Does The "He's Lazy" Meme Provide Cover For His Illness?

[eleny]

I've seen several photographs of Fred Thompson recently where he has the tired eyes and pallid face of a very ill person. I'm wondering if someone started the "lazy" business just so he wouldn't be expected to push himself with the vigor that the other candidates exhibit.

Maybe it's easier to accept the notion of an easy going, slow talking southerner. So his appearance can be reinterpreted from "he's weak" to "he's measured".

[Aviation Pro]

1. Or maybe this is just a high stakes version of American Idol...

...with the winner appealing to the most base of the stupid masses. Here's an article by Eugene Robinson who would like just an honest speck of intelligence in a President.

An Egghead for the Oval Office

By Eugene Robinson
Friday, June 1, 2007; A15

Al Gore has been in town launching his new book, "The Assault on Reason," and you could have predicted the buzz: Is he about to jump into the race? What you probably wouldn't have predicted is the counter-buzz that Gore, poor fellow, is just too ostentatiously smart to be elected president.

In the book, you see, Gore betrays familiarity with history, economics, even science. He uses big words, often several in the same sentence. And in public appearances he doesn't even try to disguise his erudition. These supposedly are glaring shortcomings that should keep Gore on the sidelines, rereading Gibbon and exchanging ideas about the structure of the cosmos with Stephen Hawking.

[eleny]

3. I so agree with Robinson

Seems like I can't get that pic of Gore out of my head. You know the one - of him in his office with the desk piled high with papers and his computer with 3 screens.

Given that Thompson may hire a Rove protege for his campaign tells me that the Bush/Cheney clan are running his campaign bid and hell bent on just another face in the Oval. A warm body who can do their bidding in exchange for being president, albeit a figurehead.

And in that scenario, the vice president will be very important for receiving the neocon baton should the new Fredo kick the bucket. A Thomspson - Gingrich ticket gives me the night sweats.

[Benhurst]

5. Or Thompson/Jeb Bush.

[OHdem10]

2. This is one time the Media are playing it straight.

He had a reputation in Senate for being "laxy".

This is separate from the illness.

[eleny]

4. "the Media are playing it straight"

:spray:

[Olney Blue]

6. He is intellectually lazy, regardless of his illness.

[mitchum]

7. FRED THOMPSON is not just lazy; he's DYING

[eleny]

8. That's my point

Calling him lazy helps to cover up the fact of the seriousness of his illness. Almost every picture of him shows such weary eyes. The weary eyes of a very, very sick person.

Thanks.

[mitchum]

9. You are absolutely correct...

I think it is very important to counter the lazy meme with the FRED THOMPSON IS DYING meme

[eleny]

10. Yes, it's only the truth