Posted on 04/10/2007 1:05:05 PM PDT by Impeach98
A man named Fred
Fred Dalton Thompson is a towering figure.
I've seen him in real life; just outside the ABC broadcast facilities in Washington, D.C., where he exited after taping a broadcast for Paul Harvey's "News and Comment."
I nearly sprained my neck looking up and trying to take in his 6-foot 6-inch frame.
He didn't look well that day. At dinner the previous evening, Thompson had contracted food poisoning. The D.C. bureau chief told me that despite his obvious discomfort, he had nonetheless posted his segment. In my business, that counts for a lot. Deadlines are everything.
So, what do we know about Fred Thompson and his possible candidacy for the highest office in the land?
I don't agree with every single vote Fred Thompson has offered during his service as a United States senator (more on that later). But after serving honorably, he retreated to private life, started a second family and regenerated from the body politic. SCORE! That's a lot more than you can say about so many professional politicians who inhabit Washington these days. Thomas Jefferson would have applauded Thompson's decision.
Fred Thompson is respectably conservative. His lifetime American Conservative Union rating when he left the U.S. Senate was an 86. That's not too bad, though as some bloggers have pointed out Thompson's ACU ratings aren't that much higher than the likes of Chuck Hagel and John McCain.
For me, there are two essential issues facing this nation that absolutely require principled conservative leadership.
The first is the war on terrorism. I know that rubs some of the constitutionalist conservatives crazy, but too bad. Those on the right who are preaching a policy of isolationism in the face of Islamic jihadism are dangerously wrong in their worldview. By teaming up with the anti-war left, they embolden the Islamic terrorist cells around the globe who see the United States as weak and divided in the face of such an evil and obvious enemy intent upon destruction of America and our way of life.
The second issue of import is securing our borders. Of all the things President Bush has done to irk grass-roots conservatives, his decision to pursue amnesty and open border plans have been most disturbing.
Forget the issues of 11 to 12 million illegal aliens in our country and the problems with health care, crime and employment that have been created by this massive invasion – how can we seriously conduct a war on terrorism if we leave thousands of miles of our southern border essentially unprotected?
Thompson offers great promise to conservatives on both of these issues.
Thompson hasn't had to do a 180-degree change on his policy positions to become conservative on the war on terrorism and immigration.
On immigration, Fred Thompson has shown that he "gets" the problem and isn't afraid to offend the sensibilities of the pro-amnesty and cheap labor crowd. You can hear Fred Thompson's views on illegal immigration online.
On the war on terrorism, Thompson has been both an advocate for our troops, a staunch supporter of the policies in Iraq and Afghanistan and has displayed his willingness to tackle the radical factions of Islam who are at war with the United States and Western civilization.
Mr. Thompson is a dazzling communicator, as the video clips I've linked to above clearly show.
After six years of President Bush's mostly uninspiring television appearances (notable exceptions being immediately after Sept. 11 and the following State of the Union Address), I'm ready for someone who can articulate his beliefs clearly and forcefully.
It wouldn't hurt the conservative movement, or the Republican Party, to rally behind a man who knows how to speak to a camera, to inspire a nation desperately in need of plain talk and concise answers to difficult questions.
I should note that there are a few things that require conservatives to raise an eyebrow when evaluating Thompson as a potential candidate. His avid support for the unconstitutional McCain-Feingold campaign finance laws demonstrates a less-than-conservative reading of the Constitution. The law was bad politics for Republicans, wounding conservative causes while empowering liberals campaigns during election season.
There's also the question of Thompson's vigor and commitment to a campaign, and the grueling amount of work required each and every day for the next one and a half years.
I want to note that there are some very admirable traits among the other candidates. However, even those who I admire the most have candidly stated that they aren't in the race to win, but rather to highlight certain issues like immigration. That's fine, but I prefer to see a candidate grounded in all of the important issues of our day.
