Another Fred gaffe

Posted: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:23 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Joel Seidman

More gaffes from Fred Thompson: Not only has he misspoken or said he didn't know about Terri Schiavo, or the controversy about oil drilling in the Everglades, or that he was unaware that a federal judge had ruled that lethal injection procedures in his home state of Tennessee were unconstitutional, last night in Iowa he said that the Dems controlled congress when John Roberts went through his confirmation hearings for Chief Justice.

That is wrong, the Republicans still controlled the Senate and the Judiciary Committee of course, and Fred was designated to make the rounds on Capitol Hill at the time as Roberts’ shepherd.

Here’s what he said:

“The president called me up and asked me to help shepherd judge John Roberts’ nomination through the Senate confirmation process. I was honored that I got that call. I was honored that he thought I had enough friends on the Democratic side that they wouldn't run me out of town!

“We fought hard against each other, but I always thought that we had mutual respect. And that's what it takes.
“Even though the other party controlled the Judiciary committee, we got some votes there. For a good, sound, what I would call conservative justice.”

EMAIL THIS

Comments

If a politician mis-speaks, s/he's stupid. If a politician is always on target, s/he's too canned. It is embarassing that Fred got a fact wrong that pertains to a matter that he was directly involved with.

TC, Brooklyn, New York (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:23 PM)

I think maybe Fred needs a keeper, what is Karl Rove doing these days only he could sell Fred to the GOP'

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:34 PM)

Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani are the two that scare me the most. It is obvious that they are aggressively competing to be the next 'puppet' for the Special Interests and select few who have so powerfully backed Bush. And I wouldn't want to underestimate the ability of those backers to influence, or better said to manipulate, public opinion. Remember the up-front and not so up-front tactics of 2000 and 2004? Fred's political and professional history clearly depicts someone who takes direction, follows a script, does others' bidding while taking whatever he can get and with having little quality conviction of his own (a perfect 'puppet'). Rudy also qualifies for the 'puppet' role as he consistently demonstrates his willingness to subordinate himself and completely support the same interests as Bush does. I really don't want more of the same!

REG; East Valley Phx. AZ (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:38 PM)

"This Thompson guy, what a character. The other day he was talking about all blacks males would either be dead or in jail in a few years. Then he wanted to give $5000 to every kid born in the country. He ended the week by saying we should attack Pakistan. More gaffes then you can count."

i'm not defending Fred but the facts are wrong. Those were democrats amking those ridiculous statements. the first about all the black men being dead or in jail was John Edwards complaining about Bush. The $5,000 proposal was from their beloved Hillary (why does anyone in their right mind support Hillary who wants to take things away from you because you're not smart enough to know what to do with yur money - yes, she did say that) and attacking Pakistan was yet another democratic dipwad... Obama.

Mike Hageman, Cincinnati, OH (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:43 PM)

"...slick political talk" ??? How about just having candidates that know what they're talking about? And no, Bush does not just make the "kind mistakes the everyday joe would make". .He's made significant misrepresentations, lied, made extremely poor judgements and appointments, blames others, never takes responsibility and continues to mangle the facts and the English language. We need statesmen, not befuddled actors and pretenders, not God is on our siders, upholders of the Constitution not the dark curtain of executive priveledge. We need a believer in democracy for everyone, not just for the current crowd in the White House.

R.Merrell (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:19 PM)

It is a shame the Republicans are using Fred Thompson as their straw man to burn in effigy. Before he was known as an actor, he was a Congressman during the Watergate hearings who urged Nixon to come clean about his involvement during illegal wiretapping of private citizens, using the FBI to investigate Democrats, using the IRS to investigate tax earnings of lobbyists supporting the Democrats, and invoking executive privilege to usurp power from Congress. Hmm...to the victors go the spoils.

N. Assaffat (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:37 PM)

Get your facts straight Fred Dumson!

Armel Thierry, Atlanta GA (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:39 PM)

I hope some of you know it was Hillary Clinton NOT Fred Thomspon who wants to give all the children born when she is "elected" the $5000.00 You may like Fred Thompson but at least he is not infavor of having a 40-60% tax bracket for most Americans. Do you homework

Susan Jones (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 8:28 PM)

I suppose we are going to vote for "Cackling Hillary", who laughs (Cakles)when She is put on the spot during an interview?? Please do some research on this demonic witch..and get the real facts! If She gets the Democratic nomination, then there's sure to be a Republican President in "08"...Wait and see!!

