Posted on 08/06/2007 6:24:55 PM PDT by gobucks
(snip) Much has been made about whether or not Fred Thompson is the second coming of Ronald Reagan, and while it's clear that he's not, it's also becoming fairly clear that the oddly constructed coalition that Reagan built combining fiscal conservatives, defense hawks, libertarians, Evangelicals and working-class conservative Democrats is about to fall apart unless Thompson can reinvent it.
(snip)
Among those issues, of course, abortion is the major litmus test that Thompson will need to pass to win their support. And fortunately for the candidate, his lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood took place 17 years before his presidential run, not unlike Reagan, who 13 years before his own run had signed a therapeautic abortion law as governor of California.
In Reagan's case, evangelical voters accepted his explanation that he had been tricked by liberal legislators who had promised him that the law would allow for abortions only for serious medical conditions, when it in fact opened the way for a "health" exception that was subsequently interpreted broadly in its application.
Similarly, future Thompson voters are likely to accept a mea culpa from the candidate if it's straightforward and doesn't fudge. These are, after all, evangelical Christians for a reason, one of the central tenets of the faith being forgiveness for an act that is repented of and is in the past, preferably the distant past.
With his Evangelical base solidified, Thompson will then be able to secure his more natural constituencies — gun owners, "lunch pail" Democrats, country music fans, star-struck Law & Order viewers, and even elements of the entertainment industry who are unlikely to see him the same way they see other conservative candidates because of his star power.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
And that’s my gripe with Thompson. He has no vision to bring to the game. He’s been at best vague in addressing important issues like immigration. And been vague as in more vague than other candidate out there.
He is a remarkable, compelling orator with a script. Not so great in an interview, but not bad, either. He seems pretty solidly conservative.
I just don’t think he has the spark of leadership. As he said, he has “never wanted to be President.” Spin that as you may, I can’t see that as anything but a negative.
Does he have the fight in him? Maybe. Maybe not. I was never overwhelmed by him as my Senator. That said, he’s pretty solid. We’ll see.
Got it!
I’ve been watching the whole mess w/ dismay; but we collectively get what we deserve. I can’t imagine someone like Reagan ever coming along again.
CSPAN recently had a new book review, discussing at great length his exploits as a lifeguard. But I can’t for the life of me remember the title.
(Great tag line, btw)
More media BS.
>>>Sorry, but nobody’s interested before Thanksgiving. Fred is exactly right to not waste his money or time now.<<<
The Iowa Caucus is January 14. A failure to build a network of support across the country months before then is an almost guaranteed assurance of failure.
Traditionally, the Ames Straw Poll has served as a point at which the wagons began to circle around a select group of candidates.
Not only does Thompson’s failure to make an appearance hurt his own campaign, but it also hurts the party by leaving a grey cloud hanging over the horizon.
Even if Fred Thompson did take the Republican nomination, he’d do so at a disadvantage to the Dim nominee, who would have been building a nationwide network of support for well over a year.
That is nonsense. The only other candidates in the race who have a more consistent record than Fred on federalism and limited government are Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo. Fred has been on the losing end of multiple 99 - 1 votes in the Senate because he did not believe that the issue in question was within the jurisdiction of the federal government. This is an area where he has proved himself, in contrast to GWB, who ran as a big government conservative before he was even elected and had no record of taking a tough stand in support of limited government. When it comes to taking a tough stand in support of federalism, it does not get any better than being the lone hold out on numerous Senate votes where federalism was an issue. Fred has proved that he will defend the principles of federalism even when doing so is not popular and he will be the only one taking that stand. Very few politicians can say the same.
“Fred Thompson, the second coming of Reagan?”
UMM, NO.
Well, he’ll win for sure then if there is no 3rd party candidate, and Fred enters.
But I have to say, there will be a 3rd Party candidate for certain ... and I predict Hillary will win as a result. It was THE factor that caused Bill to win, and it will happen again.
LOL Neither does Rooty, Romney or McCain. But FredT has knocked off a significant amount of Giuliani`s support. That is great news.
Now, chill out. If FredT decides not to run --- unlikely --- then its over. Otherwise, we'll all have plenty of time to see FredT in action. Whether he can build on his early momentum and garner the support of most conservatives, is what the primary season is all about. Patients is a virtue, especially in politics.
Syndication is different, they sell a set number of total episodes, not in any order, though that is preferred. So it is no real problem to pull the FDT episodes from a show like L&O since he has only been in it for a few season vs. total run. If he was a star in every episode ever made, they would have to pull it until Nov. 2008. As it is they only pull those episodes from the package and replace them.
The worse Republican candidate is better than the best
Democrat candidate
There are two Clintons.
You just had to remind us didn’t you.;-)
I still think it will be an “October Surprise”!!!!!!!.....
Who cares, ones a criminal the other is...well....a criminal.
You’re either with him or against him, I’m guessing it’s the latter. Fine with me, support who you want, but at least have a valid reason.
I cannot say this often enough, or capitalize it large enough, but THERE IS STILL TIME FOR FRED TO ENTER THE RACE! FGS, campaign 2008 started shortly after the results for campaign 2006 were in the books. It’s 6 months until the first primaries, and 15 months until the election!
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