September 11, 2007
Lincoln-Douglas, Meet Thompson-Huckabee (Not)
Fred Thompson responded 9/10 p.m. to Mike Huckabee's offer to hold a Lincoln-Douglas debate with him.
Thompson: "I think in the general election, when you've got two candidates that [I might be interested in] something like that, [or] something Newt Gingrich has proposed. I think [Newt's] idea is an hour and half, several different times during the course of the campaign. I think that approach, the more I think about it is a good one…In terms of some individual in a crowded primary situation, that's a different situation. We'll have an opportunity to exchange our views many times before this is over."
I guess America won't get to relive 1858 quite yet … at least not during the primaries.
Thompson, incidentally, takes the day off from campaigning today in honor of September 11. He participated in a fundraiser last night in Tennessee and will pickup his campaign kickoff tour in Jacksonville, FL on Thursday as he tours the southern most swing state in preparation for his homecoming on 9/15 in Lawrenceburg, TN [ADAM AIGNER-TREWORGY].
Posted at 06:56 AM
Comments
What? Putting Lincoln-Douglas in the same breath with Thompson-Huckabee is downright laughable. Sure, they may engage in a "debate" but who is going to watch other than their hardcore supporters? Anyone who believes that any debate will amount to more than the soundbites we have grown accustomed to hearing is kidding themselves.
Scott | 09.11.07 08:21 AM
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That's a lot of brackets in the quotation. You make it look like Freddie was having trouble expressing himself.
bittern | 09.11.07 12:29 PM
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WOW Thompson is just a HUGE coward, he knows that he cannot compete with Mike Huckabee in a debate. I think he is afraid to do it. Can you imagine if Thompson were President,like we need a big chicken in office, who will protect us from terrorism??
Ted | 09.11.07 01:57 PM
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On the contrary, Mr. Huckabee was prepared to bring it to this debate... as well as with Ron Paul. He is too cool under pressure and thinks too clearly to be rattled. They know it.. and know it is too dangerous to enter in one-on-one. At least they are smart enough to know that themselves.
Pearl Harbor Sailor | 09.11.07 02:50 PM
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I think all conservatives would have looked forward to seeing such a debate take place. Rejecting this type of debate when theres a large amount of demand for such is just sad.
Please tell me how Republicans are going to be able to weed out the neocons from the true conservatives. The speech-artists from the doers if we don't have a deep debate on the issues.
Fred Thompson and anyone who supported his campaign under the assumption that he would be a "Reagan Conservative" should be extremely disappointed. Ronald Reagan wouldn't have backed away from an opportunity such as this...
Jeff | 09.11.07 03:21 PM
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Hmmph... There's plenty of time to exchange views, there's plenty of time to get in the race, there's plenty of time to get specific on the issues — I'm just waiting for Fred Thompson to stop saying he'll do something and actually do it.
Jake Benson | 09.11.07 04:24 PM
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Thompson says he was referring to the General Election, not the primaries when he spoke of one-on-one debates. THAT IS A LIE.
Thompson DID in fact commit to one-on-one debates with his Republican opponents in the primaries. Below is an exact transcript (even including vocal pauses) of the interview:
_____________________
Sean Hannity: When you look at the other current crop of candidates, Republicans, where is the distinction between your positions and what you view as theirs?
Fred Thompson: Well, uh, to tell you the truth, uh, I haven't spent a whole lot of time, uh, going into the details of their positions. I will be doing... I... I mean publicly. I obviously know where they stand and what they've done and what they've written. And there will be a time when we will need to have a good, uh, debate, if they're interested in debates, and we'll do it one-on-one and we'll do it in a big group, and I really want to do it, and we'll get into that.
_____________________
Everyone, I'd appreciate your help in not letting Fred Thompson off the hook. He was clearly referring to his Republican opponents in the primaries. Hold Fred accountable to what he actually said.
Jake Benson | 09.11.07 04:39 PM
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Huckabee would have ended Thompson and Thompson to his credit had the good sense to know that. It was not a bold move on Thompsons part, but none the less a smart one. Kudos to Huckabee for doing something bold. He is everything I could ever want in a President.
David | 09.12.07 01:10 AM
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Well, the Fox News debate in New Hampshire wasn't good enough for Fred, I believe he said it was just 90 second sound bites?! What does he propose that we have, no debates before the primaries. I, as a voter am sick and tired of the candidates telling us what we need to hear, how we need to hear it and when. I received a call from the Thompson campaign the day after his official announcement. I told them that I didn't know enough about him and where he stood on the issues, so at that point I could not support him. It doesn't look like we will get to know him very well either, if he has it his way. I have voted in every election since I was 18, and that's been awhile. However, if all we get is one of the "top tier" candidates at this point, I will write in a nominee for the first time.
