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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Fred the Flamethrower

Posted: Thursday, January 17, 2008 3:42 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: , ,

From NBC's Abby Livingston
Oh, how the mud continues to fly in South Carolina. And Thompson is getting in on the action. Asked this morning on a radio show in West Columbia, S.C., about the Common Sense Issues push polls against him, he shrugged it off, but added, “I'm obviously familiar with the push poll concept. Same folks did that in Iowa, and you know, it seems to be coming from one direction, but I won't call any names, but  Gov. Huckabee says he doesn't know anything about it. So....”

The audience then laughed, and Thompson responded with a mischevious grin.

“So, I guess we'll have to take his word for it,” he added.

Lee Atwater must be smiling down on his home state right about now.

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Comments

Given that F. Thompson has no proof of Fmr. Gov. Huckabee's involvment in push polling, I'm guessing that he fails to see the irony of making an accusation of another about push polling against him.
Thompson is a lazy joke, who never passed one bill in the Senate, he cant stand it for a common guy like Huckabee whipping his butt.  He needs to get back to his groupie Trophy Wife as he calls her and take a nap.
I really wanted to like Fred, but he has made it clear that he is a small and empty man.

Does he ever do anything besides take swipes at the other candidates?  If he doesn't have a record of his own to talk about or great ideas for the future, why is he bothering to run at all?
Every time Fred wakes up it makes the news. This is another example of that.
FRED borrowing style from USED CAR salesman dad.


-wife contradicts-
YOU'VE GOT TO BE BETTER LOOKING THAN wife. . .if older.

#1.
Hillary Clinton - The first woman...to Kill a Campaign.

When the State Senator of the stat of NV slaps your hand...

Nevada State Sen. Steven Horsford called the attacks "text-book Washington politics" and promised that Obama's campaign would vigorously respond to any attacks made against Obama and his record on nuclear power.
Huckabee is a smooth Snake Oil Salesman... Always playing the little David going against the overpowering Goliath, and never being the one that runs attack ads... even when he unveils them in front of a horde of salivating press... But in the same sentence telling the world that he is against attack ads... RIGHT... And the same way he is behind the mud slinging against Fred Thompson!
Push Polling is a blight on the political landscape.  It's ridiculous to think that a candidate has no influence on the use of push polls by their supporters, despite the prohibition against coordination.

Want an example of disingenuous political double speak in action?  This is how Common Sense Issues Executive Director Patrick Davis describes their activities:

"The type of calls that Common Sense Issues, Inc. is making into Iowa and New Hampshire are personalized educational conversations enabled by artificial intelligence. While some have suggested that these personalized conversations are "push polls," they are not as each one is unique based on the individual. Push calls are designed to be a one-way communication. During a personalized educational call enabled by our voice recognition artificial intelligence technology a participant has a two-way dialogue."

Give me a break!  Do you really want to vote for someone who tolerates/tacitly endorses this kind of B.S.!?  I sure as heck don't!

If you're a candidate running for public office, have the courage and integrity to voice any criticisms about opponent(s) yourself.  Better yet, present people with the integrity, commitment, ideas, problem-solving, and leadership, that make people want to vote for you, without any need for negative campaign tactics!


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