http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/sc-gop/ en-us Tue, 20 May 2008 01:26:55 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2018427/posts Energy, high gas prices and the future of fuel highlighted the first debate between Republican Rep. Bob Inglis and his primary challenger, Charles Jeter, Wednesday night at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Trade policy and China's role in world economic and environmental affairs were underlying themes. About 50 people - including staffers and campaign volunteers, event organizers, family members and several media outlets - attended the debate, sponsored by the Spartanburg Young Republicans. WORD radio personality Bob McLain moderated. The Spartanburg Herald Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2018427/posts#comment Tue, 20 May 2008 01:26:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1963648/posts John McCain is neither the inevitable Republican Nominee nor as electable as current polling data suggests for three reasons 1) the mainstream media will turn their backs on McCain as soon as he is the nominee, 2) so-called independents and moderates will not show up as strongly for McCain in the general election as in the primary, 3) McCain cannot unify the party because many important conservatives will not rally around him, and 4) McCain-Feingold will literally seal his fate because conservatives will not outlay cash in the general election for McCain. The mainstream media will turn against Senator McCain... McCain's Straight Talk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1963648/posts#comment Sat, 2 Feb 2008 05:06:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1957421/posts Fred Thompson's political career might very well be over tomorrow. If so, take this post as a postmortem of his candidacy. It is obvious that Senator Thompson has squandered a great deal of good will during the interminable run up to the announcement of his candidacy and his less than stellar performance in the period September through mid-December. The easy analysis is that Thompson was lazy but I don't think it was laziness. I think it was a misguided attempt to run an issues oriented campaign. Thompson's Socratic style of addressing those early crowds was a good way to discuss... Brain Droppings http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1957421/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:52:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1957278/posts As has been reported elsewhere today, Fred Thompson's mother is gravely ill right now. Our prayers ought to be with Sen. Thompson, his mother, his wife, and their family. This must be a very difficult time for them. All of this political stuff is of only secondary importance right now. That said, here is what I would do, politically, if I were Thompson: I would just lay low. Just wait. See what happens in Louisiana's caucuses tomorrow. See what happens in Florida next week. See who drops out of the race at some point. And then consider reviving my campaign,... The American Spectator http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1957278/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:39:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1955998/posts McCain has become the closest thing here to the establishment candidate in a race that lacks a consensus pick. Photo: AP COLUMBIA, S.C. —The national media thinks John McCain is under siege again, and his campaign is only too happy to help reporters file their stories.At a rally Thursday, outside McCain’s headquarters just down the street from the state capitol here, the candidate and a key local supporter, Sen. Lindsey Graham, are explaining that sorcerers of the dark political arts are at work.“There’s a lot being said out there on phone calls, in the mail, that’s a bunch of garbage —... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1955998/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:37:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1954945/posts Oh boy one has to believe that Huckabee will be getting some blow-back from this. These push polls have even brought out the South Carolina Attorney General to make this statement: “Last evening the Associated Press reported that that an out-of-state special interest group, Common Sense Issues, had launched a massive push polling effort disparaging John McCain and other candidates for president. In their push poll, Common Sense Issues makes several misleading claims regarding John McCain’s record.“Allow me to set the record straight. In the U.S. Senate, John McCain has been an unwavering voice for the rights of the unborn.... NW Republican http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1954945/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:45:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1954708/posts As we move on to South Carolina team Thompson is doing something a little different and fun. They are putting up a fun set of videos from their tour down there. They are getting video snapshots of folks who have flipped to Fred from other Candidates. Here is Riley, who flipped from Romney to Fred. Karen flips from Romney to Fred: Ann flips from Huckabee to Thompson: Jason goes from Romney to Fred: Well you get the idea. There is plenty more here. Meanwhile Fred layed the smackdown on the field on Fox News last night. So much so that... NW Republican http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1954708/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:48:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1954267/posts Welcome to our Phone for Fred online phone bank! Person to person contact is the most effective way to make a difference in an election. We created the Phone for Fred program for all of you Friends of Fred who want to volunteer and do more for Fred! We need your help in the early primary states. Our Phone for Fred online phone bank makes it easy for you to make a difference! Fred only needs a small commitment of time and you will soon see that your phone calls and person to person contact will help Fred win! Fred08 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1954267/posts#comment Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:57:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1953816/posts Senator, I realize that John McCain is a friend and that you do not do your friends dirty. Unfortunately, Senator