The President's Name Is Missing...

...from Tuesday's Dearborn debate. Salon's Tim Grieve does the hard work of counting mentions of George W. Whatshisface and gets all the way to...zero.:

Number of times Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee and Duncan Hunter uttered the word "Bush" during Tuesday night's two-hour debate in Michigan: 0.

Number of times Giuliani and Romney referred by name to Bill or Hillary Clinton: 16.

More here.

I'm not sure what kind of reviews zombie candidate Fred Thompson is getting for his performance, but I'll tell you the one thing I like about him: He always has an expression on his face like he just walked out of the most-godawful state fair porta-potty on the hottest day of summer. If Dick Cheney's sneer is a smug, cowardly, Draco Malfoy turn of the lip, Thompson's is full-blown, immersive revulsion and barely constrained contempt for all that he can see, hear, taste, and smell.

So I like that about him. Everything else, not so much.

Hat Tip to Salon: Film critic extraordinaire Alan Vanneman.

Comments

Umbriel | October 11, 2007, 11:23am | #

I agree on Thompson -- In a world of candidates who so passionately want to _lead_ us to one promised land or another, it's reassuring to see one who doesn't really seem to give a crap. He's less inspiring if you actually look at his professed positions.

VM | October 11, 2007, 11:27am | #

Just keep saying:

CLINTON!!!!
9/11!!!!

all the way to the white house. The unbelievable hatred of the Clintons and the blind fear of 9/11 will distract from all of the corruption, mismanagement, and genera fuckups of the past administration.

WHERE IS THERE RELIEF FROM ALL OF THESE TWADDLENOCKS???????

(cue Warren)

Fluffy | October 11, 2007, 11:33am | #

I think that Thompson's illness aged him a great deal. Go back a season or two on L&O and he seems much more hale. That might just be Dick Wolf's lighting and makeup people at work, though. But TODAY, Thompson looks like he's on his way to a hospice...for a short stay.

I almost feel bad for him. It's obvious he didn't want to run but was henpecked into doing it by MechaJeri and Cheney's people.

Drawn Asunder | October 11, 2007, 11:36am | #

CLINTON!!!!
9/11!!!!

VM | October 11, 2007, 11:39am | #

VOTE FOR DRAWN ASUNDER!!!!!!!!

WHO ALSO WAS LAST SEASON'S TOP CHEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tacos mmm... | October 11, 2007, 11:43am | #

How much do I want to be your president? Well, on a scale of 1-10, I would say about a 6.

Warren | October 11, 2007, 11:55am | #

(cue Warren)

OH hey, sorry I'm late. I had the phone on "vibrate" and left it at my desk?

What's the topic? Ummmmmm...
Broken Glass? I need a drink...
Oh right

Vote for
RON PAUL 2008
Ron Paul is the only Hope for America
Be part of the Ron Paul Love'r'ution!

Thank you I'll be hear all weak
don't forget to donate to RON PAUL

Episiarch | October 11, 2007, 11:59am | #

Of course they aren't mentioning Bush. Why talk about the anchor strapped to your leg? It doesn't help.

VM | October 11, 2007, 12:04pm | #

ah, yes, Warren - the ol' "vibrating phone left on the desk" scenario.

*passes him the paper towels*

MayorOmalleySuxs | October 11, 2007, 12:29pm | #

Of course they aren't mentioning Bush. Why talk about [someone not running for office]? It doesn't help.

Fixed it for you.

VM | October 11, 2007, 12:41pm | #

"Number of times Giuliani and Romney referred by name to Bill or Hillary Clinton: 16."

Bill Clinton is running?

Warren | October 11, 2007, 12:55pm | #

Moose,
I think he's running for First Lady. Or maybe he's first running after the ladies?

VM | October 11, 2007, 1:02pm | #

Warren:

LOL!!! Although, judging from the wagon most of his ladies have been draggin', and judging from his knockwurst-about-to-burst legs, howzabouts that he just shuffle after 'em?

Warren | October 11, 2007, 1:33pm | #

Don't be hate'n on the chubby VM. Apparently someone thinks this is not safe for work. Or at least not appropriate for work, because my work blocks it. Anyway, I'm down with the biscuit.

VM | October 11, 2007, 1:48pm | #

not hatin' on the chubby (as I've joined the ranks - b'school does a number on the waistline...) just Rockin' Billy C's "jogging" shows... :)

Brandybuck | October 11, 2007, 2:13pm | #

Don't be hate'n, be bate'n!

VM | October 11, 2007, 2:24pm | #

GO 'WAY! BATIN!!!!!

joe | October 11, 2007, 4:03pm | #

Ain't nothing wrong with the big beautiful girls.

Nothing at all.

R C Dean | October 11, 2007, 4:33pm | #

Number of times Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee and Duncan Hunter uttered the word "Bush" during Tuesday night's two-hour debate in Michigan: 0.

Why would you refer to someone you won't be running against in a debate?

Number of times Giuliani and Romney referred by name to Bill or Hillary Clinton: 16.

Why wouldn't you refer to your likely opposition in the general election?

J sub D | October 11, 2007, 5:34pm | #

Ain't nothing wrong with the big beautiful girls.

Warmth in the winter, shade in the summer.

joe | October 11, 2007, 8:49pm | #

Why would you refer to someone you won't be running against in a debate?

Because he's the incumbent president, from the party you are hoping to represent, and it sticks out like a sore thumb if you don't mention him.

George Bush mentioned Ronald Reagan all the time. Can you guess what the difference is?

S.A. Miller | October 12, 2007, 1:28am | #

Bill Clinton was mentioned by Giuliani in the back-and-forth between Romney and himself over the line-item-veto.

And Bush was mentioned, just not by name. Thompson mentioned "this administration" several times that I remember.