Fred Thompson Draws Ire of Iowa Press Corps
By Chase on Sep 30, 2007 in Fred Thompson, Media
Last night, the Iowa Christian Alliance held a dinner and invited former Sen. Fred Thompson, who came to the dinner as part of his second swing through Iowa as a presidential candidate. Thompson was told he would not have an opportunity to speak at the dinner, only to attend.
Iowa Independent’s Jay Wagner described how Thompson’s staff dealt with the media gaggle that showed up to cover Thompson, who has been a bit of a stranger around these parts:
Although all the presidential candidates were invited to attend, the ICA had told them in advance that they wouldn’t have an opportunity to speak. The Thompson campaign told reporters during the event that their candidate would avail himself to reporters prior to his departure so as not to disrupt the meeting. But after he finished eating - and before the program got underway - Thompson and his family and staff slipped into an SUV and departed, leaving the media gaggle behind without a chance to answer a single question.
A Thompson staffer promised a media availability outside the event so questions wouldn’t interrupt the dinner itself, and then there wasn’t one. Jay wasn’t the only reporter to blog about the experience afterwards. While his story merely mentioned Thompson’s media dodge toward the end, Radio Iowa’s Kay Henderson and WHO TV’s Dave Price both highlighted the treatment they had received in blog entries. Said Henderson:
No questions. No answers. If you want to know what he said tonight, you’ll have to ask Jeri.
Dave Price of WHO TV characterized the evening in his post title, ” Fred, Fried Chicken and a Lie Pie for dessert.” He concluded:
Then, we followed him after he left the bathroom. Perhaps, this was our chance. Nope, he made his way back to his table. Then, he turned around and went outside. Now, it was our chance to get all those faith questions answered. Thompson walked outside…and then walked into the SUV waiting for him. Then, he left. Another staffer said there would be plenty of time for questions during the rest of the trip. Will there or is that another slice of lie pie?
If Thompson was hoping to be the media darling candidate this time around, a la Sen. John McCain in 2000, he’s missing his opportunity.
Chase Martyn observes and analyzes politics from Des Moines, IA, capital of 2008's first caucus state. He is also Managing Editor of the 
Senator Fred Thompson is the only major candidate that gets it. He makes decisions based on principles. Principles don’t change. You have to stand for something and not change who you are based on the polls. That is what Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani have done and all of the Democrats do it. Give me a leader that will stand by his principles anyday versus someone that stands for everything.
I know many, many Republicans that will stay home if Rudy Giuliani is the candidate. He does not represent our values as Conservatives, and never will. Mitt Romney is a RINO (though a very nice man) that simply has everything else and nothing to do. “I guess I’ll just try to buy the presidency”. Conservatives will simply stay home and the Democrats will pick up additional seats in the House and probably get the 60 seats in the Senate they need to completely destroy our Country. Nice picture huh?
However, I think Fred can bring America back together, if that’s even possible. America needs a rebirth of patriotism and honor. Republicans also need a rebirth. President Reagan was our last rebirth and he can never be duplicated. Fred Thompson will bring his own down-to-earth common sense to this Country and strength back to our party. A little of the good old days of faith and family would do well for this Country. If a Conservative runs as a Conservative, he will win!
Think of it this way: Eight years of another Clinton White House? Now if that is not a sufficient enough reason to pull together as a party, as a Country, and fight this socialist liberal takeover of our government, what is? It is not impossible to take back the House and the Senate. We are winning in Iraq—they know it. The best they can do now is stop our progress and choose defeat, just like they did during Vietnam. We lost because Congress chose defeat. History repeats itself when it’s not learned from.
Folks, we are in for the fight of our lives, just as our young men and women are fighting for our freedoms in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must fight for our Country right here and now! I truly believe Fred Thompson is the one man who can pull this party and nation back together! Rudy Giuliani will just tear us apart as a party. Liberal is liberal every day of the week.
If you agree, please contribute to Fred Thompson: https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
Alan in Des Moines | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply
Eight years of another Clinton White House?
Peace, prosperity, and a budget surplus?
What a bummer that was.
Thompson “gets it?” Since he has never said anything, and doesn’t seem to be up on current or even recent political events, what is your evidence for that?
Repack Rider | Oct 2, 2007 | Reply