Laurie West | 09.12.07 05:44 AM
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READ THIS TRANSCRIPT FROM FOX - FRED DOESN'T MEAN WHAT HE SAYS -
Sean Hannity: When you look at the other current crop of candidates, Republicans, where is the distinction between your positions and what you view as theirs?
Fred Thompson: Well, uh, to tell you the truth, uh, I haven't spent a whole lot of time, uh, going into the details of their positions. I will be doing... I... I mean publicly. I obviously know where they stand and what they've done and what they've written. And there will be a time when we will need to have a good, uh, debate, if they're interested in debates, and we'll do it one-on-one and we'll do it in a big group, and I really want to do it, and we'll get into that.
Dale Fitzpatrick | 09.12.07 08:04 AM
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Why not just take turns debating everybody...?
Huckabee Thompson
Romney Giuliani
McCain Brownback
Tancredo Romney
Huckabee McCain
Hunter Paul
Thompson Tancredo
Brownback Giuliani
Romney McCain
Tancredo Huckabee
etc.
It doesn't have to be one and done.
JDR | 09.12.07 09:47 AM
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It is ridiculous to say that you only support the Lincoln-Douglas style debates after the primary when there are only two candidates (Democrat and Republican). Many of THOSE difference can be quickly assertained in a couple minutes. However, the important nuances between same party candidates takes time to explain and understand. We should not resolve ourselves to let our party's candidate be chosen based on a popularitiy contest. The issues matter now!
Stephanie | 09.12.07 11:20 AM
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Thompson's reasoning is not consistent with what he said less than a month ago regarding debates. That's a pretty quick switch--too quick. I keep hearing that Thompson is more "electable" than Huckabee, but I want to hear Thompson explain why, other than in terms of financial backing or TV star popularity. Let's hear clear distinction on the issues--not excuses for debate aversion.
Nathan | 09.12.07 01:51 PM
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Thompson is a coward, plain and simple. He knows that he can't hold his own against Huckabee, so instead of accepting the challenge, he lies about what he originally said to Sean Hannity. Fred is also not showing up to the GOP Values Debate next week. No surprise...he's afraid that people might actually see him for what he is. I'm incredibly disappointed in Fred for his cowardliness.
Chris | 09.12.07 03:45 PM
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I am a Huckabee supporter from Kentucky. Unfortunately, most people I talk to know very little about him, mainly because the media has selected Guiliani as their candidate with some coverage (mostly negative) for Romney and Thompson. Huckabee has posted a list of the main issues on his website and how he stands on each one. Wouldn't it be great if all the candidates did just that and this information was posted in the voting booth under each candidates name?
Rob | 09.12.07 05:27 PM
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Fred Thompson is a soundbite to conservatism. Its great that we have his rare voice in the entertainment industry for the cause but he would be a weak candidate in the general and a mediocre president. Conservatives, don't let the media do this to us.
Huckabee is the real deal. Divided we fall.
J Moore | 09.12.07 07:26 PM
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Mike Huckabee would have blown away Fred Thompson in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate.Fred Thompson knows he is overmatched and this debate would have vaulted Mike Huckabee into the top tier of Republican candidates for President.
Kevin McCauley | 09.12.07 08:13 PM
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Mr. Huckabee is eager for any debate. I think it is because he really KNOWS his position. It doesn't change when it comes to the fundamentals. He is willing to go toe-to-toe and debate with any candidate. He is cool under fire and communicates conservative ideas in a way that draws moderates and even some liberals. I think he would really do well against any Democrat that may run.
Pearl Harbor Sailor | 09.13.07 12:34 AM
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I would have loved to watch a Thompson-Huckabee debate but it looks like that is not going to happen. Thompson's not the only game in town. How about Huckabee-Paul? That might generate some attention.
D Walker | 09.13.07 01:10 PM
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Rob stated (on 9.12.07),"Huckabee has posted a list of the main issues on his website and how he stands on each one. Wouldn't it be great if all the candidates did just that and this information was posted in the voting booth under each candidates name?" The best thing I've found is the website www.ontheissues.org. They list all the candidate's positions side by side and even offer a test for you to take that will then match you up with the candidates that most closely represent your viewpoints. Encourage all your friends to use it!
Kelly | 09.13.07 10:00 PM
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