Posted on 09/09/2007 2:59:02 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Though Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson is running as the heir to Ronald Reagan's brand of conservatism, he made the rounds of symbolic Democratic strongholds in New Hampshire on Sunday.
Thompson began his first visit to the Granite State as an official candidate Saturday evening with a single stop at a traditional GOP picnic at the Scammon farm in Stratham, then spent the night in the heavily Democratic seacoast city of Portsmouth.
Thompson had no public events Sunday morning. His first appearance was in the heavily Democratic 'Queen City' of Manchester, the most populated city in New Hampshire.
His first stop was at a diner called "Chez Vachon," one of the most identifiable haunts of the 1992 Clinton campaign. The restaurant is located on the intensely liberal French-Canadian "west side," where French accents are prevalent and labor union politics rule.
Chez Vachon occasionally features Republican candidates — Arizona Sen. John McCain swung by earlier this year — but the voters are devout Democrats.
Afterward, Thompson was to shake hands with football fans at a pair of sports bars in downtown Manchester before the New England Patriots game kicked off, then was wrapping his day in Nashua.
Nashua, the 'Gate City' along the Massachusetts border, is yet another heavily Democratic town and City Hall is an essential stop on the Democratic campaign trail.
It is the place where John F. Kennedy launched his successful presidential campaign more than 45 years ago. Every Democratic presidential candidate pays respects by visiting and noting the JFK statute in front of the building.
Thompson will make it the backdrop for the last event of this New Hampshire swing.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I lived in Townsend, MA and spent considerable time in that neck of the woods. I believe Thompson’s message will resonate.
They’ll be reporting on Fred eating babies by the time he overtakes Trudy.
I attended Fred’s stop at the Nashua, NH, City Hall this afternoon. It poured before Fred arrived, but everyone was in good spirits. Lots of folks waved back and tooted horns as we waved signs at the cars.
I talked with a woman originally from Tennessee, who now lives in NH; it’s her first political season here and she can’t believe the amount of time candidates have already spent in the state.
Carl Cameron was there, front and center (the shmuck). The best moment happened after Carl did his setup bit for the Fox cameraman. A little boy, about 10 or 12 years old, went up to Carl and said: “You know why I like Fred Thompson?” And proceeded to tell Carl all about Fred!
The mayor of Nashua, Bernie Streeter (who is supporting another Republican candidate), graciously introduced Fred. (I think Bernie should replace Fergus Cullen as state GOP chairman, but that’s another story.)
The usual mix of non-Thompson supporters attended - middle-aged antiwar folks (well-behaved), and special interest groups (”I’m a Healthcare Voter”, “Secure Social Security”, medical marijuana advocates), street people, and of course a sign-carrying Ron Paul supporter (who I bumped out of camera range with a Fred sign).
Fred arrived on his awesome bus, and spoke for an hour. He would have spoken longer, but his crew kept giving him the signal to wind down.
Fred answered questions from the audience. He wowed a couple of young women who asked serious questions about Social Security and healthcare.
As Fred left to get back on the bus, he took his time to take snapshots with folks, and to sign autographs.
A good time!
No he isn't. As a matter of fact, he's never mentioned working in the Reagan primary efforts in 1976 or 1980. I wonder where he was at the time. Jim Gilmore and Duncan Hunter were pitching in.
Reports like yours eclipse the media’s treatment.
Thanks.
More first hand evidence Fred “resonates.” The fear he will fall flat on his face when in a debate or challenged by other candidates, is, I believe, completely wrong.
Finally, a candidate who might get it and who has a persona that attracts voters outside the party.
I think it’s a good time for Bernie and Fergus to hang it up; it’s a time of war and it would be nice to have a party leader who had stones enough to serve like Bob Smith, Warren Rudman, Gordon Humphey, etc.
I’ll have to keep an eye on Fred’s schedule, so I’ll know where he’s going to be.
BTTT!
Weak spin from Dimbulb Cameron, trying to insinuate that Fred’s team didn’t know he was in heavily bastioned Dem areas.
Pfft!
Cameron must not know that New Hampshire is an modified open primary state in which independents can vote in either primary. Fred is smart enough to know that he has great appeal with independents, far more than Rudy or Romney. His celebrity will not hurt him with the unaligned voters as well.
New Hampshire has a strong federalist streak, and I predict Fred will do very well there.
I hope so, considering the state motto on our license plates is "Live Free or Die"!
BTW, thanks for post 5. Please keep everyone here updated on what is really going on up there. The MSM, which includes Fox and Cameron, are not to be trusted. Reports like yours are great to hear.
Great report, thanks for taking the time to post it.
Truer words have never been spoken. I wish I knew why more can't see this simple fact.
That’s Fred’s whole appeal. He never has to change what he says for anyone. For the most part, what he says makes sense to everyone who isn’t a moonbat. Not only does he manage to do this without being a wishy washy punk, but he manages to still be a bona fide conservative. Fred is a unique politician and a more perfect man couldn’t have been chosen for this election.
“reaching beyond his base without watering down his message.”
The last politician, and the only one in my lifetime who did this effectively was Ronald Reagan. Fred is the second. They start off with bedrock principles, and bring people around to see things their way. That attracts some of the indies. Some other indies never agree with them (the Freds and the Reagans) but they wind up supporting them because they admire their integrity.
In military parlance, it is like a flanking maneuver. You attack where your opponent does not expect it, and where he is weakest. They think they got a head start on Fred but he is actually stealing a march on them. Poor Rudy and Romney won’t know what hit them. So much money spent, so little to show for it. LOL.
I’m betting Cameron knows but conveniently doesn’t remark on it in his article. He usually spouts the same stuff (nearly word for word sometimes) during his camera segments, it’d be interesting to see if any Fox anchor(ette) ever brought up your point.
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