Are you listening? Fred! Will. Not. Pander.

A lot of media people and a couple of special interest groups are not all that fond of Fred Thompson.  Fred’s most recent media smackdown, in which he informed a moderator that he would not be “doing any hand-shows today” surely did not endear him to the Des Moines Register.  Although, judging by the way she moderated the debate, I’d be willing to bet there are many on the School Marm’s staff who have links the the YouTube vid of this moment saved on their home favorites list.

Bill O’Reilly doesn’t like Thompson because he’s reportedly asked him “six times” to come on the O’Reilly show.  Fred essentially responded by saying he was too busy (which pompous blowhard O’Reilly took to mean ‘lazy’).  Thompson instead invited O’Reilly to join him on the campain trail — at least 15 times.  O’Reilly got his revenge for this slight on his ego by subtracting Fred from his recent poll regarding GOP favorites.  Pretty infantile, Bill.  I mean that.

Grover Norquist, as I mentioned here another time, also dislikes Thompson because of a slight on his ego.  Anyone sensing a pattern?

And, of course, there’s the AP dog-and-pony show, wherein they ask the candidates stupid yearbook questions, instead of dealing with substance.  Thompson’s responses, while certainly not pleasing to the AP (that is, they wouldn’t have been had the AP gotten the joke) were sure-fire crowd-pleasers to those of us who understood where Thompson was coming from:
What’s your favorite joke?  Presidential debates.
What’s your favorite keepsake?  Trophy wife.
What’s your favorite nickname?  Mr. President.
And, of course, there’s my new favorite poke in the eye:  What do you like to do on a ‘lazy day’?   Campaigning. 

 Note to Associated Press: we’re electing the Leader of the Free World — not choosing the next American Idol.  Thompson understands this, and gives these idiotic questions all the attention they deserve, while simultaneously taking some well-deserved shots back at the press.

Fred Thompson does not pander.  He doesn’t pander to special interest groups, and he doesn’t pander to the media.  Why?  Because the President is not beholden to lobbyists or reporters.  He is beholden to the American People.

Fred Thompson is a man who respects the Presidency.  He respects the job, and he respects the office.  He does things his way, and his way is to maintain the dignity of the White House, and of the United States.  People can complain that he doesn’t do things their way, and that’s all right.  But he’s not out there to please the pundits by jumping through particular hoops. 

Frankly, I can respect the opinion of somebody who has thoroughly gone through the white papers and policy recommendations of the candidates, gets to know them on the issues, and chooses not to vote for Fred.  I don’t agree with them, but I respect them.  I have no respect at all for people who refuse to vote for a man because he won’t demean the office of the Presidency by pandering.  You want pandering, go vote for a Democrat, or watch American Idol.  If you’re interesting in picking the best person for the job of President of the United States, brush up on policy, learn about the individuals.

Thompson is, and remains, a Conservative leader and, I humbly submit, the absolute best choice for President.

-Streu-