First thoughts

Posted: Thursday, July 19, 2007 9:13 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carly Zakin
*** You Just Knew This Was Coming: When it was first reported that Fred Thompson might have lobbied for a pro-choice group, his camp first said Thompson had no recollection that he ever did such a thing. Then Thompson made some non-denial denials that reminded us of the old SNL "Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer" character. And now, voila, there’s an article about records confirming that that Thompson DID lobby for the group. In fact, he apparently spoke to a representative of the abortion rights group 22 times. But he wasn’t able to recall the lobbying effort when this was first reported? Thompson is lucky that some in the GOP base are so hungry for a candidate who at least looks like a conservative -- even if his record indicates otherwise.

Video: NBC's Chuck Todd offers his first read on potential Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson pushing back an official campaign announcement

*** A Missed Opportunity? Nearly 50 days have passed since Thompson first formed his “testing the waters” committee. And while the few events he’s had since then -- including yesterday’s fundraiser in Baton Rouge, LA -- have garnered attention, are we the only ones who sense that enthusiasm for his candidacy has waned? To build anticipation, music concerts typically wait as long as possible before bringing the main attraction to the stage. And when Thompson finally announces, it will be a big deal. But by waiting now as late as September to make his official plunge into the presidential waters, has he missed an opportunity to demonstrate to Republican voters (including the bigwigs) that he’s their guy? He certainly is putting more pressure on himself to perform once he actually gets in. There will be no time to get the kinks out.

*** Bill’s Excellent Adventure On Iraq:

Somewhat overshadowed yesterday by the new Edwards TV ad (featuring wife Elizabeth) and even the new Clinton DVD (talking to Iowa voters about the war) was Richardson’s new ad his campaign is airing in Iowa. “We have to end the war now,” he says in it. “We need to get all of our troops out of Iraq. George Bush won’t do that, but I will.” While we and others have focused plenty on Clinton’s evolution on the war, few have traced how Richardson -- who once said Iraq had WMD and called the country a bigger threat than North Korea -- has become anti-war candidate. As the critical profile of him in last month's New Republic suggested, Richardson has never had a fixed foreign policy ideology, despite his vast experience in foreign affairs. Richardson is making progress because the spotlight isn't on him. But should he continue to make gains, can he withstand increased scrutiny on some of his position evolutions? (See: Press, Meet The)

*** Didn’t We See This In “Brewster’s Millions”? Tired of picking between the lesser of two evils at the ballot box? Well, perhaps not anymore. There’s a proposal in Massachusetts that would make "None of the Above; For a New Election" an option in every state and local race. Per the Boston Globe, "In a state where 70 percent of candidates ran unopposed last year, the bill would let voters try to force competition by calling for a new election."

*** On The Trail: Brownback is in Iowa, where he throws out the first pitch at an Iowa Cubs game; Edwards -- a day removed from concluding his poverty tour -- travels to Iowa, while wife Elizabeth raises money at a brewery in Oklahoma City; Giuliani continues to stump in Iowa, where he gives a policy address on energy and ethanol; Obama has an ice cream social in New Hampshire; Richardson campaigns in Iowa; and Romney hosts a picnic and a town hall in South Carolina.

Countdown to the Ames Straw Poll: 23 days
Countdown to MA-05 Special Election: 46 days
Countdown to LA GOV election: 93 days
Countdown to Election Day 2007: 110 days
Countdown to LA GOV run-off (if necessary): 121 days
Countdown to Iowa: 178 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 200 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 474 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 551 days

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Comments

Rob, when you mention uneducated voters are you referring to the voters that cant spell Reagan? not once but multiple times!

Ryan Ne (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 1:49 PM)

I like Richardson for many reasons, one of the main ones being that if he does win the nomination, I strongly feel that he can win the presidency. I don't believe that about Hillary - too many people in the south and west hate her. Richardson will do far better in the south and the west simply because he won't be automatically perceived as a New England Liberal - nothing is scarier to southerners.

As to the piece in the New Republic, I didn't read it so I can't respond to it (I couldn't even find it when I went on their site - there were hundreds of references to Richardson). But I would rather have someone with a fluid foreign policy that is perhaps based on intelligence reports and the actual facts than someone who sticks with one losing strategy year after year after year no matter what. Remind you of anyone?

Richardson Supporter, Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 1:51 PM)

Greg, I NEVER voted for Bush, not even as Governor of Texas. I would NEVER vote for Bush, not even for dog-catcher.

