Posted on 11/11/2007 8:42:34 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Courage & Honesty
Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson's plan to save Social Security and protect seniors, which he introduced Friday afternoon in a Washington, D.C., hotel, differs starkly from standard election year pablum on the subject in one key way: He's actually treating voters like adults. (ABC, 11/9)
Thompson...is seeking to show he is willing to take on tough issues if elected in November 2008, telling a news conference in Washington he was the only candidate to offer an extensive Social Security plan. (Reuters, 11/10)
"You certainly have to admire his courage for putting this out," said Alan Viard with the American Enterprise Institute. (Tennessean, 11/10)
Supporters contend that Thompson's willingness to take on the so-called third rail of politics will impress voters. (Bloomberg, 11/10)
Conservative economic experts applauded Thompson for offering specifics on an issue considered to be politically dangerous. (Tennessean, 11/10)
"He's not afraid to be brutally honest with the American people about the challenges that lie ahead," said Representative Zach Wamp, a Tennessee Republican who is working to recruit supporters for Thompson. "People can tell the difference between a strong leader telling the truth and a weak leader talking politics." (Bloomberg, 11/10)
Substance
[Thompson is] the first candidate of either party to offer a detailed proposal to fix the nation's retirement system. (WP, 11/10)
The Republican candidate laid out a detailed, four-page proposal (WSJ, 11/10)
Mr. Thompson's plan...was more specific than what the Bush White House put on the table when it sought to overhaul the system. It also varied substantially from the traditional conservative approach of focusing primarily on personal investment accounts. (NYT, 11/10)
Economist Jason Furman said Thompson deserves credit for offering a detailed plan to address the projected Social Security shortfall...(Bloomberg, 11/10)
In discussing policy, Thompson was in his element. (Politico, 11/9)
He'd prefer to talk about substance. (Politico, 11/9)
Thompson's plan draws on ideas favored by conservatives: a reduction in benefits, rather than an increase in payroll taxes; and a shift toward private accounts, rather than government-provided payments. (WP, 11/10)
Rivals
[Thompson] ventured Friday into an area few rivals have tread: advocacy of a fundamental overhaul of Social Security. (WSJ, 11/10)
Although all of the presidential candidates have spoken, when asked, about the need to fix the Social Security system, none has offered such a detailed plan nor talked so eagerly and often about the issue. (WSJ, 11/10)
Among Republicans, former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney have talked in general terms ... but none has offered a specific plan. (WP, 11/10)
Mr. Thompson is the only one of the Republicans running for the White House who has made Social Security a central theme of his campaign. (NYT, 11/10)
He is the only presidential candidate so far to make Social Security an anchor of his campaign. (WSJ, 11/10)
But with less than two months before the 2008 voting begins, candidates have generally been reluctant to confront the Social Security issue. (WP, 11/10)
Nope. Not until most of the way through his second term.
No.
Go Fred, Go!
I think this is the best (and boldest) statement from Thompson so far. He is not just following the herd here but showing actual leadership. Good for him.
No. Of course they were wrong about that crap, but that won’t matter. They said much the same about Ronnie. The MSM HATED him while he was in office, now they kiss his RIA.
Fred’s the only one I heard / read who has really laid out any of their plans...everyone else says “change, new direction, plan, plan, plan, etc” alot of window dressing and platitudes...Fred actually spells it out.
And they all fit in very nicely with his principles, which other candidates regularly change dependant upon which audience they’re talking to.
Go Fred, Go!
It was said by Fred. That makes it good enough for me. Fred is not afraid to take on any issue. And he uses the same approach to them all. Common sense plans and the decency to tell America the truth. No other candidate will give us the straight truth. GO FRED GO.
Pass along the PING!!
I applaud Fred for taking this detailed position. I hope people will listen to him.
Mr. Thompson’s plan...was more specific than what the Bush White House put on the table when it *halfassedly* sought to overhaul the system.
Fixed.
It ought to shut up the critics, but it won’t shut up the juveniles who work for some of the campaigns. I believe some of them spend most of their days posting on the internet.
Thanks for posting this one. It is one of many big issues important to me. I want to protect the future of my children and grandchildren.
Fred is the only candidate who has not been too afraid to touch the untouchable “third rail” of social security. Taking a bold, in depth position on this particular hot issue during an election is virtually unheard of. As a matter of fact, we all know the subject is usually avoided like the plague. This is leadership and definitely not politics as usual.
Bill
Well, you're in luck. You can read it on Fred's Website.
“Nope. Not until most of the way through his second term.”
: )
“but I applaud the general idea of reducing benefits in order to make the system work.”
Fred’s plan doesn’t call for reducing benefits. It only keeps them from going up faster than the rate of inflation.
I’ve already seen and heard this being described inaccurately as being a “reduction of benefits” etc.....even putting it in writing doesn’t stop them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.