Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 01/06/2008 7:14:40 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
In the aftermath of the Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus, there are some important lessons to be learned by the Republican establishment and conservative voters. First, it must be recognized that among the three blocks of Republican voters, specifically, fiscal conservatives; national security conservatives; and religious/social conservatives, no dimension of the conservative constituency can be taken for granted. Religious conservatives affirmed by their high voter turnout, and overwhelming support of Governor Huckabee, that their support for any Republican candidate in a general election is paramount. The nation is divided along party lines, and any Republican Presidential nominee cannot win a general election without the strong support of each block of the Republican constituency, voting in large numbers.
At this point in time, it is reasonable to conclude that religious/social conservatives, that is, evangelical Christians, as they are generally referred to in media parlance, will not be taken for granted; but quite the contrary, they will rather exercise their collective political power in support of their political viewpoints, which principally include, protection of the unborn; marriage solely defined as between one man and one woman; upholding the rule of law; and moral and ethical behavior among public officials and others in positions of power and influence. Most importantly, it must be recognized that these individuals will not compromise on faith-based convictions for any reason.
Evangelical Christians supported Governor Huckabee in the Iowa Caucus as a consequence of his identification with their interests and values, and wrongly or rightly, one can certainly make the case that Governor Huckabee directly appealed to this constituency on the basis of his religious commonality with them. Given his success in attracting these voters, and generating a large turnout among them, any Republican primary candidate is well-advised to understand and respond to their interests and values, and to never ignore or take this particular block of the Republican constituency for granted. They can and will have an impact on the success of Republican candidates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing assessment, there are other lessons in the wake of the Iowa Caucus to heed. Governor Huckabee, despite his tremendous victory is not at this time a formidable Republican candidate for President in the impending November 2008 Presidential election. This is due to his record as Governor of Arkansas, where he raised state taxes and spending to very high levels. In addition, during the course of recent weeks he has demonstrated a lack of prowess on matters of national security and foreign policy, particularly important issues given the state of war existent between the United States and Islamic terrorists. Accordingly, Governor Huckabee generates little confidence among either fiscal conservatives, or national security conservatives. Further, as religious/social conservatives increase their knowledge about his weaknesses in these areas, their support for him is likely to wane, given the strong commitment of evangelical Christians to sound fiscal policy, meaning low taxes and controlled federal spending; and to the security and defense of the United States and our way of life. Governor Huckabee, in view of the aforementioned policy characteristics, and the corresponding conflicts with two core constituencies, is not a strong national candidate as the Republican nominee. Most fortunately for Republican voters, there are other candidates seeking the nomination. All of these candidates, with one exception, present problems in attracting one of more blocks of the Republican constituency. More specifically, Governor Romney, while appealing to fiscal and national security conservatives, alienates religious/social conservatives in sufficient numbers to be problematic in generating their strong support during a general election for president. Mayor Giuliani is personally opposed to the interests and values of religious/social conservatives, and thus cannot engender their support. Senator McCain damaged his relationship with fiscal and national security conservatives, with his votes against the Bush tax cut legislation; his support for the compromise immigration bill; and his opposition to aggressive interrogation techniques which may be used on captured high value terrorists. Congressman Hunter sows fear among fiscal conservatives given his desire to renegotiate international trade agreements. He also lacks sufficient national name recognition and funding required for raising his national profile. Congressman Paul alienates national security conservatives, in view of his opposition to the war in Iraq, and his desire to pursue a fortress America defense policy. The remaining candidate is Senator Thompson.
Senator Thompson alienates none of the Republican Party’s three block constituencies. He has pleased fiscal conservatives with his proposed voluntary flat tax system consisting of two rates, one at 10% with no deductions; and the other a 25% maximum rate with current deductions maintained. His proposal also lowers the corporate tax rate to ensure US Corporations are operating at the same tax rates as foreign-based competitors. He pleases national security conservatives with his proposal to increase the size of the US military, and his commitment to aggressively defend the nation during a war for its survival. Moreover, Senator Thompson, as was recently stated during an interview on the Mark Levin radio program, upon being directly asked, among other matters concerning values, if he was a Christian, answered with a forthright, “yes.” Thus, he can certainly appeal to religious/social conservatives, given his personal profession of faith, and his strong pro-life voting record as a US Senator. The central complaint against Senator Thompson, specifically, that he lacks the “fire in the belly,” in pursuing the presidency, has now been vitiated by his intense 50-city bus tour campaign in Iowa over approximately two to three weeks, and his very credible third place finish in the Iowa Caucus.
