Posted on 10/03/2007 1:19:17 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The Politico has one of the most interesting articles up about Fred Thompson published in quite a while. Most political observers focus on the polls, who raises what (plead guilty); in short, the details, but the Politico’s Roger Simon takes a closer look at how Fred Thompson handles himself and what kind of person he is and what kind of campaign he has.
When Roger asked Thompson whether the considers himself to be an “11th Commandment man” (never speak ill of a fellow Republican), the former senator answered that he’s more of a “12 Commandment man.” The 12th Commandment, according to Thompson: “Don’t speak ill of them until they speak ill of me. And then really speak ill of them.”
As Roger points out, until now, Thompson has presented himself as a folksy, good humoured guy, who doesn’t care all that much about what people say about him. That may, however, change. Soon.
In fact, he may already have changed his approach: in a recent speech he told his fellow Republicans that they have to “stay true” to their principles. When Roger asked him whether he was was refering to Rudy Giuliani, Thompson “made a face of mock horror and laughed.”
When Roger asked a follow-up question, how it could be that Giuliani - who is pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-gay rights - leads in the national polls among (likely) Republican voters, Thompson answered: “I don’t know that people know his positions. That hasn’t really been part of the discussion up to now, far as I can tell. It seems that a lot of candidates have been campaigning for a long time and voters don’t know a lot of things about a lot of them.”
And it seems to me that Thompson will not let his fellow Republican candidates get away with that much longer.
He further believes, he told Roger, that the Republican candidates don’t have to try and find the “Reagan Democrats.” According to Thompson, these Democrats “have not gone anywhere.” Instead, it’s the Republican Party as a whole that has moved. He explained that he was referring to “big spending” and “ethical lapses” which have a “dampening effect on our own.”
When asked about the possibilities of a Republican victory in 08, Thompson explained that he believes that - although the sentiment is pro-Democrats at this point in time - there’s still time to change the tide; he believes that if he campaigns hard, he’ll be able to convince enough Independents that he’s the best person to lead the country for the coming four years.
Combine Thompson’s threatening words with the criticism and threats coming from the self-proclaimed leaders of the Christian conservatives in America, and Giuliani may be in some serious trouble. He hasn’t been attacked all that much yet - except for Mitt Romney, who has most certainly gone after Giuliani - but that has changed and will most likely continue to change. Giuliani’s opponents realize that if they don’t attack him - truly attack him - he may very well take the nomination. Not only does that mean that they might as well give up, it also means that their party will be lead by someone who disagrees with the party’s base about the issues it once cared most about.
The reason for the 11th is you may want to nominate some of those guys for cabinet positions in your administration..............
Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment was more relevant back in the days when the Dems controlled both houses of Congress and had for decades. In that scenario, it is silly for Republicans to attack other Republicans with more vigor than they attack Democrats. That’s not the situation any more, but we may be headed back to it.
He should call these RINOs for what they are. Period.
While Rooty is still the front runner, Fred’s had significant success and positive results knocking down Rooty`s overall support. Fred will need to concentrate on pointing out Rooty`s liberal record again and again. Whatever it takes. For conservatives, taking down Rooty remains priority #1 and Fred`s the man who can get the job done.
“He should call these RINOs for what they are. Period.”
Agreed.
If someone is not behaving as a republican, why should they enjoy the protections of the “11th commandment”?
Why have a party at all if you cannot keep the defintion of what that party is about defined by certain core beliefs?
That is not speaking ill even. It is simply pointing out truths.
Actuallly, I think that FDT will attract many moderate Democrats and Republicans, while he repels conservative Christian Republicans and Democrats.
I have yet to hear what Fred Thompson has done that qualifies him for the presidency.
Turning that on its head: What has a little-known back-bencher congressman from California done to qualify for the White House? What kind of traction has he gained so far within the GOP and likely voters?
Just because James "I am the self-appointed voice of Christianity" Dobson doesn't like Fred doesn't mean most Christians don't...in fact most do from all I have heard...which makes sense considering his positions.
I have yet to hear what Duncan Hunter has done to give him a snowball's chance in hell of ever winning. All the great policy positions in the world are useless when you get 1% of the vote. Heck, I could probably get that much.
*snicker*
>What has a little-known back-bencher congressman from California done to qualify for the White House?<
Oh, getting nasty, are we?
Just go to search and do your own perusing, 2nd.
I’ll take Rep. Hunter’s record over FDT’s any day of the week. Duncan Hunter’s not just a talker. He’s a doer.
:)
Are you really a vet? If so, how can you call the House Armed Services Committee backbench?
You failed to answer my question. To date NO ONE has ever been able to answer my question - “What has Fred Thompson done to qualify him for the presidency?”
That is an answer in itself!
Check this out: More Fred Thompson Principles http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1905674/posts
Turning that on its head: What has a little-known back-bencher congressman from California done to qualify for the White House
There's that standard answer (slur) when someone has a candidate with a record they'd rather not talk about.
Fred has changed his mind again....he now likes gov't subsidies for ethanol.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906105/posts
Now, would you like to see Hunter's list of accomplishments next to Freds, or ignore it as you usually do? If Hunter is a backbencher, Fred never even made it to the field.
Don't expect them to answer it, sweetie, they can't.
That’s all talk, 2nd. I asked for what he has DONE, ACCOMPLISHED, to qualify him for the presidency.
Of course I am a veteran. 40% VA service-connected disabled and worked 14 years as a Veterans Rep. at the State workforce center finding jobs for other veterans! See my profile
Is Rep. Duncan Hunter one of the GOP leaders in the House?
Main Entry: back·bench
Pronunciation: -’bench
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
: a bench in a British legislature (as the House of Commons) occupied by rank-and-file members
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/backbench
So, you consider the House Armed Services Committee backbench.
Hunter was awarded the Semper Fidelis and Keeper of the Flame for his work with the House Armed Services Committee.
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