Is The Arlington Group Coalescing Around Fred Thompson?

The Atlantic Online ^ | 21 Jun 2007 | Marc Ambinder

[Josh Painter]

After more than a year of fretting, it looks as if many members of the Arlington Group, an informal roundtable of the country's most influential culturally conservative groups, are fast settling around Fred Thompson as their presidential candidate of choice.

Thompson is not an evangelical, but he has, evidently, sounded solid enough in his private meetings with individual Arlington Group members, a series of which have taken place over the past few weeks.

The Group does not endorse as a whole -- that's not how it's set up -- but its views generally reflect the views of conservative, politically active Christians in some early primary states...

Many Arlington Group members are pragmatic. I've been told that they realize Mitt Romney does not have longstanding family ties to the conservative establishment and assume that he will govern from the center... that a President John McCain would not care and feed their members' institutional interests at all... that Rudy Giuliani would not align his governing agenda with theirs. Choosing Thompson may be as much about survival as it is about policy.

[Josh Painter]

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Quick Reference

Fred Thompson FAQ: THE Fred Thompson Web Resource

[KingLiberty]

Of course they are. They’re smart and politically savvy. Savvy, Romney supporters?

[The Blitherer]

ping-a-ling.

[Man50D]

After more than a year of fretting, it looks as if many members of the Arlington Group, an informal roundtable of the country's most influential culturally conservative groups, are fast settling around Fred Thompson as their presidential candidate of choice.

Fred Thompson maybe a good candidate if he runs but It amazes me people are so willing to back someone who has not yet declared his candidacy!

[bcsco]

I've been told that they realize Mitt Romney does not have longstanding family ties to the conservative establishment and assume that he will govern from the center... that a President John McCain would not care and feed their members' institutional interests at all... that Rudy Giuliani would not align his governing agenda with theirs. Choosing Thompson may be as much about survival as it is about policy.

Seems to me they've reached the same conclusions we reached quite some time ago; like when the first three candidates named announced!

Well, the stragglers are catching up.

[Shermy]

What is the “Arlington Group”? Some get together liberal elitists think control the minds of conservatives?

Fred’s been silent lately on the Senate’s far-reaching immigration bill, if enacted will start the obliteration of the middle class in America.

Not a good sign for him in my book.

[bcsco]

...but It amazes me people are so willing to back someone who has not yet declared his candidacy!

Why? We've been watching Fred all along and like what we see. What's so odd about that?

[Man50D]

Why? We've been watching Fred all along and like what we see. What's so odd about that?

I'm not disputing what you like about him but it's based on one big assumption without any fact. It's tantamount to wanting to bet on a horse that has not yet been entered in the race!

[xcamel]

Found out Fred hates the UnFairTax, eh?

[The Blitherer]

but it's based on one big assumption without any fact

lol, you've not been paying very close attention to Fred lately?

[Hostage]

Not true.

Fred has spoken on numerous occasions about the current Senate Amnesty bill. He has covered it and summed it up as bad law that will not work.

Have a look at Sturm Ruger’s reading list.

[Josh Painter]

Man50D wrote: "Fred Thompson maybe a good candidate if he runs but It amazes me people are so willing to back someone who has not yet declared his candidacy!"

What amazes me is that some people can't recognize a political draft when they see one. I'm just one of many thousands of voters who, not being willing to settle for the candidates the GOP offered us, CHOSE Fred Thompson and have been persuading him to carry our banner in the next election. I think he's gotten our message, and in a few short weeks, he will declare his candidacy.

[Sonny M]

Some get together liberal elitists think control the minds of conservatives?

They are neither liberal nor elitists, its simply a coalitions of similiar minded groups, or leaders of some of those groups. Nothing more.

Also, Thompson has stated that the shamnesty bill should be voted down.

[Man50D]

lol, you've not been paying very close attention to Fred lately?

I've been paying close enough attention to know he hasn't declared his candidacy.

[Hostage]

People are free to back any person of their choice. They can write in a person if necessary.

Your line about undeclared is tired and worn. You have been told countless times that FDT cannot formally announce until his obligations with ‘Law and Order’ are up at the end of this month.

The Sun will rise tomorrow morning.

Fred Thompson will run for President.

[Hostage]

He does not hate the FairTax.

[KingLiberty]

Exactly right. It’s June of ‘07, for Fred’s sake! He can wait until September or October if he wanted to, but won’t. Of course he’s running.

[Man50D]

I think he's gotten our message, and in a few short weeks, he will declare his candidacy.

Thank you for proving my point! Your statement is based on assumption and not fact!

[Hostage]

If you back Rudy McRomney your ***assumption*** is they have a chance to win......

That’s “amazing”! It’s AMAZING that you would base the election on that ASSumption.

[Man50D]

Your line about undeclared is tired and worn. You have been told countless times that FDT cannot formally announce until his obligations with ‘Law and Order’ are up at the end of this month.

You may consider it tired and worn but it is the truth regardless of the reason. More power to him if he runs. He may shake up the socialist Democrats but I'm not going to count on him until he does so.