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I had almost decided for Romney, mostly because I thought he would bring some fiscal sanity to Washington. I was willing to overlook his recent change of heart on social issues.

But, I have had enough of politicians tell people what they want to hear. I would rather vote for a candidate who has principles and stands by them. Even if I do not share those principles, I want a president who is willing to stick to his guns, and doesn't’t rely on whichever special interest group is hollering the loudest.

I am beginning to take a very close look at Fred Thompson. I do not mind that he is “laid back”. I kind of like that he says what he thinks in a few short and direct sentences, without wandering all over the place verbally, with non-answers.

I agree with you here in principle, but to tell the truth, sometimes there are choices to make based on electability. Its the perennial argument of voting strictly on principle for a candidtate with no chance to win, versus voting for the "half a loaf" candidate, who has some positions you don't like, but you vote for, because he'll carry some of your policies into office and is clearly a better choice than whatever the opposition is offering. Can't say I like this reality, but it is the practical side of winning over time.

Here I really agree with you strongly. In a way, I may have the pleasure of condradicting myself in that Fred could be the real deal in terms of conservatism and still could be a winning horse. I think he's gotten out of that too laid back category with his recent debate performances, like when he said hell no I ain't gonna do no show of hands. Boy was I cheering when he did that! One or two of his interviews troubled me in that there was something a bit lacking in his smarts, compared with say, Guiliani, who always seems to have a sharp articulate answer. Fred was asked something on whether he would apply military solutions to the War on Terror no matter what theater. He kind of meandered on that one, when I wanted him to say: "As president, I'll do whatever it takes to find, capture or kill every terrorist. period."