Posted on 11/24/2007 11:44:20 AM PST by Stoat
LADSON, S.C. (AP) — White House hopeful Fred Thompson called his trip down aisle of rifles, shotguns and pistols at a gun show "a day in paradise," and said he wished he could come back to spend more time and money.
It was the former Tennessee senator and "Law and Order" actor's second trip to a gun show since launching his late bid for the GOP nomination in September.
He reached out and picked up an old M-1 Garand rifle and raised an over-and-under Winchester shotgun suitable for the skeet shooting he's been known to do as he made his way through the 200 vendors at The Land of the Sky Gun Show at a fairgrounds just outside of North Charleston, S.C.
"It's a beautiful day in paradise," Thompson said when greeted by one of the people packing the show's aisles.
Thompson was a hit with James Hill, 65, from Summerville. "It's absolutely important to come to gun shows," Hill said. Thompson, he said, wins his support because he's strong on Second Amendment gun ownership rights. "He's right where our strength is."
Anthony DiPaolo, 22, said he wasn't ready to settle on a presidential candidate yet, but said he'd narrowed his field to three Republicans — Thompson, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. "I like Fred Thompson's stance on firearms," he said. "I don't want to see anymore assaults on my Second Amendment rights."
But DiPaolo added that he also liked Giuliani's handling of the terrorist attacks in New York and Romney's "business plan." And, he has doubts about Thompson's ability to win the nomination.
"I just think he got in too late," DiPaolo said.
While mingling with the crowd, someone else mentioned the late entry and Thompson responded that he got in at just the right time.
Republican presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn. visits The Land of the Sky Gun Show Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, during a campaign stop in Ladson, S.C. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Republican presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn. talks to a dealer at The Land of the Sky Gun Show, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, during a campaign stop in Ladson, S.C. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Republican presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn. greets supporters at The Land of the Sky Gun Show Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, during a campaign stop in Ladson, S.C. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Republican presidential hopeful and former Sen., Fred Thompson, R-Tenn. looks down the sight of a rifle while at The Land of the Sky Gun Show, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, during a campaign stop in Ladson, S.C. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
It seems altogether fitting and proper that the phrase M-1 Garand should appear in an article about a presidential candidate.
Semper Fi,
“Sweet” Ping!
this guy must be very stupid about Julie's gun positions or is just circling the laagers for a fellow Italian
He should...I’ve been to bird hunting events he attended here east of Nashville
Agreed!
Just opened Friday before last. Marvin Road exit from I-5, just north of Olympia. Follow the signs. It’s cool
Thompson was a hit with James Hill, 65, from Summerville. “It’s absolutely important to come to gun shows,” Hill said. Thompson, he said, wins his support because he’s strong on Second Amendment gun ownership rights. “He’s right where our strength is.”
Well said Mr. Hill of Summerville. I was reading over on FOX that Guiliani is complaining about Fred pointing out Guiliani’s weak record on the 2nd Ammendment. This is a definitive strength of Senator Thompson, and he should point it out. Their are other GOP candidates that are also strong on this issue, and they also need to stress this.
I appreciate that, thank you....it looks HUGE. :-)
Agreed.. The fact that the MSM doesn't like it means that it's a winning plan :-)
Oh yeah. It’s big alright. I just wish it was closer to Puyallup so I wouldn’t spend all my hard earned money at Home Depot 8>)
Why can't he?
How much did he spend?
What did he buy?
Rudy and Romney can't go because they are gun vampires and gun shows are like churches to them.......
Take a Kid to a Gun Show.
That is a great picture! Can you tell me where it is from? Do you have a URL? Thanks.
Abe Lincoln with a bald head...at least height-wise.Still a Duncan Hunter fan, but I could vote for Thompson.
We need to vote for both.
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