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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 News Political Reporter



GOP's future: Back to the small screen

Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 9:10 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

"Fred Thompson is going back to the small screen after his foray into Republican presidential politics over the last year. He campaigned heavily for eventual nominee John McCain, and had recently tried to gain support to be in charge of the Republican National Committee. But his former finance chairman, B.C. 'Scooter' Clippard, said Thompson told him Wednesday that he was returning to acting and dropping his RNC bid. 'He seriously considered it, but he called and said that it was not in the cards,' Clippard said."

In his latest National Journal column, political analyst Charlie Cook notes that the Republican Party is now supported by just two pillars: social conservatism and tax cuts -- at any cost. “One might think that with all of the extra time on their hands Republicans would spend some of it thinking about what their inadvertent or misguided repositioning has reaped. Certainly, there are brilliant Republican strategists who are painfully aware of what has happened—and predicted it. But from most Republican leaders we are hearing shopworn shibboleths like, “We lost because we weren’t conservative enough.” If that mind-set prevails, the only way for Republicans to regain real power will be to wait until Democrats completely implode and to hope that Republicans can win at that point simply because they aren’t Democrats.”

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From a bad politician to a bad actor....hmmm, seems appropriate, doesn't it? Looking forward to the Republicans imploding. Not only do they NOT have a message, they don't have a leader to spread the non-message! Ha! Can't say they weren't warned; they chose not to listen.
"We lost because we weren't conservative enough".  Jeez, talk about DENIAL.  

Bye bye Thompson, that's a big BFD for ya there buddy!
Back to the small screen and then hopefully their screen fades to black.  "Braindead" Fred ought to retire as he's just another "D" list actor and "F" Troop politician.

It's way past time for that disgusting social conservatism to be pronounced DOA!  Plus it's time for tax cuts at any cost to be debunked once and for all times.  These irresponsible tax cuts at any cost have been the bane of our economy and amount to stealing from future generations because the little economic girlie men have no intention of ever paying it back.
Is Mike Murphy still working for the Republicans?

If so, I hope he can get someone to listen to his ideas.  I enjoyed seeing Mike on the various talk shows- he seems to be one of the few GOP strategists that "gets it".  I think if John McCain had kept Mike Murphy on his team- instead of the Rovian acolytes- Barack Obama may have had a tougher contest (albeit a far more civil one, at that!)
We weren't conservative enough!  That is music to  this progressive's ears!! I watched Pat Buchanan on Hardball talk about all the electronics and auto manufacturing that has left the country.  He doesn't have a clue as he talked about trade issues.  

Actually the trend started in 1950 when an American named Demming went to Japan and started talking about quality. At that workshop were Presidents and Engineers from Sony, Panasonic, Toyota, Nisson, Honda.  Demming spoke of quality and two years later, Zenith, RCA went out of business. Ten years later we saw the rise of Honda, Toyota and Nisson. It was all about quality.  Ford finally talked to Demming and started the slogn, "Quality is Job One".  The Tarus was a Demming built car. 40 years later General Motors finally talked to Demming and out came the Saturn.

Pat Buchanan, it's not about trade, its about QUALITY. The big three is about 50 years behind the Japanese cars when it comes to quality. GM better start restructuring and factor in quality.
Thompson back to L&R?  There certainly is NO L&R in the Repukes Party!  With their anything goes mentality and policy, no wonder Thompson decided the small screen is more profitable.

Forget about the Law, and the Order, Fred just go away!
"First, can I get a round of applause?"

The guy's handlers shouldn't let him out in public without orange hair, a red nose and big feet.  What a CLOWN!
if the Repubs think they lost because they are not conservative enough,  they better build themselves a 'Time Machine' and return themselves back to the 17th Century.  "They are so out of Touch,  with everything,  That's why they lost.
The republicans refuse to acknowledge and admit that their policies over these last eight years have almost destroyed our country.
They continue to poster, pander, finger point and take ego trips.
There is no evidence of unity in trying to resolve
what they have created.
It is time, for once, republicans to put our country
first.
Fred Thompson's primary campaign was a joke and provided a lot of laughs.Now he and his trophy wife can go back to Hollywood.
>>>...from most Republican leaders we are hearing shopworn shibboleths like, “We lost because we weren’t conservative enough.” If that mind-set prevails, the only way for Republicans to regain real power will be to wait until Democrats completely implode and to hope that Republicans can win at that point simply because they aren’t Democrats.”
==========
How many sticks of dynamite need to explode in their ears before they figure it out.  There's a big difference between being socially conservative and being socially INTRUSIVE!  We don't want you in our bedrooms, we don't want you in our living rooms, we don't want you in our bodies or our Dr's Offices.  And we especially don't want you telling us how patriotic we are (or aren't).  In other words, WE DON'T WANT YOU IN OUR LIVES, PERIOD!  Stick to fiscal conservatism that moves the nation forward, but stay out of our personal business.

