My Impressions of Fred

(Sorry for the delay. I meant to post this over the weekend)

When Fred Thompson entered the room he didn’t do it with a flashy introduction or on the stage. Fred Thompson came from the back of the room to mill around with the people. Fred, with his entourage, his aura, and the overall mood of the crowd, came into Saturday night like a Presidential candidate. The atmosphere was more Presidential than the other announced candidates had mustered. Senator Thompson gave a speech in front of banner-carrying and button-wearing “Fredheads” fresh off of a three course meal, hoping that Saturday was the night and that the rumors of a September announcement were put to rest.

Fred gave his speech in front of a huge gathering of people and with a giant American flag hanging from the wall behind him. Even though it wasn’t the night he officially declared his intentions, you have to wonder how it’s going to go down.

Shortly before the speech started I had been informed by Fred’s people that an interview wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t surprised really, but with an impending return to Indianapolis (remember we have Peyton Manning here) and next time as a candidate, we should be able to get some time with Senator Thompson. He is the blogging candidate…oops, I mean he is the blogging testing the waters guy after all and is friendly with the blogging crowd.

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After a humorous introduction by 4^th District Congressman Steve Buyer, Thompson got a rousing ovation with obvious high hopes. I don’t want to say Senator Thompson disappointed, but the crowd was expecting something completely different. Friday’s speeches by Governor’s Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney followed the exact same format; open with a joke, followed by a story from the campaign trail or life growing up, followed by addressing the issues that presidential candidates usually address; domestic issues and stances on national security. It’s the recipe that allows you to can a speech to use over and over as you address crowd after crowd during a year’s worth of campaigning. To Governor Huckabee’s credit, his delivery was more folksy and down home, but not unpleasant. He reached a lot of people, including me, as many attendees came away impressed by him. While Romney’s speech, as rallying as it was, came off prepackaged and overall un-impressive.

But Fred Thompson’s speech was different. He was tame and thoughtful, though some would say somber. He didn’t speak as a candidate. He spoke as someone who was looking at the possible fate of his country and his party. He spoke as a leader who was not trying to sugarcoat the fact just to get applause and praise. You could tell he was speaking from the heart. With his Tennessee drawl and deep baritone, he owned the room as he spoke, not be held down by the confines of the podium. People were forced to follow him and listen to him. He came across as eloquent, yet plain spoken, and that’s what impressed those who truly listened. That’s what came across as Reagan-esque.

You could tell that Fred Thompson came to win over new voters, but he didn’t do it the way that the Republican crowd expected. He spoke the truth. Sometimes though, the truth hurts.

In the long run, I fear his constantly delayed announcement will hurt him. But if he is able to overcome it, voters will look to Saturday night’s speech as the night they heard Fred Thomson, not shill for votes, but the night he spoke the truth and the night he convinced Republicans of what’s really going on in our country.