacy of the United Nations to do it.

Now, in the Persian Gulf, conveniently, the U.N. supported our efforts in 1991 to get a broad coalition. And I think we've used the U.N. in the war on terrorism to get international support.

But clearly in this Iraq crisis, the U.N. has to step up and simply enforce its [1441] resolution. And it's not doing that. So, it's going to be a big loss for the U.N. in terms of its peacekeeping relevance, unless it really steps up and gets tough on Saddam Hussein. I think that's the issue.

CROWLEY: So, am I right, am I hearing you correctly that you believe that the U.N. Security Council should pass the resolution that Britain and the U.S. are proposing?

RICHARDSON: Well, I would go a little differently, Candy. I think <strong>the U.S. and Britain should compromise. That's the essence of diplomacy. To get nine votes, if it means postponing for 30 days, or 15 days or 10 days, a new resolution with benchmarks on Iraq's behavior, let's do it. I think that France and Russia are basically gone.

They are going to veto. But it would be a partial victory if we get nine votes for a victory of a majority in the Security Council. If we don't do that, I think it's going to be tremendous prestige loss overseas. I think, domestically, it's going to cause more problems for the administration. The Congress will be divided. This is a time when it's frustrating, but what's the rush, really. Iraq is not heading down Baghdad into the United States.

Again, it is a threat, but it's not an immediate threat. It's not something that is like the war on terrorism, where we're under alert from a potential terrorist attack in this country. So let's be judicious. Let's be calm. Let's be patient."

Fred Thompson, your not Ronald Regan. You are an actor however. Acting is not a synonym for leadership. You can't act and expect us to misinterpit that for leadership. The show Law and Order is your calling. Stick to  it. Leave the world alone... your kind have done enough damage to it and our country for the past 8 years.... Eventually a good republican candidate will emerge once your party suffers the lessons learned from all of your most recent blunders. And for you Rudolph Giuliani.... All we need is a terrorist hunter with a lisp.... let it go your a joke... it took a tragedy like 9/11 to make you shine... Thats sad. Go make it up to your fire fighters in NY... I'm sure they will have a few choice words for you. Soon you'll  be taking public transportation to all your pep rallies like John McCainn when the people realize your a continuation of the GWB foreign policy agenda like john McCainn and Frd Thomson when you run out of cash. Thank Goodness

The only place to get your news is John Stewart. He is the only fair and balanced "reporter" on TV. He makes fun of everyone equally, it just so happens the Repubs don't seem able to keep their respective feet out of their respective mouths. I mean really, how many conservatives who were leaders in the movement to investigate and impeach Clinton for a blow job have to get caught with their pants down (prostitutes, meth/gay sex, adultery, child porn, 500 grams of coke to just give away, extramarital affairs) before we realize these people are nothing but crooks who will do and say anything to get elected. There are very few honest men in politics, the rest are there purly because of the corrupt nature of our political system. They are there for the money, to change laws and make laws that benifit themselves and those who give them money. Financial contributions and lobbying perks are nothing more than bribes. And accepting bribes is a treasonable offense.  

MD Farney ...it's scary that you even have the right to vote.... you need to have more info before you support a guy off of name recognition alone. You are the typical uneducated short attention span 30 second sound bite ad voter that we should all worry about. Did you GOP supporters all go to the same school!

For anyone who puts stock in The New Republic hit piece on Governor Richardson by Ryan Lizz, would you fall for a hit piece against your favorite candidate?  

Check out whom you're relying on.  Lizza and The New Republic beat the drums of war for Iraq as loudly as anyone in the media.  On FOX news on February 26, 2003, Lizza praised Lieberman, Kerry, Gephardt and Edwards for their vote for the Iraq war resolution, commenting they knew "why we need to do what we're going to do in Iraq."  

On March 7, 2003, Lizza on CNN advocated for a U.S. invasion of Iraq, stating, "Bombing Iraq and leaving isn't going to be enough, we need to overthrow the regime."  Yet, Lizza has the gall to criticize Richardson as not having any expertise in foreign affairs.

Here is one question - how would you characterize the U.S.-North Korean relationship for the term of the Bush Presidency?  It was terrible.  But the relationship has been transformed in the past few months.  When did this change occur?  It occurred following Richardson's visit to North Korea earlier this year.  Remember Richardson took with him the Bush Administration's diplomatic expert on North Korea's nuclear program.  

Now obviously other players were involved and many issues were worked out in advance and following the meeting, but prior to Richardson's visit our relationship with North Korean was going nowhere and today there has been remarkable improvement.

