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A Focus on Policy Will Win (GOP)
RealClearPolitics/GOPUSA-NJ ^ | 12-15-07 | Hank Butehorn

Posted on 12/17/2007 9:36:34 AM PST by rightinthemiddle

Republicans and many conservatives are so worried and fearful about losing the presidential election next year they are not focusing on what is necessary to win the election. However, it is exactly that mindset, and decisions based upon that worry and lack of focus, that will lead to the result they fear.

What do I mean by the first sentence? Well, many primary voters are basing their support for a candidate primarily upon the perception that that candidate has the best chance to beat the Democrat challenger in the general election. The voters are basing their decision on “politics” and not “policy.”

(snip)

At the end of the day, those who are supporting candidates who lack consistent principled policy - or giving candidates attention and credibility - primarily because they are perceived as likely victors against a Democrat might be doing a disservice to themselves, conservatism, and the Republican party.

Contrary to politics, policy - and the principles upon which the best policy is based - remains constant. The best policy - a consistent conservative policy upon conservative principles - is that which will win next November. Therefore, the candidate who has put forth specific plans based upon those policies, and has the most consistent history of support for same, and will win; Republicans (especially conservatives) should be basing their decisions upon which candidate fits that mold.

(snip)

Frank Luntz, the communications expert who performs focus groups for Fox News Channel and has outlined - based upon those groups and his “instant Response dial sessions” - what Republican voters are looking for from their candidate and the answers that elicit the best responses, said the candidate who stood out at the debate was Fred Thompson.

(Excerpt) Read more at gopusanj.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: elections; fred; fred08
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According to the FR polls, Fred is the favorite among Freepers. Perhaps we're just ahead of the game. This article was Posted on RCP December 15.
1 posted on 12/17/2007 9:36:36 AM PST by rightinthemiddle
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To: rightinthemiddle

FRED FRED FRED FRED FRED FRED FRED FRED FRED FRED


2 posted on 12/17/2007 9:39:25 AM PST by A. Morgan (Each terrorist we kill lowers the carbon foot print of the war.)
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To: Politicalmom

Fred ping


3 posted on 12/17/2007 9:39:57 AM PST by rightinthemiddle (Without the Media, the Left and Islamofacists are Nothing.)
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To: rightinthemiddle

Wait a minute, you want to focus on the issues? That’s crazy talk. Loony alert!


4 posted on 12/17/2007 9:44:43 AM PST by benjamin032
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To: rightinthemiddle
Perhaps we're just ahead of the game.
Those of us who support Fred are.
5 posted on 12/17/2007 9:45:08 AM PST by samtheman
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To: NeoCaveman

Fred is best on policy issues editorial ping


6 posted on 12/17/2007 9:47:08 AM PST by rightinthemiddle (Without the Media, the Left and Islamofacists are Nothing.)
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To: All

I agree with the premise of this article.

That said, the Republican party has lost a lot of credibility over the past 10 years or so.

The party of fiscal responsiblity?

They abandoned that quite awhile ago and now voters don’t trust the Republicans to carry through their policies.

Adding to the party’s woes is the guilt-by-association with the Bush administration - an administration that is approaching Carter’s in terms of overall incompetence.

Given the times we live, we need a Republican (or anybody but a Democrat) in the White House now more than ever. Nevertheless, the Republican party may very well hand the keys to the mansion over to a Democrat (voters voting them out), much to the detriment of our country


7 posted on 12/17/2007 10:03:53 AM PST by jeffj
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To: jellybean

Fred ping


8 posted on 12/17/2007 10:18:13 AM PST by rightinthemiddle (Without the Media, the Left and Islamofacists are Nothing.)
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To: rightinthemiddle

Good post.


9 posted on 12/17/2007 10:45:13 AM PST by reasonisfaith (A liberal will never stand up like a man and admit his true beliefs)
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To: jellybean; Politicalmom; girlangler; KoRn; Shortstop7; Lunatic Fringe; Darnright; babygene; ...
PING!!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

10 posted on 12/17/2007 10:47:50 AM PST by Politicalmom (Huckabee is the GOP's Jimmy Carter. Are you ready for Huck the Schmuck to plunder your pocketbook?)
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To: samtheman

FR is always ahead of the curve. FDT is the one.


11 posted on 12/17/2007 10:52:06 AM PST by Route66 (America's Main Street - - - Fred D. Thompson / Consistent Conservative...The One with Gravitas)
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To: rightinthemiddle

Fred will win this thing.


12 posted on 12/17/2007 10:52:43 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus ("Hi, My name is Mitt, and I invented the fifty dollar abortion!")
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To: rightinthemiddle

I love it when a plan comes together...