Looking at the scorecard right now, I'm not comfortable having to "settle" just because Candidate X has the best chance to win. In fact, I have never belonged to that brand of Republicanism. Just look at what happened in California after the recall of Gray Davis. People made the calculation that conservative Tom McClintock was the best-qualified candidate, and then voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Talk about buyer's remorse! The governor campaigned as a conservative and quickly unveiled himself as a RINO after the votes were counted. But, I digress.
Fred Thompson's candidacy would be a welcome addition to the 2008 election campaign. Whether he would be the best choice for president remains to be seen.
At the very least, I hope we're given the opportunity to have Sen. Thompson as an option to consider.
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Melanie Morgan is chairman of the conservative, pro-troop non-profit organization Move America Forward and is co-host of the "Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Show" on KSFO 560 AM in San Francisco. Morgan is co-author of "American Mourning," which tells the stories of American heroism in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her personal website is www.MelanieMorgan.com.
bttt
He (Duncan) doesn't seem serious about running to win, however. That doesn't change the fact that he has been a stalwart conservative who championed what he believed instead of what was politically expedient.
Perhaps we can dream of a Thompson-Hunter ticket. I'd take a Hunter-Thompson ticket too, but I don't think that's too likely to happen.
Bump.
I’m keeping this under consideration....thanks
Ping
Thompson will make a fine candidate for president. The only problem is that he chose lousy candidates to support. Lincoln Chafee in 2006 and John McCain in 2000
I believe Thompson now recognizes McCaine-Feingold as a failure while Giuliani says it’s great but just needs some loopholes plugged.
Correct.
And, unlike Rudy, is not a pro-abort.
So do I, Melanie, so do I!
Bumping a very thoughtful article on Fred.
As Melanie said, SCORE!
Sign the Fred Thompson for President Petiton
Join the Draft Fred Thompson Bandwagon
THOMPSON FLOOR SPEECH ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM March 27, 2001
Must watch Video! Fred Thompson FL GOP 1998 Statesman of the Year
Listen to recent commentaries by Fred Thompson:
Gandhi's Way Isn't the American Way
Fred Thompson with Laura Ingraham
If you'd like to be a FRedHead let me or Howlin know.
CAUTION: This is a very high volume ping list. You may receive between 5 and 10 pings a day. If you'd rather not receive so many pings, let me know and I'll only ping you once a week.
I like the Thompson-Hunter ticket!
Thanks for the post!
Why do you say that? I believe he is VERY serious.
As I’m sure you know...Fred went on to say an idea he’s pondering is to let it all loose- with immediate internet reporting and severe penalities when not reported.
:)
Run, Fred, RUN!
“Thompson will make a fine candidate for president. The only problem is that he chose lousy candidates to support. Lincoln Chafee in 2006 and John McCain in 2000”
areafiftyone,
I am not responding as a Rudy hater. I like the guy. However, you are certainly throwing stones while living in a glass house with that comment. Discretion may have been the better course of action.
That image looks more like balded headed Giulani, not Viet vet Hunter. Perhaps you need a better cartoon to steal.
Thompson sucked it up for Lincoln, as did Laura Bush- in an ATTEMPT to maintain a Republican majority...
And as for McCain-...I supported him myself back in 2000. That’s a rather illogical assertion to keep pointing out at this stage anyway- if Fred were STILL supporting McCain today- don’t you think he’d be out there working for him?
There’s something I think is being overlooked here by some folks who are supporting other candidates. A lot us aren’t necessarily AGAINST the others...it’s that we FOR Fred.
There’s a big difference. I don’t think you’ve ever seen me on a Rudy thread bashing him personally, nor will you.
Fantastic job of posting. You posted the entire article. And you preserved the internal links.
Great job. Thanks!!
Fred BUMP.
Apparently CAIR or the terrorist-adoring left has gotten hold of the last YouTube link you posted as it’s now requiring logon or sign up with over 18 verification to view.
Although I won’t give YouTube my info, I assume Thompson must’ve had some pretty strong words for islalmofacists...which mde the libs and muslims flag it.
YouTube is a farce in this manner, IMO.
Regardless, bump!
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