Posted on 01/18/2008 5:58:15 PM PST by Jim Robinson
Commentators are citing the unpredictability of the Republican primary contests as proof that Reagan conservatism is dead when precisely the opposite conclusion is warranted.
The main reason the conventional wisdom is being shattered in the primaries is that conservative voters, so far, have not been persuaded there is an electable, reliable conservative in the race.
But as I've stated before, I believe Fred Thompson is a reliable, consistent conservative. There are others in the field I could support, but not without some reservations. The more I learn about Fred and observe him in action, the more convinced I become that he's the right choice.
I was among those who urged Fred to step up and prove to the people he wanted the job. Regardless of whether Fred actually had "fire in his belly," the unmistakable perception out there was that he did not, so I encouraged him to add a little spring to his step.
But I've also appreciated Fred's unwillingness to be somebody he is not. He will not respond like a puppet when a debate moderator tells him to raise his hand to signify a childishly simplistic approval or disapproval of a certain policy. He will not be goaded by interviewers into saying things he doesn't feel comfortable saying. He won't divide us with class envy or pretend we can be friends with rogue regimes or terrorists.
He does not promise a chicken in every pot or pander to liberals on global warming.
He will not otherwise tailor his positions to suit the demands of particular constituencies. For example, he has the courage to preach that Social Security is in trouble, but unlike most others, he doesn't surrender to the oppressive populist seduction to urge government fixes for it or for healthcare. Instead, he courageously tells us — if we'll listen — that the answers lie in greater market forces. (Listen up, conservatives.)
Fred does not run from his record; more to the point, he doesn't need to. He shoots straight without the constant self-serving reminders that he does, as in telling us he's driving the "Straight Talk Express."
More importantly, Fred is right on the issues, and there's little doubt his positions are firm. Research his stances; read his position papers. You'll find he's very strong in all areas important to mainstream conservatives, including national defense, taxes, spending, life, immigration, federalism, appointing originalist judges, healthcare, and education.
I'm not drooling over Fred or saying his record is flawless, but I am saying he's the real deal, and it's a bit disappointing that more haven't taken a closer look.
I think this is due partly to his laid-back personality and partly to his timing. He peaked about the time he was contemplating entering the race but not acting on it. By the time he jumped in, it was anticlimactic, and he still hasn't recovered from that reversal.
There has also been a negative momentum hovering over his already-stalled campaign, acting as a psychological barrier to his catching fire among conservative voters.
There is simply too much herd mentality among us about electability. We tell ourselves a candidate is not inspiring, then pretty soon we're convinced he's unelectable, and, voila, he almost becomes so. Yet, at that very moment, he's proving to us that he is quite presidential, quite electable and quite motivated for the job — if we can only shed our predispositions against his "electability."
Since electability is often a matter of collective perception, it can turn on a dime, as with the reversal of the respective fortunes of screaming Howard Dean and somniferous John Kerry in 2004.
This primary season, relatively speaking, has just begun. But Fred is now up against the wall. How can we expect him to have done much better than he has to date with everyone prattling on about the overwhelming odds against him? The "experts" continue to be wrong at almost every turn, so why can't they be wrong about Fred, too?
It's time to quit empowering them by following their dictatorial doom-prophecies. It’s encouraging that John Zogby's latest South Carolina poll shows that while levels of support for McCain and Huckabee "have remained static," Fred is starting to move up.
Supporters have asked Fred to step up, and he has — he has shone brilliantly in the last month, setting himself head and shoulders above the pack in many cases. Now it's time for conservative voters to step up and quit placing artificial limitations on Fred, and on themselves.
Fred has answered the conservatives' call. Shouldn't we answer his?
David Limbaugh is a writer, author, and attorney. His book "Bankrupt: The Intellectual and Moral Bankruptcy of Today's Democratic Party" (Regnery) was recently released in paperback. To find out more about David Limbaugh, please visit his Web site at www.davidlimbaugh.com
Count me in that camp, JimRob. I'm more of a Tancredo or Hunter guy myself. Let's get real. Tancredo's out, and Hunter's not getting any traction with the Club for Growth types that fund presidential campaigns.
Thompson's the perfect type of social conservative. The type that's not self-righteous or sanctimonious, and instead leads by example and actually gets things done. Unlike Huck or Romney, he won't scare the limited-government wing of the GOP into fleeing for a 3rd party.
