I Wish I Could Eat Your Cancer When You... Open Your Exploratory Committee

Fred Thompson announced earlier today that he's got the big "C."

Thompson, 64, whom supporters are encouraging to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2008, also said that his lymphoma is in remission and should not threaten his life expectancy. It was unclear what impact the disease could have on his consideration about a run for the White House, but a longtime friend said today he believes it indicates that Thompson is running.

The story's already getting old, but it's worth pointing out that if Thompson runs for president (and Newt Gingrich doesn't), three-quarters of the GOP's front bench will have had cancer. John McCain has had skin cancer, and Rudy's beaten prostate cancer. Mitt Romney is the lone frontrunner whose cell division is going just great, thanks for asking.

I was going to say this this created a real opening for Sam Brownback, who has pledged, as president, to "end deaths by cancer" in a decade. But he's also had cancer.

Comments

VM | April 11, 2007, 4:28pm | #

jeebus!

the kansur schtick didn't work for Tsongas, back when, why do these other doods think it'll work???

TallDave | April 11, 2007, 4:36pm | #

Finally, empirical evidence that politicians are tumors on society.

Guy Montag | April 11, 2007, 4:42pm | #

The story's already getting old, but it's worth pointing out that if Thompson runs for president (and Newt Gingrich doesn't), three-quarters of the GOP's front bench will have had cancer. John McCain has had skin cancer, and Rudy's beaten prostate cancer. Mitt Romney is the lone frontrunner whose cell division is going just great, thanks for asking.

And none of them has used it as a fund raising opportunity.

Seems there is a difference between the Rs and the Ds.

Cab | April 11, 2007, 4:50pm | #

Wow, I didn't know Brownback said that. That reminds me of when John Edwards stated, if elected, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk again.

lunchstealer | April 11, 2007, 5:08pm | #

Wow, I didn't know Brownback said that. That reminds me of when John Edwards stated, if elected, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk again.

Oh, now that's all we need. For Kal-El to rise from the dead, looking for brains.

clone12 | April 11, 2007, 5:48pm | #

And none of them has used it as a fund raising opportunity.

Why would you need to when you already have the deck of an aircraft carrier, rubble in NYC and a just-flooded town square in New Orleans as your stage props?

Jon Isaac | April 11, 2007, 6:02pm | #

With all these cancer-ridden candidates, we need a Dr in the White House.

Congressman Ron Paul, the leading voice in today's freedom movement, is running for President of the United States. Dr Paul represents our best opportunity to infuse the 2008 presidential elections with a conversation on personal freedom. But he can't succeed without the help of you and me! I'm putting my money where my mouth is by pledging a paltry 100 bucks to help his campaign, and I urge you to do the same.

Let's send a message to Washington and the media that this man and his message will not be ignored!

For more information or to donate:
http://www.pledgebank.com/SupportRonPaul

highnumber | April 11, 2007, 6:24pm | #

I'm putting my money where my mouth is by pledging a paltry 100 bucks to help his campaign

Putting your "money where you mouth is"?
"Paltry"?

¡Ay ay ay! I'm familiar with the modern American vernacular. Perhaps my skills could help more than my $100.

edna | April 11, 2007, 6:28pm | #

to channel ogden nash, "when called by a cancer, don't answer."

Col DuBois | April 11, 2007, 6:34pm | #

Who needs term limits with all this cancer goin' around?

yo | April 11, 2007, 6:36pm | #

Just when I believe that Weigel has summited Everest and can ascend no higher upon the peaks of Headline Awesomeness, he unleashes the Cobain.

There are no words to explain exactly how much I love me that li'l Weigel feller.

Taktix® | April 11, 2007, 6:39pm | #

Maybe Thompson is trying to ride the Edwards sympathy wave. Is having cancer this Election season's equivalent to "I have lots of black friends."

and Jon Issac, check your language, your post screams "campign ad" as subtle as an Elephant. As a no-"h" Jon myself, I am dissapointed.

there you go | April 11, 2007, 6:39pm | #

Ron Paul doesn't see cancer mentioned anywhere in the Constitution, therefore he will not be joining this transparently political pander party.

Taktix® | April 11, 2007, 6:40pm | #

*campaign ad

M | April 11, 2007, 7:25pm | #

Why would you need to when you already have the deck of an aircraft carrier, rubble in NYC and a just-flooded town square in New Orleans as your stage props?

To nourish malignant, uncontrolled, superfluous multiplication, of course!

M | April 11, 2007, 7:26pm | #

Temptation to quadruple post resisted.

