Posted on 06/06/2007 11:17:45 PM PDT by Politicalmom
Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson appeals to many Republican voters who have no clear favorite in the current crop of GOP candidates for one overriding reason:
Simply, put, they think Thompson can win the whole shooting match next November.
The other GOP candidates have their merits and may even have individual strengths which override Thompson on a given issue. For example, former NYC Mayor Giuliani is the only Presidential candidate who can lay claim to leading the effort at Ground Zero from day one at 9/11. That's impressive.
John McCain had his mettle tested over six years as a P.O.W. in Vietnam and has managed to not only recover but flourish as a multi-term U.S. Senator from Arizona. His independent spirit is attractive in many ways.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and U.S. Senator Sam Brownback articulate clearly the values shared not only by social conservatives in the Republican Party but many other Americans who watch with concern as their children are exposed to more violence and gratuitous sex on the public airwaves. We need their continued passion for a better society.
And Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts and "the man who saved the Salt Lake City Olympic Games" has an impressive resume as a manager of budgets and people.
However, none of them can communicate the big picture to the people like Fred Thompson can. Whether this comes from his family upbringing in the South, his careers in government service and acting, or just his own individual personality, Thompson conveys strength in that singular way only some leaders can.
People seem to actually derive strength and even energy from Thompson's own presentations, from his deeply-held belief in America and Americans. No one else has that going for them.
That is why the comparison with Ronald Reagan is so often made. Sure, both were actors and involved in politics, but it is the chords they strike with the electorate that makes them soul brothers.
Both Reagan and Thompson have spoken of their deep trust in the common sense and can-do attitude of the American people, especially in times of crisis. Both have emphasized of the need to release the shackles on the small entrepreneur by cutting taxes. Both have urged the nation's courts to not legislate from the bench and to return to the spirit of the U.S. Constitution with its separation of powers.
And both have made clear their belief that the President of the United States has a moral obligation to promote freedom and democracy abroad and to protect it at home from those who would harm us.
For Reagan, the threat to our freedom meant the Soviet Union, though Libya's Khadafi also discovered his sting.
For Thompson, protecting Americans in the 21st Century means fighting an effective war on terror and watching out for aggressive actions by old rivals. Thompson has continued his study of China, Russia, and North Korea as a Visiting Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies national security and intelligence issues.
Both Reagan and Thompson have been election-day winners, despite being underestimated by the "experts." Both have commanded confidence from men and women voters for their strength and steadiness. Reagan won handily twice at the national level; Thompson came to office courtesy of the people of Tennessee, who twice elected him overwhelmingly to the U.S. Senate.
One can easily imagine the entire South getting behind Thompson, a ready-made electoral base which would allow Thompson to search for the rest of his electoral majority in the Midwest, West, and Mid-Atlantic states. Of all the serious Republican contenders, only Thompson would begin his march to the general election with such an advantage against a Democratic nominee.
The ability to communicate to a broad cross-section of Americans is what the Republicans must have this coming election year. Fred Thompson has all the right credentials, attributes, and experiences to be the GOP's best hope in 2008. He has a base of support in the South and needs only to communicate his pro-American message to the rest of a country that needs some encouragement.
Yes, other Republican candidates may have their individual strengths. But none has all the bases covered as well as Fred Thompson does. Thompson connects one-on-one with viewers and listeners in his TV and radio work.
Now let's see if he can do the same thing with those same viewers and listeners in his march to Washington.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Are FRedheads proud of that?
Things kinda tense over at Lindey Graham HQ, huh?
This is Fred’s competition....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meUUE_ZxSjU&NR=1
And he better eat a big breakfast if he wants to keep up with Romney. There is a big difference between reading a script in a studio, and standing up on stage debating LIVE in front of millions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GqWWMHTOfE&mode=related&search=
I like them both, but feel Romney is a stronger leader. JMHO
Fred has made it clear that he has reexamined his support for McCain-Feingold, and has as much as disavowed his former support.
There isn’t any doubt that folks with agendas (what’s YOURS by the way?) will continue to try to hang this albatross on Fred.
But, it won’t work. This stale BS won’t get any traction on this conservative forum, and it sure won’t get any traction out there in mid-America.
Give it up.
In fact, I’d say that the best chance we have of getting that piece of crap repealed is with FDT as President with a solid Republican Congress behind him.
You sure won’t get a repeal with the Democrats in charge, and that’s what you’ll be likely to get if we nominate a loser. Fred’s a proven conservitive winner. He’ll be great in the White House.
Romney is a slimy flip flopper. We already have plenty of those in Washington.
We don’t want Romneycare and homosexual adoptions.
I’ll pass.
You are totally deluded about the size of the groundswell of support for Thompson.
What’s Romney fallen to in the polls now? 7%? Or is it 5%?
I forget.
You’re gonna look at polls this early in the game?
You keep watching those worthless polls.
Here is a REAL poll for ya....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bIa7DfW-YU
There's an even bigger difference between performing photogenically and governing with an opposition party controlling the legislature.
Romney's record speaks for itself. Who cares how someone acts during a debate, which is as well-rehearsed as a TV show? Can anyone say that Clinton, who you gotta admit was a wonder at debates, was a great leader?
Topo, I'm from Massachusetts; Romney was a governor of mine.
Romney, you're no president.
He's a nice man, according to first-hand reports. He looks very dashing (like...an actor). But he's a bit light on the substance.
What has he done that makes you think he would be a good president--applaud Hillarycare coming to Massachusetts, or be completely and utterly powerless in the face of Democrat control of the state legislature?
You're gushing like a schoolgirl over talking heads telling you he won a debate?
I think you need to chill--Romney's not leaving his wife for someone named "Topo". ;)
Simply, put, they think Thompson can win the whole shooting match next November.
That is so not true! I refuse to vote for gun grabbing RINO liberals, period. Thompson is so much more conservative than the top three there's no comparison. It's not about electability, it's about conservative values. While Fred isn't perfect, he's definitely someone I can get behind. I can't say the same about Giuliani, Romney and McCain.
Why dont we ask Jim Kramer what he thinks?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoBKgmnVkrc&mode=user&search=
Hey Valentine, why dont you poll Wall Street why you’re at it?
Now that was good for a laugh!
A comment on the polling. It’s actually late in the game for Mitt Romney.
He’ll be out of the race before the first big primary states. If he can’t catch a fire with all the kindling he’s piled up in the form of big seed money, by now, he’s not worth continuing to back, and he’ll see his funding dry up quicker than a Shara waterhole in July. Right now, Romney’s nothing more than a better funded Tom Tancredo or Duncan Hunter.
So who are you behind?
Talked with my brother and his wife tonight.
They have always voted liberal candidates for the last 40 years and are solid with the Democrats.
My sister-in-law told me tonight that they could not support any of the far out top tier Democrat candidates and would be supporting this new guy Fred Thompson.
So Fred has garnered at least two converts who have Dem stamped on their precinct cards.
I suspect it isn’t the first and probably will not be the last time that life long Democrats switch parties for 08.
Reminds me of those positive feelings during the Reagan Democrat days.
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