"Oh, Shit. That Kid."

David Weigel | July 9, 2007

Last week we learned that young Fred Thompson was a willing shill for the Nixon administration. This week we learn Nixon's opinion of Thompson.

"Oh shit, that kid," Nixon said when told by his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, of Thompson's appointment on Feb. 22, 1973.

"Well, we're stuck with him," Haldeman said.

In a meeting later that day in the Old Executive Office Building, Baker assured Nixon that Thompson was up to the task. "He's tough. He's six feet five inches, a big mean fella," the senator told Nixon.

Remember, this is the key reason Zach Wamp gives for supporting President Fred. More from Nixon:

Nixon expressed concern that Thompson was not "very smart."

"Not extremely so," [Nixon's lawyer, J. Fred] Buzhardt agreed.

"But he's friendly," Nixon said.

He's friendly! Give him some ice cream and a shiny dime and he'll be distracted for hours. Me, I'm just waiting for Thompson's cornpone response to this story, as his strategy for every piece of bad news has been to blow it off with a not-that-funny wisecrack. Remember his response to allegations that he lobbied for a pro-choice group?

I'd just say the flies get bigger in the summertime. I guess the flies are buzzing.

Isn't it time we had a stupid president?

Comments

|7.9.07 @ 1:18PM|#

Isn't it time we had a stupid president?

I don't find that the least little bit funny.

MikeT|7.9.07 @ 1:19PM|#

Thompson is just the next iteration of Dubya in terms of platform. If the Republicans run him, it is pretty much guaranteed that they will lose the next election unless the Democrats run someone with the rhetorical skills of John Kerry, the platform of John Edwards and a long list of sex offenses against midgets, farm animals and children.

MikeT|7.9.07 @ 1:21PM|#

Now, if Ron Paul got the nomination and Thompson were the VP, that would be a different story.

Randolph Carter|7.9.07 @ 1:21PM|#

it's been said before, but Thompson seems like a lazier George Bush in basso profundo. I think the ditzy republican operative trophy wife will be the nail in his campaign's coffin.

x,y|7.9.07 @ 1:23PM|#

The Republican Party is desparate for a savior. Unless Jeebus floats down in the next 18 months, I assume we'll hear a lot of "Fred this, Fred that ..."

Anonymo the Anonymous|7.9.07 @ 1:26PM|#

Now, if Ron Paul got the nomination and Thompson were the VP, that would be a different story.

Gedankenexperiment: Say Ron Paul gets the nomination (not arguing about the plausibility of that, just a hypothetical). Is there anyone on the planet who calls himself a Republican that could he possibly share a ticket with?

Timothy|7.9.07 @ 1:26PM|#

To be fair, Nixon was a paranoid delusional with a massive superiority complex, so it's unsurprising that he'd think somebody was stupid. On the other hand, Thompson's platform is what, exactly? Like it is now only more better?

ed|7.9.07 @ 1:36PM|#

You're right, Timothy, except for the fact that Nixon had a massive inferiority complex. His entire life was held hostage to it.

|7.9.07 @ 1:36PM|#

AtA,

Depends what you're asking. If Ron Paul heads the ticket, I'd vote for him if Hugo Chavez was the veep. If you're asking what Republican would agree to run with him, I'd say pert near all of them.

GILMORE|7.9.07 @ 1:39PM|#

I personally think Thompson will win the GOP nomination, and if he runs against hilary, could likely win the big show.

Many conservative republicans put off by GWB actually want a 'new and improved version' of the same formula, not a 'new direction'. Many dems hate hilary so much (raise hand) that they'd stay home rather than vote for her. I think moderate GOP people know this, and think thompson is palatable. He should sweep the field when he enters.

I think giuliani/romney/mccain each fracture the GOP base, as does hil with the dems.

JS|7.9.07 @ 1:45PM|#

"Cornpone" - what a great way to describe Thompson's operating demeanor in such situations. Pretty soon his response to any bad publicity will be to sit down in an old rocking chair and start whittling. Maybe dip some tobacky.

Tim of Angle|7.9.07 @ 1:51PM|#

"Isn't it time we had a stupid president?"

Go ahead and run, David; I'll support you.

VM|7.9.07 @ 1:54PM|#

ToA:

oh! a funny! I get it! tee hee. how edgy and daring of you!

now run along and marvel over the word "crap" in Kodachrome!

[ducks. runs off]

ed|7.9.07 @ 1:55PM|#

Data in 2008.
His first term would be steady and emotionless.
He would guide us through turbulent times.
His second term would feature a budding sense of humor.
He would leave office as the Best President Ever, immortalized in reruns.

|7.9.07 @ 2:01PM|#

The republicans would never nominate a has been actor. And even if they did, no one would vote for him. And even if he screwed everything up, they would never worship him. Oh wait. Never mind.

|7.9.07 @ 2:06PM|#

If he uses the phrase "Mah Momma" in response to a question about policy, I say we get Dick Cheney to shoot him in the face.

Stephen the Goldberger|7.9.07 @ 2:15PM|#

I don't know about you guys, but Richard Nixon's opinion of a candidate is the most important measuring stick I use to determine whether or not I should vote for him.

