Thompson says he's the true conservative in GOP race

The Ft. Madison Daily Democrat ^ | 12/31/07 | Joe Bendict

[Free Vulcan]

Former Senator Fred Thompson's (R-Tennessee) backdrop for his Fort Madison visit on Friday states that he is the true conservative in the race for the GOP nomination. He tried to convey that message to a crowded Alpha's Annex by relaying his plans should he become the next president.

Thompson brought along one of the most conservative representatives in Iowa. Rep. Steve King from Iowa's fifth district introduced Thompson. He said he backs the senator because he wants someone who will leave the world a better place. He said the next president will pick two Supreme Court justices and he would like to see conservative judges put on the court.

King said he's spent a lot of time with Thompson and has not seen any flaws come through.

Thompson then entered and said he was glad he'd hidden his flaws from King, to the laughter of the crowd. The former senator has had a reputation of being laid-back and he showed that on Friday, but still put across his message.

He said he wasn't worried about the polls that show him behind.

“The experts got it wrong in ‘80, ‘88 and we all remember President Howard Dean in 2004,” he said.

But why should Republicans support Thompson and why should he be elected president? He said it goes back to basics. “The Declaration of Independence said our rights are from God, not government. The Constitution clearly lays out the rights of our government.

“I believe the dollar a person earns belongs in that person's pocket unless the government can come up with a pretty good argument why it needs some of it,” Thompson said.

He said the government shouldn't spend more than it brings in and shouldn't have to borrow from other nations.

As far as war goes, he said the country shouldn't go looking for a fight, but should be prepared to defend itself. The country should be proud it has shed more blood for the freedoms of others outside its borders than any other nation in history.

Thompson said these ideas are under assault. He said the Democrats are “salivating” waiting to get control of the White House so they can lead the nation to a welfare state.

“That's what Jan. 3 is about,” he said. “It's to decide who represents us and our values.”

Some of Thompson's goals include a flatter tax system, saving Social Security, rebuilding the military to face 21st century challenges and stopping illegal immigration.

For Social Security, he said individual retirement accounts are a good idea. It should save trillions over time for the system, he said. Thompson noted that by 2017, under the current system, Social Security will be paying out more than it takes in. By 2040 under the current system the entire federal budget would be spent on Social Security.

Militarily he said groups like Al-Qaeda are willing to continue to fight for a long period of time. He said the current situation in Pakistan will need some attention because it is the only Muslim nation with nuclear weapons.

“We have to exercise wisdom,” he said. “I've been concerned with that part of the world for a long, long time.”

He said the best thing to do is continue working with Pervez Musharaff to try to keep stability in the country.

A big concern for Thompson is homeland security. He said 9/11 was a low-tech operation and he's worried what a high-tech operation could do. Building up intelligence and the military - things he says were cut drastically after The Cold War - will help us prepare.

“We could be under attack by a biological weapon for days before we even realize it,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he believes America's best days lie ahead. He also thinks he is the best person to begin the first day of the rest of the country's history because of his consistent record of being a social and fiscal conservative.

“I don't have to have a very good memory,” he said. “What I believed then is what I believe now.

[Free Vulcan]

There are companion articles about his Burlington and Ft. Madison stops in the Burlington Hawkeye:

Thompson talks tough on defense

Thompson outlines his laid-back candidacy

Thompson Town Hall Meeting

I am the county chair for the county where the event took place. The best part is everyone on the county team got to meet him ahead of time for a few minutes. Jeri didn't make it in, I imagine she had kids to take care of.

I found him personable and geniune. Amazing since we were I think the sixth stop on the tour that day and he was tired, but it didn't seem to bother him all that much. He was doing far better than me after a long day like that.

He shook our hands, then immediately grabbed our Keokuk chair Celeste and said 'hey darlin' how are you?' and got a picture of him and her with his arm around her with her Thompson t-shirt on and us behind. When we walked out to sit down I said 'that alone was worth signing up to do this!' and she said 'oh yeah!.'

Rep. Steve King of western Iowa introduced him. King is a class act all on his own and I hope will run against Harkin someday. Thompson started off with some jokes and things about himself.

