OCTOBER 25, 2007
-
Read Later
READ LATERAvailable only to subscribers. SUBSCRIBE TODAY
-
Listen
ARTICLE AUDIO
- Font Size
Slate's John Dickerson says "a door feels like it's closing for Thompson," and I have to agree--but then I recall that everyone was throwing dirt on John McCain's corpse about three months ago and now I wouldn't bet my life against him winning New Hampshire.
One problem for Thompson is how ineffectively he's reponded to the (overblown!--but real) "laziness" rap. Thompson's latest tack has been to dismiss the charge of indolence with a certain indignation, as he did in Sunday's debate when he listed his life's achievements at tedious length. He was even more humorless at an event in Florida this week:
"I'm kind of a laid-back guy. … If people think I'm too laid back or
not ambitious enough, that's their prerogative. I'm gonna be me, and
that's what they get."
Eh. I don't think this is the way to handle it. As a friend reminds me, Ronald Reagan had a famous lazy streak--but defused it through endearing humor. "It's true hard work never killed anyone," Reagan used to say, "but I figure, why take the chance?"
Fred shouldn't be defensive about his laziness. He should just do the one thing that always gets Republicans out of trouble: Quote the Gipper.
--Michael Crowley
5 comments
I'll go you one further, Mike. I'll bet a TNR coffee mug that McCain wins NH. He's the only GOPer aside from Huckabee who does better in small settings than he does on the stump or the tube (or in front of the Powerpoint projector).
NH's all about face-to-face, no-BS, no pandering-to-corn-farmers politics. That's where McCain shines.
- teplukhin2you
October 25, 2007 at 1:58pm
tep i'm not sure if we have any mugs left but let the record reflect your prediction. i'm still doubious in light of his pathetic bank account--you gotta be able to buy gas, not to mention TV ads... -- MC
- tnrstaff
October 25, 2007 at 2:17pm
Hey, c'mon, Mike, Rick Davis said that the Express is now costing the campaign 1/10,000th what it cost them in 2000. (cf Bloomberg aide's comment re rabbits, hats). There's some gas money, plus enough left over for a burrito combo every afternoon.
- teplukhin2you
October 25, 2007 at 2:28pm
Hey, c'mon, Mike, Rick Davis said that the Express is now costing the campaign 1/30th what it cost them in 2000. (cf Bloomberg aide's comment re rabbits, hats). There's some gas money, plus enough left over for a burrito combo every afternoon.
- teplukhin2you
October 25, 2007 at 2:29pm
If you people have even ONE mug, while I went and shelled out cash for one of my own, there is going to be some SERIOUS trouble.
By which I mean I will be quietly resentful.
- drdannyu
October 25, 2007 at 6:18pm