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Posted on 11/07/2007 9:13:57 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
FORT MILL -- Fred Thompson brought his made-for-TV personality to York County for the first time on Tuesday, delivering a talk that mixed his trademark Southern drawl with sharp words for others in the Republican presidential field.
Thompson needed less than 15 seconds to dispatch with the obligatory assault on Democrats as strong on welfare programs and weak on national security. But he spent the rest of an hourlong visit to Beef 'O' Brady's restaurant pointing out differences with rivals in his own party.
The strongest critique was saved for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who leads in the polls in Iowa but has yet to generate the same success in the Palmetto State.
"All I've got to say is, governor, you can't buy South Carolina," Thompson told an audience of about 150. "You can't even rent South Carolina."
Though his campaign appears to be floundering in many national polls, Thompson is counting on an early victory in South Carolina, where he currently holds a narrow lead over Rudy Giuliani.
The visit to Fort Mill was a late addition to his schedule, and it prevented the former "Law & Order" star from being labeled the only top-tier Republican candidate who hasn't appeared in York County.
"I consider it my neck of the woods, and I hope the people here feel the same way," Thompson said.
Drawing distinctions with rivals
Romney wasn't the only candidate to draw Thompson's attention. He told listeners he had just come from "a get-together in Columbia," where a number of military veterans voiced their support for his campaign. That comment seemed a subtle comparison to John McCain, the Vietnam vet who relies heavily on military ties.
Later, in brushing aside the idea that he doesn't show enough emotion on the campaign trail, Thompson argued that voters are looking for a calm demeanor -- an indirect reference to the occasionally volatile Giuliani as well as Hillary Clinton.
"Do they want someone with their finger on the nuclear button who has fire in his belly ... or her belly?" he asked.
Since entering the race in September, Thompson has been criticized for giving audiences a less-than-electrifying stump speech. He doesn't give detailed explanations of his policy proposals or reel off statistics to back up his points.
In Tuesday's talk, his analysis of the threat posed by Islamic extremism consisted of: "They want to kill us. It's just that simple."
But that kind of plainspoken approach played well with listeners such as Joe Pugliese, who moved last year to Lancaster County's Sun City retirement complex from Long Island, N.Y.
"I met him on the set of 'Law & Order' in New York," said Pugliese. "He has charisma. When the cameras are on, he's there. My biggest uncertainty is that he really doesn't have the backing of the party."
"Nobody does yet," chimed in fellow Sun City resident Bruce Miller, capturing the best argument for why Thompson has a decent shot at the GOP nomination.
Fred Thompson is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life. :^)
Fred’s ad has begun running in NYS. He presents an aura of calm that is sorely needed in America.
If Fred gets the nod, he will blow away Hitlery.....he is charming, commanding, fatherly, a leader, a people person...
The south and the midwest is the republican party. I’m skeptical of any candidate whom comes hails from richly dem areas...although I’m sure there are a few good ones.
A tremendous strategy at that. The reason Fred remains calm is because he’s not desperately seeking control of the free world, willing to say and do anything to attain it. He genuinely wants to re-balance the separation of powers as defined by the Constitution.
would you like to play a game of solitaire?
Fred may have a southern drawl but I saw on another thread that Fred is Finnish, I didn’t know that about him....interesting.
I am German, Scottish, Welsh, French and my ancestors have fought in every war against each other. My wife is Norwegian and German and they have fought against each other. Let’s bring Fred the Christian into the war against the Muslim radicals who would wipe us all out if they could. By the way, as Biblical Christians, our family believes that our brethern the Jewish people who also believe in God must also resist the Muslim attempt to conquer the world because Islam is obviously not a religion of peace as is Christianity and Judaism.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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I was just mocking the ridiculous “Fred is Finished” thread. Maybe I was too subtle.
The anti-Fred’s are at a fevered pitch of collective psychosis these days and look for it to get much worse in the coming weeks culminating into their very own 19th nervous breakdown when Fred wins.
Best take the queen of diamonds out of the deck.
BUMP
Thompson's own "there you go again" or "I will not exploit, for political purposes, my opponents relative youth and inexperience" moment!
Just donated to my first politician. If Fred starts to do a bit better I may chase him with some more cash.
“A Southern strategy....”
A Southern strategy of one form or another has helped the GOP to win the Presidency more often than not since 1968. In my book, Thompson is running the smartest campaign of all by focusing on the South first. Iowa is far, far less relevant in politics than it used to be, and New Hampshire is completely meaningless. For the 3 out of the past 4 election cycles, the winner in New Hampshire failed to win the nomination in the GOP. Thompson has nothing to lose by basically ignoring the place. South Carolina is now by far the more important early battleground.
I am really beginning to get the feeling that Hillary is going to be the howard Dean of this election cycle. I think she is fizzling fast.
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