Richardson Supporter, Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 1:53 PM)

After reading the comments above the old adage of "before you engage in a battle of wits make sure your opponent is armed" comes to mind as well as "it is better to keeps ones mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and leave no doubt"--would you liberals please refrain from making any statments

bill wagner (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:03 PM)

I think that Fred Thompson would be a strong president that could lead this country out of tourmoil. We are a divided nation looking for a stong leader. Fred Thompson is the only candidate I see that could bring back the US to a solidified nation.

joe, Peabody, MA (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:12 PM)

That's good Greg, except that I NEVER voted for this putz. Maybe we can read above for the idiocracy(?) of the left, but we only need to read your post for the illiteracy of the right.

Robb, STL (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:13 PM)

Ray, Canton I hear you, but I still don't understand it. He timidly seeks the POTUS yet that makes him qualified?? I guess you are saying he is humble. That still is perception/image over reality IMO. Reagan-type vs Bush-type?? From his statements he sounds very similar to McCain. I'm not trying to insult you, I really don't understand b/c as I said before many people applied the same measurement to Bush, comparing him to Reagan...favoribly, in both elections. I think that approach to voting for candidates is disastrous, but I know most people vote on similar reasoning anyway. Bill Wagner thanks for the comments but we hear enough from Jerry on a daily basis.

CJ (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:27 PM)

Speaking of "undereducated". . . did you ever go to school--and did they offer any English classes, Rob? I've noticed you like to respond directly to people in quite the condenscending manner, so I thought to open my message by repsonding in kind.

It is a shame, because I agree in theory with some of your statements. Again, some. Whether this Thompson character is an appropriate candidate hinges on many factors, but there are two that I would really like to address.

First of all, we seem to be hoping for a new Ronald Reagan. While he might have had the dreamiest of hair in his heyday, let us not forget some of his failures. Indeed, Ronald Reagan may have had a few virtues up his sleeve, but more people moved down from their class [middle to lower middle, lower middle to poor] than those who moved up. In fact, the people that did move up were those who were already well off, id est upper middle to wealthy and wealthy to wealthier. He was not the best president financially, and let us not hope for a return of his type of progress--lest we receive it.

Secondly, we went to Iraq to stiffle a nuclear program that did not exist. We remain there because our President refuses to admit he only wanted to rid the world of Saddam because of the attack on his daddy. Yes, we need to remove our troops. We should apologize to Iraq. But just removing our troops would not solve the problem. What we do need to do is learn from the Muslim world and focus on charity. Our fight is not with Islam--Islam teaches charity and selflessness to its members--but with the extremist groups like Al-Qaeda. We should be creating a plan for exit and a concurrent plan for further investment in the Iraqi economy. We should be concerned with the existence of funds for educational opportunities. Yet, we cannot tell the sovereign nation how to run itself. That is our most fatal error.

So, while Rob ponificates about his superior analytical skills in politics, consider this: being able to see what is wrong with a system is not the same as knowing how to fix it. We have not provided any real means for fixing the issues of Iraq and how to better inform the American voters.

I offer this final bit of opinion: our next president should not only have the insight to remove our troops from Iraq and move to improve the economy, but should also move to strengthen the educational system of this country. The next candidate should be concerned with encouraging media outlets to provide more insightful newsfeeds. The next candidate should work towards providing disadvantaged American with the option of *affordable* health insurance.

hetal, nj (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:33 PM)

So, if a politician does whatever is unpopular that makes him a man of principle? Isn't there some validity to the concept that the people en masse tend to make good decisions, or that politicians are elected to do the will of the people? Guess that only applies if the will of the people is the neocon, theocratic, authoritarian agenda.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:38 PM)

First Read says "Thompson is lucky that some in the GOP base are so hungry for a candidate who at least looks like a conservative"
What pray tell does a conservative look like?

Nuanced (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:39 PM)

How many of you can remember 20 hours of work form 18 years ago? Anybody? Stephen Cassiday? Nathan Graham? Mr. I-don't-need-punctuation "IT PUZZLES ME"

Bruce in NV (who votes in caucuses) (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:47 PM)

Hetal,
You sound like a democrat to me...and that's a good thing. I just think you should show Rob a little more respect. I mean, I don't have a problem with his posts. Oh, maybe you aren't a democrat...maybe you're one of those "compasionate conservatives". Oh my God! You are one! I've had enough of your kind. Oh and by the way, please define affordable health insurance.

Ken Mesle (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:53 PM)

I would really respect Mr. Edwards if he will consider his wife's condition and pull out of the presidental race and be with that very courageous lady. He has no regard for her or else he wouldn't put her through all those fund-raisers. Let him try again in the next election.