In view of the foregoing assessment, Republicans must have unity to achieve victory in the general election against the Democratic nominee. Alienation of any of the three blocks of Republican voters, almost assures failure in the November 2008 general election. As President Abraham Lincoln astutely observed from the Scripture, “A house divided against itself will not stand;” and a divided Republican constituency cannot achieve a general election victory in 2008. In order to assure victory, the Republican Party must unify behind a candidate whom all of the principal constituencies can, and will support; and that candidate is Senator Thompson, who by virtue of his consistent and conservative policy positions, and personal characteristics, is best positioned to engender the support of, and thus appeal to, all of the Republican Party’s three blocks of voters, fiscal conservatives; national security conservatives; and religious/social conservatives. If Republican voters desire to pursue the best opportunity for victory in November, they must now begin to coalesce around Senator Thompson, the most broadly appealing candidate, who because of his capacity to manifest a large Republican voter turnout, can indeed win in the general election.
Ping!
I tend to agree with this analysis and think that Thompson has the best chance of getting the necessary support from all factions of the party. I don’t see him alienating many voters in the party.
The problem is that he doesn’t seem to be the first choice for any of those factions and it may be a while before natural attrition in the list of candidates makes him the first choice for enough people to give him momentum.
This is one of the better articles I’ve read in a while. I thing it cuts to the chase!
I agree. Go Fred!
For the first time in my voting history, I am at a stalemate. Skipping all that rhetoric, I appreciate articles like this. Thanks. I printed it off to mull over.
Again, thanks.
Populism and "our" version of the Nanny State is not Conservatism. Have we forgotten what Conservatism really is? If Huckabee's brand of populism wins this election, it will destroy the national Conservative movement just as surely as it killed the Arkansas Republican Party. Perhaps too many voters are too young to remember the smarmy religiosity that swept Jimmy Carter to power -- or how Carter's disastrous policies almost destroyed our economy and our national security. Today, the GOP is on the verge of falling for a soft-spoken Huey Long with a theology degree. Wake up!
Good read. Anlysis is spot on.
Great article. Worth repeating.
Very good observation....
Indeed very accurate as well...
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
I agree, good article. Fred is coming up soon on Late Edition on CNN. GO FRED!
>>>>>Senator Thompson alienates none of the Republican Party’s ... constituencies.
Agreed. Fred Thompson has a solid pro-life and pro-family voting record. He's a federalist who believs in limited govt and his national security bonafides are exceptional. He'll make a fine POTUS.
GO FRED!
“Congressman Hunter sows fear among fiscal conservatives given his desire to renegotiate international trade agreements”
And that is the biggest reason you aren’t seeing him in the debates. Hunter is the only candidate willing to do something about the trade imbalance/cheap labor agreements which fuels the MSM and it’s corporate handlers.
Fear of placing national security ahead of large profits. And Congress would have to go along with any changes, which takes much of the teeth out of any changes Hunter would want.
He also lacks sufficient national name recognition and funding required for raising his national profile.
Can't argue with that, although, if conservatives really had their hearts set on a conservative candidate, they could have spent the time and money needed.
Nothing against Fred (if he wins, I'll support him), but he's being ignored by the media like Hunter, and if conservatives are as lazy in their support (time and money) of Fred, I see him headed in the same direction, while the liberal media (FOX included) pimps the "moderate" candidates.
I hope it isn't true, but the choices the media are pushing on us seem to promote a split amongst the Republican Party factions.
I guess stopping China from pirating billions in software and intellectual property each year from the US, stopping China’s aggressive espionage, renegotiating trade deals to kill off other countries’ tariffs, and eliminating all taxes on US manufacturers is pretty scary to the ill-informed idiots who think America can survive losing its manufacturing base. LOL
Fred’s strength with the evangelicals is important, but perhaps even more important is the fact that he earns it without saying or doing anything that makes cultural libertarians nervous. The last candidate to manage this this well was Reagan.
Low turnout is good for Republicans.
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