M D Farney,

Why do you think Fred Thompson is the best choice available?  Do you have anything to back up your oppinion?

M D Farney (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 12:09 PM)

MD, that is an interesting statement. I'd like to know what brought you to that conclusion. I'm having difficulty seeing the attraction myself but so many people seem to like Mr. Thompson that I'm trying to understand why.

I just can't shake the feeling that Thompson thinks he is going to loaf his way into office.  This guy doesnt even seem motivated to be president, but there is an army of folks ready to jump off a cliff at his command. Sure hope they don't get disappointed.

Hey Independant Texas. The reason for the interest inFred Thompson that you find .. well... in people like M D Farney, is because they really do want to be patriotic, it's just that they don't have the attention span to sift through each candidate. With that stated, Republicans and Dems alike don't want to admit that our country has lost it's leadership because the didn't do their homework and voted GWB in for a second term. These Thompson supporters are the die hards that are looking for a fast solution once again. Sure he talks (acts ) like Ronald Regan, but this isn't a movie... it's the real thing. My hope and fears lie with the voters in this country. Life is hard and fast here in the US so it is difficult to spend time when you work and have a family to do the necessary homework on each candidate. Reading between the lines is a skill tha you learn when you practice, and unfortunatly are politicians exploit out undereducated view point. Fred Thompson is the stubborn die hard GOP last hope for this election cycle. reliving Ronald Regan through him is as cheesy as a Rock VII comeback. Fred Thompson isn't Ronald Regan. Regan had virtues and for that he was respected. He would't sell his country out to Iraq. He believed in his countrymen first. These other GOP guys sold out long ago.There all Big business imposters... Fred Thompson being one of them

There seem to be a lot of Bill Richardson supporters on here. I like Richardson, and think he has alot of great experiences to offer.  But I don't think he has what it takes to get the nomination.  He seems like a great worker rather than a great leader.  I'm a Obama supporter and think Richardson would make an excellent VP choice. I agree with your support of him, but if I am right and he doesn't get into the top contenders list please consider supporting Obama.  He really has practical ideas on how to turn our country's standing in the world around, and to banish the pervasive corruption in Washington.

I like "none of the above", but I am beginning to be in favor of political bosses in smoke filled rooms picking party nominees for president. We had better presidents back then.
I am also thinking we need the old city political machines back. At least things got built on time and within a reasonable budget with some quality even with the rake off. Now days it the "lowest bidder" who doesn't mkae schedule or budget and you get crap. Look around at how many good solid civic buildings there were built in the days of your local "political machine". Oh, and they didi not outsource, everything stayed local.  

We have lost sooo many rights that our ancestors before us had spilled much blood for. Now we are spilling blood in Irag to go backwards. Lets use our common sense. We are not at war with any county. We are at war with an Ideolgolgy proposed to the uneducated and poor people of Aisia and the Middle east. We can either try to stop it where it's roots are, or add fuel to the fire by showing the Muslums that they are under attack and Al-queda will help them going to all and any extremes to purge western occupation once again. Occupation of Iraq is a recruiting poster for al-queda. our actions are the drive behind the sucessful deliery of hey couldn't of deamed of a better way to entagle us. Allah delivered GWB to them. Lets not continue this course. The gop is tooo entagled in this war. They could never get elected if they disagree with it, hence why they will always continue the cycle. The ball is in our court once again. I hope that  truely we elect a person that
truely understands the damage the mind set of premption has brought us.

I look forward to a Fred Thompson joining the race. He has the credential of not being particularly anxious to take the job, rather than those like Hillary that feel they deserve it by divine right.

I think he would represent the country well. I feel he would be more of a Reagan-type President than a Bush-type. I am looking for a candidate who can give the office stature and common sense. He comes across as an individual with those qualities.

ok guys now this is completely inane. One fault on the guy and everyone is bashing him. Think about your lovely dems and libs. Tell me one candidate that hasnt "flipped". At least Fred flipped to a good side, instead of what the popular vote is. And as for the Bush comments. You voted for him. Even when you knew he beliefs on the war. Now that it has become not popular, everyone turns on the President. Anything and everything the president says, good or bad, its never good enough for enyone. He tells of confindential information the was recently allowed to be released re: the terrorist attacks that were foiled. What did the left do. Some along the lines of, "Well it took him long enough!" Ok god-damn-it Its confidential and you wanted it released earlier!, And then the Scooter Libby and President Bush Item. Everyone was pissed(Correction the left was pissed)that he conceeded Libby because he "spilled confidential information"....Please read above for the idiocracy of the left. That is all

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