Posted on 09/08/2007 5:46:57 AM PDT by Josh Painter
Rich Lowry’s latest column asks, “Why Fred?”
In the op ed, Lowry attempts to head off some possible answers to his question by arguing that Fred’s adherence to federalist principles doesn’t count. It most certainly does, as it is one of the guiding principles upon which a Thompson presidency would be built. Lowry also cites the “forward-looking” health-care proposals offered up by Thompson rivals Romney and Giuliani as the kind of “fresh thinking” that Thompson will have to demonstrate.
Um, sorry, Rich, but those health care plans are the kind of “fresh thinking” that is morphing the Republican Party into Democrat Lite. But rather than digress into a paragraph-by-paragraph critique of Lowry’s article, let me simply offer up my top ten reasons why Fred Thomspon is a better choice for conservatives than Rudy McRomney:
10. Because a review of Fred Dalton Thompson’s voting record shows that he consistently voted for gun owners (the NRA called him a “staunch supporter of the Second Amendment”), against abortion, for business, against higher taxes, for a balanced budget, for a strong defense, for ANWR drilling, for capping foreign aid, for free trade, for private property rights, for personal retirement accounts, for the Iraq War Resolution and for welfare reform.
9. Because, among his interest group ratings, Sen. Thompson earned a perfect zero from National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action, a perfect 100% from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, only 11% from the ACLU, 85% from the American Conservative Union, 86% from the Center for Security Policy, a perfect zero from the American Federation of Teachers, 6% from the National Education Association, 90% from the League of Private Property Voters, 97% from the National Tax Limitation committee, 88% from the National Taxpayers Union and a perfect zero from the liberal ADA. In a 1995 analysis, Project Vote Smart listed Thompson as having supported Contract With America items 100% of the time. The Club for Growth has just released a a report in which Club President Pat Toomey concludes, “Fred Thompson’s eight-year record is generally pro-growth with an excellent record on entitlement reform and school choice and a very good record on taxes, regulation, and trade. His belief in a limited federal government is demonstrated by his numerous votes against government intrusion in the private sector and increased federal spending. His fondness for Tennessee pork aside, Thompson consistently voted against increased spending and new government projects, at times, one of only a handful of senators to do so.”
8. Because under his Chairmanship, Sen. Thompson’s Governmental Affairs Committee actively pursued an agenda aimed at producing a smaller, more efficient, and more accountable government. Of his efforts, the Kingsport Times-News wrote, “Sen. Thompson is to be applauded for keeping a watchful eye over Washington fiscal matters. There should be more like him.” Chairman Thompson held hearings on improving the federal regulatory process; reforming the IRS; exploring ways to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse; and a number of national security issues, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technologies. Thompson also investigated and successfully enacted solutions to information management problems such as government computer security.
7. Because as a member of the powerful Senate Committee on Finance, Thompson focused on reducing taxes, reforming the tax code to make it simpler and fairer, and restoring the Social Security and Medicare programs to long-term solvency. He advocated a balanced approach to trade and national security and pushed for an export control policy that protects our country’s national security without unnecessarily burdening American industry with bureaucratic red tape. He also proposed legislation to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by China and other countries and to strengthen the United States’ response to such activities.
6. Because when Thompson makes the rare mistake, he admits it and learns from it. Though he’s rightly still not comfortable with the idea of people giving large sums of money to legislators and then coming before their committees to ask for the government’s favor, FDT has owned up to the fact that that McCain Feingold was a poor attempt to solve the problem of influence peddling and just plain old bribery. He’s learned that full disclosure might just be the best way to deal with the probelm. Fred has also admitted that his vote for the immigration reform measure which President Reagan signed in 1986 created an additional 12 to 20 million illegals. He’s learned from that and has grown much tougher on the issue, advocating the securing of our borders before anything else is done and the deportation of illegals when they are captured.
5. Because Fred Thompson has been committed to federalist principles his entire political career and has brought federalism to the forefront of the current political dialogue. He has also been a voice in the wilderness speaking out about the coming entitlement and national debt crisis, calling for a frank discussion of how we must deal with it. Thompson stands apart from the other major Republican presidential candidates who have been for the most part silent on these issues.
4. Because Sen. Thompson has the admiration and respect of his former colleagues on the hill. As president, he would have the best chance of all the candidates to get the congressional cooperation required to advance his agenda. FDT has demonstrated this kind of leadership with his very successful shepherding of John Roberts through the political minefield that is the U.S. Senate.
3. Because he scares the devil out of leftists. Even the liberal Washington Monthly in a 1999 hit piece had to begrudgingly admit that as a Senator, Thompson worked hard to keep his campaign promises. Democratic strategist Bob Beckel revealed, in a discussion on Fox News’ Hannity & Colmes program, that Fred Thompson for president would be their “worst nightmare” because of his communications skills and ability to appeal to swing voters. Many backers of Fred’s GOP opponents attack him even more viciously than the Democrats do because he poses a major threat to their candidates now that he’s in the race.
2. Because he doesn’t scare independents and Reagan Democrats. Like Reagan, Thompson is that rare sort of conservative who can sell conservative ideas to moderates and independents. And again like Reagan, he may be the only potential candidate who can unite the factions of the Republican Party right now. No, Fred isn’t Ronald Reagan, and he’s the first one to say it. But he is one of Reagan’s smartest students and most consistent disciples who has the same kind of media-savvy and commanding presence. Also like Reagan, Fred Thompson is much more than “just an actor.”
1. Because he will beat Hillary Clinton like a rented mule.
That’s why Fred Thomspon.
It’s not my research...just reposting it with permission from ellery, the FReeper that actually did all the hard work.
People keep posting the erroneous info over and over again.
He said we couldn’t round them up and deport them ALL.
He is in favor of tightening things so much that a lot self-deport. Then you start catching and deporting the rest.
I agree with that stance wholeheartedly.
“On Leno he can across as an old man that cleared his throat 4 thousand times. “
Perhaps we should draft Data from Star Trek. Perhaps he would please you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_%28Star_Trek%29
Fred is a real human being. He’s a good man with good character. He is courteous toward others. Not a bad example.
There ya' go!
Who is going to be the next POTUS in your best case scenario then?
Who gets your vote?
That is, perhaps, the most important thing. The Religious Right and libertarian wings of the party can both like him, and he doesn't scare away the moderates.
Thanks for such a well-researched post on specifics regarding Thompson’s stance on immigration. Ping to self and self-archives.
It’s ellery’s work...I believe there is more. I’m running out now, but I’ll go through and find whatever more I have from him. He really spent a lot of time going through this stuff.
Glad to know you are a Thompson supporter, backhoe!
:^)
thankyou!
That’s a lot of work you went through. I’m saving it for future reference.
I’m comparing these votes to what NumbersUSA said.
It looks like he voted both for and against chain migration (for in 1996, don’t know when against). The amnesty for Nicaraguans and Cubans is in dispute at this point.
How about the claim that he voted to allow firms to lay off Americans to make room for foreign workers in 1998 and voted to remove higher fines for businesses which hire illegal aliens in 1996?
This is why I want him to come out and explain these votes. Some could very well be because other riders that were unacceptable were attached or that other better bills were in the running. Sometimes the votes don’t match the person’s intent, but are used against them anyway.
I’d really like an explanation, from the man himself.
Ok, then thanks to ellery, for all his/her hard work!
Oh, I forgot. My vote won’t count. I’m in California. ;(
How about you?
I tote steadfast political conviction augmented with common sense.
My mind was made up long ago.
WHERE DOES HE STAND ON "ONE-WORLD GOVERNMENT"?
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