Gloria Gibson, Centennial CO. (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:00 PM)

Actually, we need a president who is neither conservative or liberal, focusing on the real stuff in the present era(such as jobs and the economy, education, fighting off terrorism at home, global warming and protecting Earth's ecosystem), and topics such as gay marriage and abortion, are nothing more than old news of the previous millenium(that should be left back in the past), 'cause it has nothing to do with the real issues of today...Ya' know...The 21st Century...The 3rd Millenium!
Thus, these two controversial subjects are irrelavant, since they do not earn you a weekly paycheck, to pay bills or put food on the table, nor do they keep hardened criminals(such as street gangs) off the streets.
It's time for all those square-brained conservatives to pull their heads out of the Eisenhower-era past and look at the world of 2007.
We're not in the "Beaver Cleaver" era anymore.

Wizard Of Hamilton, Hamilton, MT (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:14 PM)

come on-take a poll-u gopt a woman and a black(heartbeat away)running on th dems-and mickey and goofey on th right???????it could be florida again-THATS RIGHT PEEPS-WE AINT READY-TOO MANY "NASCAR FANS" RIGHT?

HILLBILLYHOWARD (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:20 PM)

Nathan, I like the way you think, a sane man pointing out the truth that's hard to swallow...

David Morris, St. Louis, Missouri (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:33 PM)

Greg in Sacramento - one I never voted for Bush (but I have voted for some competent republicans in the past). About your point about Bush releasing the information about thwarted terror attacks, the liberal's complaint wasn't that it took too long but that the timing seemed too "convenient" and political. The Libby commutation is just an example of one of the many things that Bush has done wrong. Bush talked tough about punishing anyone in his administration who leaked Plame's identity. But now acknowledges it came from his administration and that it's time to "move on." Leaking her identity was treason. Although Libby wasn't the source of the leak in question, he did tell other people. This whole thing probably came down as a directive from Cheney and Libby was trying to cover up and got caught. This administration is lucky that Democrats are take the high road, and not putting this country through impeachment hearings again. So please open your eyes. Everyone isn't turning on the President; it's he whom has turned his back on the American people.

Kelly, in Pittsburgh (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:33 PM)

Richardson is the only guy that has talked face-to-face with Saddam and Jon Kim from North Korea....He should be lot higher in poll numbers.

Aakash, Austin TX (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:44 PM)

We are the dumbest country in the world. Look who we let steal the election the first time and gave the election to the second time. The world is laughing at us. God have not mislead us, our (UPPER) church leaders are misleading us which is causing all of us to stumble over one another. They have elected a new god and his name is the same as ours, (SINNER) GWB. They are unrightfully dividing the truth. If you believe in the Bible, then, pick it up and read it for youself. How can a person say that they believe in something that they don't know that much about. The BLOOD of our soldiers is(first)on the hands of our church leaders who supported GWB, (secondly) on the hands of the ones is voted for GWB the second time and (thirdly) on the hands of the ones who have the power to remove GWB from office. I know that we are suppose to judge one another in the LORD, but when did we start judging the world, is that the place where the (SAVE)came from. I would like to know why some of our church leader treat one sin different than the other? All sins are a abomination to the LORD. One sin maybe greater than the other, but they all yield the same affect. Look around and tell me, do you see all sins contributing to destruction in this country, or just a few sins? Well, looking at this country is like looking in a mirror, and seeing the same image of ourselves. If a caveman is dumber than a rock, than, how dumb is this country? THE DUMBEST OF THEM ALL!!! If you know a person who kid have died in the war, go and tell them just how smart you are and that it was all done for the sake of religion. Please!!, don't tell anyone, because they may get offended, we will not win the war. Don't you know that we are fighting against every single country bordering Iraq directly or indirectly including China. Russia (IS NOT)going to let us sit on their door steps. I know I wouldn't want Russia sitting at my doorsteps. Don't you think that we are wasting lives over there?

