Posted on 06/03/2007 6:28:39 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
RICHMOND -- Fred Thompson walked from table to table at the Republican fundraising gala here Saturday night, patiently posing for photos and signing autographs.
One woman shook his hand and simply said, "We love you."
The former senator and star of TV's "Law & Order" has created a political buzz with his potential presidential bid. And while he didn't officially announce his intentions during a 35-minute speech to the Republican faithful, he certainly sounded like a candidate.
"It's like the American people are waiting for us," he said, "waiting for us to remember why we're doing what we're doing, what the ideas were that inspired us."
He called for a new coalition of voters. He said the public is looking for new leaders.
"We have always provided those leaders," he said. "I think America is calling for us to provide them again. My friends, we must answer that call."
It earned him a rousing ovation from the crowd, some of whom wore stickers that read "The Hunt for Fred November," a reference to his role in the military thriller, "The Hunt for Red October."
Even before his speech - which was part policy, part personal history - Republicans said Thompson had piqued their interest.
"The thing about Thompson is, he has that presence," said Robert Huotari of Jetersville. "He can turn a phrase, give a look. He's got the body language."
Huotari said he is not overly enthusiastic about the current crop of Republican candidates, especially in terms of their style.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailypress.com ...
BTW, FRed is on CSPAN right now.
ping
One of these things is not like the other.
One of these things just doesn’t belong.
Can you guess which thing is not like the other,
before I finish my song?
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
George HW Bush
Bill Clinton
George W Bush
Fred Thompson
If you guessed Ronald Reagan, then you are correct.
When, oh when, will conservatives learn that we should never again allow a Southerner or a Texan any where near the White House. We get screwed over every time it happens. If Ronny should have taught us anything, it’s that we need a conservative Westerner running the show. And before any of you McCain supporters chime in, I said a CONSERVATIVE Westerner!
I think we need to at least give Duncan Hunter more support on the forums than he is getting to give him a fair shot at it. We need to quit settling for someone just because he’s slick in front of the cameras. My 2 cents.
That bumper sticker is Oh, so stolen, printed, faxed, photocopied and forwarded....
This is a serious question. Is it legally required to put the Republican symbol, or some other indication of party, on campaign material?
That I don’t know.
Please Do...
Humter got plenty of positive posts when he announced. Now, more than four months later, he has not gained any traction. He's a good man but, for whatever reason, he has not been able to compete with the frontrunners. If Thompson, after four months of campaigning, is also not gaining on the other frontrunners, his supporters will also look at reevaluating their support.
That's just politics.
“conservatives...should never allow a Southerner or a Texan any where near the White House.”
Are you trying to suggest that conservatives weren’t “screwed over” (as you put it) when Richard Nixon was President? The only one of the Republican Presidents on your list who is really a Southerner or a Texan is G.W. Bush. And while I disagree with him on several things, I think his Supreme Court appointments have thus far been far better than Reagan’s. And the Supreme Court appointments will matter long after his term is over.
That said, it is absurd to suggest that Southerners should be disqualified per se for this, or any other, reason. The South is the most conservative region of the country and, without its 190 or so electoral votes, the Republican party couldn’t pass the giggle test.
I do not think you advance Duncan Hunter’s cause by mentioning his name in the context of your blinkered remarks. I am sure he disagrees with you and would disavow your remarks. You should retract them or make it clear that you were speaking tongue in cheek.
In answer to your question, 2 persons on that list should be grouped together. Both Fred Thompson and Ronald Reagan are a) men of character; b) strong conservatives; and c) great communicators and very good retail politicians. You need all three components to be 1)elected President and 2) to be a good President.
“I think we need to at least give Duncan Hunter more support on the forums than he is getting to give him a fair shot at it. We need to quit settling for someone just because he’s slick in front of the cameras. My 2 cents.”
My friend, President Reagan was “slick” in front of the camera. That was one of his strong points - he was a communicator. It appears that Fred D. Thompson is a communicator also. Reagan wasn’t perfect and neither is Thompson. I don’t know anything about Hunter to say bad things about him, but the fact that I don’t know anything about him is to his detriment. He apparently doesn’t stand out except in the West. I like Huckabee, but he doesn’t stand out except to his region.
True 2nd tier conservatives should shoot for the number 2 slot instead of the oval office. They would serve better in that capacity.
That is a classic. It’s a keeper. It should be included in every post and thread when The Beast is mentioned.
McCain and Guiliani are off my radar screen.
Just my $.02.
IMWITHFRED.COMIf you sign up as a Friend of Fred, you receive the following message:
Thank You! First, I want to thank you for the encouragement you’ve provided me over the past few months. As I’ve said, for a lot of politicians, encouragement to run from three relatives and an unemployed campaign consultant is considered an unstoppable groundswell. I’ve heard from a lot more people, including you. Now we’re moving forward together. Second, I want to thank you for registering as a Friend of Fred. We’re entering a new phase of this process, and if I do take on this challenge, we’re not going to do things the same old way. The so-called ‘experts’ say we’re getting in too late. Well, I don’t buy it, and you don’t, either. We’re going to plow some new ground and make a real difference for our nation. It’s going to take a lot of work. We’ll use the Internet to reach out to people online, but we also need to reach friends and neighbors who may not be connected. We’ll be making a lot of calls, knocking on a lot of doors, and telling family, friends and neighbors that there is another, better way. You will help us bring to our fellow American the message of change and a call to return to the principles of our founding heritage. It’s critical that we address our nation’s challenges through the core ideals of self-governance, free markets, and the rule of law. I believe there is a real sense across our country that we’re tired of the same old petty politics. Our fellow Americans want to see some real change. They want it in Washington, and they want it closer to home. They want a better future for themselves and for their families. We can do it. Thank you again for your encouragement and support. I think we’re starting something special.You can contribute to Fred's campaign here.
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