The Wine Commonsewer®|7.9.07 @ 2:15PM|#

Oh shit, that kid is funny. Should have left it at that.

|7.9.07 @ 2:19PM|#

So now we pick people on what Nixion thought of them?Remember he thought price contols were a smart move.

|7.9.07 @ 2:19PM|#

Ed,

Reagan screwed everything up? What the fuck are you talking about? Liberals like you need to get over the fact that Reagan revitalized American pride, capitalism and world standing. Don't be so upset he defeated the communists and discredited socialism. You could move to Venezuela if you miss commies so much.

|7.9.07 @ 2:20PM|#

joe,

I'll have you know that Dick Cheney is a man of impeccable honor. He only shoots the elderly in the face. Has your hatred of the Bush Administration blinded you to the simple facts?

|7.9.07 @ 2:21PM|#

Dave,

So what is your handle on Daily Kos. You sure your posts are not cross posted there. Reason has really gone downhill, when it becomes indistinguishable from any other liberal,leftist rag.

Randolph Carter|7.9.07 @ 2:23PM|#

Mr. Me,
what touched the nerve? The article or the comments?

dhex|7.9.07 @ 2:25PM|#

"Reason has really gone downhill, when it becomes indistinguishable from any other liberal, leftist rag."

ALL MY OPINIONS MUST JIVE
OR IT JUST AIN'T BUTTER

David Weigel|7.9.07 @ 2:28PM|#

Reason has really gone downhill, when it becomes indistinguishable from any other liberal,leftist rag.

The funny thing is how he wrote this 5 minutes after my "Michael Moore's movie is failing" post.

Word Nazi|7.9.07 @ 2:30PM|#

Must jibe.
You meant jibe, not jive.

Randolph Carter|7.9.07 @ 2:32PM|#

whatchoo talkin' bout with that jibe jibber jabber, Nazi foo?

|7.9.07 @ 2:45PM|#

Seriously, David, just how is Nixon's opinion on Thomposon's intelligence, stated nearly 35 years ago, supposed to influence our views? I know Nixon was rehabilitated, but I didn't realize that extended to Reason.

|7.9.07 @ 2:57PM|#

Do you think there will be GWB nostalgia 20 years from now like there's Reagan nostalgia? The thought of such a thing makes me wince.

|7.9.07 @ 3:17PM|#

Isn't it time we had a stupid president

Damn, David Weigel wins the thread in his own post.

|7.9.07 @ 3:22PM|#

Do you think there will be GWB nostalgia 20 years from now like there's Reagan nostalgia?

Considering the number of people who remember Harry Truman fondly (most of them probably weren't even alive during his term) I would not be at all surprised if there is.

SPD|7.9.07 @ 3:53PM|#

Wouldn't a more appropriate title for this post be, "Oh [expletive deleted], That Kid"?

|7.9.07 @ 4:04PM|#

I don't hear much in the way of Jimmy Carter nostalgia.

Shill Etiquette|7.9.07 @ 4:37PM|#

The funny thing is how he wrote this 5 minutes after my "Michael Moore's movie is failing" post.

You're not supposed to mau-mau yourself, Weigel.

|7.9.07 @ 5:24PM|#

I'm reserving comment until I hear from Megadeath.

|7.9.07 @ 6:51PM|#

If he uses the phrase "Mah Momma" in response to a question about policy, I say we get Dick Cheney to shoot him in the face.

Sorry i think Hillary copyrighted the phrase for her speeches to southern crowds.

|7.9.07 @ 6:55PM|#

So now we pick people on what Nixion thought of them?Remember he thought price contols were a smart move.

HEY MAN!!

Back off of Nixon!

Went to China, stopped the draft and ended the Vietnam war.

|7.9.07 @ 7:10PM|#

Reason has really gone downhill, when it becomes indistinguishable from any other liberal,leftist rag.

Dude...you are not even good at it....here if this pissed me off is what i would say:

"WTF!?! Can't I like anyone whose politics is right of Karl Marx without Weigel telling me I worship a Nazi or an idiot?"

See how it is done?

|7.9.07 @ 7:54PM|#

Oh, good. Another Republican from the Nixon White House.

Like Cheney and Rumsfeld. I'm sure that will go over big.

Joshua Holmes|7.9.07 @ 9:11PM|#

Isn't it time we had a stupid president?

Finally, an end to our long national nightmare of intellectualism in high places.

|7.9.07 @ 9:53PM|#

Yeah I am thinking Fred is gonna win.

I mean win the whole thing. He will be the next president.

I would rather Ron Paul, but so far he seems the least worse of the rest.

I wonder if Ron Paul could be his VP? Probably not.

Bill|7.10.07 @ 12:26AM|#

It's pretty scary when people are screaming at libertarians for being too leftist. You wonder what's further to the right. And then, when you answer the question, your answer makes you a little bit nervous. Because to the right of libertarian is... um...

Rangle me up some hohos.

And then we get into whatsamattawit false consciousness arguments, you don't believe what you believe because what you believe is fascism but you're not a fascist, so clearly you can't believe in fascist doctrine, and then you can't really follow logic and variations like the first part of this "sentence", so you're pretty much screwed.

Like the Nixon defender above. Liberty may be to faction and all that, but cut the flaming flame wars. Rule of lawsy, whatnot. Sedition begins at home.

Or the Reagan idiots. Smile for the cameras in Philadelphia Mississippi. Right, it's not racism. It was both our superior economic system and the deep ethical compass of thespianism.

I can see into his soul!

|7.10.07 @ 5:18AM|#

I love all the people who seem to know so much about politics. But there is no way in the world that Freddie gets the GOP nomination. Anyone who is so wishy-washy about whether he might run or not will never win. He just doesn't have the "fire in the belly" to do it.

On the other hand, he'd make a damn fine Vice-President. After the last two veeps, the country could use someone with the right attitude for the job. I have a book about veeps called "Bland Ambition" which pretty much sums up what is required of them. Freddie fits the bill.