Worst attempt to discredit Fred Thompson to date.

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what side of the aisle you're on, negative campaigning is often very effective. Heck, take a look at Fox News. They're extremely effective without being factual. It doesn't have to be true, it just has to sound true and it'll work whether you're a Democrat or a Republican.

It is no longer about what you can do if elected, it is the harm your opponent would do if elected. What a shame!

That's why I seldom bother with the news.

Interesting interpretation. I simply took the article as a frivolous piece that anyone of intelligence would just right off as silly.

As for Fred (I happen to like the name), I'm interested in hearing more about his accomplishments. Frankly, I haven't seen that he has much of a track record so far. His one term in the Senate appears to have been largely uneventful, with no obvious leadership sparks. Ronald Reagan had been Governor of our largest State before his Presidency. Perhaps MDP and others can offer some insight into the man. I'm open to all options at this point, but can't see what all the buzz is about.

huh?

Fred is an intresting guy. He started as a staffer for highly sucessful Tennesse Senator Howard Baker. He worked with Baker on the Watergate Commitee. He then went on the be private attorney and was involved as the plantiff attorney in a corruption case against the Governor. This is how he got into acting to play himself in the movie version of this case. Years later he ran to replace Al Gore in the Senate. He had a conservative voting record in the Senate and chaired the Government Relations committee. He choose not to run for re-election to the senate after his daughter died and was taking care of his grandchildren. He also was given the task of getting John Roberts confirmed by the Senate by President Bush. The buzz comes from the fact that Thompson has always had his hand in politics and is a straight talker. When you listen to Fred you know where he stands. He is very intune to a historical perspective of our Government. He believes strongly in Federalism and he wants more local and state control.

Aw, c'mon, people. Don't get your panties in a wad. Did you actually READ the article? It's hardly serious--trying to be humorous, though a bit lame--not exactly up to what I would think are the standards of the Washington Post. They must be having a hard time coming up with meaningful content. I don't think that there's anything for the vast left-wing conspiracy theorists to latch onto here.
Fred Thompson's least troubling problem is his unexciting, rather pedestrian name-- though he could change it, I suppose. (How about "Rocky Thompson"?)
His record as a Senator was far from stellar. He suffers from the perception that he's somewhat less than enthusiastic about hard work. The fact that he is inspiring ardor in legions of conservatives who are eagerly "Waiting for Fred-ot" to join the fray just demonstrates how exquisitely desperate they are for a less flawed candidate than the rather sorry lot they have to choose from.

Paul, you think they wrote it be "funny" I guess you need to learn a little bit more of what goes on behind the scenes in politics

Thanks for the article and link. I'm a Fred supporter and nonsense such as this just makes me all the more for him. They can't find any real mud to throw at him so I guess this will have to do. Poor Dems.

Thanks for the additional information MDP. There were some things I didn't know. But are you sure the buzz isn't just simply that he isn't Rudy, Romney or Guliani? There seems to have been little coverage of his views in the media, perhaps because he hasn't actually said he's a candidate.

Actually, I would be interested in hearing about what goes on behind the scenes in politics. Do you have any particular insight?

Maybe they should have looked up the word. At least they would have had something to stand on besides their idiotcy.

FRED
Gender: Masculine

Usage: English

Pronounced: FRED

Short form of FREDERICK. A famous bearer of this name was Fred Astaire, the American actor and dancer.

FREDERICK
Gender: Masculine

Usage: English

Pronounced: FRED-ur-ik, FRED-rik

From a Germanic name meaning "peaceful ruler", derived from frid "peace" and ric "ruler, power". Several rulers of Prussia, Germany and the Holy Roman Empire have borne this name, including the 13th-century patron of the arts Frederick II of Germany, and the 18th-century Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great. Another famous bearer was Frederick Douglass, an American ex-slave who became a leading advocate of abolition

http://www.behindthename.com/php/view.php?name=fred

David,

If you go to www.imwithfred.com he has a blog that goes into depth on his policies views from federalism to the gas tax.

My reference to behind the scene was that Romney and Gilluani fear a thompson cantidacy and so do the democrats. They have been using reporters to try to discredit Thompson before he gets in the race. They have coverned his campaign staffing like it has been an established structure he is just now building it. They have moved the bar on his fundraising several times. In the days before he reported 3.5 million dollars they were saying anything under 3 would be a disappointment. After reporting 3.5 they said it was disappointing because it should have been 5 mil. The people who are scared of him have been using these reporters to try to convice him not to get in the race. Too bad for them it is now just a matter of time

The Dems like to sure throw mud, but it usually comes back at them to show how immature and foolish they can act.

Thompson must have the dems very worried to be going after him this vehemently before he's even announced that he's running.

From what I can see, the media are the ones digging into Thompson, not the Dems. They do that to every newbie. Remember Guliani? Hear much about him lately? No. The media are playing with Romney and Thompson (and Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich) for the moment. When things start getting serious the media will jump back to whomever the front runners are in both parties...unless, of course, Bloomberg runs as an independent, then the media will be picking him apart.

Modern Day,

I don't often agree with you and I am not a supporter of Fred Tompson, but going after him on the basis of his name is definately is lame. Unfortunately it is not a fault that is new to American politics. It is about as lame as Hillary/Billary or Obama/Osama.