[SoConPubbie]

Senator Dick Mountjoy, author of Prop 187, former President of the CRA annouced that he was endorsing Fred Thompson today while at the rally.

John Zigler of KFI fame was there as well acting as the MC.

Senator Tom McClintock gave a great pre-event speech.

I was there myself, it was a very enthusiastic crowd with the crowd interrupting Fred with applause and standing ovations on several occasions.

Having seen him in one of these events, I now know that those who are spouting the "No fire in the belly" and "he is not real impressive in person or on the stump" nonsense are not being honest with people here at FreeRepublic.

[MaryFromMichigan]

BTTT!

[Route66]

Bump. Thanks for the first hand report.
The lack of honesty in the commentary on Fred has, without doubt, negatively affected his campaign, but the tide is turning.

[seekthetruth]

Thanks for the report. There is another thread with posts from others who were there. Can’t wait to see Fred in Florida! GO FRED!

[fieldmarshaldj]

*BUMP*

[deport]

Having seen him in one of these events, I now know that those who are spouting the “No fire in the belly” and “he is not real impressive in person or on the stump” nonsense are not being honest with people here at FreeRepublic.

---

That is campaign tactics and most likely can be found across the spectrum of candidates. You have to look beyond that and look at the national acceptance, ability to organize at both the national and state level, secure endorsements of prominence from many sectors, raise funds, develop strategies, etc. etc. etc.

In 32 days the People of Iowa will begin the true selection process and two days later New Hampshire will follow suit. After that things will begin to happen quickly and many candidates will be found lacking...

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I thought Dick Mountjoy was a legendary porn star. But what do I know?

[donnab]

Thank you for posting this. Its great to see and not a surprise to those of us who have been following him. Its up to people like me and you to pass it along and get the grassroots movement growing. Thanks for all you do.

[basil]

ping!

[SuziQ]

I now know that those who are spouting the "No fire in the belly" and "he is not real impressive in person or on the stump" nonsense are not being honest with people here at FreeRepublic.

Yeah, well, when I read those comments, I consider the source. ;o) I've seen several comments by FReepers who have attended his campaign rallies, and have said that he did very well, indeed.

[Fred]

Good for Senator Mountjoy. Interesting how the CRA endorsed Mitt. Really too bad..

[RonDog]

See also the two threads posted here from BEFORE this event:

Fred Thompson Rally This Saturday (Orange County, California)
	Posted by 2ndDivisionVet On GOP Club 11/27/2007 7:36:51 PM PST · 20 replies Red County OC Blog ^ | November 27, 2007 | Jubal
FRED THOMPSON in California THIS SATURDAY (12/1) 9am Laguna Woods, with TOM McCLINTOCK
	Posted by RonDog On News/Activism 11/27/2007 12:33:25 AM PST · 55 replies The Rightosphere Temperature Check For November ^ | 11/26/07 | Politicalmom

[RonDog]

Indexing AFTER-ACTION threads:

Senator Fred Thompson in Laguna Woods plays to an enthusiastic rally of 700 people
	Posted by SoConPubbie On News/Activism 12/01/2007 2:17:20 PM PST · 21 replies Red County OC Blog ^ | December 01, 2007 | Chuck DeVore
After Action Report! Fred Thompson Rally, Sat. Dec 1st, California
	Posted by reformjoy On News/Activism 12/01/2007 1:17:04 PM PST · 25 replies fred08.com ^ | 12-01-07 | reformjoy

[Ladycalif]

I tried to get in. We were denied entry for being Minutemen.

[Finny]

I went, and thought John Ziegler was just over-the-top good. That's a talented and gutsy guy, there. He had the audience groaning (good naturedly) and chuckling. But the guy with the funniest line, I thought, was McClintock. Zieg had praised him to pretty high heaven as the best legislator in Sacramento, I think it was (don't quote me on it), and the audience must have agreed because McClintock got a standing ovation when he took the podium. He modestly acknowledged the praise: "It's kind of like being told I'm the tallest building in ... Modesto," he said, and everybody who's been to Modesto busted up.

Thompson is not glib. He knows the conservative philosophy he upholds and how the Constitution and structure of American government enable it to thrive. He's not a sound-bite guy. He is a good instructor in government. When he's passionate about the subject, it shows through loud and clear and convincingly. It's easy to get entranced when he's on a roll.

He is humble. "I don't need another thing to add to my resume," he said, and I believed him. He's doing it because he knows he's one of those rare politicians who, like Tom McClintock, intellectually embraces the core values of American conservatism in government, starting at the Constitution. I think his conscience is making him do it.

I shook Jeri's hand! She is prettier and more glamorous than her pictures, and dressed well, low key, classy. There's a lot to her, you can tell. But she needs to relax. I wish I'd thought to remind her to laugh, count her blessings, enjoy the adventure, go with the flow. Let go and ride the wave, dude!! That would be my Southern California message to Jeri if I had it to do over again. I hope I shook the hand of the future First Lady.

Aside from Thompson's true, deep, humility, the thing that came across the most for me was his way with people. He was quietly, respectfully mobbed for quite some time getting out of the building. Just watching body language, the comfort levels were extreme. There was no wall that I could see between politician and person. Thompson believes in the power of the same conservative principles that a lot of those folks there have lived, loved, and voted, and it gives him a lot of confidence. He's very tall, but oddly, not imposing.

[topher]

It makes sense to get around the country, and not limit appearances to Iowa and New Hampshire.

California has quite a few delegates for the National Convention...