Posted on 07/11/2007 7:12:04 AM PDT by hardback
It wasn't quite a rock star's reception, but 12,000 talk radio fans on hand for the Republican's first public visit to Georgia as a possible presidential candidate treated Fred Thompson as a contender.
"Run, Fred Run!" many yelled as they gave the actor and former U.S. senator a standing ovation Tuesday night at Sean Hannity's "Freedom Concert" at the Gwinnett Arena.
TV and movie actor Fred Thompson, who's also gotten stage time on the floor of the U.S. Senate, meets and greets folks at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Soon afterward, he was a surprise speaker at Sean Hannity's 'Freedom Concert' at the Gwinnett Arena, taking the stage before scheduled appearances by Oliver North and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Thompson appealed for small government, an end to 'shenanigans' in Washington.
Thompson didn't say whether he would run, but he told one group of Gwinnett businessmen to "keep your powder dry," prior to the concert.
"I think we may be able to do something good for this country," Thompson said.
Thompson was a surprise guest at the Hannity event, but he took the stage before any of the political celebrities who headlined the concert. Oliver North and Newt Gingrich were scheduled to wow the Republican faithful, along with a medley of country musicians and entertainers.
Thompson's last-minute Georgia visit was launched after midnight Monday when the unannounced candidate told an aide that he would accept Hannity's invitation to attend the concert. The conservative Fox News talk show host made the offer to Thompson on Sunday afternoon, said Joel McElhannon, a staffer for Thompson's exploratory committee.
McElhannon also arranged for a "meet and greet" session with nearly 200 supporters, local officials and business leaders at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce before the concert. The chamber is adjacent to the arena.
Dressed casually in a camel-colored jacket without a tie, Thompson spoke for eight minutes to the chamber group. The former "Law & Order" star focused on traditional conservative themes.
He never mentioned President Bush, the two major political parties or any of the Democratic or Republican candidates officially seeking the presidency by name.
"I think folks are for a limited government, limited by the delineated powers found in that Constitution," Thompson said. "I think they're also look for a competent government . . . they're also looking for a government strong enough to protect us."
"I think about the shenanigans that you're seeing in Washington, D.C., these days and I say do the opposite of what's going on up there," Thompson, said to enthusiatic applause from the chamber crowd.
The concert goers gave Thompson 30-second standing ovations on both ends of his four-minute speech.
"If you keep that up, I'm going to make a speech. Don't make me do it," Thompson, exclaimed, drawing laughs.
More on ajc.com
FRed News!!
Standing O!!!!
Contrast his speech with the hypocrisy and anger that comes out of the people at live earth and its no wonder why republicans are able to win the presidency on a regular basis.
No one likes complainers they like to hear legitimate solutions. No RFK Jr., everyone taking mass transit while you fly in jets is not a legitimate solution.
A man’s man.
An articulate and intelligent man with American values.
The making of a legacy.
Sean will have to answer to the Guilliani buddies, LOL.
So what the heck was the “Big Surprise” planned for the concert that Hannity was talking about all day yesterday? Anybody in the know?
I agree. I want a guy who not only looks like he could snap a leg or two but would be willing to do it.
lolz :)
The “surprise” wasn’t Thompson — Hannity had him on the show prior to the concert. There was supposed to be some major event during the concert, but I haven’t seen any info as to what it was.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
I'm wondering that myself.
I agree, Mr. Hannity, aka the GM infomercial guy and concert promoter is gonna have to do some ‘splainin’ to his Rudy “Butt Buddies.” I like Hannity’s conservatism, but he’s sold out to the wrong crowd. Just an observation. The Great Oz Has Spoken.
P.S. The “big surprise” may be that Rudy doesn’t get the nomination. I’m hoping he doesn’t.
The big surprise was a live satellite video hookup with
four soldiers serving in Iraq. The soldiers’ families
were at the concert and were able to see and hear their
greetings from Iraq. The soldiers were able to see and
hear their families too. It was truly an awesome moment
in an incredible event.
Another surprise was that Larry the Cable Guy announced
his intent to run for the presidency with Ron White as his
running mate!!!
Oliver North recognized all servicemen currently serving,
their families, the families of deceased servicemen and
then all of the veterans that had served in the past.
What an honor to stand with these people last night !!
Thanks much for the report! Sounds like a great event!
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