Script of Fred Thompson's Debate Ad
The Washington Post has gotten a preview of Fred Thompson's ad that will run during the New Hampshire debate tonight. Here is the script of the ad:
The script of the ad, titled "Debate"
FDT: I'm Fred Thompson and I approve this message. On the next President's watch, our country will make decisions that will affect our lives and our families far into the future. We can't allow ourselves to become a weaker, less prosperous and more divided nation. Today, as before, the fate of millions across the world depends on the unity and resolve of the American people. I talk about this tomorrow on Fred08.com, I invite you to take a look and join us.
ANNCR: Fred Thompson, Republican for President.
Notice the ad will direct people to go to "www.fred08.com". Right now you still get a redirect to I'm With Fred.
Thompson Unveils Ad Ahead of Thursday Kickoff
"Security, Unity, Prosperity"
Fred Thompson's image will begin appearing on the small screen today, not as District Attorney Arthur Branch, but as an official candidate for president.
In a 30-second campaign commercial sent to networks for broadcast at midnight, Thompson warns that "On the next President's watch, our country will make decisions that will affect our lives and our families far into the future. We can't allow ourselves to become a weaker, less prosperous and more divided nation."
Thompson concludes the ad with an invitation to visit his new campaign website, Fred08.com, on Thursday to watch a 15-minute video in which he officially announces his campaign for the White House. But if there is any doubt, an announcer then comes on, saying: "Fred Thompson, Republican for President."
The ad will air throughout the day today and during the New Hampshire Republican presidential debate on Fox tonight. Following the debate -- which Thompson is skipping -- he will appear on Jay Leno's "Tonight Show."
The idea, advisers say, is to create a national buzz about Thompson's official entry into the race and drive traffic to the new website on Thursday. The 15-minute video will be available on the website at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning; advisers hope it steals the show the next morning on talk shows and cable news networks.
"The goal between now and the minute Senator Thompson is on Jay Leno is to drive as many people as we can to our website in anticipation of the launch video," said Communications Director Todd Harris.
The video, aides say, is part bio-pic, part conservative motivational film aimed at making the case that Thompson -- who was swept into office in 1994 as part of the conservative revolt that year -- has been fighting in the trenches for Republicans for decades.
The not-so-subtle dig: that former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani (who was endorsing Democratic governor Mario Cuomo that year) and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (who was trying to run to the left of Sen. Edward Kennedy) are Johnny-come-Latelys.
"Success for us will be if we are able to commuicate Senator Thompson's mainsteam, conservative message to a Republican electorate that, frankly, until now, has been hungry for a new voice," Harris said.
On the stump, Thompson will tell audiences that his philosophical awakening dates to his reading of Barry Goldwater's book, "A Conscience of a Conservative" in the 1960s. "It compelled him to found the first Young Republicans chapter ever in Laurenceburg, Tennessee," Harris said.
Thompson's rivals have already tried to attack his conservative credentials by questioning his commitment to the anti-abortion movement and his sponsorship of campaign finance reforms that are anathema to many in the party.
But many of those stories emerged during the summer, when few voters are paying attention to presidential politics. And the critiques have so far failed to overwhelm Thompson's unique Hollywood-Washington persona.
His advisers hope that they can cement the narrative about Thompson's credentials before the attacks ramp up this fall. Said Harris: "There's no question that we need to have a good announcement tour."
--Michael D. Shear
The script of the ad, titled "Debate"
FDT: I'm Fred Thompson and I approve this message. On the next President's watch, our country will make decisions that will affect our lives and our families far into the future. We can't allow ourselves to become a weaker, less prosperous and more divided nation. Today, as before, the fate of millions across the world depends on the unity and resolve of the American people. I talk about this tomorrow on Fred08.com, I invite you to take a look and join us.
ANNCR: Fred Thompson, Republican for President.
Posted at 12:01 AM ET on Sep 5, 2007
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And away we go!
Fred will again steal the headlines away from another Republican candidate forum by airing a commercial pitching his announcement to run for President (on his website) during the debate, appearing on Jay Leno and will, as pointed out above, be the talk of the Thursday morning news shows and radio shows.
This strategy puts Fred in the limelight and overshadows the other candidates except for the expected round of negativity coming from them during the debate as they lament the fact that Fred chose not to join their little New Hampshire get together. Fred's approach will work because it is positive modern, and forward looking. Let's see which of the candidates at the debate is positive about Fred's entry into the race. I predict that such a strategy will be a boost to the campaign any other candidate who chooses to stay positive minded about this novel approach by the Thompson team.
Okay, some early signs to watch now that the "real" campaign may be upon us.
Fred Vs. Rudy
Here is the scoop on the two with the strengths and weaknesses.
Fred: He must maximize his dominant presence by blending his sense of strength with thoughtfulness. He must appear to be commanding to nullify the attack that he is slow and boring. His stump speech style must adapt to his message. Too much folksy and straight talk can hurt a candidate who could be vulnerable to being labeled old and tired. His message must match his pace and commanding style. I believe Fred is up to the challenge and will take advantage of Rudy's weaknesses. The lead commercial tests a campaign theme: Security, Unity, Prosperity.
Rudy: He must temper his energetic approach with poise. Rudy will be slammed by the Thompson campaign as inexperienced in national affairs and is a risky gamble for the US. Rudy, to be successful must explain why even though he is not conservative, Republicans should vote for him anyhow. His experience is indeed executive where Fred's is legislative, but Rudy was a mayor not a governor (albeit NYC is sort of like a state). Nonetheless, I believe Fred will have him cornered when the energetic not ready for prime time feel of Rudy meets Fred's poised and commanding demeanor.
It has been a surprise for many that Rudy has managed to remain as the favorite in the GOP race as long as he has. For many, Romney just is unelectable. I personally find him quite slick and trying to be too conservative to make up for his past.
My theory is that Republicans have been waiting for Fred to make the run for the nomination official before lining up behind him. This theory would mean that Rudy has been the favorite because Republicans felt that he was the only electable candidate actually running. Now, with FDT in the race, all bets are off for Rudy.
If I am correct, the polls will reflect a flip-flop of Rudy and Fred within three weeks. The Republican voters and then the rest of the American people will get to know Fred very soon and make lasting images of him very quickly. I hope he can pull it off. As I wrote on Free Republic as far back as mid-January (07) posting "draft Fred Thompson" - Who do you really want to see debating Hillary?
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