The Failure of Normality - the unhappy lessons of the Thompson campaign

The Weekly Standard ^ | 02/04/2008 | Andrew Ferguson

[jnwest]

In his recent memoir, Alan Greenspan says he's been pushing a constitutional amendment of his own devising. It reads: "Anyone willing to do what is required to become president of the United States is thereby barred from taking that office." If the Greenspan amendment is ever enacted, it will at last clear the field for Fred Thompson, who might then become president. But not until then.

[jnwest]

This is a long article, but it's worth reading (especially if you're a Fredhead!) It explains one more reason why THIS Fredhead was SO involved in this campaign. Fred was the candidate many Americans have longed for - correct on the issues and a man of principle - but when the MSM punished him for not playing their game, the same Americans that wanted such a candidate allowed the MSM to convince them otherwise. To quote the author, "My guess is we'll be missing him dreadfully by spring." Exactly.

[Williams]

Totally agree, Fred wouldn’t act bizarre or stupid like the rest of them. It’s a damn shame.

Republicans should stop participating in debates until the “moderators” are no longer left wing reporters. There is no reason those democrat script reading pretty boys should be allowed in such an important role.

[edcoil]

Maybe the issue is to have closed initial primaries not open. The each party could pick from the beginning not party jumpers. My take is those that voted for McCain will vote for Hillary and so we never really get a chance.

[swatbuznik]

I agree. I think the primaries should be a closed events. These often sway public opinion way too much. It’s time for a change in more than a few things in the election process.

[sageb1]

Fred had it right. Still does.

[Route66]

This is exactly the truth. The MSM took him out because too many, including many here at FR, were content to believe anything they cooked up to stop him.

The MSM is not dead and they have honed their attacks on conservatives down to a science. If we are going to remain so foolish and gullible as to allow them to eliminate our choice, we will never see another conservative in the White House.

I miss Fred more with each passing day. By spring, it will become evident to most of the rest of the deniers that we were played for fools.

[HangnJudge]

I generally agree with the premise
No one who wants the job of President
bad enough to run for it,
should be elected.

Machiavellian concerns without

I propose a National Test of all citizens
of the USA, say, at 35 y/o
To test for “Leadership Capability”
whatever that is...

Take the top 1% and randomly draft into Local positions
Take the tap .01% and randomly draft into State positions
Take the top .001% and randomly draft into Federal positions

Pay then what they are worth, say, their IRS based current income.

Never let a person continue in the
same position for >4-8 years.

Some process like this
So much for the Representational Republic
But it would stop all this foolishness.

[Bahbah]

The MSM is not dead and they have honed their attacks on conservatives down to a science.

That is the absolute truth.

[jnwest]

It’s nice to be among sensible people. Question for anyone out there: I’m a newbie, so I need to know how to post a reply to all those involved in a current thread. Thanks!

[seekthetruth]

“The MSM is not dead and they have honed their attacks on conservatives down to a science.”

“That is the absolute truth.”

I agree! I also miss Fred with every passing day, but after weighing the options I don’t see anything better than to give my vote to Romney next Tuesday.

Some say go for a brokered convention. I don’t see that happening. If someone does, I would like to hear how they think it could happen, and how that would keep McCain or Huckabee out of the nomination. I could live with Romney first and Guiliani second, so voting Romney.

[Politicalmom]

Type “All” in the “To” box.

[norton]

"Anyone willing to do what is required to become president of the United States is thereby barred from taking that office."

So Fred lost because of Catch 22?

[Bahbah]

I could live with Romney first and Guiliani second, so voting Romney.

Same here.

[jnwest]

Much obliged!

[El Gato]

There are two problems with closed primaries. First it effectively disenfranchises anyone not registered to one of the major parties. Two, many states do not have registration by party. Texas for example. Here they just stamp your voter registration card with "Voted in the XXXXX Primary", to prevent folks from voting in both primaries.

Parties have too much control over the election process as it is, IMHO of course. I would say, let the parties have their "closed" primaries, to select their candidate for the "real" primaries, which would be open to anyone, one election, not multiple parallel ones. If the parities want to take there chances with a single candidate in the single real primary, fine. Or they can put in their top two or three or whatever they want.

Parties are not provided for in the Constitution, and really only exist because of the power of Congress to make it's own rules, which do recognize parties, and which of course are designed to protect incumbents.

[edcoil]

Do a reply, after the name, put a comma space all

[jnwest]

Thanks

[Aria]

Interestingly, Fred has highlighted how corrupt, how pandering, how totally sleazy and unfit the rest of the candidates are.

[Doe Eyes]

The MSM took him out because too many, including many here at FR, were content to believe anything they cooked up to stop him.

The only possible explanation for a Freeper to support anyone other than Fred was the influence of the MSM.

We should consider banning all articles from the MSM. All articles should be from Fox News or other FR approved sources.

[malia]

bump