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5/14/2007
Ok, so Tommy can give a loud speech
I just don’t know about this guy. The star attraction Saturday at the state GOP convention in Lake Geneva, Tommy was bested in the straw poll by his undeclared namesake Fred Thompson. Whoever was responsible for political effects for Tommy failed in reaching any aura of excitement. For starters, no balloons! And instead of the whole crowd ranting and waving campaign signs, maybe one in 20 waved the signs as others clapped. Oddly anti-climactic.
Ok, cut to the chase. Good stuff about Tommy.
- Tommy’s ambitious, hard-working and, I think, very bright.
- He has developed solid policy proposals for moving the country forward – in health care, in Iraq, in education, in the welfare system.
- Tommy (as he’ll tell you over and over) has won a campaign or two in his life, when folks all around him were telling him his odds of a victory were nil.
- I guess he’s folksy. And probably sentimental and small-town loyal.
The stuff that’s keeping him at 1% in the Iowa polls after working his derriere off there.
- I guess a politician running for president who has been in charge of a state government for years and a huge federal department for a term like Tommy has, understandably believes he’s pretty competent – and maybe gets lost a bit in the power of it all. I think a man can lose some of that sincere humility that folks – especially Iowa folks – like to recognize in the man they will support for President.
- Numbers can say anything you want them to say, but you can’t tell me that Tommy Thompson is a fiscal conservative.
- Does Tommy really still believe in the expansion of Amtrak?
And the “just interesting” stuff.
- Tommy’s bringing in his Harley buddies (“several thousand” he says!) to create excitement at the Iowa Republican Straw Poll Saturday, August 11.
- Tommy closes his stump speech with an “Old Irish Blessing.” It’s a nice set of words, for sure – that appears in many a home’s kitchen. But I think it’s kind of a weird way to end a political speech. Maybe it’s the Tommy-way to weave the requisite God statement into things…
So…
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
COMMENTS
Re: the recent "gaffe" regarding firing those of a different sexual lifestyle. Tommy blames a personal illness which included a visit to the emergency room for his inappropriate comment. A leader (and his advisors) should be able to judge when it is appropriate to cancel appearances. He probably (in hindsight) should have not appeared. Is Tommy losing control? Is he not as sharp as when he was young? Is he ready to be VP as I have heard some speculate? The Irish Blessing is beautiful. However I think it is probably not appropriate for a large mixed audience. How many Irish live in Iowa? I believe it is more for friends. To you and yours Jo: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Thank you for the blessing Dale.
The gaffe and Tommy's excuses: I chose not to address it. I think the media (and we) need deal with character and issues - and the comment he made has been blown out of proportion. Now, his recent excuses may be a different story, perhaps reflecting on his character. But that's iffy. Certainly there's speculation about the VP business. Tommy says he can take the midwest, which has alluded Republicans of late. He also says he wouldn't take the vice presidency. JE
Dale (Mon May 14 07:53:13 2007)
Jo, my reaction to Tommy's speech was pretty much what yours was. I thought his speech sounded well rehearsed, but stilted, as though someone was whispering in his ear, "Now raise your voice," "Gesture with both hands" etc. Wherever Tommy was going, the conventioneers weren't going with him. No one obviously sat on their hands, but it looked to me as though people were applauding and waving their signs just for auld lang syne.
"Just for auld lang syne." Yes, I'd agree. Well put. JE
C.R. Stevenson (Mon May 14 12:04:35 2007)
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