Posted on 12/01/2007 2:17:20 PM PST by SoConPubbie
I was proud to host Senator Fred Thompson to the 70th Assembly District today to an enthusiastic crowd of 700 people in Laguna Woods.
According to my wife, Diane, Senator Thompson, “Covered all the bases. He hit all the conservative themes and he covered them articulately and with passion.” I was very glad to hear that as Diane is very tough to impress (she had a weak moment when she met me, for which I am eternally grateful).
Greeting Senator Thompson at the rally were his state chairman, Sen. Tom McClintock, radio personality John Ziegler emceed the event while former Sen. Dick Mountjoy announced his endorsement of Senator Thompson.
bump!
Combine his endorsement with Tom McClintock’s endorsement (who by the way stated during the rally that he had not been this excited by a candidate since Reagan) and you should have the conservative vote locked up in California.
What does that mean for number of delegates Fred will receive? That is what matters.
"The lack of honesty in the commentary on Fred has, without doubt, negatively affected his campaign, but the tide is turning." - Route66Even the account published by the left-wing Los Angeles was relatively positive:
It does seem to be turning, some writers are fine writing about Fred now, and some of the more hostile writers seem to be softening their tone a little bit. - ansel12
Thompson touts bedrock conservatism in Southland visit-- snip --
Addressing O.C. retirement community, the Republican presidential candidate vows 'adult leadership' to cut taxes and secure the borders.By Phil Willon
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 2, 2007
Campaigning as the only true conservative running for president, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson came to one of the most Republican towns in Republican-dominated Orange County on Saturday to deliver crowd-pleasing talk of slashing taxes and securing U.S. borders...
The crowd of about 1,000 was composed primarily of people 55 and older, who warmly received Thompson's pledge to cut taxes -- including estate taxes -- to stimulate economic growth...-- snip --
McClintock's support could help shore up Thompson's appeal to California conservatives, a critical voting bloc in California's Feb. 5 presidential primary. The state senator is a well-known fiscal watchdog and is admired in the party for sticking to his conservative ideals.
"All the Republican candidates are talking conservative right now. They always talk conservative during the Republican primary," McClintock said. "The difference between Fred Thompson and the other major Republican candidates is that where he stands today is where he stood eight years ago, and where he will be standing eight years from now, when he completes his second term as president."
Marilyn Conrath, 71, who drove to the event from her home in Laguna Beach, said she arrived unsure of whom she would support. After listening to Thompson's speech, she was leaning his way.
"It was really nice seeing him in person; it's so hard when all you see are snippets on TV," said Conrath. "I was really impressed. My biggest concerns are illegal immigration, our safety and the tax issue, and he fits in very well."
I don't see him doing well in NH. Historically, they are generally a fickle, self-important bunch, and I don't think Fred has spent enough time there to suit them. Maybe there are enough NH voters who don't think this way to give him a good showing, but it seems like NH wants candidates to do the dance, and Fred doesn't do that.
I trust your take any day over any other reporter.
It's one thing to see videos of the speeches, and quite another thing entirely to get your first-hand impression and observation. No newspaper would report this kind of depth.
Aside from Thompson's true, deep, humility, the thing that came across the most for me was his way with people. He was quietly, respectfully mobbed for quite some time getting out of the building. Just watching body language, the comfort levels were extreme. There was no wall that I could see between politician and person. Thompson believes in the power of the same conservative principles that a lot of those folks there have lived, loved, and voted, and it gives him a lot of confidence. He's very tall, but oddly, not imposing.
And this:
He is humble. "I don't need another thing to add to my resume," he said, and I believed him. He's doing it because he knows he's one of those rare politicians who, like Tom McClintock, intellectually embraces the core values of American conservatism in government, starting at the Constitution. I think his conscience is making him do it.
Others may report/record the event, but you report the spirit which, to me, is the substance of the whole thing.
Thank you!
You may be right, but I do have a feeling that Fred has spent time in New Hampshire that we don’t know about. The media has been and continues to cover Rudy Giuliani,Mitt Romney,and Mike Huckabee more than any of the other candidates. I am hoping for a close third in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
GO FRED!
I'd forgotten that part! YES! My feelings, too! McClintock is like a good bell: he rings true every time.
Can anybody else who went make a good guess as to the attendance? DeVore's release said 700 people, but I think that's a bit high. I saw one report (on the MSM, of course) that had it at about 300, but that seems pretty low. I'd guess ... 500? Anybody?
Can anybody else who went make a good guess as to the attendance?See my post #43.DeVore's release said 700 people, but I think that's a bit high. I saw one report (on the MSM, of course) that had it at about 300, but that seems pretty low.
I'd guess ... 500? Anybody?
The L.A. Times says 1,000!
I would have guessed several hundred, but I was sitting way upfront, and could not see the whole crowd.Chuck DeVore was onstage -- so he COULD see the whole crowd...
...and he has been at that venue MANY times in the past.HIS number is probably the most accurate.
Do you think it was 1000 people? It'd be easy to figure out if we knew the capacity of the auditorium. Not that it really matters -- the crowd was a good and enthusiastic one.
“McClintock’s support could help shore up Thompson’s appeal to California conservatives”
“Tom McClintock ... who by the way stated during the rally that he had not been this excited by a candidate since Reagan ...”
Huge stuff, California conservatives are back on the map.
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