by Damozel | You know how certain people were saying that Fred Thompson couldn't care less whether he wins or doesn't and really isn't into it and is just dialing it in, and how Thompson's defenders defended him? It turns out that Fred Thompson really couldn't care less whether he wins or doesn't and really isn't into it. He's "offering himself up" because we need another actor in the White House. And to be fair, Thompson is every bit as good an actor as Ronald Reagan was, except of course with respect to playing the role of an actor who wants to be president. He suggested that it is probably a good thing, the state of the world being what it is, to have a president without "too much fire in his belly." (USA Today)
What a zen approach. It's like a koan---or like a verse from the Tao Te Ching: "The fire that burns bright soon consumes itself and all around it; the fire that burns low, though it provide but faint light, gives warmth to the whole world." Here's what USA Today says he said:
Fred Thompson said Saturday he does not much like the modern form of presidential campaigning and that he "will not be devastated" if he doesn't win the election.
"I'm not particularly interested in running for president," Thompson said, but rather he feels called to serve his country.
"I don't know if you have a desire to be president," Burlington attorney Todd Chelf told Thompson during a question and answer session raising an issue that has dogged his campaign.
"I am not consumed by personal ambition," Thompson responded. "I'm offering myself up." (USA Today)
Here's a transcript from the man himself:
I like to say that I’m only consumed by very, very few things and politics is not one of them. The welfare of our country and our kids and grandkids is one of them.
If people really want in their president a super type-a personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night and been thinking about for years how they could achieve the Presidency of the United States, someone who can look you straight in the eye and say they enjoy every minute of campaigning, I ain’t that guy. So I hope I’ve discussed that and hope I haven’t talked you out of anything. I honestly want - I can’t imagine a worse set of circumstances than achieving the presidency under false pretenses. I go out of my way to be myself because I don’t want anybody to think they are getting something they are not getting. I’m not consumed by this process I’m not consumed with the notion of being President. I’m simply saying I’m willing to do what’s necessary to achieve it if I’m in sync with the people and if the people want me or somebody like me. I’ll do what I’ve always done in the rest of my life and I will take it on and do a good job and you’ll have the disadvantage of having someone who probably can’t jump up and click their heels three times but will tell you the truth and you’ll know where the President stands at all times. (Fred File)
Here's what he says about what he said, bless him:
It is clear that there are those in the media who will exact a high price for candor and from those whom they consider to be insufficiently ambitious. But it is with increasing amazement that we see that those who are willing to slant or leave out important parts of a story to make their point.
If a candidate succumbs to this he will be reduced to nothing more than a sound bite machine.
As for me I am going to continue to say exactly what is in my heart and is on my mind and give straight and honest answers to those who ask straight and honest questions.
Incidentally, the audience in Burlington broke into applause in the middle of my answer. The reporter wouldn’t know that because she wasn’t even there. (Fred File)
USA Today has come in for some criticism about the coverage of this speech. But when I read the transcript, it sounds to me as if he doesn't want to be president. Once again, his defenders have staunchly defended him.
I just don't think we'd have these repeated perceptions on the part of the media that Thompson's heart isn't in the campaign if in fact his heart were in the campaign. To me, this speech conveys, "I don't really care that much about being president, but if you choose to nominate me, I will serve."
And who wouldn't love such a speech speech? Even I, a Democrat, love it. I am as sick as the next person of naked ambition---no wonder Thompson's supporters applauded. As a character
study, it's charming. It almost makes me want to vote for him. As a recommendation for the most
high-pressured job on the planet, it falls somewhat short.
Memeorandum here
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