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Fred Thompson's Quayle-Hunting?
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ShareOctober 19, 2007 12:22 PM
ABC News' Rick Klein and Christine Byun Report: Was Fred Thompson channeling Dan Quayle?
Speaking at a gathering of social-conservatives in Washington, Thompson, R-Tenn., said on Friday that wasn't sure what he'd do in his first 100 days as president, but he was pretty certain about what he'd do shortly after assuming the presidency.
"I know the first hour, I would go into the Oval Office and close the door, and pray for the wisdom to know what was right," Thompson said. "I would pray for the strength to do what is right."
The comment drew Thompson a standing ovation. But he isn't the first to say he'd start his tenure as president with a prayer: Dan Quayle made a similar comment in 1988, at the vice-presidential debate that pitted him against Lloyd Bentsen.
Brit Hume, then of ABC News, asked Quayle what he would if the president became incapacitated "and you have to take the reins of power. When that moment came, what would be the first steps that you'd take, and why? "
Quayle's response: "First, I'd say a prayer for myself and for the country that I'm about to lead. And then I would assemble his people and talk."
The line contributed to public perceptions of Quayle as unequipped for the job. Bentsen himself liked to say that -- should the Bush-Quayle ticket win -- he would say a prayer for the health of George H.W. Bush, to keep Quayle from becoming president.
October 19, 2007 in Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (11)
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Right on Fred, Right on, suchy a comment cannot be said enough; the more who say it and mean, as I believe you do, the better for the USA. As the writing on the wall of every Federal Court I have even been in states "In God We Trust."
Posted by: TheOldTroop | Oct 19, 2007 2:04:49 PM
I saw Quayle at a West Point graduation that my military police guard unit provided security for in 1989. Thompson isn't the first to follow someone else's lead where comments are concerned and he won't be the last. Personally, I think starting with a prayer deserves a standing ovation.
Posted by: Jamie | Oct 19, 2007 4:17:58 PM
This comment is straight from the heart of a man who will do right for his country always. Fred is our one hope for a strong leader to lead this country. Russia and Iran would stomp all over Hillary, Mitt and Rudy....
Posted by: Evelyn Crawford | Oct 19, 2007 4:54:49 PM
But no one said a prayer for us when the son walk in with Mr. Paranoia -- I wish someone would have prayed for sanity and soberness.
Posted by: Paulet | Oct 19, 2007 5:52:36 PM
Mr. Thompson is a man of courage with a servant's heart. He is precisely what this nation needs at this crossroads in the history of Western Civilization.
Posted by: Fredhead Sexton | Oct 20, 2007 12:25:35 AM
Starting any day with a prayer is a good idea. Anyone who thinks he can do that job without a little divine guidance is a fool.
Posted by: Royce | Oct 20, 2007 12:21:08 PM
Fred Thompson will make a great president! He believes in God, Family and our great country and every thing he will do as president will support those values!
Posted by: S Benn | Oct 20, 2007 10:30:17 PM
As usual abc showing their liberal bias, there is no way they are going to say anything positive about a GOP candidate, so here is abc trying to plant in peoples minds that Thompson is another QUAYLE, well if the media had left him alone, he was not anything like how they portrayed him, it was all the press and media who did that to him, look at some of the things obama has said, and the missteps hillary has done, but they overlook that, Thompson is a good man, abc leave him alone and try this same tactic on the libs!!!
Posted by: sandra | Oct 21, 2007 5:49:11 AM
C'mon Fred, if you are going to deliver canned lines, at least get some originals. A presidential campaign deserves better than reruns.
Posted by: ommish | Oct 21, 2007 10:21:13 AM
so, quayle made a speech at west point and claims to pray. does that make him john wayne? if i wanted to suggest a figure that this beleagured country look up to, the vapid, vacuous, privileged mr. quayle would not be one. but then, maybe i'm different. i don't want my heroes to be certified draft dodgers.
Posted by: jimf | Oct 22, 2007 8:15:36 PM
Prayer is fine, but a sharp intellect and grasp of the situation is vital.
Posted by: Tash | Oct 23, 2007 12:22:52 PM
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