“Republican Liberty apparently quotes you opposing public financing of abortion but adding: “The ultimate decision must be made by the woman. Government should treat its citizens as adults capable of making moral decisions on their own.”
“Apparently quotes”???? What the hell does that mean? Either it’s a direct quote or it’s not.
It would be interesting if Fred and Ramesh were to have these little back and forth essays every few days. I wonder if that is what they are planning to do.
Ramesh Ponnuru is a very smart writer. It would be wise for Fred Thompson to consider his advice ... maybe not follow everything, but give it serious thought.
“But a lot of conservatives have been telling themselves that Republicans lost the election because they were insufficiently committed to conservative orthodoxy: that if they had just eschewed pork and prescription-drug benefits, the voters would have been kinder to them. It is a comforting theory with almost no basis in fact.”
While it’s surely not the ONLY reason, it did play a large part. Our base was demoralized by the corruption, stupidity, inaction and indecisiveness of members of our own party.
When things are like that and we’re having trouble distinguishing some of our guys from the Dems, we don’t go out and work to convince the independents that our way is the right way. That’s how elections are lost and that is why we will never win by the party moving left.
I don’t trust Thompson on the immigration issue. It seems to me we will get more of the “comprehensive reform” nonsense from him.
Fred will announce sometime next month, but I don't see the urgency. You think someone as popular as Fred needs 6 months to get on ballots? Fred is moving his way up in the polls. He is playing it right. Milk this a few more weeks, then come out and announce.
Ponnuru still smarting from the smackdown he got on the federalism debate?
How about “I’m Fred Thompson and I’m running for President.”
...for a start.
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Looks like Ramesh “Black Knight” Ponnuru is back for more. He must think the pounding he took from Fred over his last essay is just a scratch.
Yeah, sure, Ramesh. Bush I lost in 1992 when he drifted leftward. The GOP lost in 2006 when it finally drifted too far leftward.
But don't let those two incidents fool you.
...
Running on a strictly conservative platform has not won Republicans the presidency since at least 1988. Since that campaign was heavy on flag-waving, it might be more accurate to say “since 1980.” Even in 1980, moreover, Reagan made some innovations to conservatism: adding supply-side tax cuts to the mix, and backing away from opposition to entitlement programs.”
He seems to forget the 1994 campaign and is trying to sell Fred on big government conservatism. I hope Fred is not buying.
I sure hope he jumps in pretty soon, I hear the first Republican debates will be in mid May.
I think Fred struck a nerve. LOL!
Don’t you just love media types who will NEVER run for public office givng all this advice.