He then got serious and starting talking about why he wants to be president and his positions on the issues. The articles tell you most of that. My personal impression of him is he is the real deal, an extremely geniuine straight shooter. Everybody I talked to was very impressed and he is in everyone's top two.

Here a pic the paper shot from the evernt. Celeste is the strawberry blonde of the left. I'm on her left just out of the pic.

[stocksthatgoup]

http://www.fred08.com/Virtual/FDTIowaSpeech.aspx

[Jeff Chandler]

Fred needs to stand up straight. People pick up on body language subconsciously. W was a sloucher, too, but developed strong posture after 9-11.

[CitizenUSA]

Yeah, but FRed lacks fire in his belly (or so some say).

[pissant]

The experts were wrong in 1980. Inclucing Thompson, who supported liberal Howard Baker.

[GregoTX]

I'm a

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks. Go FRED Go.

I don’t believe the reports from the MSM that he is so far behind.

[raybbr]

W was a sloucher, too, but developed strong posture after 9-11.

Can Fred say nuclear instead of nukyaler?

[Free Vulcan]

The post I promised you.

[CitizenUSA]

Jeff Chandler: “Fred needs to stand up straight. People pick up on body language subconsciously. W was a sloucher, too, but developed strong posture after 9-11.”

Ah, thanks for pointing that out. I’ll add that to my list of reasons for not voting for FRed:

1) He lacks fire in his belly.
2) He uses the word, “Uh” too much.
3) He bobs his head too much.
4) He looks old.
5) He had to be drafted into the race.
6) He doesn’t enjoy campaigning.
7) He slouches.

(sarcasm)

[reasonisfaith]

Fred Thompson is the one candidate who is campaigning the way he wants, not the way the MSM wants. He will be the one candidate who does much better than expected.

[Free Vulcan]

Actually standing up straight and stiff would have worked against him here. FM is a blue collar factory town. To me he came of relaxed and down-to-earth, and that does well in these parts.

[basil]

I've seen you post this comment about Howard Baker being a liberal more than once. Could you point us to something that proves Mr. Baker is a liberal?

I have met and spent time with Mr. Baker in the past, and he sure didn't appear to be a liberal to me. You must know something I don't know.

[stocksthatgoup]

New Fred Campaign Ad Link

[cquiggy]

Please re-read this line:

I found him personable and geniune. Amazing since we were I think the sixth stop on the tour that day and he was tired, but it didn’t seem to bother him all that much.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

I found him personable and geniune. Amazing since we were I think the sixth stop on the tour that day and he was tired, but it didn’t seem to bother him all that much.

Ahem. How dare you point that out. Now, repeat after me: "Looks tired. Bobs his head. No fire in the belly."

[proudofthesouth]

I stopped trusting the polls when they said George I was going to beat Klintoon in a landslide.

[ellery]

Thank you so much! Wonderful first-hand account — I’m envious. Go Thompson!

[Kevmo]

I think Hunter is more rock-ribbed conservative than Thompson, which is why I support him. Example: immigration.

Hunter’s criticism of Thompson over immigration is well aimed. We need someone in the white house who isn’t a johnny-come-lately on this issue.
Road to Des Moines Conversions on Immigration (Hunter Press release)
News Which Cannot Lose ^ | 10/25/07 | Duncan Hunter/staff
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1916889/posts

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According to Intrade, the winner of the December 12th GOP debate was... Duncan Hunter.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1938773/posts

Why the smart money is on Duncan Hunter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1926032/posts

In this poll Hunter is up 3% and even with Paul and Thompson.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3481ef60-8195-46a9-af04-b87b907bcfdd

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Ah, thanks for pointing that out. I’ll add that to my list of reasons for not voting for FRed:

1) He lacks fire in his belly.
2) He uses the word, “Uh” too much.
3) He bobs his head too much.
4) He looks old.
5) He had to be drafted into the race.
6) He doesn’t enjoy campaigning.
7) He slouches.
8) He picks his nose during public speeches.
9) He sounds like he needs cough medicine when he speaks in public.
10) He needs to wear a tie more while speaking in public.
11) He's got eyes of a hound dog.


SARCASM (sarcasm)