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“Some of your friends, knowing that you are thinking about running for president, urge you to give a rousing campaign speech,” the potential candidate said of his preparations for the speech.
But instead, he said, he chose to discuss his “first principles,” focusing on one that he’s associated with through his television appearances: “the rule of law.”
“It is a sad irony that a nation that is so dedicated to the rule of law is doing so much to undermine the respect for it,” Thompson said.
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Thompson said his cues in public life come from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence:
“They include a recognition of God and the fact there are certain rights that come from Him and not the government,” he said.
“They are based upon a respect for the wisdom of the ages, and a belief that human beings are prone to err -- that too much power must never rest in too few hands.”
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On shepherding the confirmation of John Roberts to the Supreme Court through the Senate:
“What a steep price even the best conservative nominee has to pay,” Thompson said Saturday.
”We were reminded how desperate the liberal community is to keep the deck stacked in their favor. And most importantly, we were reminded that the quality of an individual can overcome all obstacles. So he is now Chief Justice John Roberts.”
Thompson said the experience “also brought home again the importance of elections of a president and the Senate.”
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On Scooter Libby:
“I have called for a pardon for Scooter Libby,” Thompson said in his speech.
“When you rectify an injustice under the law, just as when you reverse an erroneous court decision, you are not disregarding the rule of law, you are enforcing and protecting it.
"All this, of course, reminds us of what Washington has become and why more good people are not coming into public service.
"Add to that the bitter divisiveness on Capitol Hill with regard to all things large and small, and you can almost see Americans throwing up their hands.
"They’ve got to be wondering: 'How are today’s leaders going to lead us with regard to all these difficult issues if they can’t even agree on fundamentals -- things that are supposed to bind us together?”
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Fredipedia v2.30: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference