[postaldave]

“I do believe he favors smaller government”

we all were tricked on this point by our current president. i really do believe fred actually means it.

if the republicans really did stand for what the say they stand for, the people will follow.

[seowulf]

At least he knows how to say “Federalism” and he apparently knows what it means. I’m not sure any of the other candidates do. I’ve certainly never heard them say they’ll veto a bill because it is not authorized by the constitution. Who knows if he’ll actually live up to the words though.

[Leisler]

I am not aware of George Bush ever saying anything about smaller government. He did say compassionate conservative, which my heart sunk when he said it because I then knew he not only would not hold the line, but would expand government. Add to that fat Coach Hasteret and the Republican Congress, who could never push away from the trough.

I don't think Thompson, Mitt or even Rudi will spend like Bush and Congress.

[Soul Seeker]

Eh..not really.

In 2000 I mainly voted for G.W.B. because he was a social conservative and I despised Clinton and all attached to him.

He wasn’t a small government conservative then, or later.

IMO, a lot of people just chose to believe he’d change or at least not be as bad on that issue as he became.

Personally I think people have more cause to feel betrayed that he signed CFR, when he signed he would not. Or when he nominated Miers, after years of speeches alledging he understood what we wanted in a Justice and promised to deliver.

As for Fred, he seems solid in the sense I think he’s pretty set in his beliefs and unlikely to change. Might attribute to his age, but I doubt that’s the reason why. His record doesn’t reflect that to be the reason. So I hope no one ascribes to him the same hopes placed on G.W.B. What we see now is what we’ll get.

And I believe you are right, his tendency would be towards less government interference. I make that judgement based on his legislative record of “NO” votes and lack of desire to submit one bill after another. A large reason the government has expanded at the rate it has the last seven years is that G.W.B. came into the process with these dreams of programs re: prescription drugs and education. He had a Republican Congress that just went along. Thompson may or may not ave a Republican Congress. Who knows? But thus far he really hasn’t indicated a desire to advance too many programs.

The main issue he expresses concern about is S.S., ad his idea is to fix it by adjusting it to the rate of inflation NOT wages. I’m not an economist, but at face value that doesn’t sound like he’s planning another huge expansion of the government.