McCain is already doing himself dirty on the immigration issue. His backpedaling, blatant Janus-like turns on the border fence, open disdain for those of us who appreciate the rule of law, and shameless demagoguing on this issue is souring people on him more and more every day. These are voters you not only need on your side, but should very much want. These are not, as some would have us believe, a howling mob of racists or bunch of cruel-hearted... The Sundries Shack http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1953816/posts#comment Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:16:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1953602/posts Our campaign has had a fantastic month! From dominant debate performances to standing room only crowds, Fred is really hitting his stride just in time for the most important contest of the race so far. As much emphasis as is placed on Iowa and New Hampshire, South Carolina is the real bellwether in the GOP nominating process. On Saturday, voters in the Palmetto State will go to the polls and make a statement about the direction of our Party and our nation. As Fred pointed out in last Thursday's debate in Myrtle Beach, we are in a battle for the... Fred08 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1953602/posts#comment Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:35:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1952456/posts Sorry, Rudy: In an interview to air this Sunday, state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long tells WNBC's Gabe Pressman the party is likely to give an early nod to Fred Thompson if he manages to "break through" in South Carolina. "As a Conservative, as the chairman of the New York state Conservative Party, my favorite candidate, naturally, is Fred Thompson," Long said. "He did very well this week in the debate. Certainly, I think in South Carolina. If he does well there, if he breaks through in South Carolina, he changes the face of this Republican race again. He becomes... Holy Coast http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1952456/posts#comment Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:39:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1952423/posts Fred Thompson has raised over $200,000 online since his boffo debate performance last night, says spokesman Todd Harris. For a candidate who is putting everything on South Carolina, the showing could not have come in a better place (Myrtle Beach) or on a better network (Fox) or at a more critical time (just over a week before the South Carolina primary). The debate got front-page previews in both the Charleston and Myrtle Beach papers yesterday, and many conservatives were already likely tuning in to their favorite station. The South Carolina papers had similarly prominent coverage of the debate this morning.... The Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1952423/posts#comment Sat, 12 Jan 2008 04:45:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1951771/posts The long awaited endorsement from BackSpin is out: Fred Dalton Thompson. Every primary and caucus voter should watch Fred's message to Iowa voters: Rudy, Romney, and Huckabee all have their weaknesses, and their strengths, but the most important quality in a candidate is going to be the ability to communicate conservative principles. We as Republicans have to stop trying to win elections 'on the cheap.' For too many years, we have taken the lazy road to campaigning. We try to sell voters on tax cuts, because that's an easy sell, and then we try to offer all the candy that... Backspin at Townhall http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1951771/posts#comment Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:42:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1951745/posts At 9:00 pm ET Fox News will broadcast the Republican Presidential debate from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As usual, I’ll be liveblogging it on the Fred File. Hope to see you then. Fred08 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1951745/posts#comment Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:43:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1951461/posts I haven't been a blogger since last spring. But I am still active in several conservative forums and I am bringing you some information that I think only grassroots groups, bloggers, and talk radio can do anything about. Regardless of your political affiliation, or your choice of candidate, it should be somewhat chilling to realize how much the media is manipulating campaign information and access. I don't write this to whine "it's not fair!", but to make you aware that there is a real problem. I've tried to handle this through official channels (ie: the SC GOP, Fox News, and... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1951461/posts#comment Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:40:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1950105/posts LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - When former House Speaker Newt Gingrich decided in late September he would not run for president this year, Bob Walker went looking for another Republican he could support. He found Fred Thompson. "I'm interested in somebody who is seriously considering the issues not just as a political gimmick, but has real, long-term ideas in mind for fixing some very large problems we face immediately and down the road," Walker says. "I came to the conclusion that Fred Thompson was the guy in the race who had that kind of serious attitude," says Walker, a Lititz resident... The Lancaster New Era http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1950105/posts#comment Tue, 8 Jan 2008 06:16:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1948781/posts Apparently, small government Republicans [Huckabee’s] aides are wary of New Hampshire. “It’s all no tax, no government there,” said Bob Wickers, a top strategist. “It’s not ideal.” But they believe that the message of economic anxiety that he preaches will help in Michigan’s primary on Jan. 15 and in states in the South, which have high poverty rates in addition to strong groups of social conservatives.” Mike Huckabee is skipping New Hampshire because it’s too fiscally conservative. Instructive, yes? Huckabee’s brand of identity politics is as dangerous as anyone else’s - after nearly eight years of a fiscally