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Frist's Uneven Address
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist struggled to ignite a home state crowd during his speech this afternoon at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.
The Tennessee Senator went through a litany of conservative causes celebres including the removal of "activist" federal judges from the bench, balancing the budget, and cutting taxes. He also invoked the names of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean -- the boogeymen (and woman) of the Democratic Party. "This is the difference between us and them," said Frist of the opposition party. "We know what we believe, we know where we stand, and we know where we are going. They are the party of no."
But, his delivery struggled to live up to his rhetoric as Frist was more often rewarded with polite -- rather than passionate -- applause. Frist has long labored under the stereotype that he is a wooden (and overrehearsed) speaker and he did little to remedy that problem today.
However, should Frist win the conference's straw poll, scheduled for tonight, his uneven performance this afternoon might well be forgotten. The conference is being held in Memphis's storied Peabody Hotel, and a stroll around the lobby shows that the Frist operation has dedicated significant time and resources to turning out their supporters this weekend. Frist hats and t-shirts abound. The question now is whether they will turn out the vote.
Check this space just after 9 pm eastern time for the straw poll results.
By Chris Cillizza |
March 11, 2006; 4:40 PM ET
| Category:
Eye on 2008
Previous: George Allen: Republican Cheerleader |
Next: Straw Poll Results
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Posted by: Rick in Cincy | March 13, 2006 2:25 PM
On Hardball, analysing the poll results, it was suggested that for Frist to win, he'd be the first President ever who couldn't make a speech. Ouch! Maybe he should polish his skills by going for 10-12 hours on a filibuster over Feingold's censure of Dubya.
Posted by: Aussie Pundit | March 12, 2006 8:38 PM
Frist will never win, because he supported Clinton's abortion doctor Surgeon General and he flip-flopped and now supports stem cell research. The evangelicals will never vote for him. Plus he is boring.
Posted by: Natalee Holloway | March 12, 2006 12:24 AM
I'm not too worried about the cats and dogs, but Frist is an ineffectual guy. He doesn't have McCain's strength of character or GWB's charm. He's a Sunday School teacher type---not a strong leader. It's hard for me to imagine him attracting much attention outside the religious right, and I don't think those voteswill play as large a role in the next election as they did in the last one.
Posted by: TR | March 11, 2006 11:10 PM
I wonder if Billy "Kat Killer" Frist regaled the locals with his stories about "operating" on kittens and stray dogs. I always find that heartwarming.
Posted by: Dr. Lecter | March 11, 2006 10:09 PM
Frist would put all of America collectively to sleep. One of the most boring candidates of all-time. What does he stand for and what has he accomplished? Nothing.
Posted by: YoudontspeakformeCindy | March 11, 2006 9:53 PM
Frist winning a Tennessee straw poll is sort of like Tom Harkin winning Iowa in 1992. So what?
Frist was completely exposed as the unprincipled scum bag he truly is during the Terry Shiavo fiasco. He's truly at home in the Republican Party.
Posted by: Intrepid Liberal | March 11, 2006 9:01 PM
Oooh, Chris, grab me a Frist shirt wouldja? The comedic value will probably last longer than his political career.
Posted by: FairAndBalanced? | March 11, 2006 8:16 PM
The comments of Frist and Allen are just more of the same from those who are ruining the economy, our foreign policy, and democratic ideals. America for sale by the Republican Party. People are no longer willing to be manipulated by terror alerts and empty patriotism calls. Time to clean house!
Posted by: Joeye4 | March 11, 2006 6:57 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Frist is not a good public speaker, but who cares? That GWB was elected twice is clear and convincing evidence that a candidate can overcome even the worst public speaking ability.