Opinion: Fred Thompson debates: A review

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Spoiler Alert: If you taped the Republican presidential debate this afternoon on CNBC or plan to watch the re-broadcast at 6 p.m. Pacific time on MSNBC, this item discusses the contents and reveals the ending.

Just before today’s debate began, William Lacy, campaign manager for former senator Fred Thompson, sent out a mass e-mailing to campaign supporters urging, among other things, ‘Watch the debate--not what the pundits say.’

If you’re reading this, it seems you did not take his advice. Maybe Lacy anticipated a negative media reaction to Thompson’s first presidential debate performance. How Thompson did was certainly the main story line on the minds of many who watched. But to our eyes he didn’t do badly. In fact, he got some laughs about his belated appearance and so, after some obvious pre-debate rehearsal, did Mitt Romney.

After an initial stumble when he appeared to lose his train of thought on the first question about the economy, Thompson improved as the two-hour talkathon went on. Not surprisingly, he got the first question, about what he’d do as president to ensure economic vibrancy.

Thompson started out with specifics, citing 22 straight quarters of growth, crediting tax cuts, listing low inflation, low unemployment, a stock market performing ‘pretty well.’ ‘I see no reason to believe we’re headed for...’and then he paused for a few very long moments before adding, ‘an economic downturn.’

But that was it as far as the jitters or dry throat were concerned. Thompson seemed to handle everything else including a sudden trick question by Chris Matthews, a moderator, on who the prime minister of Canada is. Thompson knew. Would you?*

Thompson was his usual laconic self with some homespun references to eating our seed corn and so forth. But a welcome contrast to, say, Ron Paul’s jarring machinegun approach to the spoken word. Rep. Tom Tancredo even made a little sly fun at his own expense when for perhaps the eighth time he went to bring up his trademark issue of illegal immigration and began, ‘Dare I say it.’

There were some sparks. It wouldn’t be the sixth GOP debate without Romney going after Rudy Giuliani for opposing the line-item veto and without the ex-mayor pushing back over Massachusetts raising taxes and Romney denying it. Thompson aside, the debate participants showed their longer campaign experience, deftly turning almost every question so they could hit at least one of their campaign themes. Romney turned an economic question into a sympathetic statement on Michigan’s economic plight and taxing governor. And is there any subject, by the way, that Giuliani cannot contort into something on 9/11?

The Times’ Michael Finnegan and Janet Hook have the complete debate story here and in Wednesday’s print editions. And a complete debate transcript is available here. Nor would it be a GOP debate without former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee making some colorful Ozarkian reference to Goober and Gomer.

Matthews even asked fervent Yankees fan Giuliani if Manager Joe Torre would keep his job after the team was annihilated by the Cleveland Indians. ‘God willing,’ said the ex-mayor, even though it’s up to George Steinbrenner.

Sen. John McCain claimed he drinks a glass of ethanol every morning at breakfast but still opposes its government subsidies. Sen. Sam Brownback was asked if he was prepared categorically to say he would not raise taxes. ‘Yes,’ he said simply, pausing to allow the laughter to build. ‘And I’d like to take the rest of my answer--and time--to talk about some other things.’

As the time remaining grew shorter, Romney moved to utter his well-rehearsed comment on former actor Thompson’s long-awaited presence in the debates. ‘This debate is a lot like ‘Law & Order,’’ he said. ‘It’s got a huge cast, goes on forever and Fred Thompson shows up at the end.’ As the laughter subsided, Thompson replied, ‘I thought I’d be the best actor on this stage.’

Maria Bartiromo, another moderator, also gave the last question to Thompson. ‘This was your first debate. How did it feel?’

‘Just like home,’ replied Thompson, adding, ‘I didn’t say which kind of home.’

‘Do you regret waiting so long?’

‘No, I don’t think I waited too long. It seems about right to me.’

Then the actor couldn’t resist. ‘I’ve enjoyed watching these fellas,’ he said, ‘I’ve got to admit it was getting a little boring without me, but I’m glad to be here now.’

--Andrew Malcolm *Canada’s prime minister, by the way, is Stephen Harper.