Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
Posted on 09/13/2007 11:20:48 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
THE VILLAGES -- Fred Thompson began the presidential campaign's first Florida-wide multicity bus tour Thursday, standing on a platform of classic conservatism while offering few specifics that would set him apart from the other Republican candidates.
But there was one politician he distinguished himself from frequently during his campaign swing: President Bush, whom he never mentioned by name.
Though Thompson supports the Iraq War and bashed Congress the most, he repeatedly criticized the failed immigration plan the White House backed last year, brought up the need to veto spending that has bloated the federal budget and even swiped at the president's No Child Left Behind Act, which Thompson voted for when he was in the Senate in 2001.
Thompson said education is more of a state and local government responsibility, and that the policy of more federal mandates and spending is creating more bureaucracy.
''It's not working. No Child Left Behind. Good concept,'' he said in Jacksonville. ``I'm all for testing. But it seems like now that some of these states are teaching to the test.''
Later, at The Villages retirement community in Central Florida, where hundreds greeted him in the sweltering afternoon, Thompson didn't mention No Child Left Behind by name, but repeated his position that schools should be largely left to the locals. Thompson said he didn't see a contradiction in supporting the act years ago and sees a need for federal action and money because education is a national priority.
At each stop in the rock-ribbed Republican areas, Thompson won the biggest cheers when he stressed the need for tighter spending and better border security, and for supporting the Iraq War.
''Our people have shed more blood for the liberty of other people than any other nation. I see no reason to apologize for the United States of America,'' he said, applause drowning out his deep drawl at both stops.
STAGE PRESENCE
While most Republican candidates share his views, some party members who turned out Thursday said Thompson's platform was special because of the way the former Law & Order actor carried himself and spoke. Many feel he's more conservative than his rivals who have changed their positions on abortion and guns.
Speaking without notes and smoothly moving from one topic to the next, Thompson, 65, talked of how laws come from God and not the government, mentioned his humble Tennessee roots and portrayed himself as a man who has nothing to lose because he's beholden only to the truth.
His decision to tour Florida from Jacksonville to Sumter County to Miami to Pasco County shows Thompson is banking on the new early Jan. 29 primary, which could help catapult him to the front of the field nationally, and counteract Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's potential wins in Iowa and New Hampshire. Thompson's speeches steered clear of directly attacking his Republican rivals, such as front-runner Rudy Giuliani, and even the Democratic opposition.
Like the other Republicans, Thompson said he would ''bite the bullet'' and veto the ''pork-barreling'' federal budgets that have increased spending to historic heights when Republicans controlled the Capitol.
''We will send a message on Election Day when we elect a president who will blow the whistle on this irresponsibility,'' Thompson said at both stops.
His harshest criticisms were reserved for the institution Americans love to hate: Congress, now under the control of Democrats who want to pull out of Iraq.
''The average 20-year-old serving us in Iraq knows more about their country's national security than the average 20-year political veteran serving in the Congress today,'' Thompson said.
IMMIGRATION
In The Villages, Thompson won thunderous applause for saying the Senate plan to grant a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants was not only wrong, it ''welshed'' on an understanding that Congress left with Americans in 1986, when it passed a plan to legalize the status of many immigrants who were here without permission. In the Disney-built town of Celebration, Thompson said immigration law should be changed to prevent illegal immigrants from gaining U.S. residency simply because their children were born here.
But as with his opposition to what he called ''this same-sex marriage business'' and his desire to lower taxes while prosecuting an expensive war, Thompson didn't elaborate on how he would accomplish his goals. He also ducked a question on whether Congress should have intervened in the 2005 controversy over whether to insert a feeding tube into a comatose Florida woman, Terri Schiavo, and said he didn't know enough about the widely publicized case.
Though Thompson touched on virtually every major theme, it wasn't enough for 54-year-old Linda Ostroski, a volunteer with the AARP-run ''Divided We Fall'' effort who was unable to ask the candidate what his plan was for lowering healthcare costs and helping more people get health insurance.
''It would have been helpful for him to address the one issue that plagues everyone in this country,'' she said after his Jacksonville speech.
`FREDDIE THE SHARK'
A bigger critic: a man standing -- and profusely sweating -- in a shark costume with a sign that read, ''Florida welcomes lawyer-lobbyist Freddie the Shark,'' a reference to Thompson's lobbying career. The man wouldn't give his name, motioning with his hands that he was mute or couldn't speak.
Michael Lethbridge, a 73-year-old resident of The Villages, said he appreciated Thompson because he felt he could trust him, though he wanted to hear more about abortion, which he opposes.
''Thompson is right on illegal immigration,'' he said. ``He's right about federal spending.''
Ping!
I would have guessed it was Romney paying him but maybe you're right.
Hey FReepers! Are you like me? Do you see this "Divided We Fall" operation as an AARP attempt to boost the 'Rats?
Note how they play down the idea that Thompson is different? Can't have this guy catching fire now can we...
But this made me wince: "But it seems like now that some of these states are teaching to the test.'' That cliche of liberal teachers is so tired.
AARP might as well be an auxiliary to the DNC and have been for eons...
Florida is where Rudy expects to make his breakthrough: Willard seems to have Iowa and New Hampshire sewn up.
https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
Look, I'd like to be able to buy insurance for $50.00 a month, but it isn't going to happen. I'm an adult so I accept it.
We have 300 million Citizens in the United States. All but 40 million have insurance according the last account I've seen. That means 260 million have insurance, so it's a little tenuous to say this issue plagues everyone in the country.
If folks think paying is tough, wait until it's paid by the government for them, and they have to wait for years to have someone see their ingrown toenail.
Next to global worming, heath scare is the most demagogued issue.
Fred Thompson will be the next President Of The United States Of America.
From your lips to God’s ears, my friend!
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
I thought it probably WAS Romney, doing a bit of personal opposition research.
Willard better have them sown up as much as he paid fro them...
However money can’t buy you love...
Maybe so. All I can tell you is that if Florida Education gets any worse, our children won't be educated enough work sticks and stones on graduation.
Oh man, the Welsh-American community aren't going to like that! Thompson is toast. Plus he's lazy, joined the race too late etc. /crazed anti-Fred rhetoric
FRED VETS, SIGN UP TODAY AT:
I was in that crowd yesterday in the Villages, Fred charmed the crowd with his wit, common sense and belief in our core values. He, like President Bush used the Villages slogan: “It’s always a beautiful day in the Villages”. Romney will be here next week.
Any idea what Thompson’s position is on Ramos/Compean? If elected, will he pardon them? Or what his position is on the amnesty DREAM Act, which they are going to attempt to attach along with two other amnesty amendments, to the Defense Bill next week?
Now I can see him talking about rights coming from God - but not laws.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.