The Kids In The Hall | April 11, 2007, 8:44pm | #

We did something very unusual for a comedy troupe this week. While we were, rehearsing, we found the cause of cancer. So now we'd like to turn things over to Bruce McCulloch. Bruce, do you have anything to say?

Bruce McCulloch | April 11, 2007, 8:45pm | #

/mumble

I'm sorry I caused all that cancer.

/mumble

Grand Chalupa | April 11, 2007, 8:46pm | #

Completley off topic, but this is an E-Mail I got from Hillary Clinton today. This is why no matter what the GOP does I will never vote democratic.

Dear Richard,

When our children are young, we teach them to dream big and reach for the stars, and that if they work hard enough they can accomplish anything.

This year the Rutgers women's basketball team defied the odds and lived up to their dreams, providing inspiration to every little boy and girl beginning to pick up a ball or open a book. These remarkable young women reached the pinnacle of success and won the hearts of basketball fans everywhere with their grace, skill, and poise. They are role models deserving our praise -- and our support.

Don Imus's comments about them were nothing more than small-minded bigotry and coarse sexism. They showed a disregard for basic decency and were disrespectful and degrading to African Americans and women everywhere.

Please join me in sending the young women of Rutgers a message of respect and support. Show them that we are proud to stand with them and for them.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/respect

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

M | April 11, 2007, 8:54pm | #

Photo op: Group hug w/ Duke Lacrosse?

Isaac Bartram | April 11, 2007, 9:05pm | #

just-flooded town square in New Orleans as your stage props?

I'm not exactly sure what good the "just-flooded town square in New Orleans" was supposed to do.

I mean, after all, the "just-flooded town square in New Orleans" is pretty well reinforced into the American psyche as "George W Bush and ALL OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY hates BLACK PEOPLE".

I'm not real good at "parlor tricks" but I know I'd stay as far away from that one as I could.

Akira MacKenzie | April 11, 2007, 9:15pm | #

I was going to say this this created a real opening for Sam Brownback, who has pledged, as president, to "end deaths by cancer" in a decade.

Considering that Brownback is a representive of that segment of conservatism that opposes stem cell research, genetic engineering, and "naturalistic science" (as the Discovery Institute calls it), how is Brownback going to accomplish that?

Or, in Brownback's America, are Benny Hinn and Peter Popoff (who is still doing is faith healing shtick 20 years after Jame Randi showed him for the fraud he is) going to handle America's health care needs?

"Demon of Leukemia... BE GONE!!!!"

Hugh Akston | April 11, 2007, 10:14pm | #

This explains why Obama is still on the deathsticks. Without some kind of cancer, he's got no chance against the Republican nominee.

kcjerith | April 11, 2007, 10:57pm | #

either the Nirvana reference is so obvious that was assumed, or everyone in here is slipping in their old age, or maybe some one said something and I missed it!

Timothy West | April 11, 2007, 11:24pm | #

my class 3 anaplastic astrocytoma (brain tumor) is gonna kill me in about 2~3 years. ( no, not kidding)

I'm going to base my vote on which politician can tell me they are going to cure cancer??

the ultimate pandering. Vote for me and I'll cure you!11one

Guy Montag | April 11, 2007, 11:28pm | #

Okay, I finally "have it" for the last political cycle. Might get the current one for the next cycls.

'Thompson has cancer because white people have cancer and we can cure that. Can't cure Bush killing black people with Katrina and blowing up levees.'

Rhywun | April 12, 2007, 1:48am | #

Figures God-boy would beat the big C. I see him looking up at the sky and cartoon God peering through the clouds and giving him the A-OK sign.

kohlrabi | April 12, 2007, 9:12am | #

kcjerith,

Nirvana who?

crimethink | April 12, 2007, 11:16am | #

DR CHRIS COOPER: And the winner is...Cancer Boy!

CLEMPTOR: Yummy!

VM | April 12, 2007, 11:17am | #

Rhywun - ah! that explains why grand dragon george's hip will probably get better.

crb | April 12, 2007, 12:32pm | #

They may be on to something.Maybe we should require all elected politicians to pick their cancer of choice to ensure they aren't going outlive their welcome!

ChrisO | April 12, 2007, 2:29pm | #

Y'know, Thompson could probably get that fixed right up if he went to a Benny Hinn service.

crimethink | April 12, 2007, 6:16pm | #

ChrisO,

Indeed. Aren't we all glad that Cheney's various maladies prevented him from running in '08?

Constitutional amendment proposal: Anyone who does not have a terminal illness is henceforth ineligible for the presidency. Thoughts?

Formula 409 | April 12, 2007, 6:28pm | #

psssssschhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

*foam foam