Telling the truth, omaha,ne (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:48 PM)

Greg some of us have served, we know the sacrifices. Most don't complain, however it is our right whom have served to make sure that our blood and sweat are not used in vain like they have been. We make the sacrifices, all we ask is make sure your not STUPID about how you use us. These are lives we are talking about. About both of your thumbs up to Fred Thompson, I guess it is true about you Southern Republicans... always sitting on your brains talking from your a**. Thanks for readdmitting the chump to office for a second time, looking forward to your uneducated opinion. Please don't vote.... you really don't deserve that right.

ahha (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 4:04 PM)

Kelly in Pittsburg--please-there was no treasonous act as it related to Valerie--a simple reading of the law evidences that quite clearly-- she was not a covert agent--additionally the waste of money by the independent prosecutor, Mr Fitzgerald, who knew within three (3) weeks of his investigation that Mr Armitage at the State Department was the source of the leaks speaks volumes of the politicization of the process resulting in the absurd conviction of Mr Libby. Please advise as to whether Sandy Berger who stole classified documents (which by the way showed Mr Clintons failure to confront Islamism) is quilty of treason or simply a memory lapse in forgetting he had put the documents in his socks and upon discovering same was attempting to burn the calssified documents. Article II of the Constitution clearly spells out the presidents authority--President Bush is a leader who is not concerned with the opinion polls--he is executing those powers granted under the Constitution. The DemocRATS are not taking any "high road" as there is no case for impeachment and this they all know. You should really read FISA, the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005,the Patriot Act and last but not least the Constitution--you'll be amazed at all the president is doing in the bests interest of this country--all legal--all constitutional

bill wagner (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 4:22 PM)

To Greg
I did not vote for him either time. As far as confidential it took Bush no time to expose one of our CIA agents. I guess thats not confidential but all the oil tycoons setting the US energy policy with Cheeney now thats confidential. Dont be spewing left ideology comments when tihis kind of s**t is going on.

John (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 4:56 PM)

To Bill Wagner
Valerie Plame HAD convert status.
Go back to sticking your head up GWB's a**

John (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 5:02 PM)

Bill, if GWB has committed no illegal acts, why is everything about this administration kept so secret? The republiCONS keep saying "if you haven't done anything wrong, you won't mind us tapping your phones, reading your mail/e-mail, etc.", so I ask you WHAT ARE THEY HIDING? If they haven't done anything wrong, why hide?

Lisa - Fort Worth TX (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 5:10 PM)

Nothing this president does is in the best interests of the country, only the best interests of the republican party and its primary contributors.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 5:27 PM)

FRED THOMPSON, I knew Ronald Reagan and you "ain't" a Ronald Reagan! You aren't even a good "bit" actor much less a President! Just stay in suspended animation. The Voters

Mel Brown, Americus, Georgia (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 6:03 PM)

Mel Brown, how are things down there in Americus? I was there on a visit back in the springtime.

Mel from Illinois (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 6:46 PM)

As far as confidential it took Bush no time to expose one of our CIA agents.
Idiot, wasnt Bush.

About both of your thumbs up to Fred Thompson, I guess it is true about you Southern Republicans... always sitting on your brains talking from your a**. Thanks for readdmitting the chump to office for a second time, looking forward to your uneducated opinion. Please don't vote.... you really don't deserve that right.
Im from Sacramento, Not the South.. Heres a lesson. Sacramento is the Capital of California. No where near the south. It seems my right to vote is based on the informaation I know about politics. Now in that case if someone doesnt even know where Ca is on the map, maybe they shouldnt be voting either for fear of voting for someone really rediculous like Obama or Edwards, or even worse Clinton ...
I also see a trend, everyone is still bashing President Bush, and no one is acknowledging the statements about the left flip flopping. I see people trying to change that subject real quick. Good job left. All your points you're making are just as educated as when the reps for the left said," We've got a plan...." Nobody has backed it up with physical ways of doing anything other than, they need out and we can do it..

Greg Sacramento California<<<not in the south (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 6:50 PM)

Greg Sacramento California<<<not in the south (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 6:59 PM)

Why is Fred Thompson delaying his decision to
officially announce his running for presidency?
Could it be Larry Flynt?

C.Disario, Pinellas Park, Fla (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 7:58 PM)

-As far as confidential it took Bush no time to expose one of our CIA agents.

*Your an Idiot, it wasn't Bush.

-About both of your thumbs up to Fred Thompson, I guess it is true about you Southern Republicans... always sitting on your brains talking from your a**. Thanks for readdmitting the chump to office for a second time, looking forward to your uneducated opinion. Please don't vote.... you really don't deserve that right.

*Im from Sacramento, Not the South.. Heres a lesson. Sacramento is the Capital of California. No where near the south. It seems my right to vote is based on the informaation I know about politics. Now in that case if someone doesnt even know where Ca is on the map, maybe they shouldnt be voting either for fear of voting for someone really rediculous like Obama or Edwards, or even worse Clinton ...