liberal Republican... Moore Thoughts http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1948781/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jan 2008 16:27:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1947888/posts It looks like the Politico website has another fascinating scoop full of un-substantiated and un-named sources. That is that John McCain's campaign is literally hanging by a thread. He is low on money and fallen to a fourth place tie with Ron Paul in Iowa. Sources (unnamed) say that a McCain shellacking in Iowa will likely drop him out of the running in New Hampshire where is organization is running on fumes. In Iowa McCain has gone from 13% and high hopes of pulling a surprise to falling to 10% and a tie with a surging Ron Paul. UPDATE: ARG... NW Republican http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1947888/posts#comment Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:00:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1946201/posts Fewer active voters than in the 2006 general election will be casting ballots during the January presidential primary season in Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties, according to statistics from the State Election Commission. Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said the decline likely is because of inactive voters not responding to cards mailed out to maintain state registration records. The cards were sent out to voters who did not cast ballots in the last two general elections to confirm those individuals are still living at their respective addresses. People who did not return the confirmation cards will be able to vote but... Times and Democrat, SC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1946201/posts#comment Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:06:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1943958/posts As Rush points out at the top of the excerpt, he does not endorse candidates in primaries. But that does not stop him from taking note of a fact that many Reagan Republicans are seeing Fred Thompson as the only true conservative in the field of Republican candidates. (VIDEO) With 13.5 million weekly listeners (some have suggested the number is closer to 20 million), Rush’s comments will not go unnoticed. Question is, is it enough to keep Fred in the race through? SoCal Pundit http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1943958/posts#comment Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:13:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1942974/posts Almost as I'd thought. The endorsement of Rep. King has begun having an impact in the Iowa poll numbers and the Thompson campaign is on the move according to this latest Strategic Vision poll. - Huckabee -31% - Romney - 25% - Thompson - 16% The anomaly in this poll right now is Huckabee (another post on that later) who when this poll was taken was at 31%. I have not heard the entire show, however the internet is abuzz with Rush's cremation of Huckabee (and for good reason...again more on that later). Huckabee's numbers are going to plummet down... The NW Republican http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1942974/posts#comment Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:24:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1941083/posts Stick a fork in him: With fewer than 20 days until the Iowa caucuses, three men in the Republican Party stand to get their tickets punched out of the Hawkeye State. While everything is still in flux, those likely winners will be Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson. Notably missing out on Iowa’s political rocket fuel is national frontrunner Rudy Giuliani. While most political insiders and pundits have known for months that Giuliani had no plans to compete in Iowa, the general American electorate probably does not. Known to not pay attention to the early political pontificating, the average... Politik Ditto http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1941083/posts#comment Tue, 18 Dec 2007 08:12:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1935975/posts Join us December 13th for a Phone for Fred Party! We get thousands of emails every week from regular folks asking how they can get involved and make a big difference even though they don't live in the early states. Next Thursday, December 13th, we are having a nationwide phone bank for Fred. Hosting a phone bank on the 13th is the best way to make a real difference in the final month going into the Iowa Caucus. Take a group picture of everyone at your party, and if your party makes the most calls we'll make it the feature... Fred08 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1935975/posts#comment Fri, 7 Dec 2007 04:26:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1934346/posts Days left until the Jan. 19 S.C. Republican presidential primary: 46 Days left until the Jan. 26 S.C. Democratic presidential primary: 53 Days left to register to vote: 17 CAMPAIGN TRAIL When and where presidential candidates are appearing in South Carolina 12:15 p.m. today: Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson will have a meet-and-greet at Wade’s Southern Cooking at 100 N. Pine St. in Spartanburg. 2 p.m.: Thompson will visit Blue Ridge Shooting Sport Store at 3559 Ballenger Road in Greer. 6 p.m.: Thompson will visit Market Square Deli at 2029 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greenville. 8:45 a.m. Wednesday: Thompson will... The State http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1934346/posts#comment Tue, 4 Dec 2007 06:29:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1930239/posts Roger L. Simon, last seen cavorting with Pajama clad babes on the floor of the BlogWorld convention like a latter day Hugh Hefner, sat down with Fred Thompson to discuss the Global War on Terror. Bob Owens, proprietor of the excellent Confederate Yankee blog, joined Roger in conducting the interview. I linked to this yesterday in my Republican race Q&A, but the interview itself merits a little post of its own. In no particular order, a few observations: 1) The long form interview allowed Fred to express his knowledge and thoughts on the war on terror. He was impressive. Believe... The Weekly Standard/PajamasMedia http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/1930239/posts#comment Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:51:37 GMT