Thompson Energizes Young Republicans

townhall.com ^ | July 8, 2007 | staff

[kellynla]

Not yet a 2008 candidate, Fred Thompson energized young Republicans with a speech Saturday that was heavy on rhetoric and short on policy pronouncements. He branded Democrats as "the party of despair."

Chants of "Fred" and "Run, Fred, Run," greeted the actor and former GOP senator from Tennessee from many among the 350 people at the Young Republicans National Convention. The crowd interrupted his nine-minute speech with wild applause and mobbed him when he left.

Actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, right, followed by Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla, left, arrives at the Capitol Hill Club on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this April 18, 200 file photo, where he was to speak to Republican House members. Thompson, who has yet to clearly declare his candidacy for the the presidency, has an easy-going style has helped him soar in presidential polls; sooner or later, however, he will have to answer the question: What does he have to offer? (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson) Related Media: VIDEO: Thompson: His views on abortion and more VIDEO: Thompson: Heroes VIDEO: Thompson: Combating Terror VIDEO: Thompson: A better country for tomorrow "It makes me feel like the waters are pretty warm," Thompson said afterward. He has formed an exploratory committee to gauge support for a White House run and raise money. He is expected to announce presidential campaign plans to run soon.

Hours later, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also addressed the crowd and spoke about foreign policy, Iraq, the economy, health care and other issues. The substance of his remarks impressed some undecided voters.

"He touched on a lot of different issues _ the terrorists, immigration, families," said Brianne Goodwin, 24, of Chicago, who is undecided but leaning toward Romney. "Fred Thompson, he didn't really provide strong material."

Thompson has yet to join the 10-man Republican race, but he has soared in polls, taken in at least several million dollars, assembled a staff and visited early primary states New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Thompson's speech came on the heels of reports that a pro-abortion rights group hired him to lobby President George H.W. Bush's administration 16 years ago. At issue were attempts to ease a regulation that prevented clinics that received federal money from offering abortion counseling.

Thompson gave an oblique response when asked about the matter, first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

"I'd just say the flies get bigger in the summertime. I guess the flies are buzzing," said Thompson, who is considering running for president as a social conservative. He refused comment on whether he recalled doing the work.

His supporters did not seem bothered, citing policy stands by some of the leading GOP presidential contenders, including Romney, ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain.

"Whatever choice do we have? Mitt Romney has been on both sides of the issue," said Paul Boyd, 26, of Memphis, Tenn. "Rudy Giuliani is 100 percent pro-choice. John McCain, at least for the first four years of the Bush term, was against whatever the president was for. Everybody has their flaws."

In his speech, Thompson fired up the crowd when he said he was the top target of The New York Times and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. He said the United States was the greatest country, and that set the audience off, too.

"I'm getting tired of having to apologize for the United States of America around the world," Thompson said. "I'm tired of other people's perceptions that we need to apologize."

[mefistofelerevised]

yawn

[Man50D]

If Thomspon runs he will consider The Fair Tax as he stated at a Republican luncheon on June 27th. Fair Tax ping!




Well over a hundred FairTaxers came to Columbia, South Carolina yesterday to let former Senator Fred Thompson know that the FairTax is an extremely important issue facing potential presidential candidates.





Amazingly, 140 out of the 300 attendees were FairTax supporters! As a result of this strong showing, the former senator noted several times how he was impressed with the FairTax and also let it be known that the FairTax is an issue he is considering as he prepares for a possible bid for the presidency.





Thanks to all of our hardworking volunteers who made this event a huge success! Now we have to get ready to take our message to Ames, Iowa on August 11th!

[Salvey]

It must be his high-octane, hyper style that got them all revved up.

[kellynla]

“yawn?”

I realize you’re a newbie but if we’re keeping you up then why are you here and if you don’t have anything more interesting to post then why post it?

[Always Right]

I like how the article tries to spin Romney as having so much substance and Thompson just full of rhetoric. I guess they are tired of the ‘lazy’ attacks on Thompson and are moving towards the ‘lack of substance’ attacks.

[kellynla]

“It must be his high-octane, hyper style that got them all revved up.”

Seeing as it was in TN, probably Ol’ #7 LOL

[xcamel]

Ever notice how when Thompson people see UnFairTax people coming, the greeting is always “HiJack” ??

[Izzy Dunne]

Actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, right, followed by Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla, left, arrives at the Capitol Hill Club on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this April 18, 200 file photo, where he was to speak to Republican House members.

Wow, he's older than I thought.

[albie]

“I’m getting tired of having to apologize for the United States of America around the world,” Thompson said. “I’m tired of other people’s perceptions that we need to apologize.”

...this statement alone is enough to get at least half of the conservatives in this country up off their rumps and excited. Fred needs a clear and resounding sound bite. No more of this “A Stronger America”, “For a Change”, “Compassionate Conservative” BS. He needs to hit a chord with patriots of this country. With people that are tired of dems pi$$ing on the flag. This is a good start!

[Condor51]

hi and bye troll.
I see ozone and Viking Kittens in your immediate future.

[Freee-dame]

"I'm getting tired of having to apologize for the United States of America around the world

I really like his positions and his positive outlook. Reading what he says is terrific, but I'm not sure that the country wants another slow-talking southerner as president. Can he possibly pep up his speech?

[swatbuznik]

Hahaha! I can remember how “old” Reagan looked when he first ran.

[Condor51]

In his speech, Thompson fired up the crowd when he said he was the top target of The New York Times and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.

That he is. Hill's people said just that that about a week ago. (there was a thread)

They also said they were leaving Rooty alone. And why not, attacking him is like attacking Hillary. They are two peas in a pod.

[snowsislander]

If Thomspon runs he will consider The Fair Tax as he stated at a Republican luncheon on June 27th. Fair Tax ping!

Until Mr. Thompson officially declares his candidacy and then officially declares his support for the FairTax, I find it hard to read much into a generic article like this about Mr. Thompson possible candidacy and his possible support for the FairTax? Perhaps we can hold off the FairTax pings with relation to Mr. Thompson until he actually does declare his support for the FairTax, or even just some strong interest in the subject?

[Izzy Dunne]

I can remember how “old” Reagan looked when he first ran.

Yeah, but Reagan didn't have any photos from 1800 years before...

[new yorker 77]

Troll.

[burroak]

Why don’t you take your own advice and hold off on giving advice to the rest of the world? Who are you to tell others what should be done or not.

The definition of a liberal: One who knows what is best for you and will spend your money to make sure that you do it.

You come very close to fitting the description.

[Turret Gunner A20]

Come on guys — give the tootsie roll a chance to grow up some. After all one has to make some allowances for the uninformed — or is that misinformed? — callow youth.

[jwalsh07]

He branded Democrats as "the party of despair."

Ah very good, I like it. Reagnesque so to speak.