Posted on 12/29/2007 7:38:09 AM PST by jellybean
Thompson talks tough on defense By WILLIAM SMITH
FORT MADISON -- Dressed in a casual leather jacket and walking onstage to a country music entrance, former U.S. senator from Tennessee and candidate for the 2008 Republican nomination Fred Thompson presented himself as a straight shooter to a packed house Friday night.
"I will be tomorrow the same person I am today. What you see is what you get," he said. "I dance to no man's tune. I've never been accused of changing my political position in order to pick up some extra votes."
The former senator, lawyer and actor -- who is known for his "Law and Order" appearances -- was espousing his views on everything from Social Security to immigration at Alpha's on the Riverfront during an Iowa bus tour for the Jan. 3 caucus.
Fort Madison resident Paul Hedgepeth was especially impressed with Thompson's speech. But he already was planning to caucus for Thompson, as could be evidenced by the Fred Thompson sticker on his shirt.
"Ironically, I'm from the same hometown he (Thompson) is. Lawrenceburg, Tennessee," Hedgepeth said. "I think he's a good guy. I like his style; I like his manner; I like his looks. I like everything about him."
Hedgepeth has voted Republican his entire life and said he would vote for Rudy Giuliani, John McCain or Mitt Romney if they win the Republican nomination. But he likes Thompson the best.
"If he's not chosen for president, I think he would make one heck of a good vice president," Hedgepeth said.
When an audience member asked Thompson his thoughts on the assassination of Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto, Thompson said it was an indicator that America needs to beef up its national security.
"If this gives us an opportunity to do what we should have already been doing, and that is talking to these candidates about the most important issue facing the United States of America and its future, then it's a good thing," he said. "9/11 wasn't that long ago, and it was a low-tech operation. And I can assure you that bad people are trying to get their hands on a high-tech operation to do us the ultimate harm."
Thompson was straightforward in his assertion that terrorists have started a war against Western civilization and that America needs to increase its military defense spending to ensure the safety of its borders.
"We could be under a biological attack in this country for days without even knowing that we've been attacked. It's a different kind of world we live in," he said. "This should have been at the forefront of the national agenda without the necessity of someone being killed."
Thompson also spoke of his support for the Fair Tax Plan. The plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll-based taxes with an integrated approach, including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level and dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality.
"A dollar belongs in the pocket of the person who earned that dollar unless the government can make a persuasive argument that they can spend that dollar better," he said.
Thompson urged the crowd to be wary of a Democratic party that believes in big government and high taxes that would take away that dollar.
"These common ideas are under assault today ... from a big government, high taxes, weak-on-national-defense left wing Democratic party that is salivating to take back the reigns of power so they can lead us down the road to a welfare state," he said.
Ann Sallen, who had traveled from Bloomington, Ill., to visit her family, had mixed feelings about Thompson's speech. Sallen is already a registered Democrat and said she is probably going to vote for Barack Obama. But she has voted Republican before and wanted to hear what Thompson had to say.
"I'm just checking him out," she said. "I don't agree with some of the things he had to say. Some I do, some I don't."
Those living in the Burlington area can still check out Thompson when he participates in the radio town hall event with KBUR's JK Martin at 10 a.m. today at the Port of Burlington.
Free Market Fred OTTUMWA, Iowa -- Say what you want about Fred Thompson, but the man is not pandering.
At an event here at the Ottumwa Hotel this afternoon, Thompson called on a man in the front row who let out a huge cheer during his formal remarks, perhaps expecting a softball question. What Thompson got instead was a question from Mickey Hucks, Sr., who retired eight years ago from Deere & Co. and received notice in October that his health care plan would be changed in a way that will force him to pay more out of pocket. Hucks wanted Thompson's thoughts about a large company that would switch health care on its retirees.
"Well, I hate to see that," Thompson responded. But then he retorted, "What are your thoughts concerning what we can do about that as a federal government?"
Hucks was impressed. "Good comeback," he acknowledged.
Thompson went on to argue that the only responsibility of government is to support policies that would allow the free market to thrive, and as long as businesses are following the law and abiding by contracts the government should step aside so they can compete.
"And have record profits and never are satisfied?" Hucks followed up.
"Well, there's nothing wrong with record profits," Thompson shot back.
"Except when they're taken off the back of the worker that put you there," Hucks interjected.
Then Thompson implored him to "look at the whole picture" rather than one situation. "What I'm saying is that as a general rule, the President of the United States cannot sit there and make a case about what some company ought to do down in Houston, Texas, or somewhere like that," he said. "What a president can do is insist on lower taxes, less regulation, less interference, a decent Fed policy through appointment to the Federal Reserve Board, and things of that nature that will make for a good, free, viable, economy. And if companies do wrong in the free market place, they're usually punished by that same market."
I spoke with Hucks afterward, who said Thompson gave a "fine" answer and that he understands that the federal government has limited power in his circumstances.
"I'm going to support Senator Thompson, without a doubt," he told me. "I like his fundamental conservative thoughts on everything, especially that comment about high fences and a wide gate." That was a reference to Thompson's philosophy on immigration.
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As of 9:45 CST the pick-up truck has $274,499. Well done FredHeads!
Then Thompson implored him to “look at the whole picture” rather than one situation. “What I’m saying is that as a general rule, the President of the United States cannot sit there and make a case about what some company ought to do down in Houston, Texas, or somewhere like that,” he said. “What a president can do is insist on lower taxes, less regulation, less interference, a decent Fed policy through appointment to the Federal Reserve Board, and things of that nature that will make for a good, free, viable, economy. And if companies do wrong in the free market place, they’re usually punished by that same market.”
And that is the kind of comment that Fred usually gets. Except from the "Drive By Media," which plays the "Talk about ANYTHING except Fred Thompson" game.
FRED VETS, SIGN UP TODAY AT:
From the article: “If he’s not chosen for president, I think he would make one heck of a good vice president,” Hedgepeth said.”
Fred stated when he entered the race that he was not at all interested in the VP position. Fred really wants to get things done and knows the VP position does not give one the opportunity to do much at all to make the changes needed for our country. I pray that all conservative voters in Iowa will come to realize that Fred is the man we need as our next President! He is the real conservative among the top five caididates and if folks look at their records they will see that Fred is the right man for the job! GO FRED!
I am mildly suprised by the comments from the retired Deere worker...having grown up in a major John-Deere town I have found them to be overwhelmingly Democrat supporters.
GO FRED!!!!!
Interesting his name was “Hucks.” Oh the irony.....
$277,784 at this point in time
thread and Fred bump!
$279,349 and still growing for Fred’s campaign! GO FRED!
Dear ——,
I want to thank you for your contribution as part of my online “Red Truck Challenge”. Because of your generous support, we surpassed our goal and we are up on the air in Iowa. Your generosity and support have made our success in this campaign possible, and for that I am grateful.
As we roll toward the start of caucus voting next Thursday, I am encouraged knowing that I have folks like you in TN carrying my message to your friends and neighbors. I’m also encouraged by the support that we are gaining on the ground, one by one. The people of Iowa are recognizing that I am the consistent conservative in this race, the candidate that they can count on when the chips are down.
Thank you again for giving so generously of your time and resources. I am fortunate to have you on my team. I’m looking forward to a strong finish on Thursday and a strong push through the rest of the primaries and onto the nomination.
Happy New Year
Fred Thompson
I am sure a lot of these went around to my fellow Fredheads — well done!
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