Thompson could find Virginia friendly

The Free Lance-Star ^ | 2 June 07 | CHELYEN DAVIS

[leadpenny]

RICHMOND--If actor Fred Thompson enters the presidential race, Virginia Republicans can say they knew him when.

Or saw him, at least.

Thompson is headlining the Republican Party of Virginia's annual fundraiser in Richmond tonight.

The folksy former senator from Tennessee yesterday filed papers establishing a preliminary campaign committee that would enable him to raise money and hire staff without officially committing to a bid and without having to publicly disclose donations or expenditures.

He also this week announced he was quitting his regular spot on "Law and Order."

Shaun Kenney, spokesman for the RPV, said talk of Thompson's interest in running have boosted press attendance at the gala.

"This is going to be the first speech he's going to give post the testing-the-waters committee that he formed," Kenney said. .

Kenney added that the RPV isn't taking sides in the nomination race, and that other candidates are also scheduled to speak at various events in Virginia this year.

George Mason University political analyst Mark Rozell said Thompson, as a conservative candidate, could have broad appeal to Republicans, especially those in Virginia.

"This is a guy with star power, with very strong name recognition, and for those Republicans who are in a none-of-the above mood looking at the current crop of candidates, he's currently very appealing," Rozell said. "When I keep looking at Thompson in relationship to the three supposed front-runners, from the Virginia GOP perspective I think he's really strong."

Rozell said Thompson's strengths here are that he's a conservative and he has Southern roots.

Rudy Guiliani may prove too liberal for many Virginia Republicans, he said; conservatives have "never trusted [Sen. John] McCain," and Mitt Romney has few roots in this area.

[stopem]

After hearing Thompson speak about wanting to increase free trade with China (he is a Globalist who strongly supports free trade with China), maybe someone should tell him its not a wise platform to run on.

After reading about the poisoned pet food and now the warning to throw away toothpaste made in China, free trade with China should not continue or increase it should be stopped totally till further notice.
http://www.rr.com/flash/index.cfm?rev=10217
“WASHINGTON(AP) The government warned consumers on Friday to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it may contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze. Out of caution, the Food and Drug Administration said, people should throw away toothpaste with labeling that says it was made in China. The FDA is concerned that these products may contain diethylene glycol.”

Tell the candidates and current pols to stop free trade with China there appears to be a trend with imports from there.

[deaconjim]

I can live with Thompson’s position on trade much better than Rudy’s position on abortion, gays, guns, etc.

[stopem]

There are other choice of candidates, Rudy and Thompson are not the only 2 that are either running and almost running....

[deaconjim]

You are quite right, but Hunter hasn’t made much progress so far. Huckabee could be interesting, but the rest of the field is a waste of time.

[Bulldawg Fan]

Thompson would lock down the South immediately and use it as a platform for the rest of the country, notably the mid west and mountain west. A winning combination again.

[fporretto]

What's impressed me the most about Thompson, second to his staunch voting record, is his savvy about how a presidential candidate should go about building a public image in our day. He's made masterful use of the Internet, in particular. More relevant for policy purposes, I've only disagreed with him on a single issue, out of all the ones where I could track down his positions. If he's really going to "walk it like he talks it," he's my man for 2008, even if I have to write him in.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Eternity Road

[Politicalmom]

PING!!

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

Please FReepmail jellybean if you want on/off this list. WARNING: This ping list is EXTREMELY active.

[DelphiUser]

Thanks for the ping

BFTTT! (Bump Fred To The Top)

[mmichaels1970]

After hearing Thompson speak about wanting to increase free trade with China (he is a Globalist who strongly supports free trade with China), maybe someone should tell him its not a wise platform to run on.

Sen Thompson has always recognized a Chinese threat. He was a key author of the China Nonproliferation Act where he said on the floor:

"One of the primary reasons we need a national missile defense system has to do with the activities of the Chinese and their supplying of rogue nations with these materials, expertise, capabilities, military parts that have nuclear capabilities which we are so concerned that, by the year of 2005, could be turned against us. Must we not consider this as we consider permanent normal trade relations? As important as trade is, is it more important than our national security? I think that question answers itself."

I believe the original was voted down. Later, he revised it and was always very serious about Chinese enforcement. You can read more about it here.

Here is also a good spot to do some Fred research.