Ken Dickerson, Umatilla, Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 8:37 PM)

And yet....., Fred would probably do a better job than George!

Bob Knight (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 8:43 PM)

And yet....., Fred would probably do a better job than George!

Bob Knight (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 8:47 PM)

Any politician that will not
answer questions at an interview or debate, will never get my vote. If the person can't be straight foward and honist, she has
no business running for president or even dog catcher.

Bob J. (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 9:39 PM)

We've already had one incompetent ignoramus for president, and he is so successful in his buffoonery that our nation is the laughingstock of the world--please let us try to find someone a little better than this ignorant old fool, or the bombastic idiot who has love chats with homewrecking dog-killing wife number 3; or the guy who went on a 12 hour trip with his dog strapped to the roof of the car; or any of these other dolts.

Alex (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 9:49 PM)

I don't know what you people are talking about. Glenn Reynolds says Fred Thompson was really good today on Fox News.

Blue Texan, Austin, TX (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 10:19 PM)

People, Fred Thompson is on the campaign trail every day of the week. Of course he is going to make mistakes with his facts and he will have slips of the tongue. I daresay that some of you would make mistakes if you spoke as much as Fred Thompson and had a team of reporters analyzing everything you said.

Aaron, Santa Fe, NM (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 10:41 PM)

Haven't we had enough of dimwitted rubes as commander-in-chief? The current one from Texas is plenty already! Thompson thinks he is presidential material...how laughable! The Republican base will do the Democrats a big favor by nominating this Hollywood windbag. The debates against Hillary or Obama next Fall will be MUST SEE TV... Fred is so far out of the loop...and doing so well in the polls. Mitt FLIP FLOP Romney and John BUSH LITE McCain must be pulling their hair out at this point. How very sad that the GOP right wing has to swallow their pride and choose between DEAD FROM THE NECK UP Fred and Rudy ALL I GOT IS 9/11 Guiliani. Rudy would run on true Republican values...if he knew what they were. He is the thrice married, anti-gun, pro-gay, pro-choice representative of a party that has run out of slogans. Rudy is Hillary...except she has remained married to Bill. No matter how you look at it...the Republicans don't have a prayer in 2008. The GOP members of the House and Senate are jumping ship rather than try to survive the coming TIDAL WAVE OF CHANGE! Let's face it...after nearly 8 years of George Bush, his party is morally and ethically BANKRUPT. Their spokesmen have no new ideas...just more of the same. The GOP is the party that caters to the rich and big business. Fred Thompson will NOT be their saviour in their coming defeat in 2008!

OBAMA in '08...GIVE US REAL CHANGE! Pittsburgh PA (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 11:08 PM)

Still, He'd be better than Billary.I meant Hillary,really.

Chris, Waupun ,Wi (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 11:17 PM)

Maybe to Fred the "other party" is the Republican Party.

Liz, Altanta, Ga (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 11:46 PM)

Eric and Tired of the ignorance....if you want to fight a war you can not win, you have 2 choices, continue your kool-aid induced blogging OR do the right thing and enlist and defend a position in Iraq for your country and "king".
And BTW 'Tired...' You must be kidding me: "single handedly ended the cold war brought us out of a major recession (almost depression) brought peace security and prosperity to our country." SINGLE HANDEDLY?? HST, DDE, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan all kept the USSR at bay, Reagan was the one who was fortunate to have been in office when all of our massive military spending finally wore out the crippled and ineffective Soviet economy....it was a team effort there, not all 'The Gipper'..or Bonzo, I forget his movie role.....Reagan SPENT us to some semblance of prosperity, creating RECORD deficits. (well, at least it was a record until another 'conservative' GWB and his cabal showed up).....AND PEACE???? GHWB - IRAQ #1,
GWB - IRAQ #2....at least Ronnie R. had the good sense to start a war we could blow away in a day or two - Grenada...
I feel sorry for all you right wing-nuts who live in fear, you really need to get off the 'me first' kick and realize we are all in this together. If we do not keep and defend our freedoms, we will be certain to lose them. You who will give up our rights and freedom for security disgust me. "softies who talk a good game, but when the fight starts, run away"

The Edge, Macon GA (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 11:55 PM)

I can't imagine anyone even considering voting for this tool.

Amazed, Atlanta (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 7:48 AM)

DOH!!! Fred Thompson aka Homer Simpson

AOWaytogoOhio (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 8:01 AM)

I am seriously beginning to think he has a disability of some kind. Is he "challenged"?