13 posted on 12/17/2007 10:57:55 AM PST by ejonesie22 (In America all people have a right to be wrong, some just exercise it a bit much...)
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To: rightinthemiddle

I don’t think that even FR polls reflect the amount of support for Fred that is out there. The people that support a candidate because he’s “good enough” or “not bad” won’t be the ones that turn out for primaries and caucuses. We shall see but my instincts are pretty good on these things.


14 posted on 12/17/2007 11:04:46 AM PST by Uriah_lost ("I don't apologize for the United States of America," -Fred D Thompson)
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To: Uriah_lost

Yeah, I have similar inclinations. Fred seems to be the obvious choice for just about any Republican/Conservative.

I think so many in the Republican “establishment” jumped on the Rudy wagon because they feared Hillary. Now, she seems vulnerable and Rudy seems like...Rudy. But, they have to disengage from Rudy and move to Fred.

Huckamania is a fabrication of the MSM and the Democrats. They would LOVE to face a guy named Huckabee.


15 posted on 12/17/2007 11:41:24 AM PST by rightinthemiddle (Without the Media, the Left and Islamofacists are Nothing.)
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To: Route66

I hope you’re right. Huckabee is a very depressing prospect.


16 posted on 12/17/2007 11:57:54 AM PST by samtheman
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To: rightinthemiddle; All
New endorsement:

Fred Thompson Receives Endorsement of California ProLife Council

17 posted on 12/17/2007 12:11:41 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: rightinthemiddle

FRED’s been on issues since the beginning. The MSM just did not want to cover those particula issues!

FRED THOMPSON - PRO-LIFE ADVOCATE (true consistent Conservative Federalist and Pro-Life) - NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERT (I’ll protect the American people and values, whatever it takes to stop the Islamicfacists, including water-boarding) - 2ND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE (arming the People and disarming criminals) - SECURE AND SEAL THE BORDERS (don’t give them sanctuary anywhere, don’t hire them, don’t rent to them, don’t give them credit, don’t give them rights they don’t deserve, report all crimes committed by them, it’s called attrition, and deport those who have already committed crimes against America) - LAW AND ORDER (enforcement first and foremost with the laws currently on the books) - SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM (reform a program that can’t sustain itself and will bankrupt the next generation) - DEFEAT ANY DEMOCRAT AND RINO (any fool they put up) – TAX SIMPLIFICATION (variety of choice for the tax payer) - WON’T PUT UP WITH CRAP FROM THE MSM (including stupid questions by moderators and pundits) - “WE THE PEOPLE” CANDIDATE (We the People asked him to run and he stepped up) - PING!


18 posted on 12/17/2007 3:09:59 PM PST by Bobbisox (ALL AMERICAN GRANDMA FREEPER FredHEAD! The Hunt for a FRED November is on! Don't be fooled!)
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To: Bobbisox
"The MSM just did not want to cover those particula issues!"


I think it's very telling that the debate mod didn't want to discuss Iraq or illegal immigration.

Very telling...

19 posted on 12/17/2007 4:33:27 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators. ~~ Will Rogers)
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To: dixiechick2000

I think it was part of the dems strategy. They sure as hell don’t want to talk about it. If FRED gets into the position to let people know what his proposals are, they will dump Huckelberry like a hot potato!

FRED THOMPSON - PRO-LIFE ADVOCATE (true consistent Conservative Federalist and Pro-Life) - NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERT (I’ll protect the American people and values, whatever it takes to stop the Islamicfacists, including water-boarding) - 2ND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE (arming the People and disarming criminals) - SECURE AND SEAL THE BORDERS (don’t give them sanctuary anywhere, don’t hire them, don’t rent to them, don’t give them credit, don’t give them rights they don’t deserve, report all crimes committed by them, it’s called attrition, and deport those who have already committed crimes against America) - LAW AND ORDER (enforcement first and foremost with the laws currently on the books) - SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM (reform a program that can’t sustain itself and will bankrupt the next generation) - DEFEAT ANY DEMOCRAT AND RINO (any fool they put up) – TAX SIMPLIFICATION (variety of choice for the tax payer) - WON’T PUT UP WITH CRAP FROM THE MSM (including stupid questions by moderators and pundits) - “WE THE PEOPLE” CANDIDATE (We the People asked him to run and he stepped up) - PING!


20 posted on 12/17/2007 4:49:57 PM PST by Bobbisox (ALL AMERICAN GRANDMA FREEPER FredHEAD! The Hunt for a FRED November is on! Don't be fooled!)
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