Thompson’s Video Surprise
Fred Thompson may have been the last candidate to enter into the 2008 presidential race, but he’s the first GOP contender to air a campaign attack-ad—one that featured Mitt Romney several years ago speaking in favor of abortion rights and one that showed Mike Huckabee addressing the Arkansas legislature in support of tax increases. During last night’s CNN/YouTube debate, each campaign was asked to submit a 30-second YouTube-style campaign commercial. For the Thompson camp, the video contribution was an attack-ad:
After the clip finished, CNN’s Anderson Cooper asked, “Senator Thompson, what’s up with that?”
“I just wanted to give my buddies here a little extra airtime,” Thompson replied, before asking Cooper: “What do you mean what’s up with it? These are their words.”
Romney responded by stating that his past pro-choice position was wrong: “I’m not sure who that young guy was at the beginning of that film, but I can tell you this, which is, I don’t know how many times I can tell it. I was wrong. All right. I was effectively pro-choice when I ran for office. If people in this country are looking for someone who’s never made a mistake on a policy issue and is not willing to admit they’re ever wrong, why then they’re going to have to find somebody else, because on abortion I was wrong.”
Huckabee said he had been misunderstood on the tax question. He then seized the opportunity to take a shot at the the Senator by alluding to his rising popularity among voters, particularly in Iowa, where he’s ahead of Thompson in the polls and nearly tied with Romney for first: “When they’re kicking you in the rear, it’s just proving you’re still out front.”
Immediately following the debate, Fox News’ Carl Cameron questioned Thompson about the ad:
done
Not bad. It’s serious, and I think a good ol’ fashion attack ad. This ad, all the anger he has showed toward Fox News-Maybe they’re thinking an angry Fred is going to translate to a more caring Fred. That’s the knock on him, right? He’s kinda’ lazy.
Check your title, Cristina. The ad does not even mention Giuliani. It features Romney and Huckabee.
I’m still trying to figure out how playing video of Romney and Huckabee speaking in their own words is an “attack ad.” If they said it, they said it. Fred can’t catch a break with the media. If he isn’t jumping and dancing to their tune, he’s “lazy.” If he doesn’t waste time and puts up an ad that actually has his opponents stepping on their own toes, then he’s “attacking them.” Catch a clue. Romney and Huckabee aren’t consistent conservatives and Fred allowed them to tell people that without ever speaking a word himself.
Did anyone notice, more than one time the other candidates said,”I agree with FRED!”
Wake up people, FRED has a plan! He’s the same today as he was yesterday. Wouldn’t it be nice to elect someone with moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty proven by a strong Conservative record! The key is record, Fred has Integrity, the others have filped and floped.