Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 06/03/2007 10:29:44 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued
With former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson creeping ever closer to a formal announcement that he will run for president, it is worth asking whether he is the genuine small-government conservative that has been missing from the top tier of the Republican field (with all due apologies to Ron Paul). A preliminary look at his record suggests that while he is not quite the second coming of Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan, he may be much better on most issues than the alternatives.
(Excerpt) Read more at cato-at-liberty.org ...
Fred Thompson’s candidacy is among the most positive developments of this election cycle.
Absolutely. But it won't be long until the Romney and Hunter pimps come poop in this thread.
The Darling of the MSM is on Today as I write.
With former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson creeping ever closer to a formal announcement that he will run for president, it is worth asking whether he is the genuine small-government conservative that has been missing from the top tier of the Republican field (with all due apologies to Ron Paul). A preliminary look at his record suggests that while he is not quite the second coming of Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan, he may be much better on most issues than the alternatives.
During his eight years in the Senate, Thompson had a solid record as a fiscal conservative. The National Taxpayers Union gives him the third highest marks of any candidate (trailing only Paul and Rep. Tom Tancredo). While he sponsored or cosponsored legislation over the course of his career that would have resulted in a net increase in federal spending of $3.1 billion, that is the smallest increase among the contenders. (By comparison, John McCain would have increased spending by $36.9 billion). He generally shared McCain’s opposition to pork barrel spending and earmarks, and voted against the 2002 farm bill. He voted for the Bush tax cuts and has generally been solid in support of tax reduction.
He has been a consistent supporter of entitlement reform, voting to means-test Medicare and supporting personal accounts for Social Security.
His record on free trade is solid. In the past he has been supportive of comprehensive immigration reform, but has been critical of the current bill, shifting toward a “control the borders first” position. Still, he has not been Tancredo-like in his anti-immigration statements.
On federalism, there may be no better candidate. His Senate record is replete with examples of his being the lone opponent of legislation that he thought undercut federalist principles. He took this position even on legislation that was otherwise supported by conservatives. He opposes federal action to prohibit gay marriage on federalist grounds, although he supports state bans. One blight on this record is his vote in favor of No Child Left Behind.
On the other hand, he supported McCain-Feingold, although he has now backed away from that position, suggesting the law has been overtaken by events. He told John Fund that he was now willing to consider scrapping campaign finance in favor of full disclosure. And his position on civil liberties generally is troubling. He supported the anti-flag burning constitutional amendment and expansion of federal police powers generally. So far he has given no suggestion that he breaks with the Bush administration on important issues like habeas corpus, torture, and surveillance.
On foreign policy he has been a hawk, and supports continuing the war in Iraq. Alas, that seems standard for the GOP these days, but Thompson appears to also take the neoconservative line on Iran, North Korea, and China. It’s hard to be a small-government conservative while favoring widespread military intervention. War is a big-government program.
Of course, spending the last several years in Hollywood has enabled Thompson to avoid taking positions on many current issues. Once he gets in the race, Thompson will have to be much more specific about his positions. But, given the fact that McCain, Romney, and Giuliani are clearly big-government conservatives, Thompson has an opportunity to seize the small-government mantle.
There are only three candidates worth considering
Fred Thompson
Duncan Hunter
Tom Tancredo
It’s a Free Republic. They’re entitled to their opinions, and if their postings are constructive, I’m fine with it.
I’m voting for him even if I have to do “write in”.
The rest of them are bottom of the barrel candidates for one reason or another.
“Romney and Hunter pimps” ... conservative whores who have no principles or values will vote for them.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Still, he has not been Tancredo-like in his anti-immigration statements
From CATO's POV, "tancredo-like" on immigration isn't good.
I will continue to maintain that if the GOP voters are looking for a conservative in this race, they've got Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter to choose from.
On Jimmy Carter’s US School Board:
"There is no constitutional role of the federal government to have the Department of Education. I don’t believe we should have the U.S. Department of Education."
- Tom Tancredo
Click for more on Tancredo on the issues.
FREEPMAIL ME TO BE ADDED TO THIS TANCREDO ’08 PING LIST
Bump!
Tom Tancredo is a good man, but he’s not a viable candidate. In addition, he and Duncan Hunter pretty much cancel each other out.
I think it would be better for Tancredo to stay in the House and build up his Team America PAC, as well as organize a Border Security Caucus in Congress.
Tancredo, huh? I’m not sure Sean Hannity has declared him conservative enough to be a “real” candidate as he has with Rudy.
Now there’s a new one.
Would you two kindly share with this Hunter supporter and potential Thompson supporter, WTF is a “Romney and Hunter pimp”?
I disagree. There are only two candidates worth considering - Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson. It will come down to those two. The rest is noise.
I haven’t researched Fred’s positions on the issues yet. But based on what I know, he’s far and above the others in his ability to communicate, convince, counteract drivel and score points against the socialists. Those are important qualifications for a Presidential nominee.
Supporters of Ron Paul could say the same thing about supporters of Fred Thompson, or any of the other candidates.
Good luck to your guy
Better luck to my guy.
Just furthering the opinion of #3.
Many like to believe they are “conservative” but are not.
Fred is the way to go!
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