Posted on 01/09/2008 7:31:36 AM PST by jellybean
Thompson cruises through S.C. By RODDIE A. BURRIS
GOP hopeful looks ahead during N.H. primary
They were voting in New Hampshire, but Fred Thompson was stumping in South Carolina.
The television actor and former Tennessee U.S. senator became the first of the 2008 presidential candidates to arrive here Tuesday, abandoning the nation’s first primary and casting his lot in the Palmetto State.
Tuesday, he opened an 11-day bus tour, campaigning in Greenville, Lexington, Camden and Columbia. Political analysts think Thompson might need to win the Jan. 19 GOP presidential primary to keep his campaign viable.
“This is his kinda state,” said Yusef Hameen, 54, of Camden, who wandered out of his Broad Street clothing store to see the commotion caused by Thompson’s afternoon arrival. “That’s why he’s here early. He’s a Southerner, so he got here ahead of the rest, which tells me he thinks it’s worth it.”
But Hameen confessed he doesn’t plan to vote for Thompson, which probably is another reason the former “Law & Order” star is here so early. “I know him more as an actor,” Hameen said.
About 40 or so people gathered around variously to see Thompson, who shook hands, posed for pictures and smiled a lot. He strolled into a couple of shops and greeted folks, then boarded his bus again.
“Hey, buddy! It’s good to see you,” Thompson said to one bystander. “I didn’t expect a crowd.”
Brenda Moseley of Dalzell and Judith Henderson of Sumter also were among the curious who walked up to see Thompson. But are they going to vote for him?
“I’m undecided,” Henderson said.
“Don’t know yet,” Moseley said.
Henderson said she likes U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
“I’m on the religious right, and I’m still looking. We’re looking for a God-fearing candidate.”
The bad news for Thompson, who did not take media questions in Camden, is the latest Rasmussen poll out Tuesday showed him in fourth place in South Carolina, with 11 percent of the vote, down from being tied for the lead here among Republicans as recently as November.
That didn’t faze Brian Wieneke of Camden, who said he “lucked up” on Thompson’s visit while picking up his children from school.
“We saw your bus and freaked out,” he told Thompson.
Wieneke, who had his daughters Ashleigh, 10, and Briana, 13, along, said he is a native of Brentwood, Tenn., where Thompson was his U.S. senator.
Kansas GOP: Fred Thompson Files The following information was released from the Kansas GOP Tuesday:
Topeka, KS—Today, Fred Thompson became the sixth candidate to file for the Kansas GOP Presidential Caucus. Thompson’s campaign filed the official paperwork and paid the filing fee this morning.Kansas Republican Party Chairman Kris Kobach stated, “I’m delighted to see that the Thompson Campaign has decided to devote its resources and attention to the Kansas Republican Caucus.
“With the filing of Senator Thompson for the Kansas Republican Caucus, we nearly have a full field. The candidates all recognize that if there is no clear winner coming out of Super Tuesday on February 5th, the Kansas Caucus will be an important battle ground.”
The KS GOP Caucus will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2008. In order to participate in the caucus, participants must be registered as a Republican by January 25, 2008 and must provide a photo ID at the caucus location. For more information about the caucus visit www.ksgopcaucus.org.
The Kansas Republican Party does not endorse candidates in a contested primary. This announcement should not be construed as an endorsement for any specific candidate.
This is exactly right. It's their plan in a nutshell. There are just a handful of regular detractors but they are very active. All Fred supporters need to keep posting for Fred so readers can see he's still the best choice for conservatives in 2008 and that the race is still very much open for a Fred Thompson win.
"I am grateful to Congressmen Putnam and Miller for their support of the campaign and for their leadership on issues critical to the future of our country," said Senator Thompson. "We share a belief in common sense conservative values, and I am looking forward to working with these gentlemen to continue to spread our message throughout Florida."
"Senator Thompson's dedication to freedom, free markets and the rule of law will help our country face important challenges and opportunities head on," said Putnam.
"Through his principled leadership, he will insist on transparency and full disclosure in government spending and will promote the common sense, pro-growth policies that have helped Florida maintain a low unemployment rate and a high quality of life."
Congressman Adam Putnam represents Florida's 12th Congressional District.
He is chairman of the Republican Conference, third in line in the Republican leadership of the United States House of Representatives. A fifth generation Floridian, Putnam graduated from the University of Florida and was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1996-2000. He was elected to Congress in 2000, and reelected subsequently. Congressman Putnam and his wife reside in Bartow, Florida, with their four children.
Congressman Jeff Miller represents Florida's 1st Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. A Florida native, Miller graduated from the University of Florida and served in the Florida House of Representatives. He was elected to Congress in 2001, and reelected subsequently. Congressman Miller and his wife reside in Chumuckla, Florida.
