Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 12/30/2007 7:57:19 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
On the Internet as of sometime this afternoon, Fred Thompson’s closing argument to the people of Iowa.
Whereas Romney is saturating the airwaves with attack ads, Thompson pays the voters the courtesy of speaking calmly, and in detail—the video runs to just over 15 minutes. Why should the good Republicans of Iowa support Thompson? Because, the candidate argues, he can win.
I believe I am the only candidate in this race who can bring our party to victory in the fall. First, because of the firmness of my principles and the trust that that engenders. Secondly, because of the detailed program I’ve put before the people. Third, because I've been tried and tested — and I’m a known quantity in public life.
But, most of all, I think I know how to talk to the American people about the opposition and the danger their victory would pose to the principles we hold dear.
In the passage I found the most striking, Thompson does something no other Republican contender has attempted: appeal to Democrats.
You know, when I'm asked which of the current group of Democratic candidates I prefer to run against, I always say it really doesn't matter…These days all those candidates, all the Democratic leaders, are one and the same. They’re all NEA-MoveOn.org-ACLU-Michael Moore Democrats. They’ve allowed these radicals to take control of their party and dictate their course.
So this election is important not just to enact our conservative principles. This election is important to salvage a once-great political party from the grip of extremism and shake it back to its senses. It's time to give not just Republicans but independents, and, yes, good Democrats a chance to call a halt to the leftward lurch of the once-proud party of working people.
So in seeking the nomination of my own party, I want to say something a little unusual. I am asking my fellow Republicans to vote for me not only for what I have to say to them, but for what I have to say to the members of the other party—the millions of Democrats who haven't left the Democratic party so much as their party's national leadership has left them.
This is reminiscent of Reagan’s talk to the people of North Carolina in 1976. Simple, straightforward, modest production values—just the candidate in front of an American flag and an Iowa flag—but (to use the word again) compelling. Reagan’s 1976 talk enabled him to recover after a string of primary defeats, winning in North Carolina, then going on to come within a handful of delegates of wresting the nomination from Ford. Will Thompson’s talk move voters in Iowa? Does his campaign have the money to get it on the air? Throughout the state? Or even in a few of the most important markets? Beats me. But we have here a serious man, making a serious case—and doing so in the context of a campaign that has otherwise descended into mere caterwauling.
Even at this late hour, I wouldn’t count Fred out.
That’s why this video needs to be emailed to everyone you know.
This is reminiscent of Reagan’s talk to the people of North Carolina in 1976.It might be worth noting that Reagan didn't win the GOP nomination in 1976.
Bears repeating.
BTTT
I love that he included the Iowa flag — a reminder that Thompson, unlike other candidates, understands that we are a federation of sovereign states. It’s a nice nod to history, the Constitution and the underlying structure of our Republic.
Re bump.
Good video.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
[Is there a way to get the proper quotes around what Fred said vs. what the writer said?]
I love it. Slowly the media people are waking up to FRED. The tortoise is going to beat the hares. Just watch.
So do I!
Go FRed!
Spread this far and wide. Many of us have been saying that Fred is the one who can get the votes from the middle and from the crossover Democrats in the general election.
Fred IS the one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VblJq4j0_SE
Please watch it all and email it to everyone you know.
What I’ve done and what I believe everyone should do is use the “Share” button beneath the video to send it to all contacts, assuming you have a YouTube account w/ contacts.
If all conservatives in Iowa just took the time to listen to Fred’s message, I know he would come in first on January 3rd! Fred is the honest, consistent, real conservative we need as our next President! GO FRED! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VblJq4j0_SE
Fred in ‘08
Very good suggestion.
Let's hope that email, the Internet, and any other vehicle we can manage to use, will accomplish an end run around the MSM and get this message to the voters.
Fred is the Statesman, the man among boys in this election.
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