I trust him as C-in-C. I'd rather have us scale back ALL immigration, but I trust him not to grant mass amnesty, and to be tough on border security. I trust him to advance Right-to-Life issues by making conservative judicial appointments. Most importantly, I trust his sanity and grasp of constitutional principles. Fred's not perfect, but he's a good man who merits and needs the backing of ALL conservatives if we want ANY of our sundry platform planks advanced this fall.
I wouldn't trust Huck, McCain or Romney alone in the same room with the Bill of Rights.
I don't trust any of the three to defend our borders and fulfill the Federal Government's constitutional charge to secure us from invasion.
If the GOP thinks I'm going to pull the lever for another RiNO after 12 years of Bushes, they're barking up the wrong tree. Yes, I know we have troops in the field. No, I won't let them be used as human shields by a political opportunist. That would be dishonoring their sacrifice.
Sure, my pleasure. I always hate to post off of TV, but the tone was completely different regarding Fred.
I am also amazed that I agree with Alan Colmes.
Go Alan Go......LOL!
I can respect a candidate who does that and a person observant enough to take notice. Thanks.
You know what? I'm willing to bet the majority of Fred supports will either write him in, or not vote at all.
A distinct possibility.
Whether the perception is accurate or not, Fred represents a recognition of certain values that we haven’t seen in a candidate in a while. We have longed for one. We now have one.
If Fred is not the standard bearer, the promise of having a wholesome man in there is going to exact a heavy toll on those who supported him. It’s going to take the wind out of them.
Guys like Reagan and Thompson don’t come along all that often. When they do, you either jump in and support them or you suffer the effects of four or eight more years paddling against the steam, while your own guy sells you out more often than not.
I have one hope for November. One.
McHuckaruney, republican party, the verdict is in. Give us a person who will protect our values from extinction, or accept that you will no longer have conservatisms cream of the crop voting for you.
That’s how I see it.
I’m not selling my vote to anyone who won’t protect and preserve and build this nation based on our values.
Addressing your point in simple terms, I think you are right. You certainly have my number on that point.
100% agree. I am not doing the ‘lesser of two evils’ thing ever again.
Thank you. It’s not a position I like to be in, but there is comfort in numbers. Take care.
But it is the reality of the times, especially for us older and life long political zealots.
But the time has come. The Fat Lady is singing at the top of her lungs ... "We are hopping mad and we aren't going to take it any longer!!!!"
There, three of us openly stating "Enough is Enough"!
And you know there are many others that feel the same way but just not quite ready to publicly state it.
“H&C just had on huckabee AGAIN!”
The Huckster made some snide remark about Fred not getting up early enough in the morning. Anybody get what that was about?
That’s also how I see it, word for word.
It’s nice to know there are others who are as fed up as I am.
The Lautenberg Abomination (for which Fred also voted, IIRC) might also be included in such a list.
Nonetheless, for all his faults, Fred Thompson does have some strong pluses, and his faults are less bad than many other candidates' known faults. Maybe that means we're supporting the "lesser of two evils", but he's so much less evil than his competition there's no contest.
I think from his posts that guy Jim Robinson may be feelin' the same way.I don't do lesser evils. Or "electables". It's never worked so far.
They either got it or they don't.
If the GOP can't run a conservative by now, they will reap the whirlwind.
And we're not alone Big Time IMO.
Typical loser dig.
Huck-a-shuck-a-wanna-bee should read up on the three little pigs.
“The Huckster made some snide remark about Fred not getting up early enough in the morning.”
If I were Fred I would come back with something like - “I’m more of a nap kind of guy”. And perhaps add “Like Reagan” if I thought folks didn’t get the humor.
With Jim or anyone else, I may plead my case along these lines, but it’s a very presonal choice, and I try to not get too exercised over a disagreement. I am trying... but I sure don’t always manage to stay reasoned on the subject though.
And having made the decision, I find no solace except for the fact that for the first time in many years I will be acting on my belief that the Founding Fathers when they wrote, "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
Should the GOP foist a Democrat lite upon the stage, I find no other alternative. We are caught in the middle of two political parties competing to see which one can out purchase "votes" from the other.
Should Fred Thompson (or Duncan Hunter) not be the GOP's nominee, I have decided to "revolt" with the only real weapon I have - my vote.
It shall no longer be cast for "the lesser of two evils".
"God Bless America!"
I want to see Fred whip Huckabee’s butt! If Huck gets in (he’s the backup candidate for Hill-ar-ree) he will only protect his Arkansas compatriots. I don’t think Fred or even Obama would.
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