In addition to Congressmen Putnam and Miller, endorsements of Senator Fred Thompson's presidential campaign announced today in Tallahassee include:
State Senator Paula Dockery (R-Lakeland)
Speaker Pro-Tempore Marty Bowen (R-Haines City)
State Representative Larry Cretul (R-Ocala)
State Representative Clay Ford (R-Gulf Breeze)
State Representative Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach)
State Representative Denise Grimsley (R-Lake Placid)
State Representative Doug Holder (R-Sarasota)
State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R-Miami)
State Representative Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland)
State Representative Mitch Needleman (R-Melbourne)
State Representative Bryan Nelson (R-Apopka)
State Representative Stephen Precourt (R-Orlando)
State Representative Garrett Richter (R-Naples)
State Representative Dennis Ross (R-Lakeland)
Endorsements of Senator Fred Thompson by local elected officials previously announced include:
Mayor Lynda Bell, Homestead
City Councilman, Daniel Burgess, Zephyrhills
County Commission Chairman George A. Bush, Clay
County Commission Chairman Ronnie Duncan, Pinellas County
Vice Mayor Gene Gallo, Bradenton
Mayor Protem Steve Van Gorden, Dade City
County Commissioner Joe Martinez, Miami-Dade
City Councilman Patrick Roff, Bradenton
County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, Miami-Dade
City Councilman Bemis Smith, Bradenton
City Commissioner John Sorey, Naples
County Commission Chairman Jeff Stabins, Hernando
Property Appraiser Mike Wells, Pasco County
I am not sure, that’s why I said, I just don’t know. :-) I do think a message about illegal immigration, taxes and the economy would resonate well on TV ads, as they are intertwined.
I sure hope you are right. Fred can beat any of the three Dems out there right now, and will if given the chance.
The Daily FRead still remains a relatively gnat-free zone. Don't know why...maybe they think no one reads it. **shrugs**
Actually thinking more about it, maybe it's because I post mostly positive Fred articles and they don't want it getting attention. That way they can also keep spouting the same talking points: "Where's Fred?" "Fred's lazy!" "Fred has no fire in the belly." If they post on the thread, they'll be exposed as the phonies they are.
Thompson aims to win in S.C., touts conservative record By Charles Tomlinson
FLORENCE — “I’m making my stand in South Carolina,” Fred Thompson said Wednesday, when he visited Florence and told Pee Dee residents that he has been the most consistent and conservative candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.
“Where I stand does not depend on where I’m standing,” Thompson said. “I say the same thing everywhere; always have, always will.”
The actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee said his goal is to win South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primary, on Jan. 19. He finished third in the Iowa caucuses and sixth in New Hampshire’s primary.
Thompson was visiting The Drive-in on East Palmetto Street one day before the GOP presidential debates in Myrtle Beach. He talked about his opposition to abortion and what he called amnesty for illegal immigrants as well as his support of gun owner’s rights.
Olanta resident Mary Powers said she hadn’t decided to vote for Thompson until she heard him speak Wednesday. “He’s not promising anything that he doesn’t think he can come across,” she said.
Truck has $385K.
About $77K per day so far.
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/video-judge-paul-pressler-supports-fred/
Judge Paul Pressler endorses Fred.
It is difficult to read much of anything on FR these days. It is all trying to knock down the candidates, one has no money [most don’t], not high enough in the polls, needs to drop out for someone else. All that is garbage with things so wide open.
I will see a post and wonder why am I here reading this? It does nothing but discourage. All that and Jim Robinson endorsed Fred, and Rush has been calling him a conservative. What does it take?
You and jellybean have been stalwart and I strongly appreciate all that you do.
I heard a Romney soundbite on the radio today telling his supporters to make phone calls and “promise them anything.” I’ll search for the soundbite later because I think it sums up his campaign.
“I heard a Romney soundbite on the radio today telling his supporters to make phone calls and “promise them anything.” I’ll search for the soundbite later because I think it sums up his campaign.”
Fred certainly does not make a promise he can’t keep! If anyone listens to this two part town hall meeting Fred had in SC, they would hear that Fred is not only right on all the issues but honest and straight forward in his answers to all the questions posed to him. GO FRED!
http://newsradioword.com/Fred-Thompson-at-Stax-Omega-on-Jan—8th-—Listen-t/1446603
Woohoo!! The truck was stalled at $385K for a LONG time, so I went and took an even longer bath, and it’s up to $410K!!
This from Redstate, some encouragement:
Do you trust Fred to know what he’s doing?
By MNConservative Posted in Archived — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Lately I’ve seen several articles by hyperventilating FredHeads convinced the sky is falling. I’ve even had to shore up wavering FredHeads here in my local BPOU. Yes we have our concerns. Yes it is frustrating to see clearly what so many of our fellow conservatives don’t. It is truly maddening to hear people engaging in “strategic voting”.
But I want to ask you, fellow FredHeads, do you trust Fred to know what he’s doing? If you think he’s making such bad strategic decisions that you feel the need to bother his campaign with warnings of doom, do you really think he’ll do well with strategic decisions once he’s in the White House?
Maybe my faith is ill-placed, but personally I trust that Fred has this under control. He’s maintaining his adult candidate status, while not alienating the voters who currently support someone else. He’s showing himself to be the consistent conservative while not engaging in the internecine bludgeoning we see between Huck and Mitt.
Keep in mind that as long as no candidate amasses 1200 delegates, we’ll have at least two rounds of voting at the convention. This pretty much guarantees Huckabee and Giuliani will be out unless we want a split... and where will their delegates go? Who is acceptable to pretty much everyone in the party? Who is almost everyone’s current “second choice”? My opinion is that if we don’t have a clear winner on the first ballot, we’ll end up with a President Fred.
And THAT is something to smile about.
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