I also see a trend, everyone is still bashing President Bush, and no one is acknowledging the statements about the left flip flopping. I see people trying to change that subject real quick. Good job left. All your points you're making are just as educated as when the reps for the left said," We've got a plan...." Nobody has backed it up with physical ways of doing anything other than, they need out and we can do it..

Greg Sacramento Ca (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 8:41 PM)

Hey Hental NJ ... don't hate. Unlike yourself, I am just blogging ..no need to spell check in word and past over To all MR Hental caught me with my pants down( I have poor grammar while typing in blogisphere.... However Mr. Hero. The first step to solving any problems are identifying them first. Here I see a very analytical approach from you, but fail to see any real fire in your soul. Perhaps it is because you may not have served your country as many of us have. My ideological views stem of the views I had while deployed to the combat zone. So honestly up yours.... All we need is another living room critic. But your the living room champ here. We both agree with the problems that this administration has put us in regards to foreign policy, however your views and calculations on how to solve them are a bit naive. That may stem from the fact that your greatest representation as a sort of ambassador to the United States comes from safe cheap living room talk. To be honest with you, one could almost buy into the fact that you sound like you almost know what you’re talking about. I do agree that you that charity and prosperity are key ingredients in any almost any foreign policy dispute, but this one is a bit more complex than the comforts of your living room can expose you to. We need to reallocate a majority of our resources out of Iraq gradually and into a containment role to not have this internal crisis spill over into the moderate Arab states. There are no winning solutions. Cutting your losses is the name of the game. We call it redefining goals of victory, through containment. Then we start your charity work in the non-infected states of Africa and Asia... etc. Refocusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan are vital to our world status and security. The Nukes in Pakistan are our concern. Voting republican is the wrong exit to take. They are too vested in this war, and will eat each other alive if they ever attempt to take a different analytical approach. So Yes Rudolph Giuliani, Fred Thompson and J McCain make me nervous. I urge you to use your common sense and don't waste eight years with these jokers... We are the current Roman Empire of our times. Every empire has fallen when caught overreaching its boundaries. Say hello to the recliner for me hental, Nj.... God Bless

ROB (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 8:48 PM)

As a consevative independant,in mass no less,i could easily accept Thompson.Most conservative people i know,do not have a problem with abortion other than partial birth abortion.So his change of heart is no problem,as my veiws have changed over time as well.So far there hasn't been any candidate who is not pandering to their respective hard left or right base with the exception of Giulliani.I honestly would prefer a moderate like Giulliani combined with a self made man like Romney.As for the none of the above voting i cannot see how it would not be good if we all did that and removed all the people in congress.The current crop is doing absolutely nothing that the American people want.They all seem to have forgotten that they were sent there to represent us,not to gain personal power or wealth.We the people need to stop sending the same self serving people back to congress.We need people with common sense and the ability to act on it(like securing the border),and less people who are concerned with what the polls or political correctness say.

Wayne,Quincy,Mass (Sent Friday, July 20, 2007 3:17 AM)

What about Mike Huckabee??

Boyd South Dakota (Sent Friday, July 20, 2007 5:36 AM)

Everybody keeps talking about the ever-lowering bar for GOP candidates; doesn't anyone remember Senile Ron, the washed up actor? Doesn't anyone remember the guy who couldn't spell tomato? No one (at the time---now, they think he's a genius by comparison) thought King George I, H.W. was a doofus. Republicans tend to be simpletons from what they like to call The Heartland who are scared by anyone who may seem smarter than they are. The GOP learned that decades ago, and have run dimwits with much success since. So why not ANOTHER actor?

Jim, Washington, D.C. (Sent Friday, July 20, 2007 8:17 AM)

Valerie Plame HAD convert status.

Apparently every one that matters disagrees with you. Why do you think that is?

The Judge (Sent Friday, July 20, 2007 9:22 AM)

Heh.If MSNBC and the usual suspects over at the NY Times are this worked up about Thompson,over a small-beer deal over a decade ago,[right about the time that Hillary was on WALMARTS board],then something must be up. Ah. Here it is.

The Washington Post,Sat.July 21,2007-''Abortion Questions Fail To Dim Thompsons Lustre With Conservatives''. [gotta admit,The NY Times,on que,shot themselves in the foot again with this one as Thompsons poll numbers continue their rise].

Qunnipac Poll July 17,2007-Pete Brown:''Dems Apparently Fear Thompson''.

It would amuse me no end to see Hillary whipped by of all things,a denizen of Tinseltown.

Lee Holmes (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 4:09 PM)

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