60 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com
The great thing about Barack Obama being the president elect is that he would have gotten in anyway because we all know he would have run in every presidential election until he was 70.

So let's get his 4 to 8 years over with and see what the hell this man is made of.  
I AM 63 AND BORN THE DAY FDR DIED. I CANNOT RETIRE UNTIL I AM 70 OR MORE. I EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO REAGAN, BUSH, CLINTON, AND BUSH "THE LOSER". THE ONLY SILVER LINING TO THIS BLACK G.O.P. CLOUD IS THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT IN MY LIFETIME
Fred, is going back to the small screen, Mike Huckabee has his show on Fox, Wait and see where Sarah Palin ends up. The small screen. When I listen to the republicans all over the air waves, I get brain freeze. Most of these people dont have a clue what the working class familey is dealing with right now. If the wizzard would have give Sarah a brain she may have been able to figure it out, but alas no brain for Sarah. ( sorry about the SP reference.)
marty
The Republican party lost because they have shown the American people they are not important and they don't care. All of them need to take a good look inside of themselves and remember why they were elected. These next 4 years will be crucial to their party; and they are going to have to prove themselves to the American people. This is going to be the time to separate the men from the boys. The men will be willing to work with Obama; while the boys will be having a power struggle. Right now is not the time to have power struggles, attitudes or even a bad day. The American people are suffering from the hands of the Republican party, and it isn't a pretty picture. The republican party should care more about people working instead of handling out benefits. It is time for the Republican party to take a stand for the American people and not just themselves. The American people will be paying attention to just what they are doing now; and they need to get on their job. If they care about our country and the American people, we will see team work instead of power struggles. We sure don't want to hear any negative talk from the republicans party such as those that don't like Obama. Those are the ones who need to grow up or resign. The American people don't have time for that; it will only slow down the progress. It seems the Republican party should take this time to get their attitude togeth-er and put all the Americans first. And also, they should think about the past 8 years and what went wrong. They were elected by the people and are there to work for the people not themselves. And they should and need to remember it.
Hate to give GOP advice, but... You lost because you lost the center. Going further right isn't the answer. (But I don't mind if you do.)
Do we really care what Fred Thompson is doing?  As long as he isn't doing something illegal or immoral, I really don't care.

As for Charlie Cook, it appear that he is correct saying that a major pillar of being a Republican is going full force for tax cuts.  Tax cuts aren't always a good idea.  Until the government stops doing things, there will need to be taxes paid.  I just want more bang for our bucks.  
I know why we lost. It is because we acted more like Democrats. We spent too much. Americans expect the Republicans to be the party of small government. That is why we gained control of Congress in 1994. Why we then won the WH in 2000, Yet, once we got in power we acted like Democrats. We used liberal means to conservative ends. Americans saw that and told us to get our act together. WFB warned us about Bush in his publication, 'National Review', in 2000. Gov. Bush of Texas was not known as a 'limited government' guy. And that is what we got.

We need to be vocal and speak about the virtues of limited government. We need to educate America on its virtues.

Keynsian economics is breathing its last few breaths with the Obama Administration. We need someone to step up and heap praise on Hayek and Friedman (Milton not Thomas). Many members of Congress like Paul Ryan and Pence are itching to do so. Congress will become our launching pad for new ideas.

I also believe Ron Paul awakened the libertarian wing of the party, and that needs to be cultivated. RP's message appealed to the young.
So the GOP/RNC "Masters of Misinformation" are now going to be "mean on the small screen." Their self-centered ideas will still not fit on the small screen. What a joke America!
Good for him, I thought he was a good actor.  He's much more suited to that than politics....obviously.
I think they should keep hacks like Pat Buchannen on 42/7. Last night on "Hardball" he kept spouting off about 1948, 1950. See? The OLD Repukes are stuck in the past and can't get beyond the Ronnie Reagan era. That's why they lost. What young person even CARES about what Ronald Reagan did? Pleeze. They won't be able to "energize" the GOP with Buchannen, Limbaugh and Hannity as their spokespeople. Keep a mike in their faces 24/7 and we'll all see the Dems in control for many years to come! Love it.


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