Tuesday, November 06, 2007

FRED THOMPSON

Evaluating Thompson's First Ad, Running in Iowa and Nationally

Fred Thompson's campaign unveiled their first television ads - one thirty second version, one sixty second version - today. They're slated to air in Iowa and nationally on Fox News. (Well, we know which channel Republican primary voters watch.)

A couple of first impressions - this seems like a very Iowa-centric ad. There are an awful lot of senior citizens in this ad - the coffee shop patrons, the folks sitting on their front lawn, the farmers. Is there some polling suggesting that Thompson does best among older voters?

The coffee shop features the largest and most prominent American flag this side of the opening scene of Patton.

I knew the photos of young Thompson meeting young Reagan would show up again. We saw pictures of young Clinton meeting JFK in the 1992 race, and young Kerry meeting JFK in 2004.

The transcript is below the fold:

Consistent Conservative (60 seconds)

 

I'm Fred Thompson and I approve this message.

 

I've been a conservative my whole life.

I grew up in a little hometown just like this.

 

Started the first Young Republican Club in Lawerenceburg, Tennessee. 

In eight years in the United States Senate, I fought for tax cuts, and for conservative judges.

 

And I'm proud to have had a 100 percent pro-life voting record.

 

Common sense conservative principles. Free people.  Free markets and a government that doesn't tax and regulate us to death, but defends us and protects our borders.

In a country where, if you play by the rules, you've got a fair chance to live the American dream.

 

My friends, we must remember that our rights come from God and not from government.

 

And if we stick to our basic conservative principles, we will win next November and the United States of America will be better for it.

Consistent Conservative (30 seconds)

I've been a conservative my whole life.

 

I grew up in a little hometown just like this.

 

I learned a long time ago that we're a country where, if you play by the rules, you've got a fair chance to live the American dream.

 

Common sense conservative principles. If we stick to those basic principles, we'll win next November and the United States of America will be better for it.

 

I'm Fred Thompson and I approve this message.

11/06 01:49 PMShare