Posted on 11/06/2007 12:58:21 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
RICHMOND, Va.—There's no shortage of polls underscoring America's sour mood these days. Surveys generally show that 7 in 10 Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction and that most Americans believe their leaders in Washington are doing a poor job. U.S. News led the way in explaining this trend with a recent special report on why Americans think Washington is broken and what can be done about it.
If anything, the warning signs are getting gloomier. A new focus group of Republican voters from the Richmond area, conducted last Thursday evening, was a case in point. All 12 participants agreed that the next generation won't be better off than they are—a remarkable degree of pessimism in a country known for its optimistic outlook. The participants had different reasons for their downbeat assessments, including the Iraq war, the growing national debt, the high cost of housing that puts owning a home out of reach for many, a decline in moral values in the country, and politicians who don't follow the people's will. But all felt that things are getting worse and that their kids will pay the price.
There was much criticism of President Bush, which was remarkable since this was an all-Republican group. He was faulted for being too stubborn, "mediocre," "hard-headed," and not conservative enough as well as for governing "in a vacuum." Only one participant argued that Bush is "doing a great job." Instead, most appeared to agree with a self-described conservative panelist who said, "We need a breath of fresh air, new perspective."
There were also trouble signs for presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts. Romney is leading in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire but lags in national polls behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee. Many of the focus-group participants were very concerned about Romney's Mormon faith. Most said Mormonism really isn't a form of Christianity even though they weren't sure of the religion's precepts. All said they would prefer Romney over any Democratic nominee, but even on this score, the perception of Romney's faith wasn't good. One participant said, "There's Mormon, there's insect, and then there's Democrat."
Thompson, however, was a bright spot. Most said they liked him and could easily support him in the GOP race, even though the media and his political critics have billed his campaign as lackluster. But Thompson appeared to have a reservoir of goodwill that goes deeper than his critics think. He was praised for being a true conservative, "grandfatherly," "fatherly," "competent," and "personable." He reminded several panelists of Ronald Reagan, a conservative icon. Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who conducted the two-hour focus group for the Annenberg Public Policy Center, said afterward that the mainstream media would do well not to write Thompson off.
Yes, Fred does remind one of a grandfather. Old. Reminds me more of Dole than Reagan.
Sorry. No matter how many times I read it, I’ll not be convinced that Fred MUST be the nominee. While he may appeal to moderates (the reason he was recruited), IMO, his federalism over conservatism will NOT energize the base. The only way to energize the base and beat the Democratic candidate is for conservatives to stand firm behind their principals and unite before the primaries to support Duncan Hunter as our CONSERVATIVE candidate. If we do not stand united, the split of supporters among the top tier RHINOs, including Fred Thompson, will result in Guiliani as the nominee.
Based on site-wide posts by Fredheads, if he were not in the race, it appears most would be supporting Duncan Hunter... in which case, at least on FR, Hunter would be the front runner, uniting the base, and easily defeating Guiliani. Frankly, if Guiliani becomes our nominee, IMO, the recruiters of Fred Thompson will be responsible.
Not in your wildest dreams. You think the reason Duncan Hunter is stalled out at 1.3% is because Fred Thompson is in the race? That's laughable self-delusion.
If Fred Thompson dropped out tomorrow, Duncan would get a surge up to, say 1.7%, about where he was before Fred came in.
I’m capable of better. But seriously, all politics aside, I’ll confess to very much enjoying lying on a grassy bank and rolling my head back into an icy stream. The cold is a shock at first, but it’s VERY refreshing. But I don’t know if it’s enough to move you off Mitt, or Duncan or whoever.
Coldwater Creek wrote: “Yes, Fred does remind one of a grandfather. Old. Reminds me more of Dole than Reagan.”
I like Fred (as well as Duncan Hunter and Tancredo), but I do agree he looks pretty old. That doesn’t dissuade me, because I’m far more interested in what the guy believes and does than his age, but I do worry it detracts from his appeal. That’s why I’d love to see him team up with Duncan Hunter as VP. That would be my dream team.
That would work for me!
Actually, I think that we have a pretty poor pool to choose from. I have no clue who I am going to support, just who I won’t.
He's the only true conservative who has a chance to beat Hitlery.
Any other viable candidate is just Hitlery lite.
For some this could be a negative. I was 6 when Reagan was elected president and I remember being glued to the TV whenever he was on for the very reason that he seemed like such a nice grandfatherly figure. Although I loved my own grandfather deeply, I remember wishing Reagan was my grandpa too!
Of course, today i love him for different reasons.
If the MSM perceives Thompson to be a threat to Hillary they will do their utmost to denigrate and destroy him.
Definitely more Dole than Reagan.
Read the last paragraph as many times as it takes you to see why Fred Thompson MUST be the nominee if we are to energize the base and beat Hillary Clinton!!
57 Days and the selection process begins in earnest......
That's why Hunter was doing so well before Thompson joined the race, huh?
“Many of the focus-group participants were very concerned about Romney’s Mormon faith. Most said Mormonism really isn’t a form of Christianity even though they weren’t sure of the religion’s precepts.”
This is the Achilles heel of the Romney campaign. The five percent of Republicans and independents who won’t pull the lever for a Mormon at election time make him nigh unelectable as president. In a divided field though, it might win the nomination.
I am among those who won’t pull the lever for Romney.
“Definitely more Dole than Reagan.”
Fred just did well on Meet The Press. He also chewed Huckleberry up and spit him out in another interview. Bob Dole was the inside party nominee, Fred’s doing it on his own (Giuliani is the Bush and insider pick).
I think you guys are the Bob Dole wing of the party, not Fred.
The Bob Dole comparison is not a compliment. As for how Fred did on MTP, that’s all subjective opinion, isn’t it? I thought he didn’t do very well. The comparison to Dole is in his demeanor. He’s likeable, presents himself as down to earth, but is old, tired, and not terribly motivated. That’s how he comes across to me. Even so, looks like there’s no other good options out there, so we can only hope he improves over time.
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