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 8:17 AM)

He is doing his best to appeal to the Bush supporters.
They like lunatics.

WDRussell, East Liverpool, Ohio (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 8:27 AM)

Eric are you saying that BUSH did not deceive you and the american people by saying they knew where the WMDS were,remember the mushroom cloud on our horizon.The smoking gun,that all major battle operations were over and we had won the war,MISSION ACCOMPLISHED,IDIOT SPEAK or not a lie is a lie and when you elect a C student who cheated for the C what kind of intelligent answers are you going to get,ergo the disaster that is the war on terror.

kenn"Look at me Im a common guy millionare"O (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 9:16 AM)

As a moral conservative who also has a social conscience, I cant vote for a man who in the same breath and sentence says he outright would deny the 30+billion dollar child health care bill but is totally supportive of increasing and continuing a 1+trillion dollar war machine that only lines the pockets of Haliburton, Cheny and Bushco companies. This war has no benefit to the American People and I think that only beings of no conscience like Bush and Thompson and, oh heck all of the republican party save maybe Ron Paul,(except he doesnt support a universal health care re-vamp), And I cant vote for a party that supports the wholesale slaughter of babies (democrats call it abortion) so I am stuck waiting for a real morally-socially conscious leader, but there isnt one!!!

Fred, Lolo, Montana (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 9:42 AM)

Why does it seem that every unemployed loser at Starbuck's has a hatred for Fred?

Bart, Dallas TX (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:03 AM)

Mary Matlin signed up early with George Allen for Pres. Now she's hopped aboard this debacle, who was billed as the GOP savior. Don't be surprised if the eventual nominee refuses to take her call. If this is the republicans' light at the end of the tunnel, it appears to be an oncoming train.

Nipsy C Las Vegas, NV (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:51 AM)

Fred Thompson has a faith in the American people. He knows they have elected a demented,bad actor for two terms before and they have elected another idiot for two terms again. He knows people in the media talk and talk but when ballot day comes irrational decisions take place.

Hang in there Fred!

mike, dallas, TX (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:52 AM)

Yea Fred and the Dems ordered our troops to invade Iraq! What a moron, haven't we had enough with gomer in the WH we don't need another Forrest Gump!

Sue F, Idaho Falls, id (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 11:40 AM)

AP -- It's really quite simple.

When a right-winger calls someone a "liberal elitist", he means "someone who is smarter than I am".

Tom Betz, Sleepy Hollow, NY (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 12:04 PM)

Thompson must believe that he can slip and slide through the primary process by regurgitating southern fried bromides. I suspect his entire grasp of issues depends on either "that dog don't hunt" or "this ain't my first rodeo" responses.

It is becoming more and more obvious that Thompson has neither the ability nor inclination to involve himself in the intellectual aspects of pollitics. That begs the question, if elected, who will he choose to steer and control policy?

Will the Republicans again be lured into voting for the guy they'd most like to share a beer with, thereby placing the union in the hands of faceless idealogues?

Idiots voting for idiots. How do we break this cycle?

Sarah, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 12:26 PM)

Bart - how every moron stupid enought to believe Bush wants him for president. Oh - never mind.

Fart, Dallass, TX (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 3:13 PM)

he's disengaged and stupid enough to be the republican standard bearer.

Dave, NY, NY (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 3:14 PM)

Laugh untill you cry. They actually found someone who is more stupid than bush. Eurika! we have found a new King at last.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 4:08 PM)

Yeah, the Reps are brainless wonders. My "own" Senator, Lisa Murkowski, was just on the radio amazed that the Russians had "just" claimed a good chunk of the Arctic Ocean bed for oil exploration.

It's been, what, a month now, since they planted a flag on the ocean floor to make that claim? She was "just amazed" when she "someone told her" about that.

Dan Mortenson (Sent Thursday, October 04, 2007 11:47 PM)

Fred and Rudy and Mitt look GREAT! Please nominate any one of those guys, Republicans. Please, please, please.

Demo Crat (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 4:56 PM)

A mistake about who controlled committee? What a blithering idiot! It's amazing Thompson knows how to breathe!

What's really amazing is how Democrats are so often beaten (or, from your perspective "stolen from") by idiot Republicans. Gosh, maybe those genius Dem candidates -- or possibly their supporters -- aren't as smart they think themselves.

Conor, San Diego, CA (Sent Thursday, October 